ETHIOPIA

National Parks

Ethiopia

Northern Route

Western Route

Parks & Tribes Route

Danakil Depression

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NATURE

Ethiopia National Parks

Simien Mountains National Park

Bale Mountains National Park

Nechsar National Park

Mago National Park

Omo National Park

Babile Elephant Sanctuary

Erta Ale Volcano

Awash National Park

Reservations

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CULTURE

Lake Tana

Fasil Ghebbi Royal Enclosure

Yeha Temple 3000 yrs

Axum Stellae

Gheralta Rock Churches

Lalibela Holy City

Traditional Tribes

Traditional Houses

Monumental Churches

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CITIES

Addis Ababa

Arba Minch

Axum

Bahir Dar

Gondar

Harar

Mekelle

Konso

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TOURS

Uganda Safaris

Ethiopia NP Safaris

Colombia NP Tours

Ecuador NP Tours

Peru NP Tours

Ecuador-Peru Cruise

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NATIONAL PARKS SAFARIS ETHIOPIA

HIGHLIGHTS, WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW TO VISIT
 

GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA

GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, OLDEST MONUMENT SOUTH OF SAHARA. Experience Culture & Nature of Ethiopia with charming forester Ethiopian Park Service hosting your trips

 

The Great Yeha Temple of the Moon

Learn all about the oldest standing building in Ethiopia the Yeha Temple of the Moon & how to get there. A tower built in the Sabaean style, and dated to around 700 BC.

 

Although not radiocarbon dated, the Great Tower is similar in style to structures in South Arabia around 700 BC, which makes it the oldest standing building of Africa South af the Sahara. Its "excellent state of preservation" has been attributes to its rededication - perhaps as early as the sixth century AD - for use as a Christian church."

 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Most of our hundreds of pictures are favored in Google! Why? Because no other website has so many beautiful high resolution pictures, all taken by ourselves. Our pictures not only show you the beauty of Ethiopia, but they also show that we have been everywhere when we researched all parks for the Ethiopian Wildlife Autharity, photographing wildlife, plants, people and culture. Read our PDF report to the Government on Parks an Culture! So why consider booking our our Ethiopia Culture & National Parks modules? Because only we combine the culture of Ethiopia with its nature. We don't mislead you like many tour operators do. When the Blue Nile falls are dry.... we tell you. When fog clouds the lava lake of Erte Ale Volcano? We let you know. Just drop us a mail info@nationalparks-worldwide.com  and we will check it out for you.

Our tours take you to ALL famous cultural places of Ethiopia, and on top of that, you get to see up to 20 large parks accompanied by a conservation professional, not a mere guide. There is nothing similar on the market. Check out our tours in modules like: Historical Circuit; Danakil Depression; Eastern Route; Simien Mountains; Bale Mountains; Southern Parks Safari; Gambella; Addis Ababa. BUT WAIT: if you buy your international ticket with Ethiopia Airlines, they will sell the internal flights at a price that you can't even ride the bus for. But you MUST plan it all in one package and making changes may be very costly. So let us help you plan your entire trip and book your local flights for an incredibly low price after you booked your international flight with Ethiopian Airlines! Also: Ethiopia can be combined with other East African countries, we organize.

 
GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Entrance to the Yeha Temple of the Moon YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: GREAT YEHA TEMPLE of the Moon before the restoration works

Entrance to the Yeha Temple of the Moon.

Yeha Temple of the Moon before the restoration works.
 
GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Looking out from the Yeha Temple of the Moon, Tigray, Ethiopia YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Yeha Temple of the Moon interior

Looking out from the Yeha Temple of the Moon, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Yeha Temple of the Moon interior.

 
 

Great Beal Gebri Ruins

Several archaeological excavations have taken place at Yeha since 1952, initiated by the Ethiopian Institute of Archeology. Interrupted during the Derg regime, excavations were resumed in 1993 by a French team and is currently carried out by a German team of archaeologists. The primary archeological study site is the Grat Beal Gebri, a ruin with a 10 meters wide portico, two sets of square pillars and a graveyard with several rock-hewn shaft tomb, which is currently being restored by the German team, as well as the temple.

 
GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Yeha archaeological restoration site YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Yeha archaeologist working at restauration

Yeha archaeological restoration site.

 

Archaeologists working at the restoration of Grat Beal Gebri.
 

Abuna Aftse Monastery

Next to the Temple of the moon is the Ethiopian Orthodox Abuna Aftse Monastery, named afte Abune Aftse, one of the nine saints and believed to be the founder of the church. Francisco Álvares mentions visitng the town in 1520 and refers to the monastery and the tower of the temple. This church was either the rededicated Great Temple, or a now destroyed building mentioned by the Deutsche Aksum-Expedition in the early 20th century. The current church, which exhibits Aksumite architectural features, was built between 1948 and 1949 and is one of the many special churches of Ethiopia.

 
YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Yeha Abuna Aftse Church, Tigray, Ethiopia GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Abuna Aftse Monastery Church at Yeha, Ethiopia

Yeha Abuna Aftse Church.

 

Abuna Aftse Monastery Church at Yeha.

 
YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Priest showing 400 year old bible at Yeha Abuna Aftse church, Tigray, Ethiopia GREAT YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Koptic crosses at Yeha Abuna Aftse church treasure room

Priest showing 400 year old bible at Yeha Abuna Aftse church.

 

Koptic crosses at Yeha Abuna Aftse church treasure room.

 
YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Oldest script south of the Sahara at the Yeha Abuna Aftse Church treasure room YEHA TEMPLE OF THE MOON, ETHIOPIA: Holy Ibexes ath the Abuna Aftse Church, Tigray, Ethiopia

Oldest script south of the Sahara at the Yeha Abuna Aftse Church treasure room.

Holy Ibexes at the Abuna Aftse Church.

 
 

ETHIOPIA HISTORICAL MONUMENTS MODULE

 

FLY 5 DAYS ETHIOPIA HISTORICAL MONUMENTS FROM $890! DISCOVER ETHIOPIAN MONUMENTS & NATIONAL PARKS with professional advisor to Ethiopian Park Service

Ethiopia Historical Monuments by car

9 days. Price: $890 per person, minimum 4. Hotels, meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals included. Minimum 2 passengers.

Ask for group discount.

Ethiopia Historical Monuments by plane

5 days. Price: $890 per person approximately, pending flight costs. Transportation, entry fees, meals, etc. Prices may vary depending on fluctuating air fairs. The itinerary will be adjusted according to flights Minimum 2 passengers.  Longer itineraries at additional hotel costs allow for a more relaxed program.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - BAHIR DAR, road distance ± 580km;

  1. Stop at the bridge across the Blue Nile Gorge, comparable in size to the Grand Canyon in the USA and supposedly the largest canyon of Africa;

  2. In the evening visit the Blue Nile falls if arrival before dark;

  3. Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - BAHIR DAR

  1. Morning Flight to Bahir Dar

  2. Visit Blue Nile Falls and Portuguese Bridge;

  3. Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 2: LAKE TANA - BLUE NILE FALLS, road distance ± 35km

  1. Day excursion by boat on Lake Tana to visit several of the famous Lake Tana churches and monasteries;

  2. Visit of the Blue Nile Falls;

  3. Sleep at Hotel.

Day 2: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR - by car

  1. Early morning half day excursion by boat on Lake Tana to visit several of the famous Lake Tana churches and the origin of the Blue Nile to watch Hippos;

  2. Afternoon drive to Gondar;

  3. Visit Royal Enclosure with the palaces of 6 kings, including Fasilides Castle;

  4. Visit Fasimile's Bath;

  5. Hotel in Gondar.

Day 3: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR, road distance ± 175km

  1. The Devil's Nose Rock, is a basaltic monolith or hoodoo, located near the village of Addis Zemen, 75km north Bahir Dar on the road to Gondar. On its top is an important roost and possibly nesting place for Ruepell's and other vultures.

  2. Check in in the hotel at Gondar after which a visit to Mentewab's Dining Room (Kusquam) and/or Fasimile's Bathroom depending on available time;

  3. Hotel in Gondar.

Day 3: GONDAR - LALIBELA

  1. Time permitting Visit Mentewab's Castle very early in the morning;

  2. Morning flight to Lalibela;

  3. Church treasures museum Lalibela;

  4. Visit the Northern and Southern rock hewn church complexes;

  5. Hotel in Lalibela.

 

Day 4: GONDAR - AXUM, road distance ± 350km

  1. Early in the morning visit the City fortress with the palaces of 6 kings;

  2. Road trip to Axum;

  3. Coffee ceremony;

  4. Hotel in Axum.

Day 4 LALIBELA - AXUM

  1. Early morning excursion to the Southern Complex;

  2. Flight to Axum;

  3. Visit the Stelae compound;

  4. Visit the Tsion Mariam  Church where the Arc of the Covenant is held and the 16th century church on the same complex, which is much more interesting;

  5. Visit Emperor Kaleb's Palace;

  6. Coffee ceremony at a ceremony in a friend's home

  7. Hotel.

 

Day 5: AXUM - MEKELLE, road distance  ± 250km

  1. Visit the famous beautiful Stellae at Axum;

  2. Visit Queen Sheba's Palace (officially Dongar Palace);

  3. Gudit Stelae Field opposite the palace;

  4. Debre Liqanos Monastery;

  5. Queen Sheba's Pool (May Shum);

  6. Enzana Enscription, a 3-lingual stone describing a battle of King Enzana

  7. King Basen's Tomb;

  8. Ride to Mekelle;

  9. On the way, visit Yeha Temple;

  10. Hotel in Mekelle.

Day 5: AXUM - ADDIS ABABA

  1. Visit Queen Sheba's Palace (officially Dongar Palace);

  2. Gudit Stelae Field opposite the palace;

  3. Debre Liqanos Monastery;

  4. Queen Sheba's Pool (May Shum);

  5. Enzana Enscription, a 3-lingual stone describing a battle of King Enzana

  6. King Basen's Tomb;

  7. Flight to Addis Ababa.

 

Day 6: MEKELE - WUKRO - MEKELLE, road distance  ± 45km

  1. Visit Rock Hewn Churches in Wukro;

  2. Visit Palace Emperor Yohannes IV;

  3. Hotel in Mekelle.

  

Day 7: MEKELE - LALIBELA, road distance ± 430km

  1. Leave early in the morning for Lalibela;

  2. Church treasures museum Lalibela

  3. Hotel in Lalibela.

  

Day 8: LALIBELA - DESSIE, road distance ± 300km

  1. Visit the churches of Lalibela;

  2. Drive to Dessie;

  3. Hotel in Dessie.

 

Day 9: DESSIE - ADDIS ABABA road distance ± 340km

  1. last day of the Ethiopia Historical Monuments and return trip to Addis Ababa;

  2. Transfer to hotel.

 

ALL ETHIOPIA MODULES

Yeha Temple of the Moon, Ethiopia

 

Ethiopia modernizes and changes more rapidly than any other country in Africa. Many features may not be there anymore in the near future. If you want to see it the way it was for thousands of years, see it now before it has changed forever! Compose your own once-in-a-lifetime Ethiopia-Africa-Adventure from our affordable modules:

Famous Ethiopia Historical Circuit

Simien Mountains trek or car visit

Danakil Depression and Erte Ale Volcano Expedition

Awash Babile Harar Safari Tour

Ethiopia Central and Southern Parks & Tribes Safari Tour

Bale Mountains National Park and Sof Omar Caves Tour

Gambella National Park Safari

Addis Ababa City Tour & Airport Transfer

All Ethiopia modules and prices together

We designed our itineraries in such a way that you can compose a 1 to 4 weeks journey from different modules that can show you the entire country or just the parts that interest you, all depending on your personal preferences, available time and budget. Email us on your interests and we can discuss a custom program with you by phone (we have phone lines from the USA and Europe) or skype. So, weather you have a great ethnic affinity, are a birdwatcher or want to go on safari, contact us and we work out a customized program that focuses on YOUR interests.

Blue Nile Falls, EthiopiaSt. George Church, LalibelaStellas, Axum, EthiopiaTukuls, Lalibela, EthiopiaElephant bull, Babile, EthiopiaEthiopian Wolf, Bale National Park

Gelada, Simien Mountains National ParkFacilides Bathroom, Gondar, EtiopiaWabia Ibex, Simien MountainsChurch, Lake Tana, EthiopiaErica trees, Bale Mountains National Park.Facilides Castle, Gondar, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is home of Ethiopian Airlines, featuring Africa's youngest fleet of the latest intercontinental jet airplanes - including 2 Dreamliners - as well as short-distance Bombardier turboprops for affordable and reliable in-country flights servicing all major cities of Ethiopia. The best airline of Africa, will fly you non-stop from the USA and Europe to Addis Ababa. Take our 1-week Ethiopia Cultural Monuments Tour and then continue for your Kenya or Tanzania safari - or any other East African capital - thus completing your journey. IF YOU BUY YOUR INTERNATIONAL TICKET FROM ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES, YOU WILL GET MOST INTERNAL FLIGHTS FOR $40 - $70 PER LEG! BUT CHANGING AFTERWARDS IS EXPENSIVE, SO WORK OUT A SCHEDULE WITH US TO GET A FABULOUS DEAL FOR FLYING THROUGH THE COUNTRY IN STEAD OF SPENDING ENDLESS TIME ON THE ROAD!!!
 

What makes us different from so many other tour operators?

Just look at the quality of our high resolution pictures. We took them all ourselves. We have thousands of high resolution pictures on this website, that you can see enlarged by clicking on them. These pictures show that we have been everywhere in the country of your interest and really know the details. We are professional explorers and biologists with MSc and PhD.

 

National Parks Tours Worldwide, a social responsibility and conservation company, is a brand name of the World Institute for Conservation & Environment, registered in the Netherlands with headquarters in the USA.

 

Phone USA:

(++)(1) 304 - 901 - 0718

 

Phone Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

(++251) (0) 911 440 915

 

Email:

info@nationalparks-worldwide.com

 

Skype: ecotravelworldwide