Ethiopia: Haile Selassie Case Study

Overseas adventures begin as you fly to Addis Ababa. As your flight descends, take a look out your window to view Ethiopia’s diverse terrain of mountains, forests, and dry land. A local guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport and transfer you to a local hotel.

Take the afternoon to rest and unpack. If you choose to explore, take a dip in the hotel pool, explore the city surroundings, or walk on a nearby nature path. In the evening, you’ll meet with your group and guide for traditional Ethiopian cuisine. Make sure to ask lots of questions during this time! 

Today, you are off to Haile Selassie’s former palace, which is full of tranquil gardens and fountains. Even if you are not a history buff, the ethnological museum will pique your interest as you learn more about the politics of Ethiopia. On the first floor, discover artifacts and crafts from local people. These displays are based on the life cycle from birth until death. As you reach level two, you will experience the preserved changing room, bedroom, and bathroom of Emperor Haile Selassie. Be sure to keep a lookout for the bullet hole in his mirror that was struck during the coup d’etat.   

Haile Selassie was emperor of Ethiopia in the 1930s until he was exiled during World War II as punishment for leading the resistance to the Italian invasion. This controversial leader has indisputably had an impact on the politics and people of Ethiopia. Indeed, he modernized the country with social, economic, and educational reforms. In 1974, he was forced to flee due to famine, unemployment, and political oppression. Keep this influential leader’s influence in mind throughout your trip. 

Start today by stopping at the National Museums of Ethiopia, which is interactive and known for its quality and diversity of displays. Make sure to drop by its archaeological section to see a 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy, who was an early human ancestor of the genus australopithecus afarensis. It will make you rethink human genealogy. After lunch at a local cafe, you will arrive at Entoto, which was once the former emperor’s camp. Take a big sniff as the air is full of scents from the surrounding Eucalyptus trees. Enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the capital city. 

Adventure day! Today, you will visit Debre Libanos, one of Ethiopia’s oldest monasteries. View its museum, tombs, and nearby caves. Next, you’re off to the Blue Nile Gorge to cool off and watch for the gelada monkey. Here, you will also experience a coffee ceremony, a delicious lunch, and folk dancing lessons. Marvel at Ethiopia’s spectacular natural environment on today’s tour! 

Calling all food lovers today is for you! You’ll begin your day with a visit to the open-air market of Merkato. Following this, you’ll head to three traditional restaurants in the capital city to taste varying dishes of authentic cuisine. Try tibs, beyaynetu and mahberawi while immersing yourself into Ethiopia’s culture. Deelish! Save some room in your stomach as your next activity is visiting a local home for cooking cake. Learn how to bake traditional injera. Following this, you’ll head back to your local hotel. 

For your final full day, you’re off to experience more of Ethiopia’s incredible nature and culture. Set off at the bottom of Entoto Mountain and slowly make your way to the top via a combination of driving and trekking. Once you reach the peak, you’ll discover the Entoto Mariam Church and Museum. Have your camera ready to take incredible pictures of this unrestricted view of Addis Ababa. Enjoy a picnic lunch before heading toward the Yaya Athletics Village to see some of Ethiopia’s top athletes train. Have a glass of the area’s honey wine while doing so. Explore the village before heading back to your hotel. 

It’s been an incredible week in Ethiopia, but it’s time to say goodbye. Enjoy one final dinner with your group and guides. Discuss your favorite memories of the trip and what you learned. Next, it’s off to the local airport to fly home.