INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS
GEOGRAPHY
Ethiopia is located at the
eastern tip of the African Continent. Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and Kenya
are the neighboring countries. With land area of 1,098,00 Sq. Km., Ethiopia
is as large as France and Spain combined or five times the size of Britain or
about twice the size of Texas. Ethiopia has variety of topographical features
from the peaks of the Semien Mountains in north Gondar to the Danakil Depression
in the Rift Valley Afar Region, vast central plateau, tropical forests, savanna
deserts, lakes and rivers. Addis Ababa with a population about 5 million people
is the capital city of the country.
CLIMATE
There are two major seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May;
the wet season from June to September. January and February are hotter and
much driver. The landscape is likely to be more aired than in November, which
can still be quite lush after the rains. In the highlands (most of the historic
route) the daytime is temperature is moderate not exceeding, 300 C even at the
hottest time of the year and nights are generally moderate to cold in all months
of the year. The Southern rift valley is classfied as moderate to hot, but
the eastern lowlands and is the farthest southern part of the country hot and
dry. The western lowlands are hot and humid are the most tropical area of
Ethiopia.
PEOPLE
The population is
estimated at 70 million. Ethiopia is a land of enormous ethnic diversity,
with people of Semitic, Cushitic, Nilotic and Omotic stock. In terms of
religion Orthodox Christians make up about 40%, Muslims 35% and 25% being animists
and others. What unites Ethiopian's many people is primary their shared
independent existence. Ethiopia was never colonized; many ancient customs
and traditions remain intact Ethiopia is Ethiopian and this will be obvious to
the visitor from the moment of arrival in Addis Ababa. Courtesy and hospitality
are prized qualities through out the country.
LANGUAGE
A variety of language is spoken in the multi - ethnic state of
Ethiopia. The main three Languages are Amharigna, Tigrigna and Oromigna.
The officcial language is Amharic. English and French are also widely spoken.
ECONOMY
Agriculture is the backbone
of the National economy where about 85% of the population earns their living mainly
as subsistence farmers. The principal exports from this sector are coffee,
oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals.
There is also a thriving livestock sector, exporting cattle on the hoof and hides
and skins.
TIME
Ethiopia is the GMT
+3 hour's time zone. The day is calculated in a manner similar to many equatorial
countries, where day and nights have the same length. Counting starts when
the sun rises, at 1:00 o'clock when it is 7:00 AM for Europeans and stops when
the sunsets at 12:00 o'clock when it is 6:00 PM for Europeans.
CALANDER
Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of 12 months of 30 days each
and a thirteen month of five or six days (in every four year). The Ethiopian Calendar
is either eight years (January -August) or seven years (September - December)
behind the Gregorian calendar. When the rest of the world celebrated the
millennium, it was 1992 in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian fiscal year begins on
8 July, the Ethiopian New year is on 11 September and Christmas is on 7 January.
ELECTIRIC
SUPPLY
Ethiopia uses 220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
HOTELS
AND RESTAURANTS
Addis Ababa has hotels and restaurants that cater
for all pockets.
The following are some of tourist standard hotels to list:
* First class hotels: Sheraton Addis and Hilton Addis
* Four stars: Gion,
Global, Imperial, Central Venue, Hotel De Leoplle, etc.
* Three stars: Ethiopia,
Lalibela, Axum, Jerusalem, Queen of Shebs, Debre Damo, Semen, Gedera, Crown, Central
Shewa, Holiday, Extreme, National Hotel, etc
* Two stars: Finfine Hotel,
Awraris Hotel, and others like Taitu, Baro, etc are available.
Regarding
restaurants in Addis Ababa there are Greek, Chinese, Armenian, Indian, Arabic,
French and Italian restaurants. Most tourists also enjoy Etyhiopian restaurants
for the spicy Ethiopian dishes.
Out side Addis Ababa, in other towns, manly
in the historic route tourist Standard hotels and restaurants are available. The
hotels to be used for our clients are tourist standard, with a very good quality
of services. But this can only be practical upon availability as prior bookings
have to be made.
Camping – To visit the cultural sites
in the south and to discover the extra ordinary wilderness, camping will be made
on selected camping sites. Our camping materials are of high standard and comfortable
for camping. Camping materials like tent, sleeping mattress, tables, chairs, camping
light, etc. will be supplied.
VACCINATION
An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required and
you may need to produce this of obtain your visa. We also advise that in addition
to the statutory requirements you ensure you are vaccinated against typhoid, Polio,
Meningitis and hepatitis.
Vaccination against cholera is also required
for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area with in six
days prior to arrival to Ethiopia.
CURRENCY
The currency is the Birr, the rate of which is fixed against the US dollar every
two weeks following a foreign currency auction. Mostly the rate has fluctuated
between 8.50 and 8.60 Birr to US$1.00. There is no limit to amount of foreign
currency that can be brought into Ethiopia, but visitors must declare all currency
in their possession on arrival, and change foreign currency in banks or authorized
foreign exchange dealers. On leaving the country, visitors will be asked to surrender
to customs officials the currency declaration filled in on arrival.
BANKING
At Bole Airport, and in all major cities and many
towns, there will be branches of national banks.
SOUVENIRS
Most of the arts and artifacts in Addis Ababa (and certainly along
the historic route - Axum, Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar) reflect the Orthodox
Christian tradition: silver crosses, icons, paintings on animal skin, and woven
garments - items with a Christian motif. A well-stocked shop will also be able
to offer Harari silver and basketwork, and wooden carvings from the south and
southwest.
Other things visitors might like to bring back are filigree work
in solver and gold, woven carpets, amber and of course coffee - the very name
comes from Kaffa in southwestern Ethiopia. If you are looking for larger mementoes,
you can by Ethiopia stools, chairs and other furniture from private shops and
from the state sector Ethiopian Tourist Trading Corporation, next to the airport.
Like many countries, Ethiopia is facing a problem with the theft and illegal purchase
of national treasures. Visitors should only buy what appears to be antiques
from authorized shops, ask for a stamped receipt, and if in doubt, check with
the National Museum in Addis Ababa whether the item may be exported or not.
CUSTOMS
Duty-free imports are permitted for up to:
-200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars or ½ lb of tobacco.
-1 liter of alcoholic
beverage.
-1/2 liter, or two bottles of perfume.
TRAVEL
TO AND IN ETHIOPIA
Air: Addis Ababa is a
major hub for international airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline
of Ethiopia, provides excellent links with East, West and South Africa, Europe
and the Middle East, with connections to America and the Far East. The national
airline also offers domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia, as well
as most regional centers.
The international flight constitutes
on average around 30% of the cost of a holiday, and so that Ethiopia can maximize
the benefits from the development of its tourist industry, AAT likes to encourage
its clients to fly the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines (EAL), which recently
celebrated its 60th birthday, generally provides excellent service and has an
excellent safety record. Travelers to Ethiopia should also be
aware of another reason for flying EAL- on the domestic circuit; priority is given
to those who use EAL for their international flight.
The
cheapest and quickest way to get around Ethiopia's historic sites in the north
is by air. Most of Ethiopia's major towns and sites of tourist interest
are accessible by air, and fares are still cheap by international standards.
Other airlines serving Ethiopia include: Kenyan Airways, Air Djibouti, Egyptian,
Alitalia, KLM, Air Turkish, Sudanese Airways, Lufthansa, Saudi, Aeroflot, Yemeni
Airways, British Airways, Emirates and Djibouti Airways.
All international
services arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.
Road:
The best way to experience the variety of scenery the Ethiopia has to offer is
travel by road. But road conditions in Ethiopia are poor and given the nature
of the terrain a road journey to Axum for example takes three days, while the
flight from Addis Ababa takes two hours. The scenery by road is of course
incomparable, but many travelers lack the time. The toll exact by poor roads
(and the 100% customs duty) makes vehicle hire relatively expensive, when compared
to some other countries. There are cheap, but generally uncomfortable, public
and private buses running between most towns.
Rail:
A 778 kilometer long railway that links Addis Ababa with Djibouti has deteriorated
over the last couple of decades due to lack of investment and while Ethiopia has
recently secured renovation grants; rail enthusiasts should be prepared for delays.
Travel
to neighboring countries
Many tourists like to combine visits
to Ethiopia with Kenya, Sudan or Djibouti. For visitors who are interested we
can arrange and provide Extension program on request. Separate visas are required
for all countries. There are reasonable road links between these countries
and flights between Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Khartoum and Djibouti.
Miscellaneous
Telephone, Tele fax, Internet, and postal facilities are available in cities and
most towns. The International dialing code for Ethiopia is 00251.Most towns
have mobile telephone service.
Ethiopia drives in the right;
a valid international license is required to derive.
Taxis
are available in town for either contracts or Normal fares.
Filming
a foreigner wishing to shoot documentary or feature films in Ethiopia shall obtain
a permit from the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Guide
Books Lonely Plane, the Bradt Guide to Ethiopia and the Spectrum Guide
to Ethiopia are available in a revised edition.
Travel
safety
We are a responsible tour operator and for us the safety
of our clients and staff is of paramount importance. We would not run any
holiday that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the foreign and
commonwealth Office advice against travel for any reason, we will contact anyone
who is booked to travel to discuss alternatives.
