TRAVEL TIPs

Official Name of the Country?

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Land

Ethiopia covers an area of 1.14 million square kilometers (944,000 square miles).

Capital

Addis Ababa

Topography

Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in hight between 2,000 and 3,000 meters.

Visa and Immigration Requirements

Visas are required for all foreign visitors to Ethiopia, with the exception of nationals of Kenya and Sudan. Visa applications may be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas and visas are readily available. However, nationals of 37 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge.

Health

A certificate proving that you have received a yellow fever vaccination is obligatory.

Calendar and Time

Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, in which New Year is celebrated in September.

Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 hours’ time zone. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consist of twelve months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 or 6 days. In Ethiopia, the 12-hour clock cycles do not begin at midnight and noon, but instead are offset six hours.

NB: Airline timetables are based on the 24-hour clock and use the Gregorian calendar.

Money

Foreign exchange and ATM facilities are limited to major towns. So we advise our clients to bring enough money with them for their trip (in US Dollars, Euros or Pound Sterling) and exchange it for local currency at banks or forex bureau's in large towns.

Traveler's Cheques are not widely accepted outside large towns and it is very difficult or impossible to pay by credit card outside major tourist destinations. Ethiopia's currency is the Ethiopian Birr.

The US dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling are traditionally the preferred currency, which are widely accepted. Please check the latest exchange rates.

Language

Educated Ethiopians are good in English. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, but at the main tourist attractions many people will also speak English. Ethiopia is a multiethnic state with a variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects.

Economy

Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from the sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals. About 85 percent of the population earns their living from the land, mainly as subsistence farmers. Tourism is a flourishing industry now and in the coming future.

When to visit?

Ethiopia can be visited at any time throughout the year. But please keep in mind that mountain hikes, eco-trekking and any other forest walks are challenging during the rains (June-August). For bird watching the rainy season is considered to be the best time, of course. Major festivals are in December and January (X-Mass and Epiphany).

Hotels

Addis Ababa has hotels that tailor to all budgets, from the deluxe 5 stars to the tourist class hotels. Major tourist destinations also offer a choice of modern hotels and lodges. If you have a prior arrangement, many hotels will send a vehicle to pick up pre-booked guests from the airport.

Communication

Major communication channels are internet, Telephone (Mobile/Line), Fax, or any other electronic devices.

Customs

Duty-free imports are permitted for up to: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 1/2 lb of tobacco, 1 litre of alcoholic beverages, and two bottles of perfume. Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Birr 500. Check items which are in the list for export permit.

What to wear

Daytime temperatures are somewhat normal. In high altitudes, evenings are cooler, so carry a couple of sweaters too. For Mountain hiking please pack stuffs accordingly. Walking shoes and solid clothing are ideal for forest walks. Don't overlook to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket.

Driving

Driving in Ethiopia is on the left-hand side. Visitors without extensive experience with African roads are advised to travel with a vehicle driven by a knowledgeable driver and guide/driver guide.

Taxis

Taxis are available in cities and major towns. These include the blue-and-white mini buses. Taxi can be used with the public or on deal, if you call for.

Food & Drinks

Injera & Wot is the common food in the country.

Coffee and Tej are the main local drinks for tourists to try. Being the origin place of coffee, Ethiopian’s invite guests a wonderful Coffee Ceremony. However, it’s also good to try local beer (Tella) and other drinks. Beer & Wine are also available in different varieties.