Ethiopia Holidays: Lalibela, Simien Mountains, Danakil & Best Time to Visit

E By Emma · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Addis Ababa Bole International (ADD)

Flight time

about 7h30 direct from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa

Best time to go

October-March, after the rains; Timkat in January and Meskel in September

Currency

Ethiopian birr (ETB)

Ethiopia is unlike anywhere else in Africa. It was never colonised, has its own alphabet, its own calendar, roughly seven to eight years behind the Gregorian one, and a 12-hour clock that starts at dawn. It is also home to some of the world's great historic sites: the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the castles of Gondar and the obelisks of Axum. Add the Simien Mountains, the otherworldly Danakil Depression and the coffee ceremony, and it is one of the most rewarding countries on the continent.

Addis Ababa is a direct flight from London, three hours ahead of the UK in winter and two in summer. Plugs are a mix of European type C and F, traffic drives on the right and Amharic is the main language, though English is widely spoken in tourism. Security conditions vary sharply by region, so read the advice below carefully. This is one of our Africa destinations.

Where to go in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

The capital sits at about 2,300 m. The National Museum holds "Lucy", the 3.2-million-year-old hominid skeleton, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Unity Park and the vast Merkato market are worth visiting. It is also a great place to try injera and traditional coffee.

Lalibela

Eleven medieval churches carved down into solid rock, still used for worship today, make Lalibela Ethiopia's most famous sight and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Celebrations at Ethiopian Christmas (Genna, 7 January) and Timkat are extraordinary. Lalibela lies in Amhara, where the FCDO has advised against travel because of conflict, so check the current position before planning.

Gondar, Bahir Dar and the Simien Mountains

Gondar has 17th-century castles, Bahir Dar sits on Lake Tana with island monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls nearby, and the Simien Mountains offer spectacular trekking among gelada monkeys and Ethiopian wolves. All three are in Amhara and affected by the same FCDO advice.

Axum and Tigray

Axum's giant stelae and the rock churches of Gheralta are remarkable, but Tigray has been badly affected by conflict, and travel advice should be checked carefully.

The south: Omo Valley, Bale and Arba Minch

The Omo Valley is home to diverse traditional communities, the Bale Mountains have Ethiopian wolves and alpine moorland, and Arba Minch sits between Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Some southern areas are subject to FCDO advice too.

Harar and the Danakil

The walled Muslim city of Harar in the east is famous for its alleys, markets and nightly hyena feeding. The Danakil Depression, with its sulphur springs, salt flats and lava lakes, is one of the hottest places on earth; parts of the Afar region are covered by FCDO advice.

Best time to visit Ethiopia

Getting to Ethiopia from the UK

Ethiopian Airlines flies direct from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa, usually daily, in about seven and a half hours. Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and EgyptAir offer one-stop alternatives. Flying in with Ethiopian often makes its domestic flights cheaper, so book them together.

Entry requirements

British passport holders need a visa, which is usually best obtained online through the official Ethiopian eVisa website before travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel to large parts of Ethiopia, including much of the Amhara region (home to Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar and the Simien Mountains), parts of Oromia, Tigray, Afar and Somali regions and many border areas. Check the latest map closely, as it affects the classic northern circuit. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Getting around

Distances are long and roads slow, so domestic flights with Ethiopian Airlines are the usual way between Addis and regional towns. In the south, a 4x4 with driver is best. In Addis, ride-hailing apps such as Ride are useful. Always confirm whether a time is given in Ethiopian or international time.

Money and costs

The birr was floated in 2024 and its value has fallen, so prices in birr change quickly. Ethiopia can be good value, around £50-100 per person per day for a mid-range trip, though guided treks, 4x4 hire and domestic flights add up. Cards work in large hotels in Addis; bring cash in US dollars or euros to exchange at banks.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.