Ethiopia

Ethiopia Flag

Why visit Ethiopia?

For the well traveled adventurous traveler seeking to enjoy architecture, archaeological treasures, birdwatching, culture, fossilized remains, game reserves, historical sites, markets, mountainous landscape, religious shrines, ruins, solid rock churches, and trekking.

Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Photo Credit: Solen Feyissa/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Amber, biblical goods, blankets, coffee, handwoven cotton clothes,  leather shields, carves, silver, tribal daggers, and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Ayibe (cottage cheese). Dabo Kolo (baked bread). Ful (breakfast fava beans). Injera (flatbread). Kinche (porridge). Kitfo (raw beef).
• Local Drink to Try: Atmet (barley and oat-flour). Borde (fermented). Buna (traditional brew coffee). Tej (honey wine). Tella (barley beer).

Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Photo Credit: Taylor Wilcox/Unsplash 

Fun Facts

• In 1927, Haile Selassie I (1892-1930) was crowned Emperor (1930-1974).
• Until 1936, occupied by Italy.
  
• In 1941, took control from Italy.
  
• In 1960, Shambel Abebe Bikila (1932-1973), Marathon Runner won a Gold Medal during the Summer Olympics (Rome, Italy) running barefoot.
• In 1964, Shambel Abebe Bikila (1932-1973), Marathon Runner won his second Gold Medal during the Tokyo Olympics (Tokyo, Japan).
• In 1994, an American Paleoanthropologist and Professor from the University of California (Berkeley) found the oldest hominid ever discovered dating back from 4.2 million year ago.
  
• In 1996, Fatuma Roba (1973), Long Distance Runner won a Gold Medal during the Summer Olympics (Atlanta, Georgia).
• In 2019, Archaeologists discovered a mole rat diet from the Middle-Stone Age.
  
• Previously known as "Hidden Empire".
• Uses the Julian Calendar; 12 months of 30 days and the remaining days forming a 13th month. New year starts on September 11.
• Native plant, khat (or qat) contains alkaloid cathinone. Leaves are chewed for a euphoria stimulant and loss of appetite.
  
• Third most populous African country.
  
• Home to some of the oldest skeletal evidence of anatomically modern humans ever found.
• First independent African member to the League of Nations and the United Nations.
• Land belongs only to "the state and the people", citizens may lease land (up to 99 years), and are unable to mortgage or sell.
  
• Largely exports coffee and corn.
• Field and track are the primary sports.
  
• Ambo Mineral Water is sourced from the springs in Ambo Senkele.
  
• City of Aksum is the heart of the "most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia".
  
• "Lucy" is the fossilized female bones discovered dating back to four million years ago.

Fasil Ghebbi Castle, Gondar (Amhara Region), Ethiopia. Photo Credit: MariamS/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Genna Festival, Jan Meda International Cross Country, Timkat Feast, (March) Ethiopia Games, Tensae Cycle Race, (May) Addis International Film Festival, Ethiopian Film Festival, Music Festival, (September) Meskal Festival, Meskal Festival, (November) Great Ethiopian Run, and (December) Arba Minch Festival of Music & Dance.
• Holidays: Ethiopian Christmas, Epiphany, Victory at Adwa Day, Good Friday, Easter, International Workers' Day, Ethiopian Patriots Victory Day, Derg Downfall Day, New Year's Day, and Finding of the True Cross.
  

Ethiopia. Photo Credit: Peter Wieser/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Majority of the population is stricken by corruption, hunger, poor sanitation, poverty, and weak infrastructure.
• Prone to droughts.
• Children often say "ferengi" (foreigner).
  
• Religion prohibits consumption of animal products Wednesday thru Friday.
  
• Citizens generally eat with their fingers. Local custom, one eats with their right hand. 
  
• The Eritrea border is closed to all travelers.
  
• Thousands of unexploded landmines exist.
  
• Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted.
• Averages seven hours of sunshine per day.
  
• Majority of the population lacks access to a waste treatment facility. 
  
• Clock time is different, instead of 00:00 it's 06:00 which best coincides with sunrise throughout the year.
  
• Export Permits and receipts are required for animal skins, antiques, precious stones, and religious artifacts.
  
• Beyond personal use laptops and video equipment must be declared upon arrival and departure.
• Avoid demonstrations and protests.
  
• Do not walk alone, especially at night.
• Crimes known to occur pickpocketing, purse snatching, stolen passports, theft from vehicles, and violent robberies.
• Due to parasitic disease Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) do not stand or swim in still water.
• Do not drink tap water.
• Sanitation is often considered below our standards.
• Your cell phone must be registered upon arrival. SIM cards will only work with registered cell phones.
• Same-sex couples are usually unable to share a hotel room. Consensual activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment by local law.
• Medical facilities and practitioners are extremely limited; shortages and limitations exist.
  
• The high altitude is known to impact travelers fatigue, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and sleep.
• Prevalent diseases include Cholera, Malaria, Rabies, Schistosomiasis, and Tuberculosis.
• Public transportation is unregulated and considered unsafe.
  
• Ethiopian Driver’s License required to drive.
  
• By local law, it's illegal to give money to beggars when your vehicle is stopped.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela, Ethiopia. Photo Credit: D Mz/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Yellow Fever vaccination required. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $1000ETB.

Since, 8/31/20 a Level 3: Reconsider Travel Advisory due to civil unrest and communication disruptions. 

Subject to tropical monsoons.

• Best Time to Visit: October - June
• Coolest Months: November - February
• Hottest Months: July - September
• Peak Season: September - January

Ethiopia. Photo Credit: D Mz/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Aksum, Fasil Ghebbi, Harar Jugol the Fortified Historic Town, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela, Simien National Park, and Tiya.

Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. Photo Credit: Alexander Jungmann/Pixabay 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                            All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.