Travel to Ethiopia: Your Ultimate Two-Week Itinerary

Ethiopia is still shaking off the shackles of an unfortunate past and an image that was inadvertently created by Live Aid in the 1980’s. Stricken by famine, the country was given an incredible amount of support back then. Sadly, the money was ill spent, and it didn’t help the ordinary people who call it home. Despite its dismal past, you should definitely plan to travel to Ethiopia! This is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and fascinating countries on the planet! It features mind blowing landscapes, sensational food, and unique attractions. Not to mention, the Ethiopian people are some of the warmest and friendliest that you will ever meet.

When to Travel to Ethiopia

Although absolutely any time is a good time to see Ethiopia, the rainy season hits in June, July and August. However, this also means that the months that follow are incredibly lush. Therefore, September or October is truly a nice time to visit. If you plan to travel to Ethiopia after having spent two weeks in Kenya, you can easily organize an itinerary to experience both countries at the best time of year. August happens to be the peak season for wildlife in the Maasai Mara in neighboring Kenya, which makes combining the two destinations a logical choice.

Ethiopia Travel Itinerary for Two Weeks

Now that you know when is the best time to visit Ethiopia, let’s take a look at all the incredible places you will see once there.

Day 1, 2, 3 – Addis Ababa

Whether you fly to Ethiopia from overseas or from nearby Kenya, your first stop will be Addis Ababa, the capital. Take a few days here to spend some time relaxing and exploring the local sights. You can enjoy a visit to some of the ancient churches like Holy Trinity or Medhane Alem. If shopping is your preference, head to the bustling market of Merkato.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations in Addis Ababa on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! Lovely Hotel Tirago or friendly Kefetew Guest House are our personal choices, but there are many other great options.

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There is also the Red Martyr Museum, if you are interested in learning more about the victims of the violent Red Terror organization. Whatever you choose to do, there is certainly enough here to fill a couple of days at the very least. If you decide to stay longer, Addis Ababa has a lot of excellent accommodation options. Take your time to enjoy the city, the delicious local food, and recharge before continuing up north.

Day 4, 5 – Bahir Dar and Lake Tana

Once in Bahir Dar, you will have the opportunity to see one of the great lakes in Ethiopia. While Bahir Dar is a good base from which to explore, the highlight of the region is Lake Tana. Another worthwhile nearby attraction is the Blue Nile Falls. These falls are absolutely spectacular and worth the effort should you have an extra day to spare. While in this region, you may notice that Lake Tana feels a million miles away from Bahir Dar. The area consists of many monasteries, which date as far back as the early beginnings of Christianity. You can venture out on the lake by boat or hike around the lakeside. Either way, this is a truly beautiful place and a must when in Ethiopia!

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HOTELS: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations in Bahir Dar on Booking.com. Once again, we have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! These are the places visitors like the most. Winn Hotel is our personal recommendation for Bahir Dar.

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Day 6, 7, 8, 9 – Gondar, Lalibela, Axum

Gondar

After arriving in the city of Gondar, you should take one day to rest and perhaps another at the end. This will give you a chance to recharge before moving back toward Addis Ababa. Gondar Castle offers a magnificent sight in the center of town. It was around this stunning structure that the city was built.

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HOTELS: Click HERE to check out the highest-rated accommodations in Lalibela on Booking.com. Again, we have filtered out the ones that visitors don’t rate very highly. Ben Abeba Lodge is our top choice in Lalibela, as it offers great atmosphere and spectacular views. If you prefer to stay in Gondar, click HERE to check out a few lovely places! Our favorite one in Gondar is Inn of the Four Sisters.

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The ancient beginnings of Gondar can also be found in other attractions. These include the church of Debra Birman Selassie or the medieval baths in Fasilides, which was once the bathing place of a King with the same name. Located near the Simien Mountains, this is also a very scenic town.

Lalibela

A religious complex like none other, the churches of Lalibela are some of the most unique in the world. They are also the most popular tourist attraction in Ethiopia, and for good reason. Bete Giyorgis is the best known of these structures and this rock-hewn church is absolutely incredible.

Axum

Another interesting area nearby is Axum, which is lesser known but equally as impressive. You will discover that both the Palace of Queen Sheba and the Church of St Mary of Zion are built into the cliff sides. Conveniently, the travel time to reach them is far less than getting to Lalibela.

Day 10, 11 – Addis Ababa

It should take the best part of one day to drive back to Addis Ababa, the capital city. Once there, you may want to take another day to rest before either heading home, or continuing your journey through Ethiopia.

If you choose to stay for a few more days, this would be the time to book a trip to the surreal Danakil Depression. You will need to take an organized tour into this region as a military escort is mandatory. This is the unfortunate result of some tensions with nearby Eritrea. Some online sources, that can help with planning such a journey in advance are Brilliant Ethiopia and Ethio Travel and Tours among others. It is always a good idea to check with your local embassy to assure that such a trip would be advisable and safe.

Day 12, 13 – Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression is an area of Ethiopia which looks like no place on Earth. It features the breathtaking sulphur field at Dallol and the ancient Ale volcano. This is where you will get a chance to peek directly into the core of our Mother Earth. There is also an enormous salt flat which rivals the famous Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. If you decide to make this journey, one thing is for sure, you will remember these vistas for the rest of your life.

Day 14, 15 – Addis Ababa

While you may not need any more time in the capital, this will inevitably be the point from which you will travel home or elsewhere. It may be a good idea to take an extra day here to rest in your hotel before heading to the airport.

Kenya and Ethiopia, One Month of Absolute Variety

In general, Ethiopia is a much more primitive experience than Kenya and most other countries in Africa. Yet, the absolute rawness and authentic nature of travel make this such a beautiful place to experience. You will have the opportunity to mix with friendly locals and sample the variety of delicious food. You will be able to trek in the Simien Mountains and witness miles of unspoiled landscapes.

On the other hand, Kenya is well adapted regarding tourism and can feel slightly less authentic at times. This, however, does not take away from the overall experience and very real interactions in places such as the Maasai Mara.

Just Travel to Ethiopia and Kenya

There you have it! One month is a great amount of time to plan a travel itinerary for both Kenya and Ethiopia. The only major decision is whether you are happy to endure some bumpy road in between or if you prefer to fly from Kenya to Ethiopia. Either way, an unforgettable trip to Africa awaits! An encounter with the food, locals, landscapes, wildlife, and ancient traditions of the Dark Continent are sure to leave you wanting more. So, pack your bags and get ready for an incredible adventure!

Disclaimer

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Additional Resources to Help Plan Your Travel to Ethiopia

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• Lonely Planet’s Guide to Ethiopia – Lonely Planet’s guide to Ethiopia. Check out also their information about Addis Ababa, Axum (or Aksum), Bahir Dar, Gondar (or Gonder), Lalibela, and much more
• 10 Things to Know Before Visiting the Danakil Depression – A very interesting insight into what it’s really like to visit the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia
• Danakil Depression Tours: What to Know Before You Go – Another great blog post about visiting the Danakil Depression
• U.S. Department of State: Ethiopia Travel Advisory – Check out what the U.S. Department of State has to say about safety and travel to Ethiopia

Note: Photo credit for the featured image at the beginning of the article goes to © John Wollwerth | Dreamstime.com

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