Important Travel Information

​Full Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Capital City: Addis Ababa – the third-highest capital city in the world. Over 5 million people reside in Addis Ababa.

 

 Major Tourist Destinations in Ethiopia

  • Lalibela

  • Axum

  • Gondar

  • Harar

  • Lower Omo Valley

  • Bale Mountains National Park

  • Simien Mountains National Park

  • Lower Awash Valley

Geography

  • Land Area: 1,127,708 square kilometers (26th largest country in the world)

Language

Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic country with rich linguistic diversity. There are 83 languages and around 200 dialects spoken.

  • Working Language: Amharic

  • Widely Spoken Languages: Oromiffa (Oromigna), Tigrigna, Guragegna

  • Foreign Languages in Use (commerce & education): English, Italian, French, Arabic

Religion

The major religions practiced in Ethiopia are Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and Islam. There are also communities of Catholic and Protestant Christians.

Communication Services

  • Internet Domain: .et

  • Numerous internet cafés are available in Addis Ababa and other cities, offering internet, fax, and telephone services.

  • Country Dialing Code: +251

Power Supply

  • Ethiopia uses 220 volts, 50 Hz AC electricity.

Time Zone

  • GMT +3 hours

  • Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar.

Main Export Products

  • Coffee

  • Hides and skins

  • Oilseeds

  • Beeswax

  • Meat

  • Sugarcane

  • Khat (chat)

  • Gold

  • Flowers

Banking Hours

  • Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

  • Some private banks may extend their closing hours.

  • Most banks operate during lunchtime, though foreign exchange services are usually closed from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.

Courier and Money Transfer Services

  • Money Transfers: Available via Western Union and MoneyGram, with services accessible at many national and private banks.

  • Courier Services: Offices of DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EMS are located in Addis Ababa.

Credit & Debit Cards

MasterCard and Diners Club are accepted on a very limited basis, usually only in five-star hotels in Addis Ababa.
Visitors should check with their credit card provider for local acceptance and available services.

Traveler’s Cheques

To avoid exchange rate losses, it is advisable to carry traveler’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Hotels

Addis Ababa offers a wide range of accommodations, including:

  • Luxury international chains: Sheraton, Radisson Blu, Marriott, Hilton

  • Tourist-class hotels: Ghion, Ethiopia, Wabi Shebelle
    All major tourist destinations also provide a range of modern hotel options.

Clothing

  • In general, light to moderate clothing is recommended.

  • In higher altitudes, woolen garments or coats are necessary, especially at night.

  • A raincoat or waterproof clothing is advisable if visiting from February to October.

  • Laundry services are commonly available at or near hotels, often with 24-hour service.

Health Requirements

  • A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required upon entry.

  • Cholera vaccination is mandatory for travelers coming from or transiting through cholera-infected areas within six days of arrival.

Customs

Duty-Free Allowances:

  • 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or ½ lb of tobacco

  • 2 liters of alcoholic beverages

  • ½ liter or two bottles of perfume

Souvenirs: Visitors may export souvenirs, but certain items such as animal skins or antiques may require an export permit.