About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a landlocked country situated on the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia budget travel offers travelers a rich and diverse travel experience. Game viewing, cultural tours, hiking and trips to ancient ruins are just some of the activities to enjoy.

Ethiopia Budget Travel

Below is a list of Ethiopia's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Addis Ababa, Axum, Bahir Dar, Mago National Park, Simien Mountains

Fast Facts

Currency
Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

Dialing Code
251

AIDS

Ethiopia HIV/AIDS precautions include the following:
• Don't ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing

Airports

Major Ethiopia airports include the following:
• Bole International Addis Ababa Airport

Birdlife

Ethiopia birdlife is rich and diverse, with a large number of endemic and migratory species to be found in the country's diverse range of habitats. A number of bird species face extinction however, and many species are vulnerable or endangered due to habitat loss and chronic deforestation in Ethiopia which sees a large percentage of natural habitats being destroyed each year.

Conservation

Ethiopia conservation was only introduced to the country in the 1970's, and despite efforts by the government and various conservation groups to try and balance the chronic levels of deforestation and wildlife species endangerment, the country still faces major conservation issues which are aggravated by natural hazards such as drought and flooding, as well as years of civil war.

Culture

Ethiopia cultures include the following:
• Food and drink plays a key role in many social rituals and traditions
• Literature is also an important historical and cultural influence
• Graphic art has been present in cultures for many years
• Performance arts are a popular form of expression
• Architecture dates back to medieval times and beyond

Customs

Ethiopia customs allowances include the following:
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or ½ lb of tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverage
• 500ml or two bottles of perfume
• Gifts up to a value of ETB 10

Health

Ethiopia health care is not up to western standards, and facilities in Addis Ababa are few and far between. In rural areas, health facilities are almost impossible to find and are extremely below standard in terms of medications and hygiene. It is therefore essential to ensure your health is 100% during your travels, and bring supplies to ensure that your health needs are catered for on your travels.

Innoculations

The following Ethiopia inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Languages

Ethiopia languages include the following:
• Amharic (national language)
• English
• Oromo
• Tigrinya

Malaria

Ethiopia malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Ethiopia money and banking info includes the following:
• Banks are open Monday to Friday as well as Saturday mornings, and are closed for lunch
• ATMs seldom work with foreign cards
• Exchange facilities can be found at airports and hotels, as well as banks
• Travellers cheques are easier to exchange from Euros, Pounds or Dollars

People

Ethiopia people include the following groups:
• Oromo 32.1%
• Amhara 30.2%
• Tigray 6.2%
• Somali 6.0%
• Gurage 4.3%
• Sidama 3.4%
• Wolayta 2%
• Afar 2%
• Hadiya 2%
• Gamo 1%

Phrase

Ethiopia local phrases include the following in Amharic:
• Hello - Selam
• So long - Ciao
• Thank you - Ameseginalehu
• Excuse me - Yikerta
• I don't understand - Algebanye'm

Plants

Ethiopia plants are as varied as the country's habitats, with four major biomes to be found in the country, ranging from savannas, to tropical forest, desert and mountain vegetation. There are also a large number of trees and crop plants throughout the country, including coffee, Ethiopia being one of the world's first and largest coffee producers.

Population

A 2008 UN estimate puts the population in Ethiopia at 85,254,090.

Religion

Ethiopia religion includes the following groups:
• Christianity 66.5%
• Islam 30.9%
• Traditional beliefs 2.6%

Safety Tips

Ethiopia safety tips include the following:
• Areas near Somalia, such as the Fik, Degehabur, Gode, Korahe and Warder should be avoided
• Areas near the Eritrea border should also be avoided
• Roads and towns within 50 km of the borders with Sudan and Kenya are also unsafe
• Avoid street demonstrations or large crowds which may turn violent
• Indiscriminate terrorist attacks can occur, so be vigilant at all times

Transport

Ethiopia local transport options include the following:
• Car
• Bus
• Train

Travel Books

Ethiopia recommended travel books include the following:
• Bradt Travel Guide: Ethiopia by Philip Briggs
• Ethiopia and Eritrea Lonely Planet Country Guide by Matt Phillips and Jean-Bernard Carillet
• Ethiopia, the Unknown Land: A Cultural and Historical Guide by Stuart Munro-Hay
• The Chains of Heaven: An Ethiopian Romance by Philip Marsden

Visa Requirements

Ethiopia visa requirements include the following:
• Passport which is valid for six months at least
• ID or green card
• 2 Visa Application Forms
• 2 Passport photographs
• Copy of return airline tickets or itinerary

What To Buy

What to buy for Ethiopia safaris:
• Good luggage and a secure money bag
• Ethiopia guidebook and phrase book, plus a good map
• First aid kit plus vitamins and malaria medication
• A plug adapter (UK and US visitors)

What To Pack

What to pack for Ethiopia safaris:
• Loose, lightweight clothing with long sleeves
• Long skirts for women, and tops covering shoulders
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Camera, spare batteries and film plus binoculars
• Warm jacket and rain gear for rainy season plus sunglasses and sunhat

When To Go

When to go to Ethiopia:
• The whole year round is a good time to visit Ethiopia
• Temperatures are more or less the same throughout the year
• Some roads are bad during rainy season from mid-June to October
• The best time to go is from October to April, after the rains
• The greenest time is from September and early October

Wildlife

Ethiopia wildlife is surprisingly diverse and abundant, with a large number of species to be found, ranging from huge mammals to tiny desert rodents. A growing percentage of wildlife species are under threat from endangerment or extinction, especially native species which are only found in certain regions of the country which may face deforestation or habitat loss.