Eritrea lies to the north and Kenya to the south. Sudan lies to the west of the country and Somalia lies to the east.

Also the country is the second oldest country which is and official Christian nation after Armenia. Ethiopia was never colonized which is one unique thing about this country compared to most African countries although it was under Italian military occupation for a period of five years.

The country is quite historical. In fact its name was Abyssinia.  Which is Turkish; for land of the habesha people.

The climate here is a tropical monsoon with lots of variation. Even thought it is close o the equator, the climate is cooler than most other countries with the similar attribute. The reason being, most of the major cities in the country are much higher than sea level.

In fact the local capital of Addis Ababa is located at the foot of a hill range that is home to  Mount Entoto.

If you want to get around, buses are quite common here. There is a comprehensive system and cheap busses that you can quite commonly used here.

One remarkable attribute of Ethiopia is that like many other African countries, namely; Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. All these have national parks and wildlife reserves.

Ethiopia is also a country with many national parks and wildlife reserves and conserves.

Lets us check out the Ethiopian safari

The safari starts out from the front of the traveler frontier right into the deepest sections of the south of Ethiopia.

If you are traveling to this place by road, then you can head south along the Rif valley lakes and the omo basin which is to the south of the road.  And then once you come closer to the north side of the jade sea the place is right there.

You will find many nomadic tribes, the river and basin of omo. The most spectacular thing about these lakes is the largest crocodiles in the world are found here in this lake.

A lot of historians, ancient researchers, naturalists and scientist come here to Ethiopia and usually visit the north.

Although the south western region of the country is a famous place for pilgrimage.

On the safari you will get to see amazing scenery, sparkling lakes, a verity of plant and animal life. Also here you will find a blend of many cultures.

Furthermore the location of these churches is far-flung as well as isolated, on the other hand these rocky slopes that gaze out beyond huge horizons of the green as well as brown foothills, which are overflowing with humanity. Numerous generations of the priests, dazzling in their robes as well as with the ornamental crosses held in hand, have a propensity to these churches, whilst crowds of pilgrims arrive here for worshipping. Following in their footsteps, it is sure that you will pass the length of the deep corridors, which are been carved into the mountain cliffs that shows a way to these medieval monuments.

Numerous myth have described that these churches were been built almost 800 yrs ago through a religious king, Lalibela. He was wiling to generate a ‘New Jerusalem’, which is a place of pilgrimage at this juncture in the highlands. In addition recent research puts forward that they have a great deal older history, which stretches back up to the seventh century.

In addition, the most imposing fraction of the eleven main churches is its shape, which is similar to a colossal monolithic cross, which rises from a pit that is been dug almost 11m deep, by means of its roofing positioned at the level of the ground. Stroll into the interior, which is all lighted by means of candles as well as you will come across columns plus grottoes, which are richly decorated by means of Christian images together with the patron of the church, St. George, killing the dragon.

If you want to have the real taste of the Churches of Lalibela, in that case try attending few of the popular festivals, such as Christmas, the Timkat, or else Easter, which are unbelievably colourful as well as high-spirited times for visiting. Pilgrims hit on Lalibela from each and every corner of the world. St George’s Day is in fact a real underline here. Hordes of the faithful arrive here wearing the bright white or else the vivid gowns, rest on the periphery of the cliff over these church, moreover they are chanting as well as swaying in instant to the traditional music.

On one occasion you are at these churches try attending a service as well as wonder at the structural design whilst priests read as of ancient tomes along with censers sweep up incense in the air.

As soon as we in conclusion reached Tis Abay Township, it appeared that the entire population was following us. Populace running among us, jumping in frontage of our bikes, as well as trying to acquire our concentration in each and every way: we speedily purchased our ticket, parked our bikes as well as walked off. Certainly, this was not adequate to get away, more than ever in the region of the Portuguese Bridge, which was constructed in the year 1620, where the souvenir sellers, as well as kids posing the same as guides, in addition to various other locals simply bored as well as looking for a number of distraction in the structure of overseas tourists jumped on the backs.

If truth be told, we would be pursued for a long time through the locals, as well as it was harder when compared with anyplace other than this in Ethiopia to chuck out them as well as simply get pleasure from the background all by ourselves. Without doubt, we overlooked the throng as much as it was possible for us; on the other hand it left only us in the midst of the most immovable of self-assigned guides. While we visited immediately subsequent to the closing stages of the rainy season, Blue Nile waterfalls appeared to have lost a great deal of its water, as well as in fact, we in a while found out that one of the power plant placed on the Blue Nile falls takes away a few around 80% of the water flow. The Blue Nile falls name might be the Water, which Smokes (commonly Tis Issat) or else Smoke as of the Nile (commonly Tis Abay), on the other hand the thunder has vanished.

Even today, the Blue Nile falls are value for at least one visit, the surroundings the fall is beautiful, as well as particularly as soon as you stroll the round, you can move toward near to the Blue Nile falls by means of traversing one side river in addition to walking in the direction of the periphery of this falls. It is as well probable to come on the brink of the basin of the Blue Nile falls, where you can arrive at an everlasting, extremely limited rain forest, which developed at this juncture thanks to the invariable spray. It is incredibly inopportune that the Blue Nile falls have been to a great extent restricted by means of the hydro power plant; as a result of looking at these massive bare cliffs you can simply envision how amazing they were. It is in addition more inopportune that the citizens of Tis Abay are attempting to craft some visits as disagreeable as probable.

Ethiopia is known for a massive highland complex of mountains surrounded by semi-dessert areas and steppes.  The country is considered one of the oldest in the world.  In fact some historians believe Ethiopia is the beginning of mankind, a point which can be debated though.

Ethiopia has a rare distinction of being the only country in Africa, which never fell under colonization.  In fact, Ethiopia has a proud place in world history. The famous Greek historian of the 5th century BC, Herodotus, has described about the country in his writings.  The Old Testament of the Bible has also recorded the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem and lastly, the 3.5 million years old fossils of ‘Lucy’ were found in Northern Ethiopia.

As it is one of the oldest countries in the world, the nation is full of historical monuments and natural beauties like mountains, waterfalls, lakes and even deserts.

Let’s have a look at some of the must visit places of this historic nation.

Harar:

The roots of this ancient town date back to as early as 896 A.D.  This was the time when the foundation of the first Muslim sultanate was laid.  Later, in 1521 AD, Amir Abubakar Muhammad made Harar his capital.  Later, in the same century, the construction of the Great Wall (Jugal) took place around Harar.  This Great Wall is the town’s greatest feature and as a result, Harar became an important trading center.

Addis Ababa:

This city is the capital of modern day Ethiopia.  The city is nestled at the foot of the famous Mount Entoto.  The roots of the city date back to the late 1800s when Ethiopian emperor Menelik II was at the helm of affairs. Addis Ababa is known throughout the world for it houses the fossilized skeleton and replica of world-renown early hominid ‘Lucy’.  The fossils and replica are housed in the Ethiopian National Museum.

The city is also home to the largest open market in the African continent at the Merkato district.  The place is also famous for cathedrals and Shengo Hall, which ranks as the largest prefabricated building of the world.

Lalibela:

Lalibela is famous for its churches.  In total, the town houses 11 Orthodox churches.   The unique part about these churches is that they are all carved out of rock.  Each and every church is made out of solid red rock and date back to the 12 century.  The biggest church of Medhane Alem is 11 m in height and 30 m in length and 24 m in width.  The Beta Giorgis or the Church of St. George resembles a cross surrounded by a 40-ft/12-m trench.

Historians believe the churches were constructed by King Lalibela to celebrate his conversion to Christianity.  The city was built as the King’s own New Jerusalem.  The town comes alive in the month of September when the baptism of Jesus Christ is celebrated in great fervor. This event attracts people from all around the world to this historic town.

The Saturday market also brings the town alive. The Ethiopian villagers come together to trade cows, goats, vegetables and cloth.

Hence, Ethiopia is a great place to visit for all the history lovers as the entire country is full of ancient works for everyone to explore.  The nation is full of churches, mosques and many other things ready for exploration.  So go ahead and plan a trip to this nation.

But Lava Lakes is a fascination to watch and best attraction, be it in these pics attached or pics that you can Google from, these Lava lakes are a magnum of light show’s to some and to some people a catastrophe that has blown their lives. Though am not a volcanologist, but it was some sought of my complete wacky inquisitive that has took me to the aerial tour of a Lava Lake. Sharing this insight with you, can be termed as my immense pleasure or you can think what of what big fool I am to take such a trip when I could have gone to best around the world tour.

To really start with, what is Lava Lake?

In a lay man language so that it’s easy for all to understand, basically Lava Lakes are large amount of molten lava, which are normally presented in a vent of volcanic mountain or the volcanic crater, also in broad depression in earth. Lava lakes are just not the molten magma or lava even the cooled and partly or completely solidified lava can be termed as lava lakes.

How is it formed?

When molten lava flows out from a one or more vents, of the crater and erupting lava is enough that partially fills the crater, or at times a lava flows into the broad depression and fills it or atop a new vent that is erupting lava continuously for some weeks and more, which end up building its crater high and higher above the surrounding ground.

This is just the basic thing you ought to know before admiring those pics and viewing any videos about it. It’s not an easy task to study these Lava Lakes as these are most dangerous grounds in earth and where you are risking your life as burning to death alive. Horrendous, horrific, you know people live around these kinds of places and especially some tribal people who don’t even know about the warning system that government has for volcanoes. You must have seen the movie Volcano and Dante’s Peaks, but it’s much horrific and terrible then those movies can actually present. Being volcanologist is hell of a job man and it really needs a passion and determinations of hardest things in earth that can be diamond.

The five persistent Lava Lakes in the world which are at the summit:

• Erta Ale, Ethiopia
• Mount Erebus, Antarctica
• Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

• Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ambrym, Vanuatu

The first place that I choose to go, and not going into the details as how I went and where did I stay I will get directly to Erta Ale Ethiopia:

This was the most fascinating site, I must say. This lake is sometimes one lake or it even becomes two. Erta Ale basically means Smoking Mountain and in the local language it means “gateway to hell”. With the searingly hot temperature, I could feel it even though I was right at top at great height eventually after quick close view, the active volcano of Africa I have no initially words to describe it. I don’t wanna call this sight as horrible only but I cannot call it beautiful if you could understand the dilemma that I faced. It’s in Afar depression region, in badlands desert area of Northern Ethiopia, 613 meters high (2.011 ft), at its summit but the whole area is surrounded by an area which are below sea level, and this is the lowest volcanoes in world. The lava occasionally overflows in south side of Erta Ale, also it is the longest existing lava lake, and its presence is since twentieth century in some year believed to be 1906, honestly I was totally stunned or stupefied all through the tour as when I reached the summit and when I actually landed back.

Basically what I saw was the like a wave from some hole the lava was shooting out, and like a wave coming up and then flowing like a river. It was no ordinary sight, bright red and orange magma shooting up and becoming lava. Like fissures or I must say tributaries those lava rivers were flowing through the rocks. And the cooled lava was black and the wave like structure solidified and it was shining and had a luster. as we were approaching the place and even when we left the area not very immediate the rocks we saw there as if burnt and with holes, those rocks were ugly and looked dreadful. Can I be honest if you don’t think that I got scared, it really looked like a place of hell! That gleam, intermittent lights coming from those rocks of mountains was amazing thing. But I really didn’t want to get too close knowing what it actually is. The black solidified lake is also called Lava Lake; a dreadful thing is if a ground water hits hot or molten magma rock then there is explosion eruptions which can harm the settlements there. Living and the livestock’s along with the property get burned alive in many of such accidents in volcanic eruptions. The steam that comes out along with the smoke is very harmful and deadly.

This incredible sight had last major eruption in September 25, 2005 and still additional lava flowing activity took place in 2007 which has forced people to flee and killed some 250 livestock in 2005 and two people missing in 2007 and as many people had to be evacuated and live their property and leave.

I would never forget this sight ever in my lifetime of lava bubbling and spewing out. It was some experience that I would not say as pleasant because there is nothing pleasant about volcano and Lava Lake. Yet this place has its significance which will keep reminding the human about the ever changing and dynamic facet of nature.

As I came back to my suite and stayed in the air conditioned room for some hours didn’t even venture out much after that, it was my home I think that brought me back some pleasant feelings. Though I loved as what I did, and it was absolutely amazing thing yet…

Location

The home of the Mursi is enclosed by mountains situated in the region of the River Omo and its various branches. Mago is the major residing area of the Mursi. It is one of the majority isolated areas of the nations. Their neighbors consists of the Banna, the Aari, the Bodi, the Kwegu, the Kara, the Me’en as well as the Nyangatom and also the Suri. They are clustered as one with the Me’en as well as the Suri by the Ethiopian administration beneath the title Surma.

Language

The Mursi have their personal language, also known as Mursi, which is off the record as one of the major “Surmic” languages; it is personally connected (over 80% cognate) to Me’en  as well as Suri, and also with the Kwegu. As stated in the national census of the year 1997, there were around 3,163 citizens who were recognized as Mursi in the region of SNNPR. Around 3,158 use Mursi as their initial language, while 31 use it as their second speech.

As stated by the analytical volume of the national census taken in the year 1994, where Mursi was counted with Me’en, it was found that 89.7% of the total population were speaking only one language that was Mursi, and the other different languages which were used were Bench (spoken by 4.2% of the total population), Amharic (3.5% the administrator language of Ethiopia, as well as Kafa (spoken by the 1.1% of the total population).

Two most significant orthographies that belonged to the Mursi language exist even today one is written by the use of “Amharic abiguda” while the second is written in a Latin-based characters. The orthography which was based on Amharic was expanded by the associates of the messenger association who were helping in the Mission, who have toiled among the Mursi at the region of Maki since the year 1987. The orthography which was based on latin was expanded by Moges Yigezu, who was working at Addis Ababa University.

Religion and Culture

The Mursi populace’s religion is known as Animism, even though about 15% of the total populations are Christians. The census of the year 1994 stated that 97% of the total Mursi inhabitants were uneducated. The Mursi females are well-known for wearisome plates in their subordinate lips. These lip discs were created by the use of clay. Girls are pricked at the small age some where around 15 or 16. Same kind of body embellishments are worn by the Suyá populace, which is a Brazilian ethnic group.

Omo National Park

The African Parks Foundation as well as the government park bureaucrats are pointed the finger at of pressurizing Mursi into benevolent up their property surrounded by the limitations of the Omo National Park exclusive of recompense. The credentials are being used to decriminalize the borders of the park, which African Parks has purchased.

A grouping known as the “Native Solutions to Conservation Refugees” says that the credentials will declare the Mursi as the ‘illegal squatters’ on their personal property and that a analogous providence is taking place with the Suri Cruz, as well as the Dizi, Me’en, and also the Nyangatom tribes, who as well dwell surrounded by the park. Subsequent to the African Parks Foundation purchase of the Nechisar National Park, the Mursi from there were thrown out and around 463 homes were put on fire in the year 2005 on November 25.

The Mursi inhabitants have acknowledged their land a neighborhood protection region since of July, 2008

The place has been listed in World Heritage list because of its cultural significance but not many people know that this place is also famous for its distinct coffee.

There are many ethnic groups residing here like the amhara, oromo, somali, gurage, tigray etc, which counts Muslims and Christians both.

When it comes to residents of the enclosed city, the original Harari dominate, they name themselves as ‘people of the city’.

The city was established many centuries ago. Though it was both politically and culturally free for many years after several wars of conquests it succumb to stronger opponents. The city along with its surroundings turned into an Ethiopian region in 1995.

This is the place where you can find the amazing amalgamation of Christianity and Islam with the African character.

There is an age old tradition of feeding hyenas with meat which once in a year, which now more of a strategy used to attract tourist.

I can bet you that the place is so pious that you would take away the pure religious feeling back to your home; the place is really different in the sense that the lifestyle and culture of people living there is extremely unique. You would not only enjoy watching altogether different set of clothing and food habits but also learn how two different religions like Islam and Christianity and different ethnic groups co-exist so peacefully.

You would notice huge cultural impact even on the buildings that has been constructed in the region. The atmosphere is extremely serene in such a hot place because of the calmness you would find in you heart in this amazing religious place. You must see all the mosques and shrines and like the inhabitants you would also feel the peace in your heart. Complains that you have with your almighty this place where you would get all the answers. This is a real treasure all humans have; everyone should explore the place. Culturally as well as religiously drench yourself in Harar Jugol.

In the shadow of the Twin Mountains at an altitude of more than 2300 meters, Gondar has spectacular view of farmlands and shimmering water of Lake Tana, thirty five kilometers to its south.

Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635 as its capital, before this they used to have different camp sites and no capital. It is said that Fasilidas had been given a prophecy which said that it should have capital with city’s name begin with ‘G’. Also a myth says that the king followed a buffalo to a spot at which now stands the Gondar Castle.

Gondar Castle has annals of rivalries and intrigues of history that elucidates its Art and Architecture of the Castle.

It was the interest in architecture of King Fasilidas that led to the construction of main Castle in late 1630’s and 1640’s. St Mary’s in Axum, Seven churches, number of bridges and three story pavilions which is sunken bathing area. It is still filled by river Qaha in Timkat season. The design is of medieval origin and decorations of churches in which Debra Berhan Selassie is remarkable masterpiece of Gondarene School of Art. Iyasu the Great Grandson of Fasilidas made the Church Debra Berhan Selassie which is also called the Light of Trinity. Flanked by high walls on raised platform, the interior is exquisitely done with paintings of religious history. Dominating the north wall is Trinity above the crucifixion. The beams have faces of eight angels with different expressions and characteristics. St Mary is depicted in west and in south and in east is Jesus’ life story. St George’s image on white horse done in white and red is in west with other important saints pictures.

Iyasu’s Castle was masterwork, with decorations with mirrors, ceiling covered in gold leaf and semi precious stones. With and ivory and painting’s of Palm tree the castle was finer the House of Solomon. Though now it has become gutted and eerie, it still shows the pinnacle of art it was.

As the chronology of Gondar says Iyasu who followed the footsteps of his great grand father, then got into depression coz of death of his favorite concubine. His son Tekla Haimanot then declared himself king and assassinated his father later. From here starts the tale of plots, killings, poisoning and tortures that echoes and reverberates in battlements, tunnels and towers of the castle. Tekla Haimanot was killed in return but following him his successor was desposed and next was poisoned. These Machiavellian plots came to end with Emperor Bakaffa, he brought some control in the kingdom and he also added to the Magnum Opus of Gondar. He contributed 2 fine castles for himself and one for his Empress Menteweb.

It was Iyasu II the last Gondar emperors the successor of Bakaffas, under him the construction of new range of buildings begin. He developed Kweskwam after Virgin Mary’s Home. This place is now just ruins of three storied castle and walls embedded with bas- reliefs of Ethiopian animals.

The city was then pivotal center of religion, learning and arts. Poetry, Painting, dance and music thrived here. A poet has expressed himself for Gondar as:

• Beautiful from its beginnings, Gondar, hope of the wretched!
• And hope of the Great, Gondar without measure or bounds!
• 0 dove of John, Gondar, generous-hearted, mother!
• Gondar, never bowed by affliction!
• Gondar with its merry name!
• Gondar, seat of prosperity and of savory food!
• Gondar, dwelling of King Iyasu and of mighty Bakaffa!
• Gondar, which emulated the City of David, the land of Salem!
• She will be a myth unto eternity!

Yet the Gondar came under threat and invasions from Ahmed Gragn.

The antique charm with ambience of medieval history Gondor Castle invite loads of visitors per year. The tour de force of modern city today has many picturesque and work of art attractions.

Now you can see the testaments of Gondar, a historical tour of:

Ruins of Royal Enclosure where the Emperor’s reigned in it is The Fasillides Castle, Iyasu’s Palace Mentewab’s Castle, Seven Churches built by Fasilides and Dawait’s Hall. It also has a chancellery, Banquet Halls, Libraries and stables.

The annual ceremony of honor of bathing in Fasiladas Bath, in the Qusguam complex; Ras Mikael Sehul’s Palace and the very famous Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Here you can visit Gondar University that has Ethopia’s mai faculty of medicine. You can use the Intercity Bus service for traveling and visiting the sites.

Also you will find the Italian touch and taste in downtown of Gondar where you come across pizzerias, public building with Italian designing. It was under Italian Occupation during the World War that has given Italian influence to the region.

Gondar with aura of mystery and never die spirit has bounced back each and every huddle in its step. The City had withstand invasions and distortion of its arts and culture and ruining of its heritage, though like Phoenix it has raised itself from its ashes and now it’s a stunning place to visit for all.