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African Safaris and Tours
Axum
Exploring Axum: A Journey Through History and Religion
Get out your Indiana Jones hat and whip as the "Ark of the Covenant" can be found right here in Axum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Axum is the best place to start your Ethiopian safari (in our opinion in any case), the start of the countries history and religion is right here.
The town and area are steeped in history, the Aksumite Kingdom was one of the four great powers along with Persia, Rome, and China. The Kingdom dates back to 100 BC and they ruled for some 800 - 900 years. It is the Aksumite Kingdom that built the "Stelae" that are on show near the town's centre and a must visit destination.
From a religious point of view, Axum is the home of the Church of St. Mary of Zion, the Ark of the Covenant as well as the site for the First Christian Church in Africa.
There is of course also the so-called "Queen of Sheba's Palace" and the "Queen of Sheba's Bath" although the ruins date some 1500 years after her time!
Axum, Ethiopia: A Journey Through Time
The Town Of Axum
Getting to and from The Town Of Axumis best done via aircraft from any of the surrounding tourist destinations including Addis Ababa. The town is too far North for one to travel realistically here by vehicle from Addis Ababa. From Addis Ababa, by road will take you at least 2 full days whereas a flight is only about 80 minutes.
Axum Stelae Field
Without a doubt, this spectacular Stelae field is one of the most breathtaking historical wonders you will ever experience. Standing majestically at around 1,700 years old, these towering, hand-carved monoliths—believed to be the grand gravestones of past Aksumite Kings—rise dramatically against the landscape, offering an incredible window into ancient history.
Queen Of Sheba Palace
The Queen of Sheba who was an "exotic and mysterious woman of power" is one of the great religious figures who appear in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible and the Muslim Koran. And her Palace is found right here in Axum. Why would you not want to stop by here and take in the scenery and snap a few photographs?
St. Mary of Zion
Around 300AD, the spectacular St. Mary of Zion was constructed in the remarkable town of Axum, establishing itself as the first and largest Christian Kingdom outside of the Roman Empire. This exceptional church has been meticulously rebuilt several times over its impressive 1700-year history, with the most recent and breathtaking version completed in 1964. The architectural evolution of this sacred site stands as a testament to its enduring importance and the exceptional craftsmanship devoted to its preservation through the centuries.
Ethiopia Travel Topics
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Your correspondent has been travelling in Africa for over three decades. I feel that I know sub-Saharan Africa; its smells, its peoples, its geography and its wildlife. Ethiopia is different, as different as snow is to sand. So different that you could get a very sharp knife and detach it somewhere in the Red Sea because it is not similar to any of its Arab world neighbours either.
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New on Uyaphi.com is our Travel in Ethiopia portfolio featuring safaris and tours to this somewhat new African safari destination; we are very excited about Ethiopia and all that she has to offer. Think of Ethiopia as a more cultural safari destination than what one is used to in Africa.
Palace Of Haile Selassie
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