Arrival
A visa can be bought on arrival at Bole airport, Addis Ababa. On leaving your plane it is advisable to walk quickly to the visa desk to avoid being caught at the back of a long queue. For your visa you will need $20 and your landing card. They will offer up to 3 month long visas so be sure to make them aware of your length of stay.
Opposite the visa office there is a bank. Here you can change currency into Ethiopian birr. You will need birr if you are taking a taxi to your hotel.
Once through passport control and you have collected your bags head through the arrivals area of the airport to the exit. If you are staying in Addis and taking a taxi to your hotel continue out of the building. A taxi should cost around 150 to 200 birr.
Practical details
Money – Banks are the best places to change money and they can be found easily in all cities. Opening hours are usually 8:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 4:30.
In the big cities there are generally ATMs that accept Visa and MasterCard however be prepared for these not working. Rarely can cards be used for purchases and payments, even in Addis Ababa. Although hotels are beginning to introduce this facility also be prepared for this not working.
For up to date exchange rates please have a look at www.xchange.com
Food and alcohol – Lunch and evening meals can be decided by the group and your guides will advise you on what options are on offer. In most towns there is a full range of foods both Ethiopian and western. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer and wine are widely available.
Electricity – 220 volts / 50 Hz. The plugs are usually of the two pin variety and can be either the thick or thin pin. Make sure that you have adapters that have both size of pin.
Power can be temperamental in Ethiopia so charge all devices whenever you are able.
Internet – Internet cafés are very common and most hotels now offer free wifi. Many cafés and restaurants in the bigger cities also offer wifi.
Laundry – All hotels will offer a laundry service
Clothing – Ethiopia is a very accepting country and the bigger towns are quite modern thinking when it comes to western dress. Nevertheless it is advisable to be more conservative when away from the cities and when visiting cultural sites so as not to offend more traditional locals as well as avoiding attracting unwanted attention.
Health and vaccinations – Please consult your GP about the necessary vaccinations for Ethiopia.
Insurance – Insurance is your own responsibility and it is a prerequisite for travelling in Ethiopia. Please ensure that your agent is aware of where you intend to be and what you intend to be doing.
Weather and climate – The highlands of Ethiopia have a very pleasant dry climate and around 20˚C to 30˚C October to March. It gets warmer as you descend becoming very hot at the lowest point of the Danakil Depression.
There are sometimes short rains in April and long rains from July through to the end of September. Between rains in May and June it can get warmer still.
Nights can be cold, especially in the highlands where temperatures can drop below 0˚C.
Cultural Tips
Ethiopians are extremely hospitable and very welcoming towards tourists. The following guidelines help ensure that we are good guests:
• It is customary to greet by shaking hands. Often you will notice the person you are greeting will hold their right forearm with their left hand as they shake your hand. This is a sign of respect and it would be considered very polite to do this also.
• A more familiar greeting is to ‘bump’ right shoulders. You will see Ethiopians greeting each other in this way often.
• Food is eaten with the right hand.
• Always ask before taking photos. Be especially aware of taking photos of women and people praying.
• Please do not take photos of any government personal or buildings including bridges.
• Always take your shoes off when entering a religious building and cover your shoulders.
What to bring?
Here is a check list that may be helpful when preparing to travel:
• Water bottle
• Small binoculars
• Sunscreen, lip salve
• Sunglasses
• Sunhat
• Camera and spare batteries
• Towel
• Toiletries including wet wipes
• Small personal first aid kit; including personal medication, plasters, paracetamol
• Trekking clothes, lightweight material, t-shirt, shorts or long pants
• Lightweight trekking boots
• Sandals or flip-flops for around camp
• Spare socks, underwear, t-shirts
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Diary and pen
• Head torch important for the volcano
• Reading book
• Sleeping bag (we provide as well)
• Plastic carrier bags. Very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes, rubbish and keeping stuff dry.
• Spare passport photos.
• Alarm clock.
• Electrical adaptor.