Axum

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Axum, is a city in northern Ethiopia named after the long lived Kingdom of Aksum. Located in the Tigray near the base of the Adwa mountains, this town has an elevation of 2130 meters.AXUM, the site of Ethiopia’s most ancient city, is today a small town, ignorant of its glorious past. The 16th century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion is built on the site of a much older church probably resembling that of Debre Damo, dating from the 4th century AD. Only a platform and the wide stone steps remain from the earlier structure. The Cathedral is the repository of the crowns of some of Ethiopias former emperors. According to church legend, it also houses the original Ark of the Covenant – thus making St. Marys the holiest sanctuary in Ethiopia.–Founded perhaps 500 years after the downfall of Yeha, together with its Red Sea port, Adulis. which were abandoned suddenly – probably in the sixth century AD as the result of an invasion from Arabia, and, much more is known about the historic highland city of Axum. Protected by the mountains of northern Tigray, Axum survived and kept on having a big influence on the imaginations and spiritual lives of many Ethiopians. –A small and lowly town surrounded by dry hills, modern Axum does not easily shows the evidence of the splendors of its glorious past. Its drab breeze-block houses, roofed with corrugated iron, look little different from those of any other highland settlement and its people seem remarkable only for their impassive stoicism. Part buried, however, but also part exposed, the extensive traces of noble buildings with large stone foundations are found there side by side with the ruins of even more impressive structures: temples, fortresses, and rich palaces. Adding substance to ancient legends of fire-breathing monsters and testifying to the lost truths embedded in myths and fables, the bones of bygone eras protrude everywhere through the soil. Even today, long- buried hordes of gold, silver and bronze coins are exposed by heavy downpours of rain.

Axum, was a great commercial civilization trading with distant lands, among them Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India and Ceylon. To countries such as these the ancient Axumites exported gold, ivory, rhinoceros-horn, hippopotamus hide and slaves, and imported all kinds of textiles – cottons and silks, as well as knives, swords and drinking cups, metal for local manufacture into all sorts of objects, and numerous luxury goods, including gold and silver plate, military cloaks for the nobility, olive oil and lacquer ware. –Testimony to the importance of this trade is to be seen in the Axumite currency, in gold, silver and bronze, which was inscribed either in Greek or Ge,ez, and issued for several hundred years by over twenty different Axumite kings. Most of this fascinating money was struck in the city, but other coins were probably minted at Adulis, as well as in South Arabia, part of which in the sixth century was under Axumite control. –Today a replica or symbol of the Ark of the Covenant, known as the tabot, occupies pride of place in the holy of holies of every Ethiopian Orthodox Church. These replicas – which derive their sanctity from their relationship to the true and original Ark still believed by Ethiopians to be kept at Axum – are so important that no church is considered consecrated without one.–Ethiopia’s claim to the lost Ark of the Covenant is a contentious one. Many do believe this priceless Old Testament treasure rests in Axum, exactly where the Ethiopians say it is. It seems likely, however, that the Ark arrived in Ethiopia in the late fifth century Bc, about 500 years after the time of Solomon, Sheba and Menelik, for completely different reasons from those set out in the national epic. There is some evidence that it was first installed on an island in Lake Tana where it remained for 800 years before finally being moved to Axum around the time of Ethiopia’s conversion to Christianity in the fourth century AD.

The Northern Stelae Field contains more than 120 stelae made of smooth, grey stone. The stelae are each made from single pieces of granite and stand as high as 82 feet. All the Axum stelae face south, and so watch the sun on its daily journey across the sky.

The Stelae were carved and erected in the city of Axum (in modern-day Ethiopia), probably during the 4th century A.D. by subjects of the Kingdom of Aksum, an ancient Ethiopian civilisation. The largest of the grave markers were for royal burial chambers and were decorated with multi-story false windows and false doors, while nobility would have smaller, less decorated ones. Although there are only a few large ones standing, there are hundreds of smaller ones in various stages of disrepair

The area of Axum is home to what was once seven large stelae, all decorated in the same style, with doors and windows and astral imagery at the top. The largest (still standing) is 21m high (70ft) but there were larger with the heaviest, now fallen and broken estimated to have originally weighed in at around 500 tons.

Awash National Park

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Awash National Park is located 225kilometers, east of Addis Ababa (from where it can be reached in about 3 hours over the highway to Djibouti ) with an area of 756 Square kilometers. It is the oldest and most developed wildlife reserve in Ethiopia. The park is entirely established on the plain of the Rift Valley. With the exception of 600 meter high Mountain Fentale, the park area is predominantly covered with acacia trees and savannah grassland. The main tourist attractions of the park include the 46 major species of mammals and 453 species of birds among which six species are endemic to the country.

All the mammals are mainly composed of east African plain animals like greater and lesser kudu, Oryx bush-buck, dik-dik, Cheetah, lion and others. The bird species include secretary birds, Abyssinian ground hornbill, turaco and go away birds. Another interesting feature is the Awash River Gorge that makes up the park’s southern boundary and with a waterfall at its head.

Awash River water falls:– enclosed within the 850 Kilometers square area of the Awash National Park. The falls is an additional value and factor that makes the Awash River the most unique and attractive in Ethiopia. The Honest Awash River, as it is mostly referred to, starts and ends in Ethiopia. The Awash River waters most of the arid parts of the country and finally sinks into the sand. Not far from the Kereyou Lodge, but some steps down in to the river gorge, one comes to a spot least developed but quiet, close and directly in front of the Awash River Falls. The wonderful scenery can keep anybody focused for hours and end. Aqua marine hot spring pool and the Fentale volcano activity.

Wildlife–At all places and all times it is possible to see game: Oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle and wild pig are common. Slightly less frequent are the furry waterbuck which tend to appear near the river in the late afternoon. The tiny dik-dik, not easy to spot in the speckled shade of the acacia thorn, zebra grazing the plains to the west of Fantale, cheetah, serval and leopard are also there but it is not easy to spot them; baboons, both anubis and hamadryas, kudus, lesser and greater, the giant tortoise, hippo, reedbuck, aardvark and caracal are also represented. Klipspringer inhabit the higher slopes of the mountain and curious hyrax peer at you curiously from behind their rocks. In the bottom of the gorge you can spot the black and white colobus monkey.

Birdlife–Over four hundred species are recorded for the park: (The check list is available at the museum at park Head quarters). They range from the great ostrich, frequently and easily observed, and the less common Secretary Bird and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, to the flashes of brilliant pink which are the Carmine Bee-eaters, and the Abyssinian Roller with turquoise and purple, wings. And between these two extremes, birds of the riverine forest, Coucal, Turaco, Go-away Birds; birds of prey; and birds of the savannah.

Six endemics: Banded Barbet, Golden-Backed Woodpecker, White-Winged Cliff Chat, White-Tailed Starling, Thick-Billed Raven and Wattled Ibis.

Attraction–The park itself is traversed by a series of well-maintained tracks, which take in the most spectacular of the many scenic attractions. –To the north at Filwoha lies the hot springs oasis in its groves of palm trees. It is reached by either one of two scenic tracks which start opposite the main gate on the far side of the road and bearing right, progress either along the floor of the Awash Falls lower Valley or along the top of the ridge. –The Awash river gorge in the south of the park has some spectacular waterfalls near the park headquarters.

Access–Less than three hours’ drive from Addis Ababa, or one and a half from Nazaret is the Awash National park and Game Reserve. The main entrance is at the 190 km. mark and you have already passed the park boundary as you crossed the railway track just before Fantalle Crater, which rises 600 m. from the valley floor on the left. At this point there is a track to the left and it is possible to drive either up to the crater rim or right round the park to the hot springs although the road is such that the prospect will not tempt everyone. It is probably wiser to enter the main gate first and travel comfortably down towards the Awash River which constitutes the southern boundary of the park. Here is park Headquarters, sited near the dramatic Awash falls where the river enters its gigantic gorge.

Addis Ababa- New Flower

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Addis Ababa is a city located in central Ethiopia, with a population of around 3,384,569 people. Its elevation is ~2,355m/~7,726ft.

The location of Addis Ababa was chosen as a place to live in by the Empress Taytu Betul, and the city was founded by the Emperor Menelik II in 1887. It has only been the capital of Ethiopia since the late 19th century; before it the capital was Entoto.

The name Addis Ababa means “New flower” in Amharic and was given this name by Empress Taytu Betul. In 1905, the Emperor Menelik imported a large number of eucalyptus trees, which he planted along the streets of the city – these are still visible today.

Today, Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. It is split into 10 subcities and 99 wards. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Ethiopia’s official airline, Ethiopian Airlines, has its main headquarters at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. From this airport you can fly to different places in Ethiopia, like Lalibela or Gondar, and also internationally. Addis Ababa is often referred to as the political capital of Africa because of its historical, diplomatic, and political significance for the continent.

Addis Ababa is rich in places to visit. Some of the notable buildings include St. George’s Cathedral, which was founded in 1896, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which was once the largest Ethiopian Orthodox Cathedral, and the burial site of the Emperor Haile Selassie, who was buried in November 2000. You can also visit the fossilised skeleton of Lucy, one of the earliest known hominids, and a plaster replica of her at the Ethiopian National Museum. In Amharic, Lucy is known as Dinkinesh which means “You are marvelous”.

Other things Addis Ababa has to offer is the Mercato market, the largest open air market in Africa, the Entoto Mountains,Africa Park, and Meskel Square. The Meskel Square is the place in which thousands gather annually on Meskerem 17th (September 27th in the Gregorian calendar), for the Meskel Festival. The Meskel Festival (Amharic:) is a festival with processions and celebrations. A burning pyramid is set in the centre of the square, and set alight by priests. The pyramid is kept alight until the morning, after the night celebrations have ended.

Addis Ababa University, founded in 1950, is home to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies and the Ethnological Museum.

Attractions

St George’s Cathedral:–St George’s Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral). lies at the north end of Churchill Rd. Built in 1896 in the traditional octagonal shape to commemorate Ethiopia’s victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa, the Cathedral houses the work of Afewerk Tekle, the renowned Ethiopian artist responsible for the stained glass windows of the Africa Hall. Cathedral opens 0800-0900 and 1200-1400. There is a small museum in the compound.

 The Menelik Mausoleum: –The Menelik Mausoleum, built in 1941 to serve as the tombs of emperors and princes, and the Trinity Cathedral, are located nearby St. George’s. The Trinity Cathedral was built to commemorate Ethiopia’s liberation from five years of Italian occupation.

National Museum: –The small National Museum is located at Han St / Kilo crossroads, just north of St Mary’s Church. Guides are the only real source of information, since the exhibits are poorly labelled, but they vary in standard. The exhibits are varied, and include Lucy; the female fossil skeleton found in northeast Ethiopia in 1974, believed to be about three and a half million years old. The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts, some predating the Axumite civilization of Tigre. It also includes a selection of the more than 200 designs of crosses found in Ethiopia. It is open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1730.––Near the museum are the Lion Cages, probably the only place in Ethiopia to see the Abyssinian lion. The cages are probably best not visited by animal lovers.

Ethiopian Ethnological Museum. A fascinating museum with exhibits relating to the history and culture of Ethiopia. There are many displays of the various ethnic groups found in Ethiopia with information about each of their lifestyles. A large amount of ethnic outfits, instruments, tools, and other artifacts accompany each ethnic exhibit, making it one of the most interesting museums in the city.

Addis Ababa Museum. While the national museum houses artifacts from all over Ethiopia, this museum focuses solely on artifacts and exhibits from Addis Ababa. The building itself was once a palace where Ras Biru Habte-Gabriel, a former Minister of War, resided.

Holy Trinity Cathedral. It was once the largest Ethiopian Orthodox Cathedral. It was built to commemorate the country’s liberation from the Italians, and many victims killed by the Italians during occupation are buried here. The locals call the church *Haile Selassie Church, because Emperor Haile Selassie’s body was moved here in 2000.

 Menelik IISquare:

In Menelik II Square stands the imposing equestrian statue of Emperor Menelik II, the victor of Adawa. The statue was erected by Emperor Haile Selassie and dedicated on the day before his coronation in 1930, in memory of his great predecessor. The square is located outside the main gates of St. George Cathedral (Genete Tsige Menagesha Kidus Giorgis), and is close to City Hall. The distance markers on all the highways in Ethiopia mark the distance to their location from the base of the statue of Emperor Menelik II in this Square. Every year, on the anniversary of the victory of the Battle of Adawa, the Emperor would lay a wreath at this statue after attending mass at St. George Cathedral (the victory had occurred on St. George’s Day). Col. Mengistu continued laying a wreath here on the anniversary, but did not attend the church services as his regime was Marxist.

Yekatit 12 Martyrs Square (Sidist Kilo):    The Yekatit 12 Square (Sidist Kilo) monument stands in tribute to the thousands of innocent martyrs butchered by the Fascist Italian Occupiers on that date in in the Ethiopian Calender year of 1929 (1936 Gregorian Calendar). The massacre took place at the order of the Italian Vice-Roy Marshal Grazziani in response to an assassination attempt against him carried out by two pro-Ethiopia Eritreans. The monument is shown here during a religious procession of priests of the Orthodox Church, probably at Timkat (Epiphany). Wreaths were laid here by the Emperor to commemorate the massacre every year. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam continued this practice during his rule, but for a time after the fall of the Dergue regime, only the Mayor of Addis carried out this practice. Recently, the President of the Federal Republic has taken over this task. The monument is in the form of a white obelisk with black bas reliefs of scenes of the massacre as well as scenes of the Imperial funeral accorded to the remains of the victims in the presence of the Emperor following the liberation around it. A Lion of Judah also decorates the face of the obelisk. Even though the image of the Lion of Judah and the Emperor Haile Selassie were removed from all over the city during the reign of the Dergue, they suprisingly did not touch this monument. The monument stands in the Sidist Kilo square infront of the Yekatit 12 Hospital (formerly Emperor Haile Selassie Hospital and known before that as the Beite Saida Hospital). Also facing the square are the southern gates of the Guenete Leul Palace, which today is the main campus of the Addis Ababa University (formerly Haile Selassie I University). Another major attraction adjoining the square is the old Imperial Lion Zoo, where many of the old Imperial lions and their decendents live. The Churches of Menbere Leul Kidus Markos (Altar of Princes St. Marks Church) and the Meskia Hazunan Medhane Alem are both nearby, as are the former palaces of the Crown Prince (later the Political Cadre’s College during the Dergue Era), the Duke of Harrar (later the Headquarters of the Womens wing of the Workers Party of Ethiopia), and Princess Tenagnework (later the headquarters of the Ethiopian Navy), as well as the American and Greek Embassies.

Meyazia 27 Square (Arat Kilo):    Meyazia 27 Square is the official name of what is popularly known as Arat Kilo, a name that applies both to the square and the surrounding district of the city of Addis Ababa. The monument at the heart of the Square commemorates the victory over the fascist Italian invaders, and the struggle that preceded it (Meyazia 27 on the Ethiopian Calendar, May 5th on the Gregorian Calendar, is both the day that Addis Ababa was occupied by the Fascists, as well as the day that Emperor Haile Selassie returned to his capital in triumph exactly 5 years later). The original monument includes a relief of the Emperor Haile Selassie holding the national flag, which was altered during the reign of the Dergue regime into a representation of a guerrilla fighter holding the national flag. The EPRDF regime that deposed the Dergue restored the Emperor’s face to the monument. The central obelisk, topped by a Lion of Judah, actually predates the fascist occupation, and the surrounding circle of relief figures and monumental panels was added after the war. The Arat Kilo monument stands at the heart of Addis Ababa’s government district, and in front of the Ministry of Education building (not shown here). Holy Trinity Cathedral (whose dome can be seen in the background) and the Parliament building are nearby, as are the present office of the Prime Minister and the Imperial Palace. Also nearby are the Science College, the Holy Trinity Theological college, Emperor Menelik II High School and the Berhan Ena Selam Printing Press. Foreign Heads of State customarily lay a wreath at this monument during state visits. This square was the focus of Victory Day celebrations held on May 5th (Meyazia 27) every year when the Emperor would lay a wreath here following his attendance at Mass at Meskia Hazunan Medhane Alem Church (Church of the Savior of the World, Consoler of the Grieved). The Dergue regime changed the date of Victory Day to the day that General Cunningham and his British, South African and Nigerian Troops actually entered the city. The post Dergue government in Ethiopia has restored

Abune Petros Memorial:   Just West of Addis Ababa’s impressive City Hall, down the hill on the main road to the Merkato district is Abune Petros Square with it’s imposing statue. Abune Petros, the Ethiopian Orthodox Bishop of Wello who was executed by the Italians at the edge of this very square. Abune Petros was one of the four first native Ethiopians who were anointed as bishops by the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria to serve under the Coptic born Archbishop Abune Kerllos of Ethiopia in 1932. Abune Petros was given the province of Wello as his diocese. In 1936, the Fascist armies of Benito Mussolini occupied much of Ethiopia, and Abune Petros traveled to the northern Shewan district of Menz to join the sons of Ras Kassa, Dejazmatches Wondwossen, Abera and Asfa Wossen Kassa and other resistance leaders to plan an attack on the Italians to drive them out of Addis Ababa. The attack failed in 1937, and the Bishop was captured. Defiantly refusing to submit to Italian rule, he was condemned to death. Shortly before his execution Abune Petros Bishop of Wello, dressed in his clerical robes, held up his hand cross and pronounced his anathema on the people and on the very earth of Ethiopia itself, if they were ever to submit to the invader. He was then shot to death in front of a horrified audience. Emperor Haile Selassie had the statue erected in the memory of this great Bishop upon his restoration to the throne. The spot of his execution on the western edge of this square is also marked by a memorial slab. Sadly, during the brutal rule of the Dergue regime, the bodies of many victims of the “Red Terror” were displayed in this square.

Mercato:–The Mercato is located in western Addis Ababa and is one of the largest markets in Africa offering an array of colors, aromas, costumes, produce and jewellery. Beware of pickpockets. In Mercato virtually every possible commodity is on sale, from livestock to computers.

Entity is the mountain range that rises to the north of Addis and is easily accessible from the city. This is where Menelik started his first capital, and the Church of Entonto Mariam where he was crowned can still be visited At the top of the hill is the Church of Entonto Raguel which offers stunning views.

Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park – Birder’s Paradise

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Situated in the Great Rift Valley, only 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Addis Ababa, and in the Lake Langano recreational areas, the Abijatta Shalla lakes National Park attracts numerous visitors. Using Lake Langano as your base, it is an easy trip to visit the National Park, which is 887 square kilometers in size, 482 of these being water.

The altitude of the park ranges from 1540 to 2075 meters, the highest peak being mount Fike, situated between the two lakes. The network of tracks in this park is always developing. At present you can enter at four different points, three of which are inter connected. Approaching from Addis you first reach the Horakello entrance, where the small Horakello stream flows between lakes Langano and Abijatta.

It was created primarily for its aquatic bird life, particularly those that feed and breed on lakes Abijatta and Shalla in Large numbers. The park compresses the two lakes, the isthmus between them and a thin strip of land along the shorelines of each.

The park itself revolves largely around the stunning alkaline lakes Abijatta and Shalla, which act as a migratory home for vibrant and diverse birdlife.

Entering the park in the north, you will first drive through the grassland and acacia woodlands to the shores of the shallow Lake Abijatta. Coated with flamingos and pelicans, this shoreline often takes on a remarkable pinkish hue. As you slowly drive or walk south, you will approach the picturesque Mount Fike, located on the isthmus between Abijatta and her mystical southern sister lake, Lake Shalla. This next lake is the deepest in the entire rift valley, and fills the center of a collapsed volcano. The dramatic black cliffs, jagged peaks and steamy shoreline speckled with bubbling hot springs is a stark — but perfect — compliment to the cotton-candied shores of Abijatta.

With nearly half of the total surface area of the park covered by the two lakes, a tour to this park is spent quietly on the shoreline. Spend time in the shade with a pair of binoculars in hand, observing a spectacular bird population while you pause from the bustle of Addis Ababa and the intensity of Ethiopia’s southern tourist circuit.

Birding, Stunning Lakes and Other Highlights

Aibijatta-Shalla is heaven for ornithologists and a pleasant place for those with an appreciation for birds. The park is home to over 300 species — over half of the total number of species recorded in the whole of Ethiopia. This narrow portion of the Great Rift Valley is a major flyway for Palearctic and African migrating birds, many of which can be observed between the months of July and December . As you lean back on the banks of Lake Shalla, look up and try to spy some of the endangered species flying overhead, including the Lesser Kestrel, the Eastern Imperial Eagle, and the Basra Reed Warbler.

The four islands in the center of Lake Shalla are favoured nesting grounds for a variety of birds, with the great white pelicans notable among them. White-necked cormorant, African fish eagle, Egyptian geese, and numerous plover and herons are also common here.

Lake Shalla is however nearly devoid of fish, and most birds will fly to neighbouring Lake Abijatta to feed. Gingerly walk the unpredictable perimeter of the lake, weaving among huge numbers of greater and lesser flamingos that busily snack on the algae that grows easily in these waters. Keep an eye out for the migrant wader, the Mongolian plover and the Pacific golden plover, as they too enjoy feasting in these waters.

Hot Springs : An enchanting moment in the National Park is enjoying an early morning on the steaming shores of Lake Shalla. A number of hot springs spurt boiling water through the muddy and rocky shores, leaving a magical mist on the shoreline. While the springs remain undeveloped for tourism, this lack of infrastructure is for many, part of the charm. Spend a morning on the shores watching as locals wander by, taking advantage of the water’s alleged medicinal properties. Enjoy a steam-cooked breakfast of boiled eggs and corn alongside them, before slowly meandering and scrambling around the perimeter.

50km south of the park is the town of Wendo Genet, where you can enjoy a dip in natural hot springs in a manufactured hot pool, heated by the earth’s core. With numerous hiking trails leading into the surrounding mountains, this is a worthwhile detour for those craving a soak.

While Lake Abijatta is far too shallow for any water activities, it is possible to swim in Lake Shalla. Swimming in the lake has a somewhat curious feeling, given the high salinity of the water. As you slip into this water with the colour of richly steeped tea, you will notice an almost soapy feel to it. It is also possible to swim in neighbouring Lake Lagano, just outside the park boundaries, where two lodges are established. Reported to be bilharzia-free, this lake too has that intriguing soapy feel to it.

Unfortunately, while this park was initially formed to conserve resident mammals, much of the wildlife in the park no longer exists. Visitors do report seeing the occasional gazelle, kudu, oribi, warthog and jackal, though sightings are becoming increasingly rare.

How to Get There

The park is most easily accessed by car from Addis Ababa. The park gates are 200km south of the capital, and the drive itself takes roughly four hours.  The park gates are directly off the Highway 6, after the town of Ziway and before Hawassa.

Best Time to Visit

For those interested in observing the migratory birds, it is best to visit this park between the months of July and September when they regularly pass through. During these months, and between March and April, there are higher levels of rainfall, so do prepare for periods of daily rain. The driest months occur from October through to December.

Peak temperatures occur in the summer months between June and July, during which temperatures may rise to as high as 45°C. Late fall is a very pleasant climate, with occasional chilly nights.