We will start our Ethiopia Travel Tips by talking about this country. It is surrounded by a land nation divided by the great rift highlands in the African continent. The word “Ethiopia” arises from the Greek term Aitho and Ops, which together indicate “burnt face”. The total population of this state is about 101 million folks.
The overall territory surface of this state is approximately 1,000,000 km2. Addis Ababa is the capital of this state, and it indicates “white flower.” it is the sole nation in Africa that has never been officially colonized. However, it had to overthrow the Italians two times in order to stay free.
It is a gateway to the river of the Blue Nile, that along with the White Nile, forms the Nile River, the biggest river in the globe. Moreover, around 70% of the highlands of Africa are located in the territory. it ‘s occasionally named “the roof of Africa.”
Coffee was initially found by an Ethiopian goatherd called Kaldi in the Kaffa area, from that the term “coffee” can be derived. Time is recorded uniquely in this nation as they consider 6 p.m as 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. as 10:00 p.m. The calendar of this corner of the globe is of 13 months. They are around 8 years behind the normal calendar date.
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Ethiopia
- Addis Ababa
- Axum (Aksum)
- Bahar Dar
- Feeding Hyenas in Harar
- Gateway to Somaliland
- Gondar
- Lalibela
- Simien Mountains
- The Omo Valley
- Lake Tana
- Blue Nile Falls
- Erta Ale
- Danakil Depression
- Ras Dashen
Languages
The primary and main language of this country is Amharic. While hardly 29 percent of the population speaks Amharic. According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, the other tongue Oromo has the highest percentage of users. There are more than 82 tongues and 200 accents or different forms spoken in the part of the world. The tongues of Ethiopia are split into four main categories including Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic, and Nilo-Saharan.
While Amharic is a Semitic tongue, that comes right beside Arabic as perhaps the most talked Semitic tongue. However, certain overseas languages, such as English, Arabic, Italian, and French, are commonly heard in this country.
Currency & Banking
Ethiopian Birr is the primary and main currency of Ethiopia. While 1 Birr is equivalent to 100 santims. The bank issues note in denominations of 1, 5,10,50 & 100. Whereas, the coin comes in denominations of 1,5,10,25,50 santim and 1 Birr. Most businesses in this nation take cash only. However, only several locations, such as hotels, stores, shopping centers, and eateries in urban centers, take credit cards.
The primary bank’s Machine in the capital accepts cards. In certain towns, there are quite minimal financial services institutions. Before you move beyond urban centers, please ensure you have a sufficient reserve of currency. As the country is poor USD 100 can buy you much more than it can in the USA.
Tourist Visa
According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, Indian folks need a visa to visit this location.
Documents required for the visa
- Valid passport with validity of 6 months
- Visa application form
- 2 passport size photo
- Confirmed round-trip air ticket
- Sufficient funds
- Bank statement
- Overseas travel insurance
Time Zone
The time zone at this location is (GMT+3)
Best Time to Visit
The perfect opportunity to explore Ethiopia is between mid-October and March. It’s a dry period in this part of the world. Rainfall generally stops at the beginning of October. After that, the mountains are picturesque, ideal for hiking between beautiful wildflowers. From November to January, the state remained busier as it was the peak visitor period.
Throughout this time, the country is hosting several very joyful festivities. It comprises the Timkat celebration in January, admired by the Orthodox Christians to the Hidar Tsion. Most individuals are avoiding to travel in the monsoon season.
Emergency Numbers
- Police: 911 or 991
- Fire: 939
- Medical: 907
- Traffic Police: 945
Internet
The Internet speed in Ethiopia is below average and the prices are higher. You can buy SIM cards for your phone from the airport or one of many retailers all over this nation. All you need is the passport to get the sim card in this country. While Ethio Telecom is the only major internet service provider in this location.
According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, the areas with free wifi hotspots are restaurants, hotels, airports, and popular tourist places. Whereas about 35 percent of the population has internet access. Throughout this state’s villages, you will face problems, the connection is not so decent in most places.
Electricity
The default voltage is 220 V and the default frequency is 50 Hz. There are 4 kinds of electric plugs & Sockets- form C, E, F, and L. Moreover, form C has two round links whereas form F has two round links with 2 grounding clips on the edge. Form E has two round links and a hole for the male grounding link. Form L has three round links.
However, you can use your power equipment in this location if the normal voltage in your area is between 220 240 V. Although it is advisable to carry a travel adapter to stay connected with the world. According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, power-cuts usually happen in this part of the world, even in the major cities.
Climate
Ethiopia has a moderate atmosphere. the main law of the Ethiopian atmosphere is that it differs widely depending on the elevation. In this nation, moving from one region to another can imply changing from 15 C to 35 C in a couple of moments. However, the capital Addis Ababa is situated at an altitude of 7,726 feet. The atmosphere stays fairly mild all year round.
Although in the warmest month (March to May), peak heights barely reach 25 C. Whereas the typical regular conditions in the extreme south, extreme west and far east of the nation frequently reach 85F (30C). The dry period in this area is usually November and February.
Although the highlands are particularly pleasant at this moment of the year, open sky and picture-enhancing sunlight. The monsoon season of Ethiopia starts in April and finishes in September. According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, July and August are the rainiest periods in this region.
Reasons to Travel
- Lower Omo Valley
- Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches
- Sheba and the Ark
- The food
- The coffee ceremony
- The Tolkien-esque Gondar
- Simien Mountains
- The vibrant capital
- Blue Nile Falls
- Great wildlife
History
It is assumed that the oldest Egyptians discovered Punt. It was regarded as the Gold Nation in 980 BC in Ethiopia. Menelik I, as per the Kebra Nagast, built the Ethiopian kingdom in the 1st-millennium bc. Almost about when the Axumite Dynasty was founded. The monastic institutions shifted even further south. The main church was built in the ninth century close lake Hayk.
In the Zagwe center of Roha (Lalibela), King Lalibela (reigned c. 1185–1225) ordered 11 churches to be hewn entirely of the living mountain. It’s a stunning Christian sculpture. In 1270 the honorable leader of the territory of Shewa, Yekuno Amlak, rose up.
The family history of the new Solomonic empire was authored at the beginning of the fourteenth century in the Kebra Negast (“Glory of the Kings”). It’s a storyline of greats regarding the birth of Menilek I. In 1528, Emperor Lebna Denegel was vanquished in the war of Shimbra Kure. The Muslims were driving northward through the middle mountains.
Ultimately, in April 1853, in Takusa, Kassa crushed Ras (Prince) Ali. He was the final choice of the successions of the nobles of Oromo, who performed the main responsibility in the era of the Princes. According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, the Ethiopian king Menelik II became the first African to power a car in 1907.
Culture
Ethiopia is a mix-cultural, mix-ethnic region. Culture is a significant factor in the life of Ethiopians. This nation’s cuisine is usually a mix of vegetables and sometimes quite strong meat foods. In this nation, uncooked meat is popular as a staple food.
Doro wat, Kitfo and kocho, Shiro wat, Berber-spicy chicken and egg stew are the most popular food in this nation. Habesha kemis is the community ‘s widest famous costume for women. It is always a lengthy snow-white outfit with embroideries and a shawl popular as “netela.”
In certain areas of this nation, carrying a broad disk in the lower lip is famous as stunning. “Buhe” is the Ethiopian edition of Halloween, which takes place every year on the 19th of August. Timket, Enkutatash, Meskel are the nation’s other famous festivals.
Religion
Tewahedo, or the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is one of the earliest Christian sects in the globe. It originated from Egypt to this state, where the Christians rightfully belong to the Copt Church. Ethiopian king Haile Selassie I is popular between all adherents of the Jamaican Rastafarianism faith as the Son of God. Bob Marley was an excellently popular Rastafarian.
While the Rastafari ideology has built-in Jamaica, it has begun in this area. This was the first nation to have taken Muslims as a faith. It kept safe the Prophet Muhammad, his relatives, and his supporters. However, later They were oppressed and murdered by the pagan Arabs. The Garima Gospels, the earliest written Christian novel in the globe, is in this state.
It has been published about A.D. 494 by Abba Garima, a nobleman who came from Constantinople (Istanbul). It is center to Black Jews, identified as the Falashas or the Beta of Israel (House of Jerusalem). Numerous greats assume to be the missing ethnic group of Israel or the ancestors of emperor Solomon.
Ethiopia is described in the Bible forty times. It is among the few nations described in the bible, the Koran, the Odyssey of Homer, as well as several other holy writings. The Oromo faith in this area, whose creator is named Waka, is the earliest monotheistic faith in the globe.
Moses took 10 moral laws from them. Although Aksum is the site of an old civilization with its sculptures, statues, palaces, and the church of Our Lady Mary of Zion. There are currently 45 percent Orthodox, 30 percent Islam, 20 percent Protestant, 3 percent local, 1 percent Roman Catholic, and 1 percent others.
Packing Tips
- Passport & Travel map
- Backpack
- Personal toiletries
- Sunglasses
- Eyemask and earplugs set
- Comfortable Clothes
- Breathable tees
- Both sandals and closed-toe shoes
- Maps
- Black dress
- Kimono
- Chambray
- Flowy or linen pants
- Sunscreen
- Power Charger
- Toilet Paper
- Scarves
Is It Safe to Travel Ethiopia?
Yes, Ethiopia is harmless to journey comparison to several African nations. Although safety is often disputable in this nation. Nevertheless, Violence in this region is not as terrible as you might anticipate. Mass transit in this country is dangerous and visitors should be careful at all moments. Particularly when you’re on the streets in Ethiopia. While severe or aggressive violence is uncommon toward tourists, the nation is working on it. Thieves are common in this region and have rendered this practice an art form. Drought is the major natural hazards in this nation. Do not move to areas close to Somalia owing to possible social disorder with terrorist attacks and minefields.
There is a growing fraud by vehicles, informing car owners of a technical fault, or a flat tire, attempting to grab them to block their car. According to Ethiopia Travel Tips, It’s not a good spot for Solo Women Traveler. Similarly, It is best to refuse the drives of tourists or taxi drivers that are illegal. Please make careful to eliminate quiet sidewalks throughout the day and night. Don’t light your valuables or manage wealth in common.
Conclusion
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FAQs
Good Things about Ethiopia?
1. Mountains 2. Ancient Ruins 3. Beautiful Culture
Bad Things about Ethiopia?
1. Corruption 2. Political unrest 3. Ba Healthcare
Weird Things about Ethiopia?
1. A year is of 13 months in Ethiopia. 2. Only African state that never been under colonial control. 3. LGBT people can get arrested in this nation.
Ethiopia Travel Restrictions?
Ethiopia is not open for tourist. People traveling for essential reason are only allowed to enter with quarantine.
How many states in Ethiopia?
There are 10 States (regions) & 2 Special city areas in Ethiopia.
