Visa applications can be submitted to Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions from abroad. Citizens of 33 countries receive a tourist visa upon 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, 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 so US dollars are accepted by Ethiopian airlines, most large hotels and travel agencies, and in some cases even demanded. 

You should preferably take US dollars with you in cash and have them changed at local banks or exchange offices. Travelers checks are not accepted. 

Trading from Birr to USD or Euro is subject to strict rules. A change can only be made if you have a flight ticket for a trip out of Ethiopia. This means that a corresponding budget planning is necessary. There are black market traders at the border crossings, but it is risky and the prices are bad. 

Travelers can import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, but this must be declared on arrival to the customs authorities on arrival on a blue form. 

Foreign currencies can only be changed at authorized banks and hotels, whereby a receipt must be issued. The currency declaration form should be kept as it will be required along with the currency form on departure. Visitors can exchange the leftover 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 consult a reputable tour operator. They can help you with payments. 

Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Some private banks also close an hour later. Most banks are also open for lunch, 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 likely to be six to seven ATMs to be found, in others none. Outside the city center, ATMs are very rare. So it is wise to have as much money with you as possible and safe. Note that ATMs in Ethiopia often do not recognize foreign debit or credit cards. The best thing to do is to contact your house bank and have them check whether your card is accepted by the ATMs in Ethiopia. 

The most popular credit cards can be used for flight bookings with Ethiopian Airlines or perhaps in two of the major hotels in Addis Ababa. Otherwise a credit card will hardly be used. It is best to travel with cash and keep it discreetly under clothing in a money belt.

Ethiopian Airlines is inexpensive and has a very extensive range of on-site services. Flights are often overbooked, so it is important to confirm your flight tickets at least a day in advance and to be at the airport on time. In the absence of confirmation, it will be assumed that you will not be traveling and your seats will be assigned.

Tip: Ethiopian Airlines tickets are very expensive offered by online travel agencies compared to booking through a travel agency in Addis Ababa. Even better, book your international trip to Ethiopia through the Ethiopian Airlines website. Then you will receive a 50% discount on domestic flights.In Ethiopia there are different buses that can be divided into the following categories: The widespread 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 drive in the individual regions. The respective level indicates the class here. 

Luxury buses (Korean modern standard buses) travel between major cities and the large, red, often double-articulated buses run within Addis Ababa.

There is an extensive network of cheap coaches along the main roads, although these are rather slow and simple. Short-haul buses usually only leave as soon as they have enough passengers. In practice, that means about once an hour. These buses do not run at night, but stop before sunset either in a city or village with accommodation for passengers or in the middle of a landscape between Dire Dawa and Djibouti.On some routes, such as between Adama and Addis Ababa, minibuses are used after the night’s sleep. 

According to the law, every passenger must have a seat, which is intended to prevent overcrowding, but also makes it correspondingly difficult to be picked up by a bus from an intermediate stop. If you are planning to travel by bus, keep in mind that almost all vehicles are old and very dusty, including some of the roads in poor condition.Bus stations usually start operating around 5:00 a.m. So if you want to leave early in the morning, you should be at the train station by 5:00 a.m.It’s very chaotic and the seats are sold before the first buses leave at around 6:00 a.m. Often it is possible to buy a ticket in advance, which makes things a little easier and less stressful. 

In smaller cities, as soon as the bus returns from its tour in the afternoon, you can buy a ticket for the following day. Even if you already have a ticket, you should still come early to get a seat as soon as possible. If you don’t have a ticket, don’t waste time buying one from the counter or the guide, but squeeze your way to the bus to get a seat. You will then receive a ticket from the tour guide at a later point in time. Medium-sized backpacks can usually be squeezed under the seats, while large packages and most pieces of luggage need to be on the roof. Claim your seat before worrying about your luggage. 

Local people can help you find the right bus unless you can read Amharic. 

Luxury buses have very professionally numbered seats and dedicated overhead bins under the bus. Everyone who helps you with your luggage, including the person who leads it to the tour guide’s helper on the roof, expects a small tip of around 2 to 3 birr.Renting a car is more expensive than public transport, but it is also a great way to get around Ethiopia. To speed up your tour, you can travel by small airplanes, with the car providing more views of the countryside. 

There are few car rental companies outside of Addis Ababa, so you might 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 refueling. 

Medical facilities in Ethiopia are limited but are of a good standard. Tourists and non-citizens are advised to visit private hospitals and clinics only. It is very advisable to check with your GP at least two months before your trip about travel vaccinations. Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid and polio with optional vaccination against meningitis and rabies are strongly recommended.

Malaria can become 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 repellants or sprays are also very useful against mosquito bites, but not always effective.

If you choose to take anti-malarial medication, consider taking Malarone, Quinine, or Fansidar tablets as a remedy. The side effects of some malaria tablets can be significantly increased by the altitude.

You should also ask your doctor about your emergency blood type and any previous medical conditions that could affect you during your tour. Please inform us about the 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 examination before traveling. 

Nairobi has 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 plenty of them in Nairobi. 

It is well worth trying the local dishes, such as pilau, a chicken and rice dish, cabbage and rice, as well as the staple food Kenya Ugali, which is made from cornmeal. 

Many restaurants can be found in the city center and in the Westlands and Hurlingham areas, which areas are highly frequented by tourists. Among the many cuisines there are Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, especially those from the South African chains (Steers or Nandos), are widespread 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 fountains. Some offer pure water, but it can be 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 hit average daily temperatures of 25 ° C. This is the busiest time and features wildlife spotting at its peak, as well as the Timkat Festival and the crowded Leddet. 

The rainy season runs from April to September and brings rising temperatures in a humid environment. Due to the rain from May to August, some roads in the lower Omo Valley become impassable. August is the hottest and wettest month with temperatures of up to 45 ° C in the lowlands. In the highlands, temperatures are much more moderate, with sightseeing being limited by the rains. 

October through December is an excellent time to visit Ethiopia as the landscape is very lush after the rain. 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 5 ° C to 10 ° C. So be sure to pack warm clothing. 

If you want to fully explore Ethiopia, you should be prepared for the different temperatures caused by the great differences in altitude between high and lowland areas. You will need light clothing for the lowlands and medium clothing for the hill country. So bring clothing that can be easily layered. Once the sun goes down, temperatures drop sharply, so pack at least a warm jumper or sweater. At higher altitudes, a warm jacket or coat is necessary for the evening hours. 

Especially if you visit the country between February and October, you should bring a raincoat or other rain gear. 

It is usually possible to have clothes washed in the hotel itself or nearby within a short period of 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. The sockets type C / E / F / L are used. Although adapters are available in Ethiopia, it is still recommended to buy them before you travel in order to avoid a time-consuming search on site.