Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the destination that surprises delegates most. Lalibela's eleven rock-hewn churches, the castles of Gondar, the monasteries of Lake Tana and the Simien Mountains have no equivalent elsewhere on the continent. Addis Ababa is also Africa's busiest aviation hub and home to the African Union, which means genuine congress infrastructure and an unusually easy arrival for delegates flying in from multiple continents. For groups with an appetite for something less familiar — and a strong cultural and culinary story to tell back home — Ethiopia is our first recommendation.