Photo Gallery

Ethiopia is a paradise for photographers, by many means.

Let us share with you a thematic selection of images that may give you a rough idea of the great picture possibilities that the destination offers to travellers.

LANDSCAPES

ETHIOPIA HIGH MOUNTAIN ABUNE YOSEPH GIANT LOBELIAGiant Lobelia is an endemic plant of the unique Afro Alpine ecosystem found in Ethiopia around 4000m. On the background, Abune Yoseph peak, 4260mt, the sixth highest mountain in Ethiopia. Amhara Region.
CHENEK SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK ETHIOPIAThe scenic balcony of Chenek offers one of the most impressive viewpoints of Simien National park. Amhara Ragion.
ETHIOPIA HIGHLANDS LANDSCAPE LALIBELA AMBAAbrupt and high mountains with flat top are a very usual landscape along North Ethiopia, they are called "amba". Surroundings of Lalibela, Amhara Region.
GHERALTA REGION TIGRAI COUNTRYSIDE ETHIOPIACharming sunrise on the Gheralta flatland countryside. Tigray Region.
SURMA TRIBE SOUTH ETHIOPIAThe area of Surma tribe goes from mountain to lowland. Tulghit village is the highest place. South Nations Region.
OMO RIVER DESSANECH TRIBEOmo river flows lazily to Kenya crossing the Dessanech (the people of the river) region. South Nations Region
DALLOL GEOTHERMAL HILL DANAKIL ETHIOPIAThe views from the amazing geothermal hill of Dallol seem to come from another planet. Afar region.
DALLOL GEOTHERMAL HILL DANAKIL ETHIOPIAWalking out of the normal path will bring you to litlle known but still amazing places in Dallol. Afar Region.

PEOPLE

PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA GALLERYNaughty group of children in Lalibela.
TIGRAY CHILDREN CELEBRATION ABREHA ATSEBEHA GHERALTASince childhood children are joining the main celebrations of the Orthodox church. Tigray, north Ethiopia.
SMILING CHILDREN ZIWAY ETHIOPIA NETHELA ORTHODOXThe skin colour of people in Ethiopia varIes in several different nouances that cannot be linked to any specific ethnicity.
SURI SURMA TRIBE BODY PAINTING MEGALOGNEBoys from Suri tribe about to paint their body. South-West Ethiopia.
Curiosity towards strangers is very common between Ethiopian children
Dessanech children are a funny scort for toursits.
HAMER TRADITIONAL COFFEE CEREMONY OMO VALLEY TRIBESHamer girl prepares a traditional soft coffee made out of the discarded peel of coffee beans.
COFFEE CEREMONY ETHIOPIA CULTURE AMHARA SIMIEN PARCWomen across Ethiopia are in charge of the charming traditional coffe ceremony- Amhara village close to Simien National Parc.
Sidamo girl extracts the fiber from the false banana tree, the base of the diet for a lot of people in South Ethiopia.
Amhara woman prepares the traditional beer called "tella"
BENNA TRIBE OMO VALLEYA family from the Benna tribe, Omo valley, South Ethiopia.
KARREYYU TRIBE OROMO AWASH GROOM WEDDINGGroom from Karreyyu tribe, Awash parc area, East Ethiopia.
STUDENT PRIEST GENETA MARIAM CHURCH ORTHODOX ETHIOPIAYoung student chanting under the surveillance of the priest in Geneta Mariam church, 20km from Lalibela,
LALIBELA CELEBRATION SUNDAY SCHOOL DRUMMER ETHIOPIAThe sunday school students use to perform joyful and festive songs in the main celebrations.
Priests in Ethiopian Orthodox church start to celebrate the mass in the middle of the night until the morning.
OROMO FARMERS ETHIOPIAFarmers in Oromo region, central Ethiopia, one of the most fertile.
Women from Tigray region
Motherhood is a core value in Ethiopian culture, and mothers use to hold children for long.
Hamer warriors wearing traditional ceremony body painting
Woman from Nuer tribe, west Ethiopia
Spiritual leader from Shieck Hussein sanctuary, Oromo region.
The "king" of Konso is a traditional leader of the tribe, and has a main role in settling disputes betwenn tribe members and with the main government
Abba Gadda are the leaders of the Oromo tribe, and during ceremonies are entitled to wear the gelada baboon mane headgear
Old priest are warmly respected by the community due to their deep knowledge of gospels

ART and ARCHITECTURE

AKSUM ETHIOPIA stelae parcThe biggets monoliths in the world are found in Aksum stelae parc.
Aksum kaleb tombThe megalithic tombs in Aksum marvel visitors with the perfection of their essential architecture.
Gheralta Tigray rock hewn church doorThis magnificient beamed door is found in the rock hewn church of Gabriel Wukien, in Abi Adi area.
Mariyam Paaseyti church painting detail Gheralta EthiopiaCaptivating detail of a painting in Mariyam Papaseyiti church, in Gheralta area. Bornt on the shores of Lake Tana, "gondarian" painting style widespread all across North Ethiopia becoming somehow the main reference of Ethiopian iconography.
abuna yemata church paintings gheralta tigray rock hewn churchThe higlhly demanding climb to Abuna Yemata church is highly rewarded not only by manificients landscapes, but also by the best compendium of religious paintings in the region.
Saint george monolithc church in Lalibela ethiopiaMasterpiece of the rock hewn architecture in Ethiopia, Saint George church in Lalibela is often compared to Petra sanctuary, or mentioned as the eighth wonder of the world.
Lalibela monolithic churches interior ethiopiaThe deep spirituality of believers delivers to Lalibela churches a unique pulsing life.
Lalibela Medani Alem church interior. EthiopiaMedhani Alem church is the biggest of the monolithic rock hewn churches in Lalibela, and the interior gives a powerful sense of magnificence.
Bet Amanuel church exterior. EthiopiaThe exterior of Bet Amanuel church shows the great link between the Axumite architecture and the "Black Jerusalem": Lalibela.
IMRHANE KRISTOS AKSUMITE CHURCH ETHIOPIA LALIBELAImrhane Kristos church, found in the outskirts of Lalibela, is the best sample of Aksumite style building, with layer of wood and plaster, monkey heads and great woodcraft in each window.
IMRHANE KRISTOS CHURCH INTERIOR ETHIOPIA LALIBELAThe interior of Imrehane Kristos church, near Lalibela, hides an amazing carved-wood roof that is one of the best masterpieces of medieval art in Ethiopia.
Fassilidas castle gondar ethiopiaFasilidas castle is the main of the 12 castles found in Gondar; during the occupation the Italian army used it as headquarter.
DEBRE BIRHAN SELLASSIE CHURCH ENTRANCE GONDAR ETHIOPIAThe castle-style architecture is used not only in the fortresses, but even in churches. This is the entrance gate Debre Birhan Sellassie church in Gondar.
ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIA CAPITAL CITY-10"Yenkulal bet" was the holy chapel of Menelik II, and is one of the masterpieces of the early Addis Ababa architecture revealed by the new Unity Parc.
ZOMA MUSEUM ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIAThe Zoma Museum, in Addis Ababa, offers a very interesting experience of contermporary art inspired in traditional materials with an harmonious integration with nature.
HAILE BRIHAN SELLASSIE CHURCH INTERIOR GONDAR ETHIOPIAThe interior of Haile Birhan Sellassie church is possibly the maximum expression of the "Gondarian" art. Above all interesting details, the ceiling decorated by the heads of 135 winged cherubins is specially famous.
URA KIDANE MEHRET CHURCH PAINTING LAKE TANAThe history of Saint Mary is one of the holiest books of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox church, and a recurrent subject in the "Gondarian" style paintings in Lake Tana region and across the country.
tiya stelae archeological parc ethiopiaThe mysterious stelae parc found in Tiya, 90km south of Addis Ababa, have been declared World's Heritage by Unesco.
Nyangatoum village are especially clean, and their well shaped huts are a great sample of vernacular knowledge of local materials.
ALABA VILLAGE-RIFT VALLEY ETHIOPIAThe Alaba people developed a special decoration in their homes that characterize them through all Ethiopia.
KONSO VILLAGE GAMOLE WAKA SCULPTURES"Waka" traditional funerary sculptures are found in Konso area, that have been declared World Heritage by Unesco.
ETHIOPIAN RIFT VALLEY LAKES-OROMO TOMB LANGANOArtistically decorated tombs are acknowledging the achievements of Oromo hunters and warriors. Langano area, Rift Valley.
SHEICK HUSSEIN SANCTUARY-ethiopia sufismSheick Hussein sanctuary, in East Ethiopia, is an outstanding sample of the Muslim architecture common across all the horn of Africa.
DESSANECH OMO RIVER-3Dessanech people, in low Omo valley, developed a special architecture in order to keep their crops safe from waterflood.

CELEBRATIONS

Aksum ortohdox church drums sticksThe main bishop of Aksum gives the inital speech, in front of the main elements of the Orthodox ritual elelments: drums, sticks and "sistrum" (a 5 pieces metal rattle), each of them are bearer of a sophisticated symbolism.
Orthodox song choreography Ethiopia ZiwayDrum dances and young priests coreographies use to preceed the procession behind the holy "Tabot".
HOSAINA CELEBRATION AKSUM ETHIOPIA ORTHODOX CHURCHPalm Sunday celebrations starts with the arrival of a horse that symbolizes the arrival of Jesus at Jerusalem
HOSAINA CELEBRATION AKSUM ETHIOPIA MORNING"Kaba" are richly decorated velvet cloaks weared by priests only during main celebrations.
Solemn processions are part of most of Orthodox celebrations. The umbrella are representing the holy sky.
Ziway timket boat procession tabot EthiopiaThe "Tabot" is the holiest element in the Ethiopian Ortodox liturgy, and is brought out by a selected priest only in the main celebrations. In Ziway, during the Timket ceremony, the "Tabot" is transported by boat from the island until the lakeshore.
Aksum Timket celebration Ethiopia baptismTimket is the most popular and colorful celebration of the Orthodox church. The crucial moment is when the water is sanctified by the priests; after that a lot of believers jump in the poll to enjoy the blessing.
Lalibela saint mary celebration massLalibela is one of the best places where to witness a celebration of the Orthodox church that are taking place all yearlong. Annual celebration of Lideta Mariam is celebrated in May.
Abreha Atsebeha celebration tigray gheralta ethiopiaSolemn mass in the rock hewn church of Abreha Atsebeha in Tigray. Little churches out of the track may surprise travellers with cozy and charming celebrations.
Lalibela fervent believers orthodox church ethiopiaEthiopian Orthodox believers are specially fervent, their attachment to the church is amazing.
Lalibela Mariam celebration Ethiopia orthodox churchBig celebrations are moments of worship and faith, but also a social event in which dress up the best outfit.
Ethiopian girls netela followers orthodoxChildren are expected to join the Orthodox celebrations since their early age. Women and girls use to cover their head with "netela", a traditional light cotton scarf.
Ziway timket boat procession ethiopia orthodoxDuring the Timket procession by boat in Ziway, several ships follow the holy Tabot" singing and clapping unceasantly.
Lalibela celebration song Ethiopia orthodoxThe "Sunday school" group of young priests uses to close the celebrations with their specially joyful songs and dances.
Timket stick dance ziway ethiopiaDuring the Timket festival is also possible to meet group of men performing amusing dances with sticks.
Mihila celebration candlelight Aksum EthiopiaSeveral celebrations of the Ethiopian Orthodox church take place during the night. Mihila celebration in Aksum is celebrated at 5am with a charming candlelight procession.
Easter celebration Addis Ababa Saint george churchEaster celebration is the end of the longest lent, 55 days, of the Orthodox. During this time believers follow a strict vegan diet, but at the end of the Easter mass, around 3am, they start a big feast.
SHEICK HUSSEIN SANCTUARY-PILGRIMAGEA pilgrim reaches the sanctuary of Sheick Hussein in occasion of the annual celebration bringing a twin headed stick that is the symbol of Muslims devoted to this temple placed in East Ethiopia.
SHEICK HUSSEIN CELEBRATION ETHIOPIA SUFI MUSLIMRitmic dances and song are performed by followers to honour the power of Sheick Hussein.
The sufi celebration at Sheick Hussein takes place twice a year and the devotion to the personality of the Sheick has an outstanding importance in it.
HAMER TRIBE EVANGADI- danceDuring the evangadi ceremony men from Hamer tribe dance and jump to attract the attention of the women.
HAMER TRIBE OMO VALLEY-4Among the Hamer the "bull jumping" is a transition ritual for boys to reach adulthood. The first part of celebration is held by the women, who use to sing during hours asking to men of their family to be whipped. They are very proud of the scars on their back.
HAMER BULL JUMPING CEREMONYThe bull jumping ceremony is a spectacular occasion to enjoy Hamer traditions. it's not possible to schedule it, but join it if you get a chance!
Surma tribe donga ritual omo tribeDonga is a ritual combat held by the Suri and Mursi tribes to fix disputes between different clans.

Sunrise means passion for Ethiopia