Central Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s capital: museums, markets and the birthplace of many a coffee ceremony.
Overview
Addis Ababa sits at about 2,350 metres in the hills of central Ethiopia and is the country’s capital and its transport hub. Most journeys begin and end here.
Give it a day or two. The National Museum shows the remains of “Lucy”, one of the best-known early human ancestors; the Mercato is one of Africa’s largest open-air markets; and the city’s restaurants are the easiest place to start on Ethiopian food.
Highlights
Plan your visit
October to March, though the city is pleasant most of the year
Most international flights arrive at Bole International Airport, which is also the hub for Ethiopian Airlines’ domestic network.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are common; the light rail runs north to south. Traffic can be slow, so allow extra time.
Gallery
Photos: Unsplash
Journeys
Departs 02 Nov
Addis Ababa
Three days of eating, walking and listening in Addis Ababa, from market stalls to a full coffee ceremony.
Departs 05 Nov
Addis Ababa
Five easy days that follow coffee from the forest to the cup, with a proper look at Addis Ababa along the way.
Length 14 days
Addis Ababa
A private fourteen-day journey combining the north, the Rift Valley and the south, planned around your dates.
Keep exploring
Central
Crater lakes and lakeside lodges, a short drive south of Addis Ababa.
Northern
Eleven medieval churches carved down into solid rock, and still in use today.
Northern
The royal enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi, with castles built from the 17th century.
Tell us when you want to travel and what you love. A local specialist will reply with a suggested plan and a clear price.
