Travel Information

Traveling in Ethiopia won't be everyone's cup of chai:  The landscape is splendid, the people are welcoming, the sense of history is tangible and you won't have to worry about crowds of tourists.

When to Go

Ethiopia is pretty pleasant all year round, with temperatures in Addis Ababa averaging around 20°C (68°F) no matter what the season. Early October, just after the rains is a particularly good time to visit. The country is wonderfully green, the wildflowers are stunning and there are fewer visitors. Trekking during this time is especially sublime, though it's pretty amazing throughout the entire dry season (October through mid-March).

Welcome to Ethiopia

Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, is a land of stunning natural beauty, covering an area twice the size of Kenya, France or Texas. A rich diversity of culture and geography, that will captivate the visitor. The welcome that comes from the mosaic of a people with over 80 different languages and as many cultures is warm and spontaneous.

The attractions of Ethiopia are of world renown, and the development of the Country as the foremost tourist destination in North East Africa has opened up Ethiopia to a new generation of tourists, to whom a visit to the land of the Queen of Sheba, the birthplace of the Blue Nile and the 'cradle of mankind' was previously just a dream.

Visas & Immigration

Apart from nationals of Kenya all visitors to Ethiopia are required to have an entry visa and if you arrive by air it is expected for you to show an onward ticket. Obtaining a single entry tourist visa is not a problem but multiple entry visas are only issued to business travelers.

Ethiopian immigration issues visa upon arrival for the following countries:- Argentina Austria Australia Belgium Brazil Canada China Denmark France Germany Finland Greece Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Luxemburg Mexico Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Russia South Africa Sweden Switzerland Taiwan UK USA.

We recommend you check your local Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate for the latest visa requirements.

Money

Official Currency:    1 birr=100 cents

Banking and Business Hours

Banks

Monday to Thursday 0800-1200 and 1300-1700    Friday 0830-1130 and 1300-1700

Shops

Monday to Friday: 0800-4230 and 1530-1930     Saturday: 0900-1300 and 1500-1900

Local Time

Ethiopia is three hours ahead of GMT