Can you visit Lalibela right now?

Not right now. Lalibela is one of the most extraordinary places in Africa, and it will be worth the wait, but as of 10 October 2026 flights are still suspended and travel to Amhara region, where Lalibela sits, isn't advised. That isn't a judgement on the town or its people, and there's still a lot of Ethiopia you can enjoy on this trip.

If Lalibela was the heart of your trip, you can still see Ethiopian Orthodox church life and plenty more from Addis Ababa. At Ethiopia Driver we drive visitors around Addis, to Bishoftu and down to Hawassa, and we can help you rebuild your days.

What is Lalibela, and why is it worth waiting for?

Lalibela is a town in the highlands of Amhara region. It's famous for eleven medieval churches carved down into solid rock rather than built up from the ground, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. They're linked to King Lalibela, who is said to have wanted a 'New Jerusalem' at a time when pilgrimage to the Holy Land had become dangerous.

The churches sit in two main clusters, plus the cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis (St George), which stands apart in its own pit. They aren't a museum: they're still a place of pilgrimage, with services and feast-day celebrations continuing today.

The churches have waited out hard times before, and they'll still be there when it's sensible to go. In August 2023, during clashes in Amhara, Ethiopian Airlines cancelled flights to Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Dessie and Kombolcha for three days before restarting. When Lalibela reopens, we can book your domestic flight in birr as part of your trip.

Why can't you go right now?

Flights to and from Lalibela were suspended on 24 September 2026 because of fighting nearby, after fighting in the north escalated that week. As of 10 October no restart date had been announced. Some governments advise against all travel to Amhara, including Lalibela; Addis Ababa and the south are open and busy with ordinary life. Advice changes, so check your government's page, and we'll update this page when things change.

What can you do instead right now?

If your trip is booked and Lalibela was the highlight, you can still get a feel for Ethiopian Orthodox faith and history without going north, and see a side of the country many visitors rush past:

• Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa. One of the city's great churches, and a good place to see Orthodox worship, especially on a Sunday morning.
• The National Museum. A good introduction to Ethiopian history; our Lucy guide explains how to visit.
• Timkat in Addis Ababa. If you'd planned January in Lalibela, Timkat is celebrated in Addis too and needs no flight north.
• Bishoftu's crater lakes. South-east of Addis along the expressway, an easy day trip.
• Hawassa. A lake city further south. We drive the Hawassa road regularly and can tell you current road conditions; our Hawassa guide has the details.

With a driver by the day, you can fit Holy Trinity, the National Museum and a coffee stop into one day in Addis: we drop you at each door and pick you up again, so there's no waiting for taxis between stops.

How do we plan trips outside Addis?

Before every trip outside Addis Ababa, we do our own security check using reports from our drivers across the country. We talk it through with you and decide together on the best plan: the route, a reroute if needed, what time to leave, and when not to travel at all. Inside the city and outside it, we look after you: our driver drops you at the door and waits, so you're never flagging taxis on the street, and you have a trusted local driver as company for the whole trip.

Already booked a Lalibela flight or hotel?

1. Contact the airline first. Flights are suspended, so ask Ethiopian Airlines or your agent about rebooking or a refund. As of 10 October no restart date had been announced.
2. Talk to your hotel or guide. Ask whether they can move your booking to a later date rather than cancelling outright.
3. Tell your insurer. Get their position in writing before you change or cancel anything, so you know what they'll cover.
4. Don't try to go by road. Road travel into Amhara isn't advised right now, and we don't drive there. We can drive you to Bishoftu or Hawassa instead.

What should you watch before rebooking Lalibela?

• Official travel advice: check the 'updated' date and whether Amhara is still under 'all travel' advice.
• Ethiopian Airlines flying to Lalibela again, steadily, for a while.
• Phone and internet working normally in the region; cuts often come with unrest.
• Your insurer confirming in writing that the trip is covered.

We're a family-run driver service in Addis Ababa, not a tour company or a security authority, and we only drive to places where travel is advised. We'll update this page as soon as the official picture changes.