Trip Planner

Full Country Name Ethiopia
Area
1,112,00 sq km
Population
100.6 million (UN 2015)
Capital and largest City Addis Ababa
Borders Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea Religion and Djibouti
Religion Majority Christian, Muslim
Time Zone EAT (UTC +3)
Languages Amharic
Country Dialling Code +251

Country topographic profile
With an area of 1,112,000 square kilometres, Ethiopia is as large as France and Spain combined. From the north and running down the centre are the Abyssinian highlands, to the west of the chain the land drops to the grasslands of Sudan, to the east to the deserts of the Afar and the Red Sea. South of Addis Ababa the land is dominated by the Rift Valley Lakes. The main rivers are the Blue Nile, the Tekezze, the Awash, the Wabe Shabele, the Omo, and the Baro. 80% of the land in Africa over 3000 meters is found in Ethiopia.

Population
The current population is about 92 million, making it the second most populated country in Africa.

Government and recent history
In 1974 the imperial government of Haile Selassie I was overthrown by a group of lower ranking officers from the armed forces. During the following 17 years Ethiopia was wracked by civil wars and state sponsored famines. The military regime was finally overthrown in May 1991 by a coalition of rebel groups called the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Font (EPRDF), which continues to dominate the government today. Ethiopia is now a Federal Republic made up of 9 regions, based mainly on ethnicity. The present government was re-elected in May 2015 for a 5-year term.  Next elections are due in May 2020.

Economy
85% of the population get their livelihood from the land. Coffee (the word originates from the name of the province of Kaffa, in the south west of Ethiopia, the birth place of coffee) provides the bulk of foreign currency earnings, although the rise in importance of other products has meant a fall in its share.  Ethiopia is the third biggest coffee exporter in the world. The export of oilseeds (Ethiopia is the fourth biggest exporter in the world), pulses, spices, gold, flowers, livestock, skins and hides (Ethiopia has the largest domestic livestock population in Africa), textiles, chat, and animal feed makes up the rest of Ethiopia’s foreign currency earnings, with tourism making an increasingly important contribution – recent figures now put tourism ahead of coffee exports on terms of foreign currency earnings.

The opening up of the economy since the overthrow of the previous government in 1991 has created more favourable grounds for development of Ethiopia’s rich resource base. Ethiopia is the “water tower” of the region (the Blue Nile contributes up to 85% of the main Nile flow) and projects are now being implemented to better exploit the country’s water resources both for power generation (up 500% since 1991, and set to increase by an additional 500% by 2015 – the export of hydro power to neighbouring Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan is underway – and to boost agricultural production through irrigation schemes. Mineral exploration and mining has stepped up in recent years – there are reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, gold, copper, tantalum, potash, zinc, iron ore, nickel, marble, precious and semi-precious stones.

Thermal power generation schemes are already operational in Afar and Oromo Regions, and the Ashegoda wind farm in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, together with the wind farm near Adama or Nazereth (the biggest wind farms in Sub Saharan Africa), are generating more than 350MW. Additional wind farms are planned near Asela, as part of Ethiopia’s push for a green economy.

The late Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, in 2011 laid the foundation stone of what is being called the Grand Renaissance dam, which on completion will generate 6000 MW, making it the 10th biggest dam in the world.  The site is on the Blue Nile, in the Beni Shangul Region, some 40 km from the border with Sudan. Other hydro power projects are planned for other places on the Blue Nile, and in Oromia.

This can depend on where you are going. In most of the country, the main rainy season runs from June to the end of September, with short rains in March. In the Omo and Mago parks however, in Southern Ethiopia, the seasons are different with the main rains from March to June, and shorter rains in November. (However, in a time of changing global weather patterns it is not longer possible to be absolutely definitive about the rains – in recent years unseasonable rains have made sections of the Omo impassable, for example.)

With the upgrading of the airports along the Historic Route (Axum, Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar), it is now possible to visit the north even in the rainy season. For travellers who do not mind waiting out a downpour (usually followed by brilliant sunshine) there are certain rewards – a green countryside full of crops and flowers and the sites largely to yourselves.

Because of the elevation, temperatures rarely exceed 25 degrees Celsius in most of the country, although in some of the lower lying areas (Awash, the Afar and Somali Regions, Omo and Mago parks, Gambella) it can get considerably hotter.

Pack light clothes for the day time and a jacket or sweater for the evenings, and a good pair of walking shoes even if you are not going trekking – path ways around historic sites are usually uneven and stony. Trekkers in the Simien and Bale Mountains will need warm clothes, water-proofs and 3-4 season sleeping bags. On a cultural note – Ethiopians are generally modest dressers, and visitors should be sensitive about going underdressed (shorts, tank tops and bare backed) into places of worship. Shoes must always be removed before entering churches and mosques.

The possession of a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is no longer mandatory but visitors coming from countries where Yellow Fever has been reported may be asked. (Some countries, such as Australia and Thailand, will ask for a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you have visited Ethiopia in the previous 6 months.) Immunisation for Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Typhoid and Polio is recommended.

Malaria: in many sites malaria is not a problem because of the elevation – this is true of Axum, Gondar and Lalibela for example, but it can occur in Bahir Dar at the end of the rainy season and after unseasonable rains. Lowland areas along the Awash River, the Omo Valley, Rift Valley and Gambella are subject to malaria outbreaks. Mosquitoes are constantly improving their resistence to the prophylactics on the market,  so you should consult your doctor about the prescription. Alternatively, you can keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay with repellent creams and sprays. (Climatic changes and phenomena such as el-Nino has 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, aspirin and/or panadol, sun barrier cream (while temperatures are moderate the sun is strong) and anti-diarrhoea tablets such as Immodium for emergencies (they will not cure the problem but will control the symptoms).

There are private clinics in most towns, and pharmacies are considerably better stocked than in the past.

Generally, visitors should take out standard holiday health insurance in their home countries.

The Ethiopian national dish consists of injera, a flat, circular pancake of fermented dough made from a grain seed called tef, on top of which are served different kinds of cooked meats, vegetables and pulses. The sauces are generally spiced with berbere, a blend of herbs and spices (including hot peppers) which gives Ethiopian food its characteristic taste. Vegetarians should try “fasting food” (for devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast days make up more than half the year), a colourful spread of salads, vegetables and pulses, devoid of all meat and animal products.

One eats national dishes with the right hand (water for washing is usually brought to the table before the food is served), tearing off pieces of injera to pick up the “toppings”.

Addis Ababa now boasts a wide variety of restaurants – you can effectively dine out in every continent of the world – and at hotels in tourist sites European style food such as pasta is always available.

While in Addis Ababa, be sure to visit Road Runner Bar and Restaurant, sister company of Ethiopian Quadrants, for good mood, food and music.  All kinds of food is served, including Ethiopian dishes and pizzas.  Friday night in particular is “networking night”, when all kinds of contacts can be made.  Road Runner is situated next to Demberwa Hospital, Haya Hulet.

If you are travelling to remote areas, such as the Omo Valley and parts of southern Ethiopia, it is advisable to stock up with tinned and packet food in Addis Ababa.

Gassy and still mineral water, along with soft drinks, are now available throughout the country. There are several brands of locally produced beer. Ethiopia produces its own wine and spirits, while imported spirits are also widely available. There are home made alcoholic drinks: tela (home made beer or ale), tej (wine made from honey) and kati kala (distilled liquor from various grains.)

Addis Ababa has two 5 star hotels – the Hilton and the Sheraton (5 star plus) – and a growing number of tourist class hotels. Standards vary outside the capital, but apart from some areas on the west bank of the Omo and in parts of the Afar Region where camping would be necessary, it is generally possible to get relatively clean rooms with en suite toilet and shower.

Ethiopian Airlines operates a safe, extensive and generally efficient and reliable domestic air service, but cancellations and delays can occur, particularly at peak times, in December and January, or during the rainy season, from June to September.  The arrival of the new Bombardier aircraft for the domestic routes in 2010 has led to much improved services.  Ethiopian Airlines and currently two private companies offer charter services. Travelling by road allows visitors to experience Ethiopia’s wonderful scenery, but in some areas road conditions are poor, and the mountainous topography in the north will cut speed. The one hour flight to Lalibela for example takes nearly two days by road. Railway enthusiasts who wish to travel by train from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa or on to Djibouti will have to wait until the planned renovation is implemented – passenger service is currently suspended.

Ethiopia has embarked on a massive road renovation and construction programme, and many areas are now accessible by good asphalt roads. Given the size of the country, however, it will take quite some time to upgrade the road network on a country wide basis.

Unless one is carrying very large sums, it is no longer obligatory for visitors to declare currency in their possession on arrival, but should visitors wish to change money back on departure, it will be necessary to produce receipts from banks and authorised foreign exchange dealers. The Ethiopian currency is the birr, the rate of which against the US dollar is fixed essentially by market demand.

Credit card acceptance is now growing throughout the country, but banks which issue cash withdrawals on cards will only do so to a limit of US$500.00 per day (paid in birr), and this only in Addis Ababa and a few other main cities.

ATMs for Visa and other cards can now be found in some banks, and in some of the main hotels in Addis Ababa, and this service has recently been extended to other main urban centres.

Australian passport holders can obtain their Ethiopia visa on arrival for USD 50.

Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is usually considered customary in Africa although not as widespread as the United States or Europe. It is always at your discretion. If you feel that someone has gone the extra mile to make your stay more enjoyable, a tip would be considered a nice way of saying thank you.

To help you budget for your trip, the following is given as a guideline only (shown in US Dollars):

Driver (per person per full day): $5.00
Guide (per person per full day): $10.00
Camp Staff (per person per day): $5.00
Hotel porters (per bag): $1.00
Restaurant (per person per meal): $1.00
A la carte dining (% of bill): 10%

Australian Embassy

Cape Verde Street (Turkish Compound) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 667 2678

Australian Consulate in Djibouti

GSK Building, Djibouti City, Republic of Djibouti
Honorary Consul: Mr Ahmed Osman Guelleh
Tel: +253 2135 3844

Airlines – the following airlines fly into and out of Ethiopia: Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Saudia, Sudan Airways, Turkish Airlines and Yemenia.

Internet – internet cafes are now available in most of the larger towns, though connecting and downloading can be extremely slow. This will hopefully change soon, when Ethiopia links up with fibre optic networks.

Electricity – 220 volts. Plugs are of the round two-pin variety.

Souvenirs – many antiques cannot be exported and may be confiscated if found in airport searches. The National Museum in Addis Ababa can issue a clearance certificate.

Photography – As a matter of courtesy, permission should be sought before photographing individuals and in many parts of the country, particularly among the ethnic groups living by the Omo River, people will demand a fee. In some sites (in the churches and Blue Nile Falls for example) there is a charge for video photography.  Visitors with a lot of camera equipment may be asked by airport Customs to get a permit from the Government Communication Affairs Office – our ground operator can assist with this process prior to arrival.

Noise and earplugs – Over the last 10 years churches and mosques have installed increasingly  powerful loudspeakers. Ethiopian Christian Orthodox ceremonies can start at 0300 and continue for 5 to 6 hours, making it impossible to sleep if your hotel happens to be near a church. Ethiopian Airlines Cloud 9 earplugs are particularly effective.

Beggars and begging – Ethiopia’s recent history of civil wars, famines and population displacement, along with poverty and under development generally, has created large numbers of destitutes, particularly noticeable in Addis Ababa. Giving to one often provokes a flood of others and does not really solve the problem – our ground operator is happy to facilitate donations to indigenous organisations working with the needy and to facilities like clinics and schools. One of the negative impacts of tourism has been to foster a culture of begging, even among those not particularly in need. Generally, visitors should avoid giving pens, clothes and sweets to children – it is better to provide support to local schools, for example.

Smart Traveller advice on travel to Ethiopia from Australia. Here you can find Ethiopia’s most up to date COVID-19 health screening requirements for entry, exit and transit, which may include recent COVID-19 test results and/or vaccination requirements.

Subsequently we advise you to subscribe to Smartraveller for updates to stay informed if something changes.

Smart Traveller’s Global Covid-19 Health and Travel Advisory.

Subsequently we advise you to subscribe to Smartraveller for updates to stay informed if something changes.