Addis Ababa - Capital City of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa is the biggest city in Ethiopia and it's also the capital city. Addis Ababa is a name for a "New Flower". The city is the world’s third highest capital.Addis Ababa serves as a gateway for many tours and safaris in Ethiopia as nearly all of them start here. The city of Addis Ababa like any other city in the world is busy and vibrant.

The city houses the headquarters of the African Union; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and a host of NGOs and international bodies. Although not particularly interesting to the average visitor, the presence of such important international organisations has resulted in the establishment of a range of comfortable accommodation options and one of Africa’s most modern, hassle-free international airports.

While in Addis Ababa you can visit the numerous striking churches and cathedrals which serve as an excellent introductory safaris to Ethiopia popular Historical Circuit. Kiddist Selassie (Holy Trinity) Cathedral is the final resting place of the late Emperor Haile Selassie. The national museum is one of the best in Africa. Exhibits include the remains of “Lucy” – a 3½-million year old hominid - to artefacts from the Axumite and Gondarine periods. The Institute of Ethiopian Studies houses clothing from different regions along with artefacts, household utensils and, in a separate section, paintings reflecting the history and culture of the country.

Just outside the city is scenic Mount Entoto, the original site of the permanent camp established by Emperor Menelik II in 1881. At an elevation of 3,000m, Entoto commands sweeping views over the capital and surrounding countryside. Entoto was abandoned as in 1889 and the settlement moved down to where the city presently is. There are still the remains of the Imperial Compound, including the churches of Mariam and the Archangel Raguel.