Ethiopia Travel Guide

Full Name

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Former Name

Abyssinia, Italian East Africa

Capital City

Addis Ababa

Government Type

federal republic

Area Size

At 435,071 square miles (1,127,127 km²), Ethiopia is the world's 27th-largest country.

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +3 hours

Climate

Elevation and geographic location produce three climatic zones: the cool zone above 2,400 meters (7,900 ft where temperatures range from near freezing to 16 °C (32 °–61 °F); the temperate zone at elevations of 1,500 to 2,400 meters (4,900–7,900 ft) with temperatures from 16 to 30 °C (61–86 °F); and the hot zone below 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) with both tropical and arid conditions and daytime temperatures ranging from 27 to 50 °C (81–122 °F). The topography of Ethiopia ranges from several very high mountain ranges (the Semien Mountains and the Bale Mountains), to one of the lowest areas of land in Africa, the Danakil depression. The normal rainy season is from mid-June to mid-September (longer in the southern highlands) preceded by intermittent showers from February or March; the remainder of the year is generally dry.

Geography

landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean

Languages

Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Culture

Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life. A unique feature of Ethiopian culture is its naïve style of painting that is to be found in every church and in many other locations. This style seems to have remained almost unchanged for centuries. Out in the community, musical instruments play a social and entertaining role. The single-stringed masenko is played by minstrels who sing of life around them and invent, calypso-like, topical verses on the spot. The krar is a lyre-like plucked instrument with 5 or 6 strings while the begenna is the portable harp. Up in the hills can be found boys looking after cattle and sheep and playing on the washint, a simple reed flute played with one hand. Ethiopian people know and love their folk songs. Singing is high pitched and shrill Sand frequently accompanied by excited ululation, especially at weddings and other joyful occasions. No joyous occasion ever passes without the Ethiopians indulging in their unique form of dancing. There are many styles according to the part of the country, but they frequently focus on the shoulders which seductively gyrate and undulate in a frenzied display of almost competitive energy.

History

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender sensitive territory.

Travel Information

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.

Accommodation

Addis Ababa has hotels that cater to all budgets, from the luxurious Sheraton and Hilton hotels to the tourist class hotels. All tourist resorts offer a choice of modern hotels.

Visa Requirements

Visa is required by citizens from the EU, Australia, Canada and USA. Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to above. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. A yellow fever vaccination, whilst advisable, is not compulsory.Required by all nationals of Ethiopia and visitors staying more than 30 days. Visas is not required for transit passengers continuing to a third country within 12 hours, provided not leaving the airport and holding valid travel documents for onward destination. 1. Some tourist visas can be issued on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to: (a) Foreign nationals coming from countries where there is no Ethiopian mission. (b) Foreign nationals coming from and who are permanent residents in any of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA. If applying for a tourist visa on arrival, visitors will require two passport photographs and US$100. Application can take up to two hours. An exit permit is required by all nationals of Ethiopia and visitors staying more than 30 days. Single-entry visas are valid for 30 days, multiple-entry visas are valid for three or six months and business visas also up to twelve months. Applications for extensions should be made to the Immigration Department in Ethiopia. Apply to the Consulate in person or by post.

Getting Around

Taxis are available in cities and major towns. These include the blue-and-white mini buses, pickups with a closed Canopy or Saloon Cars. They normally operate on a fixed rate and standard route. Personalized and specific trips should be negotiated with the driver in advance. In the Capital, there are Luxury Mercedes Benz taxis operated by National Tour Operation (NTO). They are stationed outside major hotels and at the airport. They also do not have meters. In addition, there are yellow taxis stationed at the airport for special hire which necessitates a prior negotiation with the driver for the pric

Health & Safety

Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Travellers to Ethiopia are recommended to have vaccines for polio, yellow fever, typhoid, Hepatitis A and cholera. There are frequent outbreaks of meningococcal disease, HIV/Aids is widespread, and malaria is prevalent in the lowlands (below 6,562ft/2,000m); a resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Mosquitoes also carry dengue fever. Waterborne diseases are prevalent and travellers are advised to drink bottled or treated water. The high altitude of the Highlands region may also affect travellers; Addis Ababa sits at 9,186ft (2,800m), and adjusting may take a few days. Other health risks include rabies and bilharzia. Medical facilities are poor outside of Addis Ababa, where hospitals are available, and medical supplies are erratic; visitors should bring their own regular medications with them and arrange comprehensive medical insurance before travel Visitors are cautioned to avoid all public demonstrations and large crowds, particularly in Addis Ababa, and to keep a low profile in public places. Travel to the Gambella region near the southern Sudanese border, as well as to within 12 miles (20km) of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions (military zones), should be avoided due to violent unrest and an unstable security situation. The border between Eritrea and Ethiopia is closed. Travelling to Somalia by road should also be avoided, as well as all travel east of Harar. There have been several recent explosions in Jijiga. Overland travel to Sudan or Kenya is dangerous due to armed bandits, and should only be attempted in a convoy. There is a high threat from local terrorism in the country, and although not directed at foreigners, visitors need to be cautious in public places. Flooding often affects Ethiopia between June and September each year, killing hundreds of people in flash floods in low-lying areas.

National Holidays

7 Jan - Ethiopian Christmas. 19 Jan - Timket (Epiphany). 2 Mar - Victory of Adowa. 31 Mar - Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 6 Apr - Ethiopian Good Friday. 8 Apr - Ethiopian Easter. 1 May - Labour Day. 5 May - Patriots Victory Day. 28 May - Downfall of the Dergue. 12 Sep - Ethiopian New Year (Entutatash). 27 Sep - Finding of the True Cross (Meskel). 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 20 Dec - Eid-al Adha (Arafat)

Currency

Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

Electricity

220V AC

Working Hours

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300, 1400-2000; Sat 0900-1300, 1500-1900 (with local variations).