Ethiopia

Everyone needs a visa to visit Ethiopia. Visa applications are made online at evisa.gov.et, and costs 82 USD (for 30 days). Here’s a list of the documentation required to apply for a visa:

• Filling in the visa application form online.
• Passport valid for 6 months after the date of travel and with two free pages.
• Scanned copy of passport.
• 1 passport photo with a white background scanned.
• Address of stay in Ethiopia

The official currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian birr, and at the moment €1 = 62.07 Br (Ethiopian birr – Br, ETB or ብር ). You can follow the most up-to-date conversion factor at xe.com. When you travel to Ethiopia, it’s best to bring a few dollars or euros with you, and a card for ATM withdrawals. The cheapest and most practical way is a prepaid WISE card.

Ethiopia’s international code is +251. It is recommended for you to find out about the terms and conditions of your mobile plan before activating roaming in Ethiopia. It is possible (and recommended) to buy a local SIM card. There is only one mobile operator in Ethiopia – Ethio Telecom. The SIM card costs 30Br (0.51€), and data plans cost, for example, 450Br (7.58€) with 8Gbs for 1 month, or 836Br (14.07€) with unlimited data for 2 weeks. Some regions have restricted communications, and no mobile service. Most 4 and 5 star hotels will allow foreigners to use wi-fi for a specific time of the day.

Traditional food can be summed up in three components: vegetables, meat and injera (bread). The food is usually spicy. As in other countries, bread takes the place of cutlery – we use it to roll the food from the plate to our mouths, always with just our right hand. The technique of bringing the food to the mouth with the bread favours the palate, as the bread absorbs the flavours of the sauce and curry, and in that short journey from the plate the taste buds taste in anticipation. There are many restaurants specifically for foreigners, called “farenji” – these will guarantee the food is cooked properly. Elsewhere, the food is super delicious, just take into consideration any “light” stomachs may be prone to food intoxication, as many traditional dishes in Ethiopia are made from raw meat.

Because of the altitude, temperatures rarely exceed 25ºC in the highlands, above the 2500m mark. Night-time temperatures below 10ºC are common, especially between October and February. Some lodges and campsites at higher altitudes may experience severe frosts. In lower altitude areas (below 2000m – Lake Tana, Awash National Park, the Omo Valley or the Rift Valley in general) it can get considerably hotter, with a more tropical climate reaching temperatures of around 30ºC during the day and 20ºC at night. Exceptional is the Danakil Depression, with “infernal” temperatures where the daytime peaks can easily reach 50ºC and the nights remain warm at no lower than 35ºC. Avoid travelling during the rainy season – April to September – where it’s pouring on the highlands and scorching hot in the lowlands.

• Sun protection (50+ sunscreen / hat / polarized glasses)
• Chronic medication, traveller’s pharmacy and insect repellent.
• Powerbank and a triple plug or extension cord
• Memory cards and batteries for your camera
• Head-torch
• Water bottle
• Blindfold and earplugs
• Luggage lock
• Biodegradable toilet paper and wipes
• Personal hygiene products, preferably environmentally friendly

Accommodation is varied, from comfortable hotels to bungalows in the countryside, with the possibility of camping also. In the hotels, even the ones that have private bathrooms, expect cuts in water supplies. Most common transportation in Ethiopia is private cars or shared minivans. Most tourists will travel with private drivers in 4WD vehicles, as permits to travel and cross regions are needed. Tour operators will handle everything on your behalf.

Ethiopia is a multicultural and multiethnic country. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is proud of its origins and dominates the political, cultural and social life of the population. Muslims are important in the business community. The extended family continues to be the focus of the social system. This includes relatives from both sides of the family, as well as close friends. It’s normal for parents to live with their children when they get married. Social recognition/status also comes through the family, and family needs take precedence over work needs. Here’s a list of formalities that may come in handy:

• The most common form of greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact. The handshake is generally much lighter than in Western cultures.
• After establishing a close personal relationship, people of the same gender can greet each other with three kisses on the cheeks.
• Men should always wait to see if a woman extends her hand.
• Greetings should never be rushed. Take time to ask questions about family, health, work, etc.
• People are addressed by their honorific title and first name. ‘Ato‘, ‘Woizero ‘ and ‘Woizrity ‘ are used to address a man (ato), a married woman (woizero) and an unmarried woman (woizrity), for example.
• The elderly should be greeted first. It is customary to bow when introduced to someone who is obviously older or occupies a higher position. You’ll often see children doing this.