The land of the Irob, one of Ethiopia's many ethnic minorities, lies in the very north of the country, on the border with Eritrea. Life in this rugged mountain world is hard. Rainfall is sparse, the soil is poor, and there are hardly any alternatives to small-scale farming.

Irobland is one of the poorest regions in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, it offers the visitors a lot: charming hiking routes, exotic plants and animals, and a population where traditional Ethiopian hospitality is still very important.