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Exciting Round trips through Ethiopia
Despite its extraordinary natural features, abundant wildlife and fascinating historical and cultural heritage, Ethiopia is typically overlooked as a tourist destination. But this is beginning to change as more and more visitors become aware of the treasure trove of tourist sites this remarkable North African country has to offer. Popular attractions include the fairytale castles of Gondar, the walled city of Harar and Lalibela, a pilgrimage site known for its ancient rock-hewn churches carved into steep rocky mountains in the area.
Ultimately, however, Ethiopia's stunning natural landscapes are the real draw for travelers. From the lush Simien Mountains to the sulphur fumaroles of the Danakil Depression, the country's outstanding natural environment is unforgettable and home to some fascinating ancient tribes. Bahar Dar, located on Lake Tana, serves as a base for exploring the fascinating monasteries on the numerous islands around the lake, as well as the Blue Nile Falls, arguably the most spectacular falls in North Africa. For those travelers adventurous enough to explore this incredible up-and-coming destination, the rewards are truly immense.
Info to Ethiopia
Entry, security & co.
Visa applications can be submitted to Ethiopia's diplomatic missions from abroad. Citizens of 33 countries receive a tourist visa directly on arrival. The list includes Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the USA.
The currency
Birr is the currency of Ethiopia. 1 birr is 100 cents. There are 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 birr notes, a 1 birr coin and 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent coins.
According to the National Bank of Ethiopia, everything in Ethiopia must be paid for in Birr. However, this has not yet caught on and US dollars are accepted by Ethiopian airlines, most large hotels and travel agencies and are sometimes even required.
You should preferably take US dollars with you in cash and have them changed at local banks or exchange offices. Traveler's cheques are not accepted.
Trading from Birr to USD or Euro is subject to strict rules. An exchange can only be carried out if you have a flight ticket for a trip out of Ethiopia. This means that you need to plan your budget accordingly. There are black market traders at the border crossings, but it is risky and the exchange rates are poor.
Travelers can import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, but this must be declared to the customs authorities on arrival on a blue form.
Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorized banks and hotels and a receipt must be issued. The currency declaration form should be kept as this is required together with the foreign exchange form on departure. Visitors can exchange their remaining Ethiopian Birr at the airport before departure.
Payment transactions and banks
Please be aware that the banking network is not yet well developed and this can cause problems, especially for independent travelers. It is therefore advisable to use a reputable tour operator. They can help you with payments.
Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Some private banks also close an hour later. Most banks are also open at lunchtime, although foreign exchange transactions are not possible between 12:00 and 13:00.
There are only a limited number of ATMs in city centers and they are often located close to each other. In some shopping centers or hotels there are probably six to seven ATMs, in others there are none. Outside the city center, ATMs are very rare. It is therefore advisable to have as much money with you as is safe and possible. Please note that ATMs in Ethiopia often do not recognize foreign debit or credit cards. It is best to contact your bank and have them check whether your card is accepted by ATMs in Ethiopia.
The most common credit cards can be used for flight bookings with Ethiopian Airlines or perhaps in two of the large hotels in Addis Ababa. Otherwise, a credit card is unlikely to be used. It is best to travel with cash and carry it discreetly under your clothes in a money belt.
Ethiopian Airlines is reasonably priced and has very extensive local services. Flights are often overbooked, so it is important to confirm your tickets at least one day in advance and to be at the airport on time. If you do not confirm, it will be assumed that you are not traveling and your seats will be reassigned.
Tip: Ethiopian Airlines tickets are offered at very high prices by online travel agencies compared to booking through the travel agency in Addis Ababa. It is even better if you book your international trip to Ethiopia via the Ethiopian Airlines website. You will then receive a discount of 50 % on domestic flights.
There are different types of buses in Ethiopia, which can be divided into the following categories: The widely used minibuses or "matatus" are typically Toyota vans that can carry up to 14 people and operate throughout the region. The "Higer Bus", named after the manufacturer, are small to large passenger buses that often operate in the individual regions. The respective level indicates the class.
Luxury buses (Korean modern standard buses) travel between the major cities and the large, red, often double-articulated buses within Addis Ababa.
There is an extensive network of cheap coaches along the main roads, although these tend to be slow and unpretentious. Short-distance buses generally only depart once they have enough passengers. In practice, this means about once an hour. These buses do not run at night, but stop before sunset either in a town or village with accommodation for passengers or in the middle of the countryside between Dire Dawa and Djibouti.
On some routes, such as between Adama and Addis Ababa, minibuses are used after the night.
By law, every passenger must have a seat, which is intended to prevent overcrowding, but also makes it difficult to get a ride on a bus from an intermediate stop. If you are planning a trip by bus, bear in mind that almost all the vehicles are old and very dusty, and some of the roads are in poor condition.
Bus stations normally start operating at around 5:00 am. So if you want to leave early in the morning, you should be at the station at 05:00.
This is very chaotic and even before the first buses leave at around 6:00 am, seats are sold. It is often possible to buy a ticket in advance, which makes things a little easier and less stressful.
In smaller towns, you can buy a ticket for the following day as soon as the bus has returned from its tour in the afternoon. Even if you already have a ticket, you should still arrive early to get a seat as soon as possible. If you don't have a ticket, don't waste time trying to buy one from the ticket office or the guide, but push your way to the bus to get a seat. You will then receive a ticket later from the tour guide. Medium-sized rucksacks can usually be squeezed under the seats, but large parcels and most items of luggage have to go on the roof. Claim your seat before you worry about your luggage.
The local people can help you find the right bus, unless you can read Amharic.
Luxury buses have very professionally numbered seats and dedicated luggage compartments under the bus. Anyone who helps you with your luggage, including the person who takes it up to the tour guide's helper on the roof, will expect a small tip of around 2 to 3 Birr.
Renting a car, while more expensive than public transportation, is also a great way to explore Ethiopia. To speed up your tour, you can travel by small planes, although traveling by car offers more views of the landscape.
Outside Addis Ababa, there are few car rental companies, so you may well prefer the services of tour operators who offer cars and 4x4s with an experienced local driver. Petrol costs 21 Birr per liter. Make sure the pump is at zero before you start filling up.
Although medical facilities in Ethiopia are limited, they are of a good standard. Tourists and non-citizens are advised to visit only private hospitals and clinics. It is highly advisable to ask your family doctor about travel vaccinations at least two months before your trip. Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid and polio with optional vaccination against meningitis and rabies are strongly recommended.
Malaria can be a problem in Ethiopia, especially in the low-lying regions such as the Rift Valley. Ask your doctor for advice and a prescription for chloroquine and paludrine.
Insect repellents or sprays are also very useful against mosquito bites, but are not always effective.
If you decide to take anti-malaria medication, you should consider taking Malarone, Quinine or Fansidar tablets with you as a remedy. The side effects of some malaria tablets can be significantly increased by altitude.
You should also ask your doctor about your blood group in case of emergency and any pre-existing medical conditions that could affect you during your tour. Please inform us of any known pre-existing conditions at the time of booking.
It is also necessary to have an international vaccination certificate issued, in which each vaccination is dated, signed and stamped. It is also advisable to have a dental check-up before traveling.
Most upscale restaurants in Ethiopia have relatively high standards of food hygiene. Eating from street restaurants is not recommended as food safety cannot be guaranteed. Travelers should avoid vegetables such as those in salads if possible, as they may have been washed in water. If possible, try to eat fruit and vegetables that you can peel, such as oranges, mangoes etc.
Ethiopian cuisine typically consists of meat dishes, often very spicy, with vegetables.
As a rule, a thick stew called Wat (also W'et or Wot) is served with a large loaf of sourdough bread made from fermented teff flour, called Injera bread. Ethiopians eat exclusively with their right hand. Pieces of the injera bread are used to take bites of starters and side dishes. Cutlery is optional.
Water should only be drunk from purchased bottles. There are many different brands to choose from. Always check the plastic seal on all bottles before paying the seller.
Nairobi offers some of the best restaurants in Africa. From fast food to upscale modern cuisine, there are many different cuisines and restaurants on offer. Many five-star hotels have excellent restaurants. Restaurants are called "hotels" and there are many of them in Nairobi.
It is well worth trying the local dishes, such as pilau, a chicken and rice dish, cabbage and rice and the staple food Kenya ugali, which is made from maize flour.
Many restaurants are located in the city center and in the Westlands and Hurlingham areas, which are heavily frequented by tourists. Among the many cuisines are Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, mainly from the South African chains (Steers or Nandos), are common in the larger urban areas.
Bottled water is advisable for the first few weeks of your stay. When buying bottled water, make sure that the bottle is sealed. Never drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected (e.g. with iodine tablets). Never drink from streams, rivers and lakes and avoid drinking from pumps or wells. Although some offer pure water, it may have been contaminated by animals. Except in upscale hotels and restaurants, you should avoid ice cubes, washed vegetables or fruit. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Food from unlicensed suppliers should be avoided at all times.
The best time to visit Ethiopia is between January and March, when clear, sunny days come on top of average daytime temperatures of 25°C. This is the liveliest time and offers wildlife spotting at its peak, as well as the Timkat festival and the people-filled Leddet.
The rainy season runs from April to September and brings rising temperatures in a humid environment. The rain from May to August makes some roads in the lower Omo Valley impassable. August is the hottest and most humid month with temperatures of up to 45°C in the lowlands. Temperatures are much more moderate in the highlands, although sightseeing is restricted by the rainfall.
October to December is an excellent time to visit Ethiopia as the landscape is lush after the rains. There are many sunny days and the historical sites and monuments are not overrun with tourists. In November and December, temperatures in the highland areas often drop to between 5°C and 10°C. So be sure to pack warm clothing.
If you want to fully explore Ethiopia, you should be prepared for different temperatures due to the large differences in altitude between the highland and lowland areas. You will need light clothing for the lowlands and medium for the hills. Therefore, bring clothing that can be easily layered. Once the sun has set, temperatures drop sharply, so pack at least one warm jumper or sweater. At higher altitudes, a warm jacket or coat is necessary for the evening hours.
Especially if you are visiting the country between February and October, you should bring a raincoat or other rainwear.
It is usually possible to have clothes washed in the hotel itself or nearby within a short time. The services are often offered 24 hours a day.
The mains voltage in Ethiopia is 220 volts alternating current at 50 hertz. If your computer or device is not designed for dual voltage or 220 volts, you will need a voltage converter. Type C / E / F / L sockets are used. Although adapters are available in Ethiopia, we recommend buying them before you travel to avoid a time-consuming search on site.