Snapshot: Ethiopia

Return to the cradle of mankind and civilization

Getting There: You may choose to fly directly to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport from Singapore with Ethiopian Airlines.

Travel Visa: An Ethiopian eVisa is required for Singaporeans regardless of the length of stay.

Currency: SGD 100 = 2374.24 Ethiopian Birr

Language: The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, however you’ll find people speaking Omoro, Somali, Tigrinya and basic English.

 

Lalibela

Located in the Northern region of Ethiopia, is the small history-soaked town of Lalibela. Home to incredible monolithic churches, Lalibela was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. Legend has it, these beautiful churches were actually chiseled down from pink volcanic rock under the instruction of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela with the aid of angels. Today, the grandeur of the monoliths have been slightly marred by a protective screen set up by UNESCO, but one – Bet Giyorgis, the church dedicated to Saint George. 

Simien Mountains National Park

If you’re an animal lover, this national park is definitely one you do not want to miss. This park is home to many endemic animals such as the Ethiopian Wolf, Gelada and Walia Ibex to name a few. Besides the abundance of wildlife, as the name suggests, the park is also an amazing hiking spot. Hire a guide and trek the routes to the various camps in the escarpment, each route offering its own unique scenery.

 

Blue Nile Falls

Credit to Alastair Rae

Known locally as Tis Abay (meaning Great Smoke), the Blue Nile Falls is a sight to behold. The four-streamed waterfall proudly stands at 45 metres in height. Although it may not be the tallest, this natural beauty allures visitors with its spray earning it its name. Getting to the falls is all part of the adventure as you choose to either cross the first stone bridge ever built in Ethiopia that spans the gorge or ride a motorboat to the base of the majestic falls itself. 

Danakil Desert

Danger alert! Known to be one of the hottest and driest places on the planet, the temperature of Danakil Desert can reach up to 55°C in the day. The desert is also home to the Danakil Depression. The drifting apart of tectonic plates caused the area to sink about 100 metres below sea level, earning the depression its title of being the lowest place on Earth. Some researchers believe that the high concentration of sulfur from the volcanic activities nearby may risk the health of visitors.