Are you looking for an adventure travel destination that’s way off the beaten path? Gadling recommends taking a trip to Ethiopia’s Somali region.

Though there aren’t many visitors and amenities are scarce, if you’re not averse to “roughing”it there are a lot of attractions. Alibilal Cave is covered with prehistoric cave paintings of African wildlife like giraffe and gazelle. Meanwhile, a nearby national park gives you the opportunity to see these animals in person, plus lions and elephants. Even better, the region is overflowing with hot springs to relax in.

But the people are quite possibly the best part of the trip. Gadling’s Sean McLachlan writes:

“The culture here preserves itself by oral traditions. Sitting with a clan elder and listening to his stories can be a one-of-a-kind experience. The Somali region is the easiest place to experience Somali culture, being cheaper than Somaliland and far safer than Somalia.“

If you want to visit the region while it’s still relatively undiscovered, you’ll need a passport and an Ethiopian visa. Americans entering the country via Bole International Airport are eligible for to apply for an Ethiopian visa on arrival, but you shouldn’t expect the process to be easy or smooth. According to the Department of State, travelers sometimes experience difficulty during the visa-on-arrival process and end up “significantly delayed.” So, if you’re thinking of applying for a visa when you arrive, the question you need to ask yourself is this: Do you feel lucky, punk? If you’d rather not chance it, just apply for your visa in advance.

If you’re entering through another airport or crossing into the country by land, you must apply for your visa in advance.

To get an Ethiopian visa, you need the following documents:

• 1 completed Ethiopian visa application form
• 1 passport-sized photo of yourself
• A copy of your round-trip itinerary
• Your US passport

RushMyTravelVisa can make the process easy and quick. Our visa specialists will research your itinerary to make sure you know exactly what the visa requirements are for each stage of your journey. Then, we’ll walk you through the paperwork and expedite your application for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Ethiopian visa today!

Harar, Ethiopia is ancient city that dates back to at least the 11th century AD. Historically, the city has long been famous for arts like weaving, basketry and bookbinding. It’s also famous for its delicious coffee, which is considered to be some of the best, if not the very best, in the world. Although there’s no hard proof, some believe that Harar is the birthplace of the energizing beverage, without which some of us simply could not function. Thank you, Harar!

Harar is considered to be the fourth holiest city in Islam, and the city’s walls enclose as many as 110 mosques, some of which are almost as old as the city itself. There’s a lot to see here, and the city’s inhabitants are generally friendly and welcoming to tourists.

One spectacle that you won’t see anywhere else is the practice of feeding raw meat to the clans of hyena that live in the surrounding forests. At dusk, “hyena men” feed the beasts in front of crowds of curious spectators, calling them out of the darkness and offering them strips of meat from his own mouth. This tradition may not be around forever, though; according to this BBC article, there were only two hyena men left in 2002.

In addition, a small herd of feral horses lives outside of the city walls, on flat-topped Mount Kondudo. This is the oldest known feral horse herd in Africa, and it is threatened with extinction as locals try to tame and sell the colts and take the grazing land for their own livestock. Conservation groups are trying to save the herd, and tourism is an important part of their plan for doing so since it provides locals an incentive to leave the horses alone. (more…)

Where are you going to go in 2011? If you’re looking for an adventure, why not visit Ethiopia? Gadling just named it one of the top adventure travel destinations of 2011. Here’s why:

“The country is rich in history and culture and offers plenty of options for the active traveler as well. I recommend trekking the Simien Mountains, where you’ll encounter packs of rock climbing baboons en route to the medieval fortress of Gondar or make the journey to Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.”

That’s a great rundown of some of Ethiopia’s highlights! For more ideas on what to do in Ethiopia, see 5 Reasons to Get an Ethiopian Visa.

If you’re an American citizen, you do need a visa to enter Ethiopia. Technically, you can get one when you arrive at the airport. However, the US Department of State “strongly advises” you to get one before you leave the country, saying “In some cases, U.S. tourist and business travelers have not been permitted to receive visas at Bole International Airport or have been significantly delayed.” Probably best to plan ahead and avoid that particular “adventure.”

Also, keep in mind that visas on arrival are only available at Bole International Airport. If you’re crossing into Ethiopia by land from a neighboring country, you need to get your visa ahead of time.

Here’s what you need to apply for an Ethiopian visa:

• 1 completed Ethiopian visa application form
• 1 passport-sized photo of yourself
• A copy of your round-trip itinerary
• Your US passport

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for an Ethiopian visa in advance. We’ll review your itinerary to make sure you have all the documents you need for your journey. Then, we’ll guide you through the application process step-by-step, helping you to avoid common mistakes that could lead to your visa application being delayed. We’ll also expedite your Ethiopian visa with the embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Need an Ethiopian visa? Let us help!

The cradle of humanity and a biodiversity hot spot, Ethiopia is one of the most exciting African countries to visit. Need some inspiration for your next adventure? Here are 5 reasons to apply for an Ethiopian visa:

Lalibela: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this town is justly famous for its many churches carved out of the surrounding mountains. It is considered one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities and was once the country’s capital.

Safaris: Ethiopia is one of the best places to take a safari tour and see African animals that most Americans never see outside of a zoo, like lions, zebras, baboons, ibex…the list goes on and on, really. The type of animals that you’re likely to see depends on which of Ethiopia’s parks or wildlife preserves you visit. Nechisar National Park features grasslands packed with zebras, gazelles, baboons, flamingos, storks, and crocodiles (just to name a few). In the mountains of Simien Mountains National Park, you’ll find wolves, more baboons and ibex. The national parks in the Lower Orno Valley are home to hippos, as well.

Aksum: This city was once the capital of the mighty Aksum kingdom. Local legend has it that it is also the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant and the birthplace of the Queen of Sheba. Visit Aksum to tour ancient churches and see ancient monuments called stelae.

Lake Tana: Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and is the source of the mighty Blue Nile. The ancient monasteries found on islands in the lake are well worth a visit.

The Blue Nile: The Blue Nile begins at Lake Tana and eventually joins with the White Nile to form the River Nile in Egypt. The best spot to visit along the Blue Nile is the Blue Nile Falls, about 25 miles downstream from the river’s source in Lake Tana.

To visit Ethiopia, American citizens do need Ethiopian visas. You might be able to get one on arrival in the airport. Then again, according to the Department of State, you might not. So, it’s best to get yours in advance; why take chances?

To learn more about getting a visa, see Ethiopian Visa Requirements for Tourists. Remember, RushMyTravelVisa can help you navigate the visa process, walking you through the paperwork and expediting your application.

For Ethiopian visa help, contact us today!

Beginning around 400 BC, a new power emerged in Ethiopia, based in the city of Aksum. Over time, the new kingdom took over territory and valuable trade routes from the nearby Kingdom of Kush, eventually becoming one of the most important and powerful kingdoms in the entire world.

The Kingdom of Aksum converted to Christianity early, and local legend states that the city was also the home of the biblical Queen of Sheba and the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.  The Axumites also developed their own language and their own style of architecture, including impressive obelisks.

Today, Aksum is much smaller, but you can still see the remains of the old city. There are ancient castles, royal tombs and towering obelisks. The Obelisk of Axum was recently returned to Ethiopia from Italy and is on display again, along with other monuments in the Northern Stelae Park.

You’ll need more than just a passport to see these ruins. You will also need an Ethiopian visa. It’s best to apply for your visa while you are still in the United States and have it in hand before you travel.  This is an absolute must if you will be entering Ethiopia by land or from any airport other than Bole International Airport. In theory, you can buy an Ethiopian tourist visa on arrival at Bole International Airport, but at least according to the Department of State, it’s not always that easy in practice.

Here’s what you need to apply for an Ethiopian visa:

• 1 completed Ethiopian visa application form
• 1 passport-sized photo of yourself
• A copy of your round-trip itinerary
• Your US passport

RushMyTravelVisa can help make sure your trip to Ethiopia is a success. We’ll research your itinerary to make sure you have the appropriate documentation for every step of your journey. Then, we’ll help you apply, providing personal assistance and delivering your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Ethiopian visa today!