There’s nowhere like it on the planet for wildlife, wild lands and rich traditions that endure. Prepare to fall in love.
Bahir Dar’s history begins in the 13th or 14th century with the establishment of the Kidanemihret church, and was named “Bahir Dar”, meaning “near the sea”, during Emperor Yikuno Amlak’s reign. It grew as a regional economic centre, particularly in the...
The Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Issat (“Smoking Water”), are located approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Bahir Dar (🚙6,500 ETB, guide 1,500 ETB, 🚢200 ETB, 🎟️200 ETB). These falls are formed where the Blue Nile River plunges about 45 meters into a deep gorge...
Today we hired a boat for 7,000 ETB and a local guide for 2,000 ETB to explore ancient Orthodox monasteries around Lake Tana. The history of the Lake Tana monasteries is rooted in the Ethiopian Christian faith, with their origins tracing back to the 13th century, though many structures...
Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest freshwater lake, situated in the Amhara region at an altitude of approximately 1,840 meters above sea level. It is the source of the Blue Nile and was formed by volcanic activity blocking the river’s course about 5 million years ago. The lake is...
Hawassa was founded in 1960 under Emperor Haile Selassie, with its initial growth spurred by the settlement of 404 pensioned soldiers and their families in the area. Nowadays, it is a modern city in Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley, known for its beautiful lake, well-planned layout, and...
Shashemene is a city in southern Ethiopia, known as the spiritual home of the Rastafarian community. It’s a city with a vibrant, lively atmosphere, cultural diversity, and natural beauty, situated near the Rift Valley lakes. Buddy, Linda and her husband introduced us to the...