travel information

 

 
 
 
 

Visas

 
Every national needs a visa to enter Ethiopia. Single-entry 1 -3 month tourist visas can be issued upon arrival at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa for most European, US, Australian and Canadian nationals. You'll also need two passport sized photographs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Health Requirements

 
Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Customs

 
Duty-free import are permitted for up to: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 1/2 lb of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages, two bottles of perfume. Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Birr 500, although some articles (such as animal skins and antiques) require an export permit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Air Transport

 
Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport is a gateway to the rest of Ethiopia. The airport also serves many destinations in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America. The country's national carrier Ethiopian Airlines has an extensive domestic network flying to 43 airfields and an additional 21 landing strips. There are many other airlines that also serve Ethiopia. Please Click here to get information about Airlines Offices in Addis Ababa.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Time

 
Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 hour 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Currency

 
The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr made up of 100 cents. Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, providing declaration of such currency is made to customs on arrival. Foreign currency may be changed only at authorized banks and hotels. The currency declaration form must be retained as this will be required by customs on departure. Visitors, however, will be able to change back any excess Ethiopian Birr to foreign currency at the airport before departure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Climate

 
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Topography

 
Ethiopia is on an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. In the north and center of the country, there are mountains whose peaks rise over 4,000 meters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Economy

 
About 90 percent of the population earns their living from the land, mainly as subsistence farmers. 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Language

 
Ethiopia is a multiethnic state with a variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic, Oromigna and Tigrigna. English is also widely spoken.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Electric Supply

 
Ethiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

People

 
The population is estimated at 90+ million, over 50 per cent of whom are under 20 years old. The average number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 49.