Flights to Ethiopia

Ethiopia, on the horn of Africa, is a country of unusual beauty. You will find a rich history here dating back to prehistoric times. Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent and Christian country. The country was occupied for five short years by the Italians but never colonized. The ancient name for Ethiopia is Abyssina and you will still hear the country referred to as this at times.

Ethiopia follows the Coptic calendar. Each of the twelve months has thirty days. There is a “surprise” month added at the end of the year that lasts for five or six days. The thirteen months have led to the saying, “thirteen months of sunshine”. The New Year begins during our month of September.

The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa. It is a good base from which to tour the country. The Ethiopian National Museum is located here and is a must see. A plaster cast of the hominid Lucy is on display. The original skeleton was found by the Leakeys in Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley. You can take a tour by foot of Addis Ababa starting at St. Mary’s and walking to St. Ural. St. Ural is elevated above the city and will give you magnificent vistas.

Adama, outside the capital is a fast growing weekend destination for the locals. It is also a great retreat for travelers after they have toured the area. Near the Eritrean border you can visit ancient tombs at Aksum. Ethiopia also has many National Parks that preserve the wonders of the country.

The national dish of Ethiopia is Injera, bread made of grain grown in the mountains. It is usually served with wot, a type of stew. Tibbs is another popular dish made of meat that has been fried and covered in a tart sauce. If you do not eat meat order shiro wat, a vegetable soup. Oddly enough you can find spaghetti in Ethiopia. It is believed to have been brought to the country during the Italian occupation in the 1930’s.

The national airport is in Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport. Ethiopian Air, British Airways, KLM, and many other carriers land here daily. You will need a visa to enter the country and they can be arranged before you arrive or you can apply for one at the airport. You will want to arrange with your guest house or hotel to meet you at the airport. Enjoy the ride into the capital and the beginning of an amazing vacation.