Travel facts on Ethiopia, Visa & Insurance requirements, accommodation, food, tipping, health care, medical services, in all about travel in Ethiopia.
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Ethiopia is an independent Federal Democratic Republic with a President as head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The constitution was established in 1994, following the over-throw of the Mengistu military dictatorship in 1991.
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Visas
A visa to enter Ethiopia as a visitor is required, as is a passport valid for at least six months after the end of your tour. The passport must also have a blank page for each visa required. Visas can be collected from the airport on arrival for a fee, but you must carry at least 2 passport photos.
There is also an Airport tax payable on departure from Addis Ababa.
It is recommended that you take photocopies of your passport, visas, insurance and any other essential travel documents, kept separately, in case of loss or damage of the originals. This will make it easier to replace them if you have copies.
Travel & Medical Insurance
Travel insurance is required for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover trips cancelled or cut short, the cost of returning home, personal accident and medical expenses including air ambulance. If trekking the insurance should also cover the cost of helicopter mountain rescue.
If you intended to do other activities like horse riding or white water rafting you should also ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for these types of pursuits.
Photography and Filming
It should be remembered that sometimes it can cause offence to take photographs without first asking permission, particularly in Afar and the Omo valley where the people may ask for money.
Photography in churches is generally allowed but in the more famous tourist attractions like the Blue Nile Falls you can expect to be charged.
In some areas such as airports and around military camps photography may be prohibited altogether. Taking photographs or filming army, police or official personnel or government buildings can result in a penalty and having your film and/or camera confiscated.
Photographers should bring enough stocks of film as brands can be limited and could be more expensive than when purchased before you travel.
Those bringing video cameras and battery chargers should also bring the necessary electrical adaptors (see the Electrical Section) and spare long-life batteries as electricity will not always be available.
Accommodation
Addis Ababa has many top class and tourist hotels. The top two 5 star hotels are the Hilton and the Sheraton. Elsewhere the standards vary immensely but overall, rooms are clean, comfortable and many come with en suite toilet and shower.
