Having just got back from Ethiopia I must say that, in our experience, I can't agree with the latter comment. Part of this is due to changing circumstances. The country seems to be changing quickly, prices have gone up sharply, new hotels seem to fade quickly and restaurants have gone. But some of the information is just wrong - the maps seem to be particularly bad and several times we found things in the wrong place.

This is not to say the guidebook was useless - I still think its worth 3 stars - we may just have been unlucky with the area we were in (northern circuit) and hotels/sites we were interested in. But we had a Bradt guidebook with us too, which was published more recently and if I had to pick one I'd go for that.


Superb Publication   March 17, 2001
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I have just bought the new Lonely Planet guide to Ethiopia etc. Having lived in Ethiopia for some years (German goverment project),I can say that this is a fantastic book.

I am impressed not just with the amount of information and the useful tips and advise but especially by the stunning insights and understanding into the country. I can only assume that the author spent many years here?

The book is everything a guidebook should be: very readable (I keep taking it up)- in fact it reads like a good novel!-, funny, authoratative, and really superbly researched. I have learnt not just more about Ethiopia but also many current issues - from female circumcision and colonialism to etiquette and the drug-leaf qat. The little boxes dotting the book throughout are fantastic.

Congratulations Lonely Planet for what must be the best guidebook ever. Your author deserves a medal. And I hope it will in the future provide a measure for future publications!


Stunning publication   February 5, 2001
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

It is with great excitement we open the pages of Ms. Linzee-Gordon's brand-spanking new Lonely Planet edition on Ethiopia, Eritrea & Djibouti! Her total dedication to "getting it most right" is an attribute we greatly admire and sincerely appreciate. Tons of extra effort laced with certain trials & tribulations, Ms.Linzee-Gordon considers it all part & parcel of "getting it most right"....which she has powerfully done. Wading rivers, climbing mountains, swallowing road dust and patiently gathering information from hundreds upons hundreds of people, has resulted in a stunning publication that promotes new interest in our most fascinating destination. Welcome adventure travellers! Congratulations & thank you, Frances & Lonely Planet! From the staff of Ethiopian Rift Valley Safaris.


The best LP guide   January 8, 2001
I am a big fan of Lonely Planet. I travel a lot around the the world using ONLY LP guides. I just bought Ethiopia guide to plan my next trip- this is the best LP guide ever. Full with information and helpful advices, there is everything. And what was my surprise - the guide is written only by one writer, a woman and all the pics are taken by her. Congratulations Frances Linzee Gordon and LP for this masterpiece. This is not only a good guide, it's a good book!


The best LP guide   January 6, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I am a big fan of Lonely Planet. I travel a lot around the the world using ONLY LP guides. I just bought Ethiopia guide to plan my next trip - this is the best LP guide ever. Full with information and helpful advices, there is everything. And what was my surprise - the guide is written only by one writer, a woman and all the pics are taken by her. Congratulations Frances Linzee Gordon and LP for this masterpiece. This is not only a good guide, it's a good book!