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Tips for Travelers in Ethiopia

LAND; Ethiopia covers an area more larger than both France and Spain combined and nearly twice the size of Texas. About 65 percent of land is arable with 15 percent presently cultivated.

Climate; There are two seasons: the dry season, which prevails from October through May and the wet season from June to September.

Topography; Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2,000 and 3,000 meters in the north and in the center of the country there are some 25 mountains whose peaks rise over 4,000 meters. The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile (or Abbay), which runs a distance of 1,450 kilometers from the source in Lake Tana to join the White Nile at Khartoum.

Economy; About 90 percent of the population earns their living from the land mainly as subsistence farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and animal foodstuffs. There is also a thriving livestock export of beef and hides, etc.

Language; Ethiopia is a multi–ethnic country with a great variety of languages spoken, in which there are 83 with 200 varying dialects. The main three languages are Amharic Tigrigna and Orommigna .English is also widely spoken.

People; The population is estimated at 67 million, in which over 50 per cent are under 20 years old. The average number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 49.

Time; Ethiopia is in the GMT +3hours time zone .Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar

Electric supply; Ethiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.

Hotels; Addis Ababa, the capital, has hotels that catering to all budgets; from the luxurious Sheraton and Hilton hotels to the tourist-class hotels, such as the Ghion, the Ethiopia and the Wabi Shebelle.

Banking Hours; Banking hours are usually from 8.00am-4.00pm from Monday to Friday and from 8: 00am-11:00am on Saturdays. Closing times may be an hour later in some private banks. Most banks work through lunch time, however foreign exchange services are closed during lunch hours (12:00noon-1:00pm).

Communications; Telephone, fax and internet access is available in Addis Ababa in most hotels, also at the Ethiopian telecommunications Authority main office and there are private internet service centers situated around the city.

Courier and Money Transfer Services; Money transfer can be made through Western Union and Money Gram. Both have representative branches in Addis Ababa and their services are also available from private and national banks. For courier services, DHL, Fedex, TNT.and EMS all have offices in Addis Ababa .

Currency; The local currency is the Ethiopia Birr (ETB), Made up of 100 cents, Birr notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100, Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, but it must be declared on arrival to the customs authorities using the appropriate blue-colored form. Foreign currency may only be exchanged at authorized banks and hotels. Please note that a receipt must be obtained, along with the currency declaration form, as this will be required by customs on departure. Visitors may change back any surplus Ethiopian Birr for other currencies at the airport before departure. In addition to any Ethiopian Birr currency exchange you must bring all receipts of currency exchanges and any/all purchases in order to obtain any due tax refunds.

Public Holidays; Public holidays are celebrated according to the Ethiopian (Julian) Calendar which consists of twelve months of thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days (six days in a leap year). The calendar is seven years behind the western or Gregorian calendar, with New Year falling in the month of September.

September 11 - Ethiopian New Year

September 27 - The finding of the True Cross (Meskal)

*December 6 - id Al Fater

January 7 - Ethiopian Christmas

January 19 - Ethiopian Epiphany

*February 11 - id AL Adaha

March 2 - Victory of Adwa

April 25 - Ethiopian Good Friday

April 27 - Ethiopian Easter

May 1 - International Labour Day

May 5 - Ethiopian Patriots' victory day

May 13 - Moulid (Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed)

May 28 - Downfall of the Dergue Regime

*The holidays of id AL Fater and id Al Adaha have movable dates

Customs; Duty –free imports are permitted for up to:

•  200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or ½ lb of tobacco

•  2 liters of alcoholic beverages

•  Half-liter or two bottles of perfume.

Visitors may export souvenirs, although some articles (such as animal and antiques) require an export permit.

Health Requirements; Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever vaccination. A cholera vaccine is also necessary for any person who has visited or transited a cholera –infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.

Visa and Immigration requirements; Visa applications may be obtained at Ethiopia 's diplomatic missions overseas. However nationals of 33 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge. the list includes; Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and Citizens of United Kingdom and the United States. For China, including passports issued in Hong Kong (SAR China) and MACAO (SAR China), Visas are available on arrival.

Bole International Airport; The new Bole international Airport is situated 8 kilometer from the center of the city (a 15 minute drive under normal conditions). Paid parking, luggage carts and uniformed porters are available at the airport terminal.

Taxis; are readily available. The national Tour Operator (NTO) has yellow Mercedes sedans which can be ordered at their airport desk. The rates for these taxis are fixed and receipts will be given if requested, there are also privately –owned blue cabs and yellow cabs in abundance, but do these not have fixed rates, so establishing their fare is advisable before getting into the vehicle.

Foreign exchange service is available at the arrivals lounge.

Security at the airport is tight and travelers need to produce their air ticket and passport to enter the terminal building. All other visitors are required to pay a fee of two Ethiopian Birr at the booths located in the parking lot and must show identification cards at the guard post.

Airport Tax; Airport tax is levied on all non-transit passengers departing from Bole international Airport. This fee is collected at a booth in the checkin area. For international flights, Ethiopian passport holders and foreign passport holders who have identification cards, issued to foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin, issued by the Authority for Security Immigration & Refugee Affairs) are charged ETB 100.00, all other foreign passport holders are charged USD $20.00. For domestic flights all passengers are charged ETB 10.00.

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