Ethiopia Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org

Travel Notes: Africa: Ethiopia Travel Notes

Ethiopia tourist information with details about travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected Ethiopia links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel.

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Ethiopia Country Information

Ethiopia was formerly known as Abyssinia. See also Eritrea.

Countries neighbouring Ethiopia are: Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea.

Traditional agriculture and the raising of livestock are the main economic activities of Ethiopia, and trade by barter is still common in many local markets.

Weather in Ethiopia

View a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa Weather, Asmera Weather.

Getting Around Ethiopia

Ethiopia has recently secured substantial grants for the renovation of its road and rail network, but improvement will take time.

Ethiopia by Road

A little over 4,000 kilometres of the roads are covered, while some 19,000 kilometres remain gravel and dry-weather roads.

The terrain makes overland travel difficult, and you will probably have to fly to some parts of the country.

A main road runs from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya.

Ethiopia by Rail

A railway line links Addis Ababa with Djibouti (about 780 kilometres), for freight and passenger traffic.

Railway enthusiasts who wish to travel by train from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa or on to Djibouti should be prepared for delays and run down carriages.

Ethiopia by Air

The main international airport is in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines:
From its hub at Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines serves 42 international and 30 domestic stations.

Visas are required by all visitors to Ethiopia, except the nationals of Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya and Sudan.

Ethiopian Mapping Authority:
Provider of maps and geo-information in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Embassies

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, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, 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, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States.

Embassy of Ethiopia in China:
The Embassy of Ethiopia in China is also accredited to Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Embassy of Ethiopia in Sweden:
Ethiopian Embassy, Löjtnantsgatan 17, Box 10148, 115 50 Stockholm.

Embassy of Ethiopia in United Kigdom:
The Embassy of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in the United Kingdom, is located at 17 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PZ.

Embassy of Ethiopia in Wasghington DC:
Enhancing the already strong and longstanding ties between Ethiopia and the United States.

Embassy of Israel in Addis Ababa:
Higher 16, Kebele 22, House no. 283, Addis Ababa.

Addis Ababa

Founded in 1887, by Emperor Menelik II, by the site of a hot spring, Addis Ababa means new flower in Amharic.

When in the capital, visit the Emperor Menelik II Palace, Africa Hall, the octagon-shaped St. George Cathedral, and the National Archaeological Museum.

About Addis Ababa:
With a population of more than two million people, Addis Ababa is not only the political capital but also the economic and social nerve-centre of Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce:
As information is of critical importance to the success of business, the AACC provides its members with a broad range of business information, creating an environment in which business in Addis Ababa can develop and grow at a much faster pace.

Embassy of Canada in Ethiopia:
The Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa also covers the country of Djibouti.

Hotels in Addis Ababa.

Weather in Addis Ababa:
Five day weather outlook for the capital of Ethiopia.

Lake T'ana

The secession of Eritrea in 1993 has left Ethiopia without a coastline, although you can always visit Lake T'ana in the north of the country; where the Blue Nile rises.

Explore the colourful churches on the islands.

The Blue Nile, known as the Abbai in Ethiopia, contributes a large part of the Nile's water when it joins the White Nile at Khartoum, in Sudan.

Aksum

Here lies the Ark of the Covenant, or so it's claimed, in the Church of St. Mary of Zion.

The ancient kingdom of Aksum was founded after people from Sheba crossed the Red Sea in the 1st millennium BC and defeated the Hamites.

King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba were their ancestors.

Around Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a magnificent cultural heritage, seven of these are included in the world cultural heritage list.

Major Tourist Attractions in Ethiopia:
The Simien National Park;
The Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela;
Castles of Gondar and other monuments of Gonder Style;
Lower Valley of the Awash palaeontological and prehistoric sites;
Tiya pre-historical and archaeological sites in central Tigray;
Axum historical and archaeological sites in central Tigray;
Valley of the Omo, palaeontological and prehistoric sites.

Ethiopia's Historic Route:
A brief look at the historical cities of Axum, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Lalibela, the monastery of Debre Damo and the Simien National Park.

Harar and Dire Dawa:
A railway line runs from Dire Dawa which is part of the line stretching from Addis Ababa to Djibouti; it was built at the beginning of the 20th century with the co-operation of the French government.

Omo Valley and Rift Valley Lakes:
Located on the west bank of the river Omo and running next to the border with the Sudan, in the Caffa region, is the Omo National Park. The park is little-known, still wild and home to a large variety of animals.

Tourism Ethiopia:
Many people visit Ethiopia - or hope to do so one day - because of the remarkable manner in which ancient historical traditions have been preserved.

Ethiopian Language and Culture

Amharic is the official language in Ethiopia, although English, and Arabic are widely spoken.

Ethiopian Diaspora:
Mobilising Ethiopians living abroad for the development of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Accommodation

If it's luxury you want, then there is a Hilton in the capital, Addis Ababa. In the tourist class bracket, try the Hotel Ethiopia or the Wabi Shebelle.

The Ghion Hotels, around the country, are state-owned, but services in them can be sporadic.

Hotels in Addis Ababa

Hilton Addis Ababa: (Hotel Details)
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Corner of Menelik II Avenue, Addis Ababa.
Located on a 6-hectare site in the heart of the city, Hilton Addis Ababa is an ideal base for business as well as for exploring Ethiopia's many historic sites. The hotel’s architecture echoes that of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

Sheraton Addis: (Hotel Details)
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Taitu Street, Addis Ababa.
Set in mountainous countryside, 7,800 feet above sea level, the Sheraton Addis is the first hotel in Africa to join The Luxury Collection. The hotel is opposite the National Palace, 7km from Bole International Airport, and provides easy access to the city's commercial districts, UNECA Headquarters, United Nations Conference Centre, AU Headquarters, as well as most business establishments and non-Governmental Organisations. Elegant guest rooms, exceptional recreational and meeting facilities and an extraordinary selection of fine restaurants make the Sheraton Addis the ideal African luxury.

Food and Drink

With people from so many different ethnic groups, the food and drinks of Ethiopia are varied.

A typical dish is Wot, a hot spicy stew of meat or vegetables, seasoned with a blend of Berbere. It is often made with Doro (Chicken) and normally served with injera; the traditional spongy pancake made from a fermented teff flour batter.

In most good restaurants, or in the local coffee house, you will find delicious dishes that reflect the customs and the ingredients of the region.

In Addis Ababa, as in most of the larger cities, visitors will also find a wide range of restaurants that reflect the influences of other cuisines. All large hotels have international restaurants, but elsewhere in the city you can sample Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Greek and other cuisines.

Ethiopia produces its own wines. Dukam and Gouder are fine reds, Axumite is sweeter and Crystals is a dry white wine.

Ethiopia's famous honey wine, or Tej, is found all over the country as is Tela, a local beer and Katikala, a distilled liquor.

Sent in by: Desale Mitiku.

Ethiopia Tours

Ethiopian Excursions:
Private tour company, registered with the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry, working hard to develop the tourism sector, help the local community and promote Ethiopia as a land of wilderness and discovery.

Grand Holidays Ethiopia Travel:
Tailor-made itineraries to meet your timetable, special needs and interests; with a mix of activities from bird watching and historical tours to trekking and botany.

Kibran Tour and Travel Ethiopia:
Kibran Tour and Travel Ethiopia is a private tour operator, founded in 1999, with its head office in Addis Ababa. Services include cultural/historical tours, nature tours, trekking, photographic safaris, rafting, renting of off-road vehicles with driver and hotel reservations.

Ethiopia Travel Guides

Books on Ethiopia Travel:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in Ethiopia.