Outside Addis

People often ask about traveling outside Addis. There are many amazing places to visit in Ethiopia but, unfortunately, some are difficult to get to right now due to insecurity. Nevertheless, the following locations are often visited by expats living in Addis.

Arba Minch

A 1 hour flight south of Addis, Arba minch is considered safe and a nice place to visit on a long weekend. There are 3 main things to do – visit the springs (minch in Amharic) from which Arba Minch gets its name, visit the Dorze Village, and take a boat trip on the lake to see crocodiles. See here for my top tips on visiting Arba Minch.

Harar

You fly to Harar and then organise a driver for the 1 hour road trip to Harar. Harar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned as the “fourth holiest city of Islam,” home to 82 mosques, over 100 shrines, and unique, beautifully preserved walled architecture that reflects a rich blend of African and Islamic traditions. There is also the famous nighttime hyena feeding, which is popular, and a bustling cultural scene that makes every corner of the ancient city feel like stepping back in time.

Hawassa

Consdiered one of the safest places in Ethiopia, Hawassa has a fantastic lake and is easy to fly to. You can also drive but most people opt for the safety of the flight.