Part II. Travel to Amara, Harari and Oromia regions of Ethiopia By Dr. Yohannes Kiros

The city of Gondar also called as the `Camelot of Africa` is a must see citadel of the historical

and medieval seat of the Emperors and princes of Ethiopia with the centrally located fabulous

Ghebi (Castle) of Emperor Fasil, Empress Mentwab and others. Lake Tana is one of the

biggest lakes in Ethiopia housing several churches on its islands and among them is the

gorgeous Ura Kidane Mihret church with its colorful wall murals. The Lake with its

tributaries is a source of the Blue Nile contributing about 85 % of the Nile River, which will

be used for electric generation of 6GW by the Renaissance Dam.

The Simien Mountains are a world heritage site, unique in Ethiopia and among other places in

the world having one of the tallest peaks such as Ras Dashen (above 4500 meters). It has also

unique settlers only to be found here such as the geladas, grass foraging but friendly monkeys.

After leaving the Simien Mountains from the town of Debarek to Zarema and Tekezze, there

is the dwindling road descending almost 2000 meters, the densely forested impressive

Limalimo scarp. The pictures will follow here accordingly.

The stand-alone rocky mountain in the middle of the fields on the way to Gondar

The young boys in the Simien are well equipped from top to toe to protect themselves from its

chilly climate, while the families of gelada (below) are naturally protected by their thick/long

furs.

Limalimo with its cascading waterfalls and dense forest

The walled city of Harar is considered to be one fourth holiest cities of Islam having more

than 80 mosques and is one of the biggest shrines in Ethiopia. The fortifying walls were

believed to be built for protection against incursions between the 13th

and 16th

centuries. The

Harar Jugol is also recognized as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The city is endowed

with its unique treasures of African, Islamic and Indian architecture. In one of the beautiful

houses lived the famous French poet Arthur Rimbaud (1880-1890), who became a merchant

of coffee, firearms, etc. This building now serves as a photo gallery of the history of Harar

and its people. One of the most common attractions except the museums and traditional

markets is also the visit during the late evening of the “hyena man”, when tourists are asked to

feed the spotted hyenas meat either inserted in a stick from their mouth or hand. A

breathtaking adventurous task for those who are afraid of dangerous animals!

The Babille stone mounds are unique as they are naturally formed by wind and water erosion

in contrast to the Stonehenge in UK. Different figures and shapes appear one after the other.

On way to Harar through the Awash national park