Fun things to do in Addis Ababa

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The ethnological museum is definitely worth a bit of your time in Addis Ababa!
According to the Lonely Planet - and as far as my experience goes, I agree - it is maybe the finest museum in Africa, even if you are usually not a museum fan.

You should not be discouraged by the price, because it is only 50 birr for adults and 30 birr for students.

The location, in the gardens of the main campus of Addis Ababa University, as well as the content of the museum is worth a visit.
Some historical objects of Haile Selassie's time, his authentic bed and bath room and an extensive collection of instruments, old orthodox crosses and paintings can be found. Most beautiful to me however was the main collection: organized as a voyage from birth to death and after death you are taken through different customs of the several tribes and peoples of Ethiopia.
Very educative and beautifully exposed.

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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.

Addis Ababa is the starting point for seeing the 'Historical Places'. I recommend you organise it with Solomon before you come, or just Addis is you are only here for a day or 2. It will ensure you get a lot more out of Ethiopia.

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. **

I have visited Addis Abbaba now for 4 different times. I'm a photographer and a writer and must try to find places off the beaten path. On my own it is really difficult to find those places, but that is why it was so fantastic that I found my friend, guide and wonderfull assistent Solomon.

Either you wanna see shelters for homeless people, do a funny photoshoot in one of the many bizarre photo studio's Addis Abbaba has to offer, or you want to go to a Holy Water meeting (that's a ritual in a church where people with beginning mental problems come to be washed with holy water), or also if you wanna do more normal things like going to the market without being robbed then Solomon is your man. He knows the street and the city really good, and so is his english.

You can mail him with at this email: imsolomonmensa@hotmail.com

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This huge obelisk dominates Churchill Avenue and is just over the road from the main Post Office. It is a grotesque tribute to the rise of the Communist Derg (translates as ‘committee’) which was a military junta that seized power in 1974. Their first months were marked by the imprisonment, torture and murder of tens of thousands of innocent Ethiopians. Led by Major Mengistu Haile Mariam, they ruled with bloodthirsty ruthlessness until 1991. This is actually a complex that you pay an entry fee to get into the grounds. The main obelisk is decorated with typical Communist gothic ‘heroic’ figures brandishing guns and ploughshares. It is an absolutely grotesque romantic depiction of the enslavement of a nation. It is a must see to understand the bloodshed of over a decade and even bizarre depictions of the famine deliberately caused by the Derg themselves.

Open 7 days a week. The ticket seller finds you. There is no ticket office. Just walk up to the gate. They will give you a receipt.

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What in the world? If you go for a visit to the fantastic Ethiopian Ethnological Museum you will see these weird stairs leading to ….nowhere! It gets stranger from there. On top of the stairs is a Lion! In fact it is the Lion of Judea – the symbol of the Ethiopian Royal family. Here is the story. The Italians invaded and occupied Ethiopia form 1936-1941. The Ethnological Museum, on the grounds of Addis Ababa University, used to be Emperor Haile Selassie’s Palace and residence. The Italians decided to build the stairs just out front with each step representing a year in the reign of Benito Mussolini and the fascists since 1922. A kind of poke in the eye to Ethiopian people. Well, the Allies threw the Italians out and the Emperor returned. Rather than be spiteful, Haile Selassie had his personal symbol put on top to show who came out on top!

I used a tour company for excursions. A half day one for the city and a full day one to Bishoftu.

The cost was $76 for the half day and $148 for the full. I could have saved myself a lot by just getting my own guide and a blue taxi (at least for the city tour), but it seemed too much like hard work - and I was on holiday after all.

The half day trip took 3 hours. My own driver/guide in a big Toyota Landcruiser. He was fine - knowledgable and good English. He dealt with things like paying admission and the “in house” guide at Kiddest Selassie - all included in the price.

The full day trip took 5 hours.

The company is NTO - it has an office at the Hilton (where I was staying), so convenient.

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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”.