Filipino travelers have a new destination to include on their travel bucket list.

Ranking among the top 10 countries to visit in Lonely Planet’s 2017 travel destination list is Ethiopia, a landlocked nation in east-central Africa.

Being the only African nation in the entire Lonely Planet list, Ethiopia (officially Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia) stands out for its beautiful natural landscapes unparalleled in the region.

But what makes Ethiopia so special? Hailed as the “Land of Origins,” the country is also the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Over the years, it has emerged as a developing country in Africa, cited as one of the world’s top five growing economies with its solid infrastructure and booming tourism industry.

In 2014, it welcomed over 800,000 international visitors, generating income worth $2.8 billion.

Famous for being exotic and mysterious, Ethiopia draws travelers to a completely unique and charming realm of rich history, ancient traditions, and genuinely kind people.

Among the places of interest are the Omo National Park, Entoto Hills, Lake Tana, Simien Mountains National Park, Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and The Ruins of Aksum.

Philippine passport holders need to obtain a visa. Ethiopian Airlines flies four times weekly from Manila to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.