Ethiopia

A country endowed with fabulous wildlife, epic natural beauty, mind-blowing outdoor experiences, and Africa’s most fascinating history, Ethiopia remains nothing like anywhere else in the world. Here you can climb over 3000 meters high on the world-famous Simien Mountains or even explore Africa’s lowest areas on the Danakil Depression. In between, you can enjoy a scenery whose beauty knows no bounds – sweeping savannas, beautiful lakes, lush highlands, gorgeous deserts, and plateaus.

When it comes to history, Ethiopia has a wealth of it being the only African country to have escaped European colonialism and keep most of its cultural identity. Explore Ethiopia’s historical routes like Lalibela, Axum, Gondar, and Bahir Dar, Lake Tana Monasteries and more; or Ethiopia’s cultural routes like the South Omo Valley tribes and you will already see just how magnificent this country is!

Getting In

All international flights arrive and depart from Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. Several airlines from various parts of the world offer flights to and from ADD including major airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Emirtes, Alitalia, KLM, SAA, Lufthansa and Kenya Airways.

Best Time to Go

Ethiopia can be visited at any time of the year and given its size, climate can vary from one region to another. In general, the best time to go is during the dry season which is around October until June (except in South Omo which experiences rainy weather on April and May). Peak season is between October and January when scenery is still lush and green.

Visa and Immigration & E-Visa

A visa and a valid passport that is not set to expire within six months upon arrival are required upon entry to Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Tourist eVISA was launched by the Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs in Ethiopia in June 2017. The eVISA for Ethiopia allows foreigners with valid passports to enter Ethiopia to apply for a tourist eVISA online. Once issued, the Ethiopian eVISA is valid for 30 or 90 days depending on the applicant’s selection. Visitors who enter Ethiopia for tourism are required to present a valid eVISA at the port of entry. For more information about the Ethiopia E- Visa please visit this link https://www.ethiopiaonlinevisa.com/

Capital City, Language and Time Zone

Capital City
The capital city, Addis Ababa, is the largest and most populated city in the country.

Language
Ethiopia is a multiethnic state with a variety of languages spoken in the county with Amharic being spoken through out the country.

Time Zone
Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 hours time zone. Being relatively close to equator, there is an almost constant twelve hours of daylight through out the country. In Addis Ababa the sunrise and sunset times are 06:30 and 18:45 hours respectively.

Driving, Phone & Electricity

Driving
• Driving is on the right.
• Drivers are required to have a valid international driving license at all times when they are behind wheels.
• An international driving license can be obtained by exchanging your local driving license at the Transport and Communication Office located at Haile Gabreselassie Road, Addis Ababa.
• Visitors can recover their original license a day or so prior to their departure.
• Those with their own vehicle are also required a permit from the Minister of Transport and communication to use their vehicle.

Phone
• The country calling code is (00) 251

Electricity
• Ethiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.
• Plugs are of the round two-pin variety.