Day 1 in Addis Ababa

First of all, find a taxi and book it for the day, this will simply take the pressure off of getting from A to B and will let you enjoy your day a bit more.

To begin with, head to the National Museum of Ethiopia, regarded as one of the most important in sub-Saharan Africa. The most famous exhibit is the paleontological showcase, found in the basement. There you can see two casts of Lucy, the partial skeleton of a specimen of Australopithecus afarensis, one sitting flat and the other standing like she might have 3.3 million years ago. It’s amazing to see how small our ancestors were and imagine them as hunters and gatherers. In the museum, you will also find exhibits of the remains of extinct creatures such as a huge sabretooth and a gigantic savannah pig, and portholes into Ethiopia’s cultural history and artwork. You should grab a guide when you begin as their knowledge really brings the place to live and be sure to tip them afterward.

Day 2 in Addis Ababa

After a night of trying some of the best local food, it’s time to try and recreate some of it. Book and spend the morning learning how to make Injera, flatbread, and all the stews you might find in the main course.

Afterward, you might be in need of a break from traditional food, so head over to lunch at La Mandoline. La Mandoline serves delicious traditional French cuisine and is one of the city’s best restaurants.

After lunch, it’s time to learn about one of the hardest times of Ethiopia’s history, the Derg. In the ‘Red Terror’ Martyrs Memorial Museum you’ll find a deeply moving exhibit of what life was like during the Derg dictatorship where over half a million Ethiopians were killed. There are English-speaking guides available however you may prefer to visit the museum in silence.