Visiting Ethiopia

Experience the wonder of Ethiopia and sponsors of DRE/HFCE are invited to visit the programs and children. All arrangements must be made through DRE, in accordance with approved guidelines. Visas and vaccinations are also required contact us for further information.

Ethiopia is a proud and ancient African civilisation. Most visitors are unaware that Ethiopia, unlike all other African nations, was only colonised by a European power (Italy) for a very short period. A dignified independence runs deep in the Ethiopian psyche. The proud monuments from this ancient empire are evident on a tour to the north.

Gondar is famous for its 17th-century castles and the iconic ceiling paintings of the church Debre Birhan Selassie. Formerly the capital of Ethiopia, Gondar is located just north of Lake Tana, 200 km from the Sudanese border. Gondar has survived multiple invasions, including air strikes in World War II.

The Semien Mountains are situated just north of Gondar. On the Ethiopian plateau of the Semien Mountains lies one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Erosion has created a climbers’ paradise with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping 1500 m. The national park is sanctuary to some extremely rare animals such as the Semien fox, the Gelada baboon and the Walia Ibex.

Axum was the capital city of the ancient Axumite Empire, one of the most powerful of the ancient civilisations. Dominated by massive granite obelisks or stelae fields and numerous archaeological sites, Axum’s historical importance is apparent. Ethiopians believe this is the location of the Ark of the Covenant, although it cannot be viewed.

Bahir Dar is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile that extends as far as Egypt. Bahir Dar is the primary gateway for excursions to Lake Tana to visit the more than twenty 14th-century island monasteries.

Harar is an ancient fortified town located 500 km east of Addis Ababa. The town is situated on a plateau, surrounded by deep gorges, deserts and savannah. The walls surrounding this sacred Muslim city were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Harar Jugol, said to be the fourth holiest city of Islam, houses 82 mosques, some of which were built in the 10th century.

The Rock-Hewn Churches of Tigray, remote and often barely accessible churches, were only recently ‘discovered’ by tourists. Carved into sandstone cliffs, some of the churches date back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Gondar is famous for its 17th-century castles and the iconic ceiling paintings of the church Debre Birhan Selassie. Formerly the capital of Ethiopia, Gondar is located just north of Lake Tana, 200 km from the Sudanese border. Gondar has survived multiple invasions, including air strikes in World War II.

The Semien Mountains are situated just north of Gondar. On the Ethiopian plateau of the Semien Mountains lies one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Erosion has created a climbers’ paradise with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping 1500 m. The national park is sanctuary to some extremely rare animals such as the Semien fox, the Gelada baboon and the Walia Ibex.