Africa's most ancient civilization — the Aksumite obelisks, the Lalibela rock-hewn churches, the coffee ceremony that gave the world its morning ritual, and the Danakil Depression's alien landscape.
- Capital
- Addis Ababa
- Population
- 111,652,998
- Area
- 1,127,127 km²
- Languages
- Amharic
- Currency
- Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
- GDP
- $117,457M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Wat with injera, Fit-fit
Annual visitors
518,000 (2020)
Safety
Elevated (8.51/100k)
Avg temp
23.4°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Landlocked
☎ Police 91 · Ambulance 92 · Fire 93
Travel guide
Travelers to Ethiopia (Amharic: ኢትዮጵያ ʾĪtyōpyā) experience a country divided into two: in the north and east the focus is on cultural heritage, while in the south there are several national parks and lakes in the area of the East African Rift with their flora and fauna as well as the habitat of several indigenous peoples. Ethiopia is Africa's third-most populous country (after Nigeria and Egypt), oldest independent country and one of only two never colonised by a European power, save for a short Italian occupation in the 1930s and 1940s.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Ethiopia
Best time to visit
October–March is the best period. December–January offers the clearest skies. Lalibela's Christmas celebrations (January 7) are extraordinary. The Danakil Depression is cooler November–February. Rainy season (July–September) is best avoided.
Visa
Most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia apply for an e-Visa at evisa.gov.et before travel. Visa on Arrival is also available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Highlights
The Simien Mountains National Park in Northern Ethiopia is an exotic setting with unique wildlife and breath-taking views on a landscape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture. The natural beauties of this region have always filled visitors from Ethiopia and abroad with awe. Gentle highland ridges at altitudes above 3600 meters above sea level (m asl), covered with grasses, isolated trees (Erica &bored) and the bizarre Giant Lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) are found on the high plateau that ends abruptly at 1000- to 2000-m deep escarpments.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (14)
Book your trip to Ethiopia
We may earn a commission when you book through these links.