Ethiopia Visitor Information

Ethiopia is a remarkably easy country to visit, and nearly all of the country is quite safe for foreigners of all nationalities. Hospitality and generosity are traits almost universal to the entire nation. As with many countries, there are areas best avoided by tourists. In Ethiopia, we advise against travel to a few remote border areas and do not offer any tours to these areas.

Time and Calendar

Ethiopians follow the ancient 13 month Ge’ez calendar which is 7 1/2 years behind the Gregorian Calendar. Ethiopians celebrated their millennium in 2007. Banks, airlines, and major businesses follow the Gregorian, not the Ge’ez calendar.

Ethiopa follows East Africa Time (GMT+3)
Current Time:

Many Ethiopians add six hours to their clocks and watches. Instead of breakfast at 7:00am, Ethiopians will call this time 1:00. Noon becomes 6:00 and so on. Banks, airlines, etc. do not add six hours, but if you make an appointment with an Ethiopian, its a good idea to clarify which time they are using.

Ethiopian Airlines is one of the best carriers in Africa with an impeccable safety record.

Airlines Flying to Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines
Lufthansa
United Air (with codeshare)
Emirates
Turkish Airlines
Kenyan Airways
Gulf Air
Egypt Airways

Ethiopia uses standard 220 volt electricity at 50 Hz per second. Wall outlets are almost all the “two-prong round” type.

Roads in Ethiopia continue to improve and asphalt roads now connect all the major towns. There are still some rough patches so you will want to be in one Awaze's reliable tour vehicles.

Ethiopia's Climate

Although it’s near the equator, much of Ethiopia’s climate is very pleasant due to the high altitude. In the Ethiopian highlands (the historic north route), temperatures average between 15˚C (60˚F) and 27˚C (80˚F). However, temperatures can get surprisingly cool at night. In the south (Omo Valley tours) temperatures can approach 32˚C (90˚F). For trekking in either the Simien Mountains or Bale Mountains, you should be prepared for cold nights so be sure to bring clothes you can “layer” on as you need them.

For most of Ethiopia, the rains are more frequent in June, July, and August.
The rainy season in the south (Omo Valley) is in April and May.
We do not travel to the Afar (Danakil Depression) region from late May until mid September due to the very high temperatures.
We do not offer treks in the Simien Mountains and Bale Mountains from June until early September due to the rains.

Addis Ababa Current Weather:

Altitudes of Cities and Towns

Town	Meters Above Sea Level	Feet Above Sea Level
Addis Ababa	2,355 meters	7,726 feet
Arba Minch	1,285 meters	4,216 feet
Axum	2,131 meters	6,991 feet
Bahar Dar	1,840 meters	6,037 feet
Debark	2,235 meters	7,333 feet
Dinsho	1,636 meters	5,367 feet
Dire Dawa	1,276 meters	4,186 feet
Gondar	2,233 meters	7,326 feet
Harar	1,885 meters	6,184 feet
Hawassa	1,708 meters	5,604 feet
Hawzen	2,105 meters	6,906 feet
Lalibela	2,630 meters	8,629 feet
Langano	1,585 meters	5,200 feet
Mekele	2,084 meters	6,837 feet
Jinka	1,490 meters	4,888 feet
Shashemene	1,924 meters	6,312 feet
Turmi	929 meters	3,047 feet
Yabello	1,857 meters	6,093 feet

Hotels and Lodges

The quality and number of hotels has increased significantly in the past decade. In Addis Ababa and around most of the major tourist sites, visitors can enjoy western-standard hotels. However, in some of the rural areas, visitors should be prepared for more rustic accommodations.

Abay Minch Lodge in Bahar Dar.

View from Gondar's Goha Hotel.

Lobby at the Haile Resort in Hawassa.

The dining room and bar at Dire Dawa's Samrat Hotel.

Twin bedroom at the Gheralta Lodge in Tigray.

View from a bedroom at Lalibela's Panoramic View Hotel

Bedroom at the Planet Hotel in Mekele.

Twin room at Addis Ababa's Friendship Hotel.

Dining room at the Lima Limo Lodge in the Simien Mountains.