Traveler Info

Full Name

  • Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Capital City

  • Addis Ababa – the third-highest capital city in the world. Over 7 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

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 – 5:00 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.