Ethiopia is a land of profound history, vibrant culture and breath-taking landscapes. Kristian Harrison recently had the chance to visit the country, facilitated by Ethiopian Airlines, and explored the capital Addis Ababa’s treasures.

After a very comfortable direct flight from Bahrain to Addis Ababa and a smooth Visa process thanks to the kindness of the Ethiopian Consulate General in Bahrain, I was taken directly to the nearby Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, the largest in Africa and owned by Ethiopian Airlines, and checked into my spacious room. After a brief nap and meeting my friendly tour guide, Abush, it was time to explore! 
 
The journey began at the National Museum, home to many treasures of Ethiopia’s past. The highlight was undoubtedly the fossilised remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is ‘Lucy,’ the partial skeleton of a specimen estimated to date to 3.2 million years ago. Another excellent exhibition was the section dedicated to Emperor Haile Selassie, one of Ethiopia’s most renowned rulers. It was an extraordinary experience to walk through the corridors of history and witness artefacts that have shaped Ethiopia’s identity. 

That afternoon, I visited Unity Park, a beautiful complex in the centre of the city. Its unique charm lies not only in its expanses of greenery and historical artefacts, but also in its stunning wildlife exhibits, featuring rare animals like black lions, wildebeests, cheetahs and meerkats. 

Day two began with a trip to Entoto, a mountainous escape offering panoramic views of Addis Ababa. As I stood at the viewpoint, the sprawling cityscape below with its towering skyscrapers, metro lines and bustling commuters showcased a modern, progressive city. 

Whilst we were here, we stopped at the nearby Entoto St. Maryam Church which added a spiritual touch to the morning. Even more memorable was that I happened to gatecrash a wedding taking place there, so it was with delight that I got to see the assembled party chanting and applauding the happy couple!

Later, I visited the Ethnological Museum, an insightful repository of Ethiopia’s cultural diversity. Located within the former palace of Haile Selassie, the museum provided a look into the traditions and daily lives of the country’s many ethnic groups. The day ended with a delightful cultural shopping experience, where I picked up some colourful handcrafted souvenirs that encapsulated Ethiopia’s artistic heritage.


Dinner that evening was a particular delight. Traditional injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread, served as the base for an array of meat and vegetable curries. Bursting with flavour and a medley of textures, it was paradise in the palate, and even better when complemented by live performances of traditional music and dance. 

On my final day, I explored the Coffee Museum at Hadero. Learning about coffee’s origins and its significance to Ethiopian culture was fascinating. From the meticulous hand-sorting of beans to the intricate roasting and brewing process, it showed the getting the perfect cup is truly an art form. The museum also highlighted the discovery of coffee in Ethiopia and its evolution into a global phenomenon. It was a reminder of how much this beloved drink connects people across the globe, yet remains rooted in its Ethiopian origins.

Whilst here, we also partook in a traditional coffee ceremony. Often accompanied by incense burning and snacks like popcorn, it remains a hospitality staple.

One of the major highlights of my tour was the exclusive tour of Ethiopian Airlines’ state-of-the-art facilities. Living its motto of Bringing Africa Together and Beyond, Ethiopian has created Africa-wide and transcontinental air connectivity networks linking its main hub in Addis Ababa to the rest of the world. The airline serves 141 international passenger and cargo destinations, including 66 African cities, with daily and multiple flights with a minimum layover in Addis operating the youngest and the state-of-the-art fleet types such as A350-1000, B787-900, B777, B737 Max and more. 

As a veteran carrier serving a vast intra-African network, Ethiopian flies to more destinations in the continent than any other airline. Its four weekly flights from Bahrain offer a seamless connectivity to points in its vast networks in Africa, South/North America, Asian and Europe. 

The experience was nothing short of remarkable. I visited its training facilities for pilots, engineers, cabin crew and air traffic controllers (featuring an awe-inspiring room with 180-degree screens and cutting-edge simulations to account for every possible emergency and situation). The cargo warehouse and maintenance depot showcased the airline’s operational excellence as the largest airline in Africa, while the flight simulator training area allowed me to witness a simulated flight in action. The sheer scale of operations and the company’s commitment to being a hub of innovation and training, not just in Africa but the world, was truly impressive.

Reflecting on my time in the wonderful country, a special mention must go to Abush and the team at Anbessa Travel, whose expertise and kindness elevated the entire trip. 

As I reflect on my incredible journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to explore Addis Ababa, especially to Redi Yesuf, Country Manager for Ethiopian Airlines in Bahrain. The city definitely left a mark on me, and I am already excited to one day return to Ethiopia to venture beyond its capital and discover more of its natural beauty and cultural wonders.

If you’re interested in visiting the amazing country of Ethiopia, contact Ethiopian Airlines on 17208504.

Tags #ethiopian airlines #btm february 2025 #features #travel #lifestyle #feature #bahrain travel tips #travel guide