Ethiopia Travel Tips
Visa and immigration requirements
Visas can be obtained from the nearest Ethiopia consulate or diplomatic mission. Visas are also issued upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia (for citizens of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, China, Japan, Korea, Israel, Kuwait, Russia, UK, and most EU countries). If you intend to get your visa upon arrival, make sure to bring in cash for one month visa or for a three-month visa Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to Ethiopia and that you have at least 2 black pages (both sides) Complete the visa application form which will be handed out to you on your international flight.
In order for a visa to be granted, the following are prerequisites: A current passport, it must be valid for at least six months, and one recent passport-size photograph. Copy of Green card or I-94 or Work Permit (Except US National).
Tourist Visa Prior to Arrival.
A completed visa application form (www.evisa.gov.et). Service fees will be paid in money order or Cashier’s Check or Certified bank check made payable to the Embassy of Ethiopia; view a chart of the visa types and associated fees. A self-addressed return envelope with sufficient prepaid postage (for those using mail service); If all the necessary requirements are fulfilled, the visa can be issued in the next two or three business days.
Tourist Visa on Arrival
Tourist visa can be issued for three months on arrival at Bole International Airport for nationals and residents of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Democratic people’s Republic of Korea (northern Korea), Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea (South Korea), the Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Business VISA
All business visa applicants should attach a letter addressed to the Ethiopian Embassy from his /her organization explaining the purpose of his/her travels. US Officials or Diplomats traveling with a Diplomatic, Official, or Service Passport must bring an official letter from the US State Department. Officials or Diplomats of other countries traveling with Diplomatic, official, or service Passport must bring official letters from appropriate Authorities or Embassies. The passport must be valid for at least six months. One recent passport-size photograph. Copy of Green Card or I-94 or Work Permit (Except US National). A letter from his/her organization explaining the purpose of his/her travels.
Health and medical requirements
Yellow fever immunization is a requirement. Malaria exists only in the Rift Valley, Omo, and Lake Tana. Malaria does not affect the highlands. You should, however, consult with your doctor at least six weeks in advance before your travels.
Alternatively, you can keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay with repellent creams and sprays. (Climatic changes and phenomena such as el-Nino have meant the appearance of Malaria at unseasonable times, and its spread to areas previously malaria free). Visitors should take a simple first aid pack, which would include: different size plasters, antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream and/or tablets for insect bites, sun barrier cream (while temperatures are moderate the sun is strong) and anti-diarrheal tablets such as Imodium for emergencies (they will not cure the problem but will control the symptoms). Generally, visitors should take out standard holiday health insurance in their home countries.
Security
Most parts of Ethiopia are safe. To ensure your safety, we avoid the border areas of Eritrea and Somalia, which are relatively insecure. Other parts of the country are stable and safe.
However, casual theft and pick-pocketing are fairly common in some parts of the country. As a precaution, we recommend a lightweight passport pouch that can be worn under your clothing, either around your neck or waist. The pouch should hold only your passport, air tickets, credit card, and most of your traveler’s checks. You should be alert when traveling in cities and crowded areas. Police can be identified easily through their obvious uniforms.
Government
The government of Ethiopia was an absolute monarch until the late 20th century. In 1974, the last emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I, was overthrown by a military coup and was replaced by a communist regime until 1991. Since then, Ethiopia has been the Federal Democratic Republic made up of 14 regions based on ethnicity. The present government was re-elected in May 2015 for another 5-year term.
What is the climate of Ethiopia?
The climate of Ethiopia varies greatly according to topographical regions. In general, the climate is temperate in the highlands and hot in the lowlands. The major part of the country consists of a high plateau, which gives the country its pleasant, moderate climate with minimal seasonal temperature variation. The mean minimum during the coldest season is 6 ̊C (43 ̊F) while the mean maximum rarely exceeds 26 ̊C (79 ̊F). Temperature variation in the lowlands are much greater, and the heat in the desert and Red Sea Coastal areas is extreme, with occasional highs of 60 ̊C (140 ̊F). In Addis, the average temperature consistently remains around 15 ̊C (59 ̊F) throughout the year; however, you should not underestimate the intensity of the equatorial sun. It is advised to bring a hat and sunscreen, and in Addis, the average temperature consistently remains around 15 ̊C (59 ̊F) throughout the year; however, you should not underestimate the intensity of the equatorial sun. It is advised to bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Heavy rainfall occurs in most of the country during June, July, August, and September. The average annual precipitation in the country during the major rainy season is 39 inches. While the northeast and eastern plains receive less than 19 inches, Addis Ababa receives close to 49 inches of rainfall.
How do I communicate with my family back home during my stay in Ethiopia?
Not many US or European cell phone companies offer international plans which include Ethiopia. If they do, they are very expensive. If you want to use your phone to call home, you can purchase a local SIM card from Ethio-Telecom and use it through an unlocked phone that uses the GSM network band. To buy the SIM card, you must provide your passport copy and two photographs. If you choose to purchase Ethio-Telecom’s 3G internet package, you will have fast internet access through your smartphone.
It has good coverage, particularly around the major cities. In contrast, in remote areas, internet access might be severely restricted or slow. Alternatively, you can connect to the internet through WiFi, which is available in certain hotels and restaurants. However, WiFi is not widely available and connections might be slow. If you need to go online through your phone frequently, it is advisable to get the 3G internet package at Ethio-Telecom, which is relatively reliable. Ethiopia also has a reliable internal and international postal service. Mail from Addis Ababa to most European countries takes approximately one week. Mail to other parts of the world can take between 2 to 4 weeks. The rate for International postage in Ethiopia tends to be significantly less in comparison to other African countries.
What should I wear during my travels to Ethiopia?
While clothing will depend on the time of the year, it is best to remember that Ethiopians are fairly conservative in their dress. Dress is less conservative in Addis Ababa, where most people dress in Western fashion. For tourists, light cotton clothing with sunglasses and a hat is advised in the warm lowlands, while in the highlands light or medium-weight clothing is appropriate. During the rainy season, a light raincoat and umbrella are essential, and a sweater is best for chilly evenings. The sun can be very strong in high altitudes, so a strong sunscreen is important. Outside of the rainy season, pack light clothes for the daytime and a jacket or sweater for the evenings. A good pair of comfortable walking shoes is essential. Shoes must always be removed before entering churches and mosques. When visiting the northern part of the country, where churches are the main attractions (Lalibela, Axum, etc) it is advisable to wear flight socks to ensure your comfort.
What is the food like in Ethiopia?
The Ethiopian national dish consists of Injera, made out of grain known as Teff. Originally, Teff used to grow only in Ethiopia. Now, it is gaining worldwide attention for its nutritional value as it is gluten and cholesterol free. After Teff is fermented, it is cooked as a flatbread (similar to a pancake) and called Injera. The Injera is then served with different kinds of cooked meat, vegetables and sauce. The sauces are generally spiced with Berbere, a blend of herbs and spices (including hot peppers) which gives the food an Ethiopian taste. Ethiopian food is very ideal for vegetarians. There are numerous selections including salads, vegetables, pulses, and vegetarian sauces devoid of meat and dairy products. This is meant to accommodate devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, who have 196 fasting days in a year where they do not eat meat or any dairy product. Meat lovers can also enjoy Ethiopian food as there are several dishes made up of beef, lamb and chicken. The food served at hotels, lodges and tented camps is almost exclusively continental cuisine, and universally ample and healthy.
