Ancient Ethiopia Tour

Good to Know

Travel Information

Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Ethiopia.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry, with at least two blank pages. You will need a valid visa, obtainable from the official Ethiopian e-visa platform or your nearest Ethiopian Embassy before travelling – you must show a valid visa before boarding your flight and on entry. The penalty for overstaying is $10 per person per day, payable in full before you can leave the country.

Ethiopia is religiously diverse and largely tolerant, but respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions, particularly during Ramadan or when visiting Ethiopian Orthodox sites – modest dress is a must at religious sites, and women may prefer to dress modestly in rural areas generally. Homosexual acts are illegal, carrying penalties of 1-15 years imprisonment – avoid public displays of affection. It is illegal to photograph near military zones or personnel, the Presidential Palace, or anywhere signs prohibit it. It is illegal to carry more than 3,000 Ethiopian Birr (10,000 if travelling to Djibouti) when entering or leaving the country – excess cash will be seized and may lead to prosecution. You need an export certificate to take antiques out of the country, and owning ivory is strictly prohibited. Drug offences are treated seriously – khat is legal within Ethiopia but illegal to take out of the country, and bags are regularly searched at the airport. Satellite phones and binoculars cannot be imported without prior approval.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Only private hospitals in Addis Ababa offer a reasonable standard of basic care, with medical facilities extremely poor outside the capital – carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling beyond Addis Ababa, and make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds for medical treatment, air ambulance evacuation and repatriation. Malaria is common below 2,000m, and bilharzia is present in most Ethiopian lakes – check before swimming, and drink only boiled or bottled water. Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa.

What to Bring

Lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing (cotton and natural fibres are best) that appropriately covers the body when in the company of local communities – it doesn't need to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful. Walking shoes or boots plus sandals are the ideal footwear.

Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack – you're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself; a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a sunhat, sun cream, a torch, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, a power adapter, and earplugs if you're a light sleeper.

While You're There

The Ethiopian Birr is the local currency. You may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, but it must be declared on arrival on the blue customs form, and foreign currency may only be exchanged at authorised banks and hotels – keep your exchange receipts, as you'll need them to change any leftover Birr back at the airport before departure. Ethiopia is largely a cash-based society – credit cards are accepted at very few outlets in Addis Ababa, and international debit cards work at major banks' ATMs in the capital, but banking facilities are very limited elsewhere, so carry enough cash before travelling beyond Addis Ababa.

The best time to visit is January to March, with regular daily temperatures around 25°C and peak wildlife spotting, though this is also the busiest season. The rainy season (April-September) brings soaring temperatures and humidity, with some Lower Omo Valley roads impassable May-August. October to December is an excellent time to visit, with lush countryside and fewer crowds, though highland nights can drop to 5-10°C, so pack warm clothing. Ethiopia uses a 220V/50Hz supply with type C/E/F/L plugs – bring an adapter, as they can be hard to find locally. Internet is available in most cities, though connections can be unstable, especially outside major towns.