Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to Ethiopia (includes Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Lake Tana, Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park, Aksum, Lalibela, Harar, the Rift Valley lakes, Bale Mountains National Park and South Omo). The Rough Guide to Ethiopia is the ultimate travel guide to one of Africa's most compelling destinations. It leads you through the country with reliable information and insightful coverage of all the main attractions, from Gondar's towering castles to Lalibela's magnificent rock-hewn churches and from the beautiful Rift Valley lakes to the wildlife-rich Bale Mountains National Park. Detailed maps and up-to-date listings pinpoint the best cafés, restaurants, hotels, shops, bars and nightlife, ensuring you make the most of your trip. Packed with pre-departure advice and practical tips, the Basics section contains all the information you need to travel around Ethiopia, including transport, accommodation, food, drink, costs and health, while Contexts fills you in on history, wildlife, music and books, and includes a handy Language section. Full coverage: Addis Ababa, Bishoftu (Debre Zeyit), Tiya and Melka Kunture archeological sites, Menagesha National Forest, Debre Libanos, Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park, Aksum, Adwa, Adigrat, Tigrai Region, Mekele, Dessie, Lalibela, Mount Abune Yoseph, Bilbilla, Awash National Park, Dire Dawa, Harar, Lake Ziway, Lake Langano, Abijata-Shala National Park, Shashamene, Hawassa, Bale Mountains National Park, Arba Minch, Karat (Konso) and South Omo.