Fun things to do in Addis Ababa

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These lie just north of the city, and are mostly covered by eucalyptus trees. Yes, an Australian import.

The city gets a lot of its firewood from this source - fast growing so more sustainable than native species. It has its controversies, however - the effect of wildlife, for example.

The Entoto National Park has been created in this area. I didn’t try to venture in, so can’t comment further.

I do know you get wonderful views of the city from up there. I also know you have to beware of the altitude - over 8,000 ft - when exerting yourself.

You may be shocked (I was) by the sight of women carrying huge bales of wood down the road to the city.

You’ll also find Entoto Maryam up there - see separate tip.

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This lies directly behind the Entoto Maryam church, and is not obvious unless you know it’s there. My guide did. My guide book didn’t.

It comprises 3 buildings - the main one, a sleeping one and one for guests. They’re all modest and tiny by palace standards. Simple wooden roofs & floors - mud & straw walls. They do offer a fascinating insight into lifestyle at the time.

Watch out for the local sheep, and their dung. Also watch out for the huge and noisy local “crows”.

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This is a relic of the Emperor Menelik II era in the late 19th century, when the country’s capital was in the Entoto Hills (before moving to Addis Ababa in 1887).

It is the church where Menelik was crowned in 1882. The interior is only accessible at the time of services - 9am each day.

It is octagonal, and traditionally painted. In it’s grounds you can see the orginal church built on the site, the belltower and the “throne” where Emperor Haile Selassie sat during his annual festival for the locals.

Also in the grounds you will find Menelik’s original “palace” - perhaps grand by local standards of the time, but seemingly very modest to my eyes. You have to know it’s there (my guide did) in behind the church (I'll do a separate tip).

Lastly, don’t miss the Entoto Saint Mary, Emperor Menelik & Empress Taitu Memorial Museum - also in the church grounds, but at the front. A tiny affair with lots of interesting items - including a gold medal from the Sydney Olympics won by one of Ethiopia’s athletes.

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This is a rather unpretentious building, but is home to “Lucy”. That is the 3.5m year old skeleton of the oldest known “humanoid”. It’s discovery in 1974 turned human anthropology on its head, proving that we were up on our hind legs about 2.5m years earlier than previously believed.

The Ethiopians call her Dinknesh (which means “wonderful”), and I prefer that. The English name seems totally incongruous.

For some reason I chose not to photograph her. Invasion of privacy?

It was a timely reminder that this is where it all started for homo sapiens - Ethiopia I mean, not the museum.

The other exhibits are also interesting and informative - labelled in English as well as Amharic.

The museum is crying out for someone to invest some time and money in upgrading and modernisation, but that’s part of its charm - no pandering to tourism.

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This church is also known as the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It’s not big - at least by European standards - although my guide book describes it as “very large”. Hmm...

It’s cornerstone was laid in 1933, so it’s not old either.

It is worth seeing, however. Emperor Haile Selassie laid the cornerstone, and his remains are now entombed there. They were elsewhere after his execution, and were moved in 2000. In addition, the “thrones” from which he and his wife worshipped in the church are still there - now unused.

For me it was also an informative introduction to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, of which (not surprisingly) I knew nothing before. I had a guide from the church, organised and paid for by the company which I bought an afternoon excursion from.

Like a lot of what I saw that afternoon, it’s all quite informal. It was quite possible to go up and stand beside or touch Selassie’s tomb.

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I found this great NGO working with families living with HIV. They have a workshop where the women make jewelry out of roasted coffee beans as well from local traditional beads. Its the nicest souvenirs I've found in Ethiopia and the money supports a great cause. Their place is a little hard to find but worth it if you want to see how they do their art and learn about the other programs they have. It is just up the hill from the Sidist Kilo University (where the Anthropology Museum is). Turn right at the Ethiopian Cultural Center, before you reach the American Embassy, and follow the signs for Cure Hospital. The road kind of forks but you stay on the right side. Its called Beza Entoto Outreach. Their gate is black and white, on the right side, and their sign is small. It is across from a brightly colored elementary school called Vikas Academy. Its a very interesting place to visit if you want to see something out of the usual tourist circuit.

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This is my good friend and one time guide: Solomon Kasaye. Solomon was the first person I ever met in Ethiopia and we still keep in touch. He is a close friend and a very excellent guide. Would you like to see the real Ethiopia? Solomon is the man. He can show you how shared taxis work, take you to a chat house, any museum and also guide you throughout the beautiful rural south of Ethiopia. He really opened my eyes to what many tourists who never leave the hotel will not see. He also provides escort service to the Merkato and knows where and how the pickpockets operate. Please drop him an email if you would like to use his invaluable help. You can also email me if you need any help.

You can email him on:
imsolomonmensa@hotmail.com
- or -
gamoman2009@yahoo.com

All the best,

DAO

** Please note: Solomon has acted as a guide for 2 other VT Members since I met him and they found him to be an excellent guide who also kept the costs down. **

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From the outside your first impression is that some of the lettering has fallen off and it could do with a bit of paint. The Tourist Office in Addis is ok. They are helpful and can give you just about any information you need on the city. They can also help you with information about other tourist destinations in Ethiopia. They are open 8:30-12:30 & 13:30-17:30 Monday-Thursday and 8:30-11:30 & 13:30-17:30 on Fridays.

Update: They got new signs in September 2007 and the office looks very nice now.