Gonder, Ethiopia - Michael Smith. Date of travel: Apr 2009
this is one of the beautiful part of the world this was my second visit and with no problem. I would go back for another visit. This time I travelled to Gonder, north of lake Tana, the biggest lake in Ethiopia.

worth to visit the wonder of this african nation - kelly solovan. Date of travel: Apr 2009
Ethiopia is one of the oldest country in the world. Archeologists have found the oldest human ancestors in Ethiopia. The city of gonder is located in ethiopia 500kms north of addis ababa, 35kms from lake tana, and in the foothills of semien mountains. the city itself dates to the 17th. century The capital city founded in 1634 by emperor fasilidas. Gonder, Ethiopia in best known for it's numerous beautiful castles. Gonder is now a tourist hot-spot called the "camelot of Africa"

Inspirational Ethiopia - Philippa Paine. Date of travel: Jan 2006
In January this year we spent three fascinating weeks touring the historcal route of Bahar Dar, Gondar, Axum, Lalibella and Wondo Genet. Our stay was enhanced by the knowledge and professionalism of an excellent tour guide. We were in Gondar for the Timkat festival, and experienced the wonderful nature of the Ethiopian people. We learnt such a lot and discovered so much more to the country than the usual media images. Tour Operator: Priceless Ethioia Tours

Sue Mattock. Date of travel: Jul 2005
The Middle East has Petra, Ethiopia has Lalibela - these churches cut from the rock are absolutely amazing.

ETHIOPIA- THE CRADLE OF MANKIND - Pushpa Kurup. Date of travel: Jul 2005
ETHIOPIA- THE CRADLE OF MANKIND: Ethiopia has a sense of mystery and timelessness about it. Formerly known as Abyssinia, it was the home of the legendary Queen of Sheba. Archaeological evidence suggests that for millions of years, human beings have been living in this region. The National Museum at Addis Ababa houses the skeletal remains of the humanoid Lucy, who was barely 3.5 feet tall and walked upright 3.5 million year ago. Nestling in the foothills of Mount Entoto, more than 2200 metres above sea level, the capital city Addis Ababa has a salubrious climate and a cosmopolitan culture. Blue and white taxis, red and yellow buses, donkeys carrying heavy burdens, goats and cows, all share the dusty roads in perfect harmony. Bole International Airport is visible at night from every corner of the city. The elevated location and the brilliant lighting make it a rare sight indeed. The African Union has its headquarters in Addis Ababa and several international donor agencies have a presence here. Ethiopia is believed to be the original home of the Coffea Arabica and the fertile Kaffa region produces some of the world’s best coffee. Dining in the Ethiopian style was a unique experience. The cane-woven Injera basket is the traditional dining table where several people share the same food. The staple food of the local people is a soft spongy flat bread called injera, which is as large as a tabletop and is eaten with a reddish brown chicken stew {doro wat}, tibbs {beef fry}, or fish goulash, and washed down with tej, the native wine which looks like mango or orange juice. I found the Ethiopian cuisine perfectly compatible with my Indian palate thanks to the abundance of spices, the indispensable berbere {a red paste made up of paprika, herbs and spices}, and the liberal use of butter, onions, garlic and ginger. I was told the Ethiopians eat raw meat, but I didn’t venture to try it. Tej is an ancient honey-based wine and is often served as an aperitif. Talla is a beer made from local grain. Coffee is served ceremoniously at the end of a traditional meal, in a process comparable with the Japanese tea ceremony. David was my guide, escort and bodyguard throughout my stay. He could read and write English and was very proud of this. He told me Addis Ababa was the safest place in Africa, but when we ventured into the heart of the Mercato, which is said to be the largest market in Africa, he looked distinctly uncomfortable and did not permit me to linger too long. It was a delightful place, believed to be unsafe for the foreign visitor and full of thieves and pickpockets, but I returned unscathed from the excursion with good bargains, exotic objects at affordable prices, and a great sense of wonder and bewilderment. The Tissisat falls on the Blue Nile, the legendary bath of the Queen of Sheba, the Church of St. Mary at Axum which is believed to house the original the Ark of the Covenant, and the prehistoric Lucy, all make Ethiopia a must-see for the dedicated traveler. Tourism has tremendous potential but the transport facilities and infrastructure are quite inadequate. Debre Zeit, an hour’s drive from Addis Ababa, has several volcanic lakes. It is said that enemies of the rulers were often air-dropped into these lakes as a simple means of disposal. The Addis Sheraton is lavish in its design and décor, and skillfully blends the traditional and the modern. The poolside bar is in the shape of a native hut with a conical thatched roof, while the pool itself is luxurious and modern. I would say without the slightest exaggeration that even the bathrooms are worth a visit. The decades-old Hilton Hotel has an ambience that spells dignity and exemplifies the African essence. Tour Operator: None

Jenny. Date of travel: Mar 2005
Bird lovers will love Ethiopia - the Rift Valley lakes are home to a huge variety of colours, sizes, shapes and calls, from kingfishers and sunbirds to fish eagles and storks. Lake Tana and the surrounding region is also a bird watchers paradise.

Mike Lawley. Date of travel: Feb 2005
It is hard to travel to Ethiopia and not be affected by the signs of poverty - beggars are everywhere and foreigners are spotted a mile away - tourists are seen as very wealthy and demands for money, clothes, shoes etc can be gut-wrenching as well as extremely draining. Ethiopia is used to receiving foreign aid and free handouts are expected. Hello is often not a form of greeting, but a way of getting your attention before reeling off a shopping list of things! The guilt trip can be too much for many tourists, but I reckon giving in to begging only perpetuates the problem and makes beggars more reliant on handouts from tourists and less on themselves - a difficult issue.

Deon and Jacqui. Date of travel: Mar 2004
Ethiopia was fascinating, but hard work! We decided to get a proper taste of the country by travelling independently and on local buses - these are extremely slow and not the best way to get around if you only have a short time. The most interesting region is in the north - Gondar, Lalibela, Simien Mountains, Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls and Axum. If there is only one thing you see in Ethiopia make sure it is the rock churches of Lalibela - WOW! They really are incredible, and local guides are easy to find (they will find YOU!), and are worth it. Unfortunately the beggars of Lalibela are the most insistent in the country and hang around the churches pleading for handouts. For scenery and hiking the Simien Mountains are awesome - you have to take an armed scout with you for protection against the locals though!

Caren Porter. Date of travel: Jan 2004
Go to the cooler Central Highlands and the historical route of religious activity - Gondar is the Camelot of Africa with medieval castles and beautiful painted mud-walled/reed-roofed orthodox churches; the incredible rock hewn churches at Lalibela with its underground passageways attracting both dirt poor hermit monks living in tiny rock caves and 100’s of pilgrim beggars – 23 years to chisel out these 11 churches with very simple furnishings. Addis Ababa means New Flower - new it is, flower it certainly ain’t – it is at least cool but rather run down with the most beggars ever experienced – what we thought were piles of rubbish on the pavements were in fact sleeping homeless!