Places to Visit in Senafe, Debub, Eritrea, Africa

Places to Visit in Senafe, Debub, Eritrea, Africa

Senafe is a town situated in the Debub region of Eritrea in the southern part of the country. It is a market town, well known for the archaeological site Metera, Debre Libanos’s monastery and monolithic church at Enda-Tradqan. Senafe coordinates with 14°42′ N latitude and 39°25′ E longitude, is situated around 130 km southeast of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. Senafe was originally called Hakir.

 

History of Senafe:

According to the local belief, Senafe got its name from the town Sana’a in Yemen. The town of Senafe was developed substantially during the Italian rule but that development no larger existed, was collapsed during the Eritrean War of Independence and the Eritrean-Ethiopian War.

 

Getting Senafe:

Senafe is served by Asmara International Airport with scheduled flights, catered by EgyptAir (Cairo), Nova Airways (Kassala, Khartoum), Sudan Airways (Kassala, Khartoum and Port Sudan) and Yemenia (Sana’a). From Senafe, the airport is located around 130 km away.

Buses are regular between these two routes and taxis are also available, although one can book a private transfer before to reaching the airport for comfort and convenient airport travel.

The bus connection of Senafe also extends to bordering Ethiopian cities and all the major southern Eritrean cities.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Senafe:

As like the most other Eritrean cities and towns, Senafe is also known for traditional markets and food corners. Modernized restaurants and shops are limited in number, so one can refer the national capital, Asmara for better shopping experience and to have both mouthwatering Eritrean and international delicacies.

 

Things to do in Senafe:

  • Visiting archeological sites
  • Hiking
  • Shopping

 

Places to see in Senafe:

 

Metera:

Metera or Balaw Kalaw was a former city in D`mt and Aksumite Kingdoms. Currently it is in ruined condition, famous among visitors as an archeological site. It is located few kilometers away from the town of Senafe.

 

The monolithic church of Enda-Tradqan:

The monolithic church of Enda-Tradqan is located short distance away from Senafe. This church is one of the important religious sites in the area, frequented both locals and tourists year round.

 

Debre Libanos:

Constructed in the 6th century by Abba Meta, Debre Libanos is the Eritrea’s 2nd oldest Christian monastery following Debre Sinia. This monastery is still good in condition and also houses a library with manuscripts of which some dates from the 13th century.

 

Adi Keyh:

Adi Keyh is a town, situated around 25 km away from Senafe. The town itself is home to many historical tourist attractions and also there are two archeological sites like Qohaito and Toconda, located few kilometers away from Senafe.

 

Other places of interest in and around Senafe include:

  • Italian colonial buildings in Dekemhare
  • Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque
  • Massawa
  • Asmara Theatre and Opera House
  • Joseph’s Cathedral
  • Liberation Avenue
  • Synagogue of Asmara
  • Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral
  • Fiat Tagliero Building
  • Cinema Impero
  • Asmara Historic Perimeter
  • Asmara President’s Office
  • National Museum Asmara
  • Sembel Archaeological Site
  • Denkalya Desert

 

Ideal time to visit Senafe:

The best time to visit Senafe depends on visitors’ interest, although those want to enjoy outdoor activities in Senafe can choose beginning months of the year.

 

Where to stay in Senafe?

It is difficult to find modernized accommodation centres in Senafe, but the town houses many traditional options. Those who want star rated hotels can drive towards Asmara, which is around 130 km away from Senafe, housing many star rated hotels with world class facilities and services. The prominent hotels in Senafe are as follows:

  • Sunshine Hotel
  • Lion Hotel
  • Savanna International Hotel
  • Hotel Asmara Palace
  • Albergo Italia
  • Embasoira Hamasien Hotel
  • Africa Pension
  • Hotel Khartoum
  • Asmara Central Hotel
  • Ambasoira Hotel
  • Crystal Hotel Eritrea

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Teseney, Eritrea, Africa

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Teseney, Eritrea, Africa

Teseney is a town located in the western part of the Eastern African country, Eritrea, near the border of Sudan. It is originally a market town, where trade fairs take place occasionally and also the main square of the town is filled with cafés, bars and both modern and traditional shops with a wide range of items. Teseney is situated in the proximity of Gash-Setit Wildlife Reserve, around 120 km west of Barentu and 250 km west of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea.

Teseney is geographically positioned between 15°06′36″ N latitude and 36°39′27″ E longitude, lying around 910 meters above sea level.

 

History of Teseney:

As like the rest of Eritrea, Teseney had seen many developments during the Italian Eritrea but which were destroyed by repeated bombings during the Eritrean War of Independence. Now the town has been gradually developing towards regaining its glory.

 

How to reach Teseney?

There is no major airport in and around Teseney, so international tourists are needed to reach the Asmara International Airport, where taxis are always being ready to serve visitors and also visitors can use buses running between Teseney and Asmara. This airport is situated around 250 km away from the heart of Teseney.

Teseney is also connected by bus to the city of Barentu and Kassala in Sudan.

To move within the town, visitors can choose buses and the town also houses many travel agencies offering car and bike for local travel.

 

Food and Shopping in Teseney:

Teseney is a bustling market town housing a renowned traditional market with products showcasing the locals’ works like rugs, handbags, handicraft items and paintings. All sorts of restaurants can be found in Teseney but modernized options are limited in number.

 

 

Things to do in Teseney:

  • Village tours
  • Shopping at traditional market
  • Walking

 

What to see in Teseney?

 

Teseney Market:

The market of Teseney is the highlight of the town, which is frequented by merchants, returnees, traders from all around western Eritrea and Sudan. Items are highly traditional, including clothes, ornaments, household items and handicraft products.

 

Teseney Mosque:

The Teseney Mosque is located in front of the main square of the town. The square is home to many cafés, bars and different kinds of modernized shops.

 

Gash-Setit Wildlife Reserve:

Located towards the east of the town of Teseney, the Gash-Setit Wildlife Reserve is national wildlife reserve, featuring rich vegetation and many endemic animal species. The reserve covers a total area of 709 sq. km.

 

Asmara:

The capital of Eritrea, Asmara is situated around 250 km away from Teseney, connected by buses. Asmara is famous among visitors for its colonial budlings dating from Italian Eritrea, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Cinema Impero and Fiat Tagliero Building. Asmara is also home to the National Museum Asmara.

 

List of other places of interest in and around Teseney includes:

  • The National Museum Asmara
  • Joseph’s Cathedral
  • Asmara President’s Office
  • Cinema Impero
  • Synagogue of Asmara
  • Asmara Theatre and Opera House
  • Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral
  • Sembel Archaeological Site
  • Beaches in Assab
  • Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque
  • Fiat Tagliero
  • Asmara Historic Perimeter
  • Debre Bizen

 

When to visit Teseney?

Teseney can be visited throughout the year, although weather-wise, from October to February is ideal.

 

Where to stay in Teseney?

There are few tourist favor hotels in Teseney, on this point, to make tour memorable by staying at well facilitated hotel, visitors can consider hotels in the capital, Asmara, which is around 250 km away from Teseney. Here are the prominent hotels in Teseney and Asmara:

  • Sunshine Hotel
  • Dahlak Hotel
  • Central Hotel
  • Crystal Hotel Eritrea
  • Asmara Central Hotel
  • Savanna International Hotel
  • Hotel Asmara Palace
  • Albergo Italia
  • Embasoira Hamasien Hotel
  • Africa Pension
  • Hotel Khartoum
  • Seghen International Hotel
  • Red Sea Hotel
  • Gurgussum Beach Hotel
  • Gurgussum Beach Hotel

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Massawa, Eritrea, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Massawa, Eritrea, Africa

Massawa is a port city in Eretria, located on the Red Sea coast between 15°36′35″ N latitude and 39°27′00″ E longitude, around 110 km southeast of the national capital, Asmara. It is one of two important commercials towns of Eretria, another being Asmara and holds many active historic mosques including the Sheikh Hanafi Mosque.

Massawa is also popular for pristine beaches with snorkeling and diving opportunities and plenty of restaurants and cafes. Massawa also has become popular among visitors for its colonial buildings dating from Italian Eretria. Massawa is spread over an area of 477 sq. km and its summer generally sees high humidity.

 

History of Massawa:

Being a port settlement, Massawa had witnessed rule of many renowned European and African empires including the Medri Bahri Kingdom, Axumite Empire, the Ottoman Empire and Umayyad Caliphate. Massawa fell under the rule of the Kingdom of Italy in 1885 and since then, Massawa had been the capital of Italian Eritrea until 1897 when the capital was moved to Asmara.

 

How to reach Massawa?

Massawa holds an international airport with scheduled flights from Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai, Frankfurt, Jeddah, Karachi, Khartoum, Lagos, Lahore, Nairobi, Rome and Johannesburg. The airport is located around 15 km away from the city centre, which can be crossed by airport taxi or minibus service.

Buses are frequent between Massawa and Asmara from dawn to dusk. The local transportation of Massawa is served by minibuses, rental cars and taxis.

 

Food and Shopping in Massawa:

Massawa houses plenty of upgraded shopping centers welcoming tourists with a wide selection of branded items as well as locally produced jewels, handicraft and embroidery products.

One can see all types food corners in Massawa including bars, restaurants and cafes with both traditional and international menus. Some such restaurant options in Massawa are:

  • Sallam Restaurant
  • Beaches Bar & Restaurant
  • Eritrea Restaurant
  • Adulis Seafood

 

Things to do in Massawa:

  • Snorkeling
  • Diving
  • Boat riding

 

Places to see in Massawa:

 

Sheikh Hanafi Mosque:

The Sheikh Hanafi Mosque is one of the identities of Massawa, dating from the 15th century. It can be visited with a prior permission only.

 

Tualud Island:

Tualud Island is packed with many specialties including entertainments centres, a popular tank monument, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and many high end hotels. It is connected to mainland Massawa by ferry.

 

Green Island:

Green Island is an uninhabited island and nature park, located around 20 minute boat ride away from the mainland Massawa. It features an abandoned pearl-fishing area, ruined ancient mosques, mangroves and a striking beach.

 

Historical budlings in Massawa:

Massawa is home to many recognized historical structures dotted all around the city of which the most famous ones are St. Mary’s Cathedral, Banco d’Italia and the Imperial Palace, constructed for Werner Munzinger in the 1870s.

 

The War Memory Square:

Situated in the heart of Massawa city, the War Memory Square houses 3 three military tanks that commemorate soldiers and natives died in different wars fought in the region including the Eritrean War of Independence. It is very well maintained and transforms pleasant feel to visitors.

 

List of the other places of interest in Massawa includes:

  • Mary’s Cathedral
  • Imperial Palace
  • Massawa International Airport
  • The Massawa Station
  • Hotel Torino
  • Dahlak islands
  • Ferrovia Coloniale Massawa-Asmara
  • National Museum Asmara
  • Joseph’s Cathedral
  • Asmara President’s Office
  • Cinema Impero
  • Fiat Tagliero Building
  • Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque
  • Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral
  • Asmara Theatre and Opera House

 

Ideal time to visit Massawa:

Probably from October to May is the best and most popular time to visit beach city Massawa in Eritrea.

 

Where to stay in Massawa?

Most upgraded hotels of Massawa are located on the Tualud Island. In below list, the first 5 hotels are in Massawa and the rest of hotels are located in Asmara (around 110 km away from Massawa):

  • Red Sea Hotel
  • Dahlak Hotel
  • Seghen International Hotel
  • Gurgussum Beach Hotel
  • Central Hotel
  • Albergo Italia
  • Sunshine Hotel
  • Hotel Asmara Palace
  • Savanna International Hotel
  • Crystal Hotel Eritrea
  • Asmara Central Hotel
  • Ambasoira Hotel
  • Embasoira Hamasien Hotel
  • Africa Pension
  • Hotel Khartoum

Mendefera Tourist Places to Visit in Mendefera, Debub, Eritrea, Africa

Mendefera Tourist Places to Visit in Mendefera, Debub, Eritrea, Africa

Mendefera is a city belonging to the Debub Region of Eritrea, lying at an altitude of 1,972 meters above sea level. It is the administrative centre of Debub Region, situated around 110 km southwest of the national capital, Asmara. Mendefera is famous among the rest of Mendefera and international tourists as a busy market town and also the city also houses many small and large scale factories that support local economy substantially.

Geographically, Mendefera is positioned between 14°53′14″ N latitude and 38°48′55″ E longitude. There is a high hill located in the heart of the town, from which the town got its name.

 

History of Mendefera:

The history of Mendefera starts with its foundation around the fifth century BCE and it saw many considerable developments the Aksumite civilisation. Mendefera also came under the rule of many powerful European empires including Italians and British in its long and majestic history.

 

How to reach Mendefera?

Mendefera is catered by Asmara International Airport, which is situated around 110 km away from the midpoint of the city of Mendefera. This airport is served by many prominent airlines such as EgyptAir, Nova Airways, Sudan Airways and Yemeni with connection to Cairo, Kassala, Khartoum, Port Sudan and Sana’a.

Taxis are always gettable at the airport and in addition availing taxis, one can also use a pre-booked rental car for comfort and convenient airport travel.

 

Food and Shopping in Mendefera:

Mendefera is home to both traditional and modernized food corners with mouthwatering crunchy and crispy dishes.

Traditional shopping in Mendefera can be done at covered market with a wide selection of locally produced wood carvings, potteries and artworks.

 

Things to do in Mendefera:

  • Shopping at covered market
  • Walking
  • Cycling

 

What to see in Mendefera?

 

Mosque in Mendefera:

Mendefera is a city with people belonging to different communities including Muslim, for them the city houses a grand mosque with eye-catching exterior and interior designs. This mosque is in pleasant location.

 

Churches in Mendefera:

Mendefera houses many superbly constructed majestic churches of which the most recognized one is the Coptic church of St. Giorghis. It is a magnificent structure, drawing a large number of tourists throughout the year.

Municipality of Mendefera:

The municipality building of Mendefera is small but well constructed, featuring a small garden before with different kinds of decorative plants. The surrounding environment is also very pleasant.

 

Asmara:

Asmara is the capital city of Eritrea, situated around 110 km away from Mendefera. The city itself is the most important tourist destinations of the country housing many colonial buildings dating from Italian Italian Eritrea such as Fiat Tagliero Building, Cinema Impero, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Asmara Theatre and Opera House and Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral.

 

List of other places of interest in Mendefera includes:

  • Catholic Church and school in Mendefera
  • Covered market in Mendefera
  • Asmara President’s Office
  • Italian colonial buildings in Dekemhare
  • Fiat Tagliero Building
  • Cinema Impero
  • National Museum Asmara
  • Fiat Tagliero
  • Sembel Archaeological Site
  • Synagogue of Asmara
  • Asmara Historic Perimeter
  • Debre Bizen
  • Denkalya Desert
  • Liberation Avenue

 

 

When to visit Mendefera?

Due to its position in fertile region, Mendefera experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year, although the most ideal time to visit Mendefera is from October to February.

 

Where to stay in Mendefera?

Mendefera houses many tourist favor hotels of which Mereb Hotel and Awet Hotel are the prominent ones serving visitors with different upgraded amenities at affordable budget. Some nice hotels in Mendefera, Asmara (110 km) and Massawa (200 km) are as follows:

  • Central Hotel
  • Sunshine Hotel
  • Crystal Hotel Eritrea
  • Dahlak Hotel
  • Asmara Central Hotel
  • Savanna International Hotel
  • Hotel Asmara Palace
  • Albergo Italia
  • Embasoira Hamasien Hotel
  • Africa Pension
  • Hotel Khartoum
  • Red Sea Hotel
  • Seghen International Hotel
  • Gurgussum Beach Hotel
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