(welcom to Ethiopia)

Travel Information ( What Visitors need to know)

• Visa Requirement

Visas are required for all visitors to Ethiopia ( with the exception of nationals of Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya) and are readily available from Ethiopian diplomatic missions abroad or available for those citizens coming from a tourist generating countries(seek for information before boarding).

• 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 imports are permitted for up to:

200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 1/2 lb of tobacco

1 liter of alcoholic beverages

1/2 liter or two bottles, of perfumes

Visitors may expect souvenirs with a value not exceeding E. Birr 500, although some articles (such as animal skins and antiques) require an export permit.

Transport
1. Roads:-

There are some 4,100 kilometers of asphalt roads with a further 19,000 kilometers of gravel and dry-weather roads.

2. Railway:-

A 778-kilometer long railway line links Addis Ababa with Djibouti, and carries both freight and passengers.

3. Air:-

Ethiopian Airlines has an extensive domestic network flying to 43 airfields and an additional 21 landing strips.

• Time

Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 hours 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.

• Language

Although Amharic is the lingua franca of Ethiopia, and both English and Italian are widely spoken in the main towns, there is a rich heritage of 83 local languages and over 200 dialects. Amharic is considered the official language, and its distinctive alphabet will be seen by the visitor all over the country. The name originates from Amhara people, who live in the high lands of Ethiopia. Ethiopian languages belong to one of the four main language groups: Semitic ( Such as Amharic and Tigrigna), Cushitic ( such as Afan Oromo), Omotic and Nilo- Saharan. A useful phrase book will provide phonetic guides to aid pronunciation.

• Food and Drinks

With so many peoples, the food and drink of Ethiopia reflect the many different cultures. A typical dish is Wot, a hot spicy stew of meat or vegetables, seasoned with a blend of Berbere. It is Often made with Doro (Chicken),and normally served with INJERA, the traditional spongy pancake made from a fermented teff flour batter. In most good restaurants, or in the local BUNA BET, or Coffee house, you will find delicious dishes that reflect the customs and the ingredients of the region. In Addis Ababa, as in most of the larger cities, visitors will also find a wide range of other restaurants that reflect the influences of other cuisines. All large hotels have international restaurants, but out in the city you can tempt your taste buds in chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Greek and other restaurants. Ethiopia produces its own wines. Dukam and Gouder are fine reds, while Axumite is sweeter. Crystals is our dry white wine. Our famous honey wine or tej is found all over the country as is tela, a local beer and Katikala, a distilled liquor.