Ethiopia Travel Guide
Ethiopia is a land steeped in history and tradition, with modern cities and tiny villages, each with its own unique customs and traditions. An Ethiopia tour might include visits to:

• Axum - Ethiopia's most ancient city and once capital of the great Aksumite Empire.
• St. Mary's Church - Where the Ark of the Covenant is said to be housed.
• Lalibela - Magnificent rock-hewn churches which were built by hand between 800 and 1200 AD and are still active worship places.
• Addis Ababa - With a population well over 3 million people, Ethiopia's capital city is full of museums and top destinations for Africa explorers.
• Bale Mountain National Park - An excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts, this is home to the Ethiopian wolf, Bale monkey, and Harenna chameleon, and considered one of the top birding destinations in all of Africa.

5 Interesting Facts About Ethiopia

1. The particular calendar of Ethiopia 
The Ethiopian calendar features13 months per year in its calendar, hence its tourist slogan, “thirteen months of sunshine.”

2. About 70% of Africa's mountains are found in Ethiopia.

3. A capital city near the sky
Addis Ababa, the fourth-highest capital city in the world, is located 2,355 meters above sea level.

4. Lucy, the grandmother of the world
Lucy is the oldest fossil of a human ancestor and was found in Ethiopia.

5. The Origin of Coffee
It is believed that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi some 400 years ago.

Ethiopia At a Glance:

Population: 102.3 million

Language: Oromo (official working language in the State of Oromiya) 33.8%, Amharic (official national language) 29.3%, Somali (official working language of the State of Sumale) 6.2%, Tigrigna (Tigrinya) (official working language of the State of Tigray) 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar (official working language of the State of Afar) 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Opuuo 1.2%, Kafa 1.1%, other 8.1%, English (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic (2007 est.)

Religion: Ethiopian Orthodox 43.5%, Muslim 33.9%, Protestant 18.5%, traditional 2.7%, Catholic 0.7%.

Literacy Rate: 49% (57% male, 41% female)

President: Mulatu Teshome Wirtu (since 7 October 2013)

Currency: Ethiopian birr



 

How Much Does an Ethiopia tour Cost?

Ethiopia is a relatively inexpensive country to travel to compared to others in the region. Prices for trips to Ethiopia can vary and range from around $2000 depending on what you want to see and how long you intend to stay.

Prices may also vary according to the type of tour you want to take.

In addition, our expert travel consultants are always available to help you choose the best option to fit your budget.

9 things to know before traveling to Ethiopia

Do I need a visa to travel to Ethiopia?
You will need a passport with 6 months of validity, a tourist visa (which you can purchase upon arrival in the airport for $50-$70) and a World Health Organization Card with a Yellow Fever Vaccination.

Is tipping customary in Ethiopia?
Tips are definitely not an expectation in Ethiopia, but if you experience great service in a place, you can leave a few dollars or up to 10%. Otherwise it's not necessary.

What is internet access like in Ethiopia?
Don't count on accessing the internet while on your trip. You might find a hotel or café with internet access in the more developed areas, but it's not likely since our tours tend to stay in the more remote parts of Ethiopia.

Can I use my cell phone while in Ethiopia?
Realistically, you won't be within range of the towers to get a good signal on your phone. In the event of an emergency, there are ways to contact home or other areas.

Do I need power adapters?
In Ethiopia, you will find types C, E, F, and L throughout the country, with 220-240v power, meaning you will definitely need plug adapters and for devices that can only support 110v, you will need a step down converter as well.

What are the toilets like in Ethiopia?
While there are many places throughout Ethiopia that have squat toilets, all of our featured hotels have western style bowl toilets. Make sure to throw the used toilet paper in the waste basket next to the toilet rather than in the bowl.

Can I drink the water in Ethiopia?
The tap water in Ethiopia is not safe to drink, so stick to the free bottled or filtered water provided by your tour operator.

Are credit cards accepted in Ethiopia? Will I be able to find ATMs?
Credit cards and ATMs aren't particularly accessible in Ethiopia, especially on our tours since we visit such isolated parts of the country, so we recommend withdrawing enough cash for souvenirs and tips when you get to the airport and enjoying the all-inclusive nature of your Adventure Life trip.

Should I purchase travel insurance?
You should always purchase insurance before going on vacation, just in case. We offer some great promotions via TravelGuard on our Once You're Booked page.