About Addis Ababa

At 2300-3000m above sea level with a population of just over 4 million, Addis Ababa is one of the highest cities in the world and the largest in a landlocked country. As many as 85 different languages can be heard spoken, including English.

Addis Ababa Budget Travel

Addis Ababa budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Addis Ababa to help you plan your budget holiday in Addis Ababa. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Addis Ababa.

Airports

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

Birdlife

Addis Ababa birdlife is rich and abundant, with a huge number of species to be found. Awash National, situated just outside Addis Ababa, has a number of species including Green Wood hoope, Carmine Bee-Eater, Fish Eagle, Tawny Eagle and Lanner Falcon to name a few, plus there are birds to be seen across the entire city, including the airport and local hotels and lodges.

Conservation

Addis Ababa conservation was only introduced to the country only a few short decades ago, and despite efforts by the government and various conservation groups active in the city to try and balance the chronic levels of deforestation and wildlife species endangerment, the city still faces major conservation issues which are aggravated by natural hazards such as drought and flooding, as well as pollution and urbanisation.

Culture

Addis Ababa 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

Addis Ababa 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

Addis Ababa health care is not up to western standards, and facilities are few and far between. Outside of the city, health facilities are almost impossible to find and in general hospitals throughout the country 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.

AIDS

Addis Ababa 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

Vaccinations

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

Languages

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

Malaria

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

Money

Addis Ababa 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
• Credit cards are not accepted at many outlets or hotels
• 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

Addis Ababa people include the following groups:
• Oromo
• Amhara
• Tigray
• Somali
• Gurage
• Sidama

Phrase

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

Vaccinations

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

Plants

Addis Ababa plants range from the typical grasses and flat-topped acacia trees that surround the area to the abundant jacarandas and eucalyptus trees which line the city streets. Beautiful gardens such as Bihere Tsige park offer densely wooded areas with an array of flowers, while major crops include coffee, teff, wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, and millet.

Religion

Addis Ababa religion includes the following groups:
• Christianity
• Islam
• Traditional beliefs

Safety Tips

• Pickpockets are a major threat to travellers in Addis Ababa
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight in a money bag under your shirt
• Be wary of locals who offer to take you to a cultural show - tourists are often targeted for scams
• Generally Addis Ababa is safe to walk around, even at night in the busier areas
• Avoid badly lit areas however, as open sewers, potholes and pickpockets abound

Transport

Addis Ababa local transport options include the following:
• Car
• Bus
• Train
• Taxi
• Motorcycle

Travel Books

Addis Ababa recommended travel books include:
• The Beauty of Addis Ababa by Graham Hancock
• Addis Ababa Travel Guide by Offbeat Guides
• Welcome to Addis by Michael Daniel Ambatchew
• Ethiopia: The Bradt Travel Guide by Philip Briggs
• A checklist of the birds of Addis Ababa by Hugh Pain

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Ethiopia

What To Buy

• Good luggage and a secure money bag
• Addis Ababa guidebook and phrase book, plus a good map
• First aid kit plus vitamins and malaria medication
• A plug adaptor (UK and US visitors)

What To Pack

• 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

• The whole year round is a good time to visit Addis Ababa
• 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

Addis Ababa wildlife is diverse and abundant, with a large number of species to be found, ranging from beisa oryx to greater and lesser kudu, defassa waterbuck, Swayne's hartebeest, hamadrias and anubis baboon. The beautiful Awash National Park offers good sightings of a variety of game. A growing percentage of wildlife species are under threat from endangerment or extinction however.