Ethiopia named ‘one of the most exciting places to visit in Africa’

The magazine said: “Ethiopia is one of the most exciting places to visit in Africa, if not the entire world. Things continue to develop in Ethiopia — there are new tours, improved safety and a tourism trade that’s growing faster than anywhere else in Africa.”

The magazine also notes that the introduction of electronic visas, construction of new hotels in Addis Ababa and new direct flights from Manchester with Ethiopian Airlines are all contributing to its popularity.

Ethiopian Airlines connects tourists to over 22 destinations across Ethiopia including Lalibela where travellers traditionally come to seek out the ancient rock churches but also to the south of the country in the Omo Valley where visits to see traditional tribes is increasingly popular.

Ethiopian Airlines have been flying UK tourists to Ethiopia and the wider African continent through its hub in Addis Ababa for over 45 years and after seeing the airport manage their largest ever passenger numbers last summer they are not surprised that Ethiopia has made this coveted list.

The National Geographic recommendation is the second big international endorsement of Ethiopia as a tourist destination for 2020. Last November it was named one of four best countries to visit for 2020 by Rough Guides. The expert travel publishers said “Ethiopia is utterly unique. The only country to cling onto its independence during the nineteenth-century Scramble for Africa, its culture and traditions have remained virtually intact. What’s more, its history goes as far back as the beginning of human existence. Its age-old structures, fiery cuisine, Amharic language and high-altitude wildlife occur nowhere else in the world.”

Last summer also saw the BBC take their hugely popular show Top Gear to Ethiopia which saw their team travel a staggering 500kms across some of Ethiopia’s most remarkable scenery. The shows presenters were blown away by the “beautiful country” and revealed that filming in Ethiopia was the “highlight” of the last series.

Michael Yohannes UK country manager for Ethiopian Airlines said “We are delighted that Ethiopia is getting so much attention from the expert travel brands. The country has a rich culture, extraordinary history, spectacular scenery and wildlife that occurs nowhere else in the world.”