Ethiopia Travel Directory

THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

INTRODUCTION
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a developing country located Eastern Africa border. It is comprised of nine states and two administrative cities (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa) Addis Ababa being the country capital. It is bordered by Sudan to the north and North West, Eritrea to the north and north east, Djibouti to the east, Somalia to the east and south east and to the south lies Kenya.

PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is a beautiful African country with a population of over 65 million. Once an insignia of wretchedness, Ethiopia is coming out of the shadows. It is a very diverse country, with over 78 ethnic groups, the largest of which are Oromo (32%), and Amhara (30%). Ethiopia is home to nearly a 80 different tribes, the official language being Amharic. Other foreign languages spoken are English, Italian, and French.

HISTORICAL ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia’s heritage comprises of theories from the beginnings of mankind. It was underlined when the remains of 'Lucy', dated from 3.5 million years ago, and the 4.4 million year old Homo ramidus afarensis, man's oldest anthropoid ancestor, were uncovered. Traders from Greece, Rome, Persia and Egypt knew of the riches of what is now Ethiopia, and by the first century AD, Axum was the capital of this great empire.

POPULATION IN ETHIOPIA
Physical factors explain the concentration of population in the highlands, which are gifted with moderate temperatures, rich soil, and adequate rainfall. About 14% of the population lives in areas above 2,400 meters (cool climatic zone), about 75 percent between 1,500 and 2,400 meters (temperate zone), and only 11 percent below 1,500 meters (hot climatic zone), although the hot zone encompasses more than half of Ethiopia's territory. Areas with elevations above 3,000 meters and below 1,500 meters are sparsely populated, the first because of cold temperatures and rugged terrain, which limit agricultural activity, and the second because of high temperatures and low rainfall, except in the west and southwest.

ALTITUDE
Ethiopia has a variance of separate geographical zones and distinction, varying as much as 120 metres below sea level in the harsh salt flats of the Danakil depression, to a 4618 meter peak.

CLIMATE
Ethiopia experiences two principal seasons which range from the rainy season that starts in June ending in September, (although the sun still shines on most days). The rest of the year is dry all through and just perfect for discovering the riches of Ethiopia. The mountainous regions of Ethiopia see a consistently pleasant temperature all year round, with the mercury rarely poking its nose above the 30°C (86°F) mark during the day and plunging sometimes to almost freezing at night. The eastern lowlands exhibit drier desert-like conditions and more sporadic rain during the wet April-September season. If you're after a complete desert experience, the Denakil in the northeast and Ogaden in the southeast will push your melanin to the limit.

ATTRACTIONS
Ethiopia’s attractions range from natural, cultural and historical. The attractions of Ethiopia are famous worldwide. 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.

Ethiopia's landscape is splendid, the people are welcoming, the sense of history is tangible and you won't have to worry about crowds of tourists.

Landscape; the natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains (some 25 are over 4,000 meters high), broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The unique Rift Valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their famous collections of bird life, great escarpments and stunning vistas.

Wilderness; with 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire sub-Saharan ecosystem. Bird life abounds, and indigenous animals from the rare Walia ibex to the shy wild ass, roam free just as nature intended.

Culture; with over 80 different peoples, the cultures of our communities are prominent in our lifestyle. With traditions going back to the days of Axum, and a strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in our daily lives.

VISAS & IMMIGRATION
With the exception of 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:- Portugal, Russia, South. Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, USA, Germany, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Israel Italy Japan Korea Luxemburg Mexico Argentina Austria Australia Belgium Brazil Canada, China, Denmark France Netherlands Norway Poland

It is better you check your local Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate for the latest visa requirements.

MONEY
The Official Currency of Ethiopia is the BIRR and it is equivalent to 100 cents. Travelers cheques are best taken in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling and cash is best taken in US Dollars. Some major credit cards are accepted at major hotels.

TRANSPORT
Flights; Ethiopia’s transport like any in any other country has a variety of means of transport. It has flights from Europe with KLM and BA.com. Ethiopian Airlines from Asia, Europe, USA and Africa. Apparently, the best way of getting round the country is the good domestic flight service offered by Ethiopian Airlines between the major towns and prices are reasonable.

Train; there is one railway route running from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa and conditions can be overcrowded.

Bus: The bus service is run by the government and is tremendously slow and unreliable. Fuel shortages often means there is no form of public transport available and this will also have an affect on those who want to hitch-hike.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
In case you are a visitor in Ethiopia and in need of medical care whilst in there, Medical providers around may not accept payments through your travel insurance company. You will therefore have to pay in cash and file a claim for future compensation with your insurance company. This means that you should have enough money with you for emergencies like illness. In case you need more assistance, contact the country's local embassy or consulate for your country.

Note should be taken that your insurance companies in your country will only compensate you if you have ONLY got treatment from licensed medical personnel and please keep the documentation for quick assessment. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN ETHIOPIA
Ethiopian law strictly prohibits the photographing of military installations, police/military personnel, industrial facilities, government buildings, and infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams, airfields, etc.). Such sites are rarely marked clearly. Travel guides, police, and Ethiopian officials can advise if a particular site may be photographed. Photographing prohibited sites may result in the confiscation of film And Camera.

HOTELS IN ETHIOPIA
Whether you're on a budget and looking to book a cheap hotel in Ethiopia or are after more luxurious hotel accommodation, you can access to hundreds of Ethiopia hotels, so you can plan your perfect trip.