Capital: Addis Ababa
Time zone: GMT + 3
Telephone services: Country Code: 251
Outgoing Code: Operator assistance required for outgoing international calls.
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.
Tourist information: Ethiopian Commission Tourism PO Box 2183, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: (1) 517 470 Fax: (1) 513 899.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return ticket required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.
Visa information: Required by all. Business and Tourist granted. Transit passengers who do not leave the airport do not need a visa.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all arrivals over one year of age arriving from infected areas. However everyone is advised to have the vaccination for travel outside the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Hepatitis, Rabies, Meningitis are present. Anti Tetanus injection is also recommended.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Ethiopian Birr (Br)=100c
US currency is the most convenient. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to Br100. Foreign currency is unlimited but must be declared on arrival.
MasterCard and Diners Club are accepted in the capital only. Traveller’s cheques have limited acceptance. US Dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: Prices are generally lower than in surrounding countries.
Languages: Amharic. English is the second official language. Italian and French also spoken
Weather: Lowlands – hot and humid, Warm in hill country and cool in the uplands.
Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.
Post: Approximately 2 weeks.
Transport: FLIGHTS: Erratic internal flights operate to over 40 towns. ROADS: A good network of all weather roads exist. BUSES: Connect all larger towns and cities. TAXIS: Fares should be agreed in advance.
Special information: HIGH RISK: Because of the continuing tensions with Eritrea visitors are advised against all but essential travel. The security situation could change at any time in other parts of the country. The border with Sudan is closed and travel across the border to Somalia is also effectively prevented. Before travel to and from Kenya seek advise from the FCO and take local advice. Mugging and hijacking is increasingly posing a threat. Tourists should confine themselves to recognised tourist areas and avoid travel after dark. Travelling alone is discouraged. Casual wear is suitable for most places. NOTE: Ethiopia uses the pre-Julian Solar calendar with 12 months of 30 days and the thirteenth month of 5 or 6 days. It is important to check dates before travelling. For further information see FCO site.