Lalibela Navigation

About Lalibela

Lalibela is an ancient city in Ethiopia. Lalibela backpacking tours are a highly recommended stopover on any Ethiopia adventures.

Lalibela Budget Travel

Below is a list of Lalibela's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Lalibela Coffee Ceremony, Lalibela Rock Churches

View all activities in Lalibela

Airports

Lalibela airports include:
• Lalibela Airport
• Addis Ababa International Airport

Birdlife

Lalibela birdlife includes a range of endemic and migratory species. Endemic species include glue-winged goose, Harwood's francolin, spot-breasted lapwing, yellow-fronted parrot, Prince Ruspoli's turaco, Nechisar nightjar, Degodi lark, Sidamo lark, white-tailed swallow, Abyssinian longclaw, Abyssinian catbird, Stresemann's bush-crow, red-billed pytilia and Ankober serin.

Conservation

Lalibela conservation includes the preservation of the ancient churches within the city as well as the surrounding habitats and landscapes.

Malaria

Lalibela malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Lalibela money and banking info includes:
• There are foreign exchange facilities within the village
• Credit cards may be accepted but are generally very seldom used
• Be prepared and bring cash with you when you visit

Plants

Lalibela plants are fairly sparse, with woodlands situated outside of the city, plus grasses and savanna. Trees include date palm, mimosa, wild olive, giant sycamores, junipers and laurels, myrrh and other gum trees and pines. Fruit trees include fig, orange, lime, pomegranate, peach, apricot, banana, and other fruit trees.

Safety Tips

• Lalibela is very safe to visit with almost no crime
• Tourists are fairly rare, and are sometimes the target of great fascination
• Keep valuables out of sight, and be firm but polite if hassled
• This is one of the country's most holy cities, so show respect at all times

Travel Books

Lalibela recommended travel books include:
• Lalibela: The Monolithic Churches of Ethiopia by Irmgard Bidder, Elfriede Fulda, and Rita Grabham-Hortmann
• Ethiopia: The Bradt Travel Guide by Philip Briggs
• A History of Ethiopia Updated Edition by Harold G. Marcus
• Lalibela, Ethiopia by Elisabeth-Dorothea Hecht
• Ethiopia & Eritrea Country Guide by Matt Phillips

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Ethiopia

Wildlife

Lalibela wildlife is mostly found outside of the city. Native species to be found in Ethiopia include the Walia ibex, the Menelik's bushbuck, the mountain nyala, Swayne's hartebeest and the extremely rare and endangered Simien jackal or Ethiopian wolf.

1 Overland tours through Lalibela recommended for you

Historic Ethiopia

10 days From ZAR 14350

Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa

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