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CLIMATE

Ethiopia’s climate is typically very mild, with temperatures on the wide-ranging highlands averaging below 20°C. Only on the lowland fringes of western, eastern and southern Ethiopia can temperatures soar past 30°C.
The heaviest rains traditionally fall June to early October, making the rest of the year prime time to visit. Directly after the rains the highlands are wonderfully green, covered with wildflowers and sublime for trekking.

VISAS & IMMIGRATION

Apart from nationals of Kenya all visitors to Ethiopia are required to have an entry visa and if you arrive by air it is expected for you to show an onward ticket. Obtaining a single entry tourist visa is not a problem but multiple entry visas are only issued to business travellers.

Ethiopian immigration issues visa upon arrival for the following countries:- Argentina Austria Australia Belgium Brazil Canada China Denmark France Germany Finland Greece Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Luxemburg Mexico Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Russia South Africa Sweden Switzerland Taiwan UK USA

Visa extensions

Visas can be extended to a maximum of three months in Addis Ababa at the Department of Immigration (0111 553899). It takes 24 hours and costs US$20.

Djibouti
The embassy requires US$30 and two photos. It’s usually a same day service.
Kenya
Three-month visas cost US$50 (or Birr 438) and require one photo. Apply in the morning and pick up the following afternoon. Visas are also easily obtained at the Moyale crossing and Nairobi’s airport.
Somaliland
Visas require US$40 and one passport photo. It takes 24 hours to process. You must call ahead. While Somaliland is proving accessible to intrepid travellers, the recent outbreak of war between Ethiopia and the Islamic militia in Somalia makes Somalia a strict no-go area.
Sudan
Obtaining a visa can take ages (or simply prove impossible). A letter of introduction from your embassy may help. Visas cost US$61 and require one photo.

We recommend you check your local Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate for the latest visa requirements.

Money

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

Official Currency: 1 birr=100 cents
Current Exchange Rate: Today's Exchange Rate

Numerous Commercial Bank branches and copious private banks, like Dashen, United and Wegagen, will change cash and travellers cheques. Branches in hotels keep longer hours.
Only Dashen offer Visa and MasterCard cash advances (up to US$500). Commission is 5.5% (minimum US$12.50).

BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS

Banks: Monday to Thursday 0800-1200 and 1300-1700 Friday 0830-1130 and 1300-1700

Shops: Monday to Friday: 0800-4230 and 1530-1930 Saturday: 0900-1300 and 1500-1900

LOCAL TIME

Ethiopia is three hours ahead of GMT

TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND

Bus
Journeys less than 150km are served from the central short-distance bus station (Ras Mekonen Ave), while longer journeys depart from Autobus Terra (Central African Republic St), northwest of Merkato.
Train
Trains used to be scheduled to depart for Dire Dawa (Birr75/55/41 in 1st/2nd/3rd class) at 3pm Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, though they rarely ever left on time – now they’re not leaving at all. Currently only the Dire Dawa–Djibouti City section is operating.

Self Drive / Car Hire: We can provide you the following cars.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Coster Bus
Toyotal Mini Bus
Toyota Corolla
Cadillac
Limosine
Rav4
Atos
Van
Driving is on the right hand side and a valid British licence is acceptable. Although if you intend to drive you should obtain a temporary Ethiopian driving licence.

Air

International:

KLM - Flights from Europe

BA.com - Flights from Europe

Ethiopian Airlines from Asia, Europe, USA and Africa

Domestic:

probably the best way of getting round the country is the good domestic flight service offered by Ethiopian Airlines between the major towns and prices are reasonable.

Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport (code ADD) is the only international airport in Ethiopia. Airline offices in Addis Ababa include the following:

British Airways (BA; 0115 505913; www.ba.com; Hilton Hotel, Menelik II Ave) Hub: London.
Daallo Airlines (D3; 0115 534688; www.daallo.com; Bole Rd) Hub: Djibouti City.
Djibouti Airlines (D8; 0116 633702; fax 0116 614769; Rwanda St) Hub: Djibouti City.
EgyptAir (MS; 0111 564493; www.egyptair.com.eg; Churchill Ave) Hub: Cairo.
Kenya Airways (KQ; 0115 525548; www.kenya-airways.com; Hilton Hotel, Menelik II Ave) Hub: Nairobi.KLM (KL; 0115 525541; www.klm.com; Hilton Hotel, Menelik II Ave;) Hub: Amsterdam.
Lufthansa (LH; 0111 551666; www.lufthansa.com; Gambia St) Hub: Frankfurt.
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV; 0115 512637; www.saudiairlines.com; Ras Desta Damtew St) Hub: Jeddah.
Sudan Airways (SD; 0115 504724; www.sudanair.com; sudanair@ethionet.et; Ras Desta Damtew St) Hub: Khartoum.
Yemenia (IY; 0115 526441; www.yememia.com; Ras Desta Damtew St) Hub: Sanaa

Ethiopia Embassies

Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 1200.
Embassy of Ethiopia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 7212.
Embassy of Ethiopia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 6637.
Consulate-General of Ethiopia, Victoria, Australia: +61 (0)3 9417 3419.
Embassy of Ethiopia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 3542.
Embassy of Ethiopia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 678 7062.

Foreign Embassies in Ethiopia

United States Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 517 4000.
British Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 661 2354.
Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3022.
Canadian Embassy, Addis Ababa (also responsible for Australia): +251 (0)11 371 3022.
South African Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)11 371 3034.
Irish Embassy, Addis Ababa: +251 (0)1 466 5050.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Jan 7th Ethiopian Christmas
Jan 19th Epiphany
Mar 2nd Battle of Adowa
April 6th Victory Day
May 6th May Day
Sept 11th New Year's Day
plus moveable Muslim holidays

Emergency 24-hour numbers:

Fire brigade (993)
Police (991)
Red Cross Ambulance service (992)

Medical services

Bethzatha Hospital (0115 514141; off Ras Mekonen Ave; 24hr) Private hospital recommended by embassies.
Ethio-Swe Dental Clinic (0116 614932; Bole Rd) Respected dental office.
Hayat Hospital (0116 624488; Ring Rd; 24hr) Respected and reliable. Consultations cost Birr 40.
St Gabriel Hospital (0116 613622; Djibouti St; 24hr) Private hospital with X-ray, dental, surgery and laboratory facilities. Consultations cost Birr50.

Addis Ababa Restaurants

1. 17 17
This local, atmospheric option is usually alive with action. The food isn't the best, but it's filling and cheap. Look for lights in a tree next to a well-lit butcher.
2. Addis Ababa Restaurant
Feeling like a neglected museum, this long-standing Piazza favourite continues to churn out great Ethiopian dishes and pure tej (it has its own brewery).
3. Agelgil
Off Meskal Flower Rd, tucked down a dirt track next to the railway tracks, is this great option. There's live dancing and music every night (except Wednesday) at 19:00 .
4. Aladdin
An Armenian restaurant serving mouth-watering hummus, tabouleh and kuefteh (spicy meatballs).
5. Blue Tops Restaurant
Opposite the National Museum, and the haunt of expats, this airy restaurant serves flavourful pastas (some vegetarian options), calzones and heavenly ice-cream sundaes. Pizzas join the parade evenings and at lunch Sunday.
6. Café Miru
Besides great pastries, cakes and coffee, the upper section serves some decent meals.
7. City Café & Pastry
Educated in the art of apple strudel and other delicious delicacies while in the States, the owner produces some of Addis' best pastries.
8. Dashen Traditional Restaurant
The soft lighting and intimate surrounds are perfect for your first awkward attempts at injera . It saved us from embarrassment after accidentally inhaling berbere - don't ask! It's off Itegue Taitu St.
9. Habesha Restaurant
For a meal that looks as good as it tastes, come to this fashionable Bole eatery where serving is an art form. There's also live music and traditional dancing every night at 20:00
10. Jewel of India
Another great Indian eatery, with more than 150 dishes.
11. Kaldi's Coffee
While lawyers may eventually kibosh Kaldi's Starbucks-like sign, logo, interior, uniforms and menu, thirsty expats dropping around Br14 for fabulous frappuccinos will ensure Kaldi's contagious coffee lives on.
12. Le Jardin
Mmm… pizza.
13. Leah's House British Restaurant
Wield your fork like a Brit possessed and massacre Cornish pasties, full English breakfasts or a steak-and-kidney pies. It's the real deal - enjoy!
14. Lime Tree
Tuck into a pita stuffed with tabouleh or falafel, or savour a chicken coconut curry. Its creative juices are thirst slayers.
15. Pasticceria Gelateria - Roby's Pastry
Doles out refreshing homemade ice cream and mouth-watering cakes.
16. Raizel Café
This slick modern café speedily serves tasty cheese burgers, tuna melts, French fries and breakfast omelettes.
17. Ristorante Castelli
Famous clientele and fabulous Italian fare. We joyfully devoured the fettuccine al tartufo (fettuccini in truffle sauce) at this Piazza palace.
18. Sangam Restaurant
If you've got a craving for a cracking curry, try this atmospheric option.
19. Serenade
Tucked up a dark cobblestone alley in eastern Piazza is this magnificent Mediterranean eatery. Peruse the creative menu, laden with succulent treats like braised lamb with caramelized onions, lentils, lemon and raisin orange couscous. There are vegetarian delights and divine desserts.
20. Shangri-la Restaurant
An atmospheric place for tere sega (raw meat), which is available on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There's an outdoor dining area and a cosy bar serving quality tej.