Ethiopia

about ethiopia

A real time travel, this is the feeling of anyone traveling through Ethiopia, the oldest country in the world. You will have the unique opportunity to connect with our ancestors and get to know the place where potentially the man sapien s originated. Few people are aware of Ethiopian wealth, which goes far beyond the stereotypes of hunger and poverty.

There are not only archaeological relics, it will be an immersion in culture, religion, many legends and also history. Known as the Peoples Museum , the country represents a great linguistic mosaic, with more than 83 different languages, about 200 dialects, where its inhabitants worship different religions and preserve ancient customs.

A land with many mysteries, but with a rich cultural heritage and a lot of identity, which turns it into a fascinating destination with wonderful tourist attractions and nature in its pure state. Don’t miss the national parks, museums, the traditions of the local tribes, the impressive churches carved in the rocks, castles, the centuries-old monasteries full of paintings and treasures.

The nation is still the political heart of the African continent. Addis Ababa is the Ethiopian capital and means “ new flower ”, in Amharic, the official language. A pleasant, cosmopolitan city with more modern features, it has wide avenues of jacarandas and one of the largest open air markets in Africa.

geography

 With an area of 127 thousand km², Ethiopia is the size of France and Spain together or five times the size of the United Kingdom. It is the largest landlocked nation in Africa and the second most populous on the continent , with more than 97 million inhabitants.

The country is strategically located on the horn of Africa. Its proximity to the Middle East and Europe, together with its easy access to the main ports in the region, reinforces its international trade. It borders Sudan (to the west), Somalia and Djibouti (to the east), Eritrea (to the north) and Kenya (to the south). Ethiopia is divided into nine ethnically based administrative states and subdivided into 68 zones and two cities with special status: Addis Ababa, the capital, and Dire Dawa, the second largest city.

From the north and down to the center are the highlands of Abyssinia. Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau with variations in height between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. In the north and center of the country there are about 25 mountains whose peaks rise to more than 4 thousand meters. At 4,620 meters, Mount Ras Deshen is the highest peak in the country and the fourth largest in Africa . The center of the country is home to the Rift Valley depression, which divides the plateau diagonally. In the eastern region, there is also the Dancalia Plain, which at its bottom reaches 116 meters below sea level, and finally, the Ogaden region, in the southeast, formed by semi-desert plateaus.

vegetation

climate and best season for travel

Ethiopia’s climate is hot and humid and considered very mild. In the higher areas the temperature is around 17 ° C. However, in the western, eastern and southern plains, thermometers reach over 30 ° C.

There are basically three stations in Ethiopia. From September to February is the long dry season, followed by a short rainy season between March and April. May is a hot and dry month, as it precedes the long rainy season, which occurs between June and August. The lowest temperatures are generally recorded in December or January and the warmest in March, April or May. However, in many locations July has the lowest temperatures.

Outside the great rainy season it is recommended to visit the country because the highlands are already very green, with many flowers and it is possible to take long walks to enjoy the scenery.

languages

Ethiopia is a country of enormous diversity and this results in 80 languages ​​and more than 200 dialects. Amharic or Amharigna is the official language , although the government encourages the learning of local languages ​​in schools. The working languages ​​of national / regional governments differ by region. Among other main languages ​​are: Oromigna and Tigrigna.

English is the most used language in business transactions , particularly in banking and insurance companies, in addition to being the means of instruction in secondary and higher education institutions. French, Italian and Arabic are also widely spoken in the country.

history

The great fossil discoveries place Ethiopia as the first home of humanity. The Awash Valley in Hadar became known for being the archaeological site where, in 1974, the skeleton of the famous Australopithecus Lucy , over 3.2 million years old, was found.

Prehistory begins with the ancient Australopithecus hominids and extends to the first inhabitants of the pre- Aksumites . This latter period also saw the arrival of the Afro-Asian language Ge’ez (precursor to Ethiopia’s three main Semitic languages) and Judaism. The most famous relic of that moment is the impressive stone temple of Yeha .

At the turn of the first millennium, the first Ethiopian reign was Aksumite and its capital located in Aksum , was strategically conceived as an important trade route. This civilization was very rich, advanced, well-organized, they were the first Africans to coin coins, erected fascinating monuments (which can still be seen today in Aksum) and were powerful enough to take military expeditions to southern Arabia. The kingdom experienced its peak between the 3rd and 6th centuries when it became a regional commercial power, but in the 7th century it began to decline.

In the 12th century, the Zagwe Dynasty was the next to rule and its capital was located in Adafa, close to Lalibela. Although the Zagwe Dynasty, considered usurper because it did not show its descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, it reigned between the years 1137 and 1270 in some parts of the region where Ethiopia and Eritrea are currently located. Among its legacies are the amazing churches excavated in the rock of Lalibela . This period saw the arrival of Christianity and the Nine Saints. In 1270, the dynasty was overthrown by Yekuno Amlak; political power was shifted south to the historic province of Shoa . When Emperor Yekuno Amlak came to power, the Solomonic dynasty (1270-1636) was reestablished because Amlak claimed to be the linear descent of Menelik I, son of King Solomon and the queen of Sheba.

In the 14th century, the conquests of Amda Seyon, a cruel emperor, increased the size of Ethiopia. During the 16th century, Muslim leader Ahmad Gragn’s expeditions dominated much of Ethiopia. It all started when he ordered the Muslim Muslim from Adal not to pay tribute to the Christian Emperor of Ethiopia and this resulted in countless battles, in 1535 he had already invaded the cities of Dewaro, Shewa, Amhara, Lasta and Tigray. During the wars between Muslims and Christians, the empire and its culture were almost decimated, the Christian monarchy was almost wiped out, and the Muslim and once powerful state of Adal was in ruins. Many of the most beautiful churches and monasteries, together with their precious manuscripts, relics of the church and eregalia, have turned to ashes.

In 1636, following the old tradition of his ancestors, Emperor Fasiladas (also known as Fasil Gemb) decided to found a new capital: Gondar . At the end of the 17th century, Gondar was the center of the country’s power and boasted sumptuous parties, palaces, churches, beautiful gardens and extensive plantations. Among the buildings, the famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie stands out, which can be seen today. Outside of Gondar, some notable churches in historic monasteries on Lake Tana. Its thriving market has spawned wealthy Muslim traders across the country. The ” Era of Princes “, also called Zamana Masafent , was a brief period in the history of Ethiopia and marked by continuous wars of power, which lasted from 1769 to 1855. A notable figure of this period is the monastic evangelist Ewostatewos (Eustathius). The influence of the Gondar monarchy began to weaken in the early 18th century.

In the 17th century, most of Africa was not yet a colonial point. Ethiopia’s biggest enemy was Egypt, which had freed itself from Ottoman rule and was looking to expand south . The Egyptians attacked and land was confiscated in the north of the Tigray region, but French and British interventions helped to slow Egypt’s attempts at expansion.

After the fall of Gondar, Ethiopia was just like a set of separate and rival fiefdoms. That was until the middle of the 19th century, when Ethiopia’s dream of reunification began with the rules of Emperor Tewodros . His campaigns failed, but his legacy was continued by Yohannes IV , who won battles against Egyptians and made his army the first well-equipped force in Ethiopian history. But soon another power threatened: the Italians . The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 considerably increased the strategic value of the Red Sea, which once again became a gateway to the East.

Then Ethiopia’s dream of reunification and modernization continued with Menelik II , King of Shoa, who defeated the Italians in a decisive battle in Adwa . It was one of the biggest and most important battles in African history – listed among the few occasions when a colonial power was defeated by a native force. For the rest of Africa, Ethiopia has become a model of independence on a continent almost completely enslaved by colonialism. Menelik II left a very important legacy for the country, he left the capital Shoan of Ankober and soon founded Addis Ababa . During his reign, electricity and telephones were introduced, bridges, roads, schools and hospitals built, banks and established industrial companies. The greatest technological achievement of the time was the construction of the Ethiopian railway, which connected Addis Ababa to Djibouti.

Menelik II died in 1913 and Prince Lij Iyasu , his grandson, took over. Accused by the nobles of “renouncing the Christian faith”, the prince was deposed in 1921 and Empress Zewditu , daughter of Menelik, was proclaimed, and Ras Tafari (son of Ras Makonnen, cousin of Menelik) was proclaimed prince regent. Prince Ras Tafari was recognized in the field of foreign policy. In an attempt to improve the country’s international image, it managed to abolish the Ethiopian slave trade. In addition, it secured Ethiopia’s entry into the League of Nations. In November 1930, after the death of the empress, Tafari was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie . Selassie indirectly established a new faith, the Rastafarian religion . Ethiopia’s first written constitution was introduced, the emperor was granted absolute power and his body was even declared sacred. For the first time, the State of Ethiopia was really unified.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Ethiopia was the only state in Africa without a colonial dispute. However, its geographical position between the two Italian colonies (Eritrea and Somalia) was tempting, any Italian attempt to link its two colonies would require expansion into Ethiopia. When Mussolini took power, the inevitable happened. Beginning in 1933, in an effort to undermine the Ethiopian state, Italian agents were sent to subvert local chiefs, as well as to incite ethnic tensions. On October 3, 1935, the invasion began and the Italians were superior in both ground and air forces and invaded Ethiopia from Eritrea. First, the north of the city of Aksum surrendered and then Mekele. Soon Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia were united to become the colonial territory of Italian East Africa . The Ethiopian resistance peaked in February 1937. In retaliation, the Italians killed thousands of people and acted very brutally. “ The Patriots ‘ movement ” (the resistance fighters) was organized mainly in the historic provinces of Shoa, Gondar and Gojam, but it gained the support of all parts of the country, including many fighters were women.

World War II totally changed the course of events. Britain reversed its policy of tacitly supporting East African expansion in Italy and initially offered assistance to Ethiopia on the border with Sudan. Later, in early 1941, Britain launched three major attacks and managed to overcome the Italians and restore Haile Selassie to her throne. The British, who had entered Ethiopia as liberators, initially appeared to have simply replaced Italy as occupiers. They were treated as Anglo-Ethiopians in 1942, but the year 1944 was marked as the resumption of Ethiopia’s independence and post-war reconstruction. In 1952, Haile Selassie secured a federation with Eritrea, whose union was dissolved in 1962. This annexation triggered Eritrea’s War of Independence . In 1952, Addis Ababa became the headquarters of the Organization of African Union (OAU). In 1955, the Ethiopian constitution was revised. Although, for the first time, the legislator included an elected Chamber of Deputies, the government remained autocratic and the emperor remained in full power. Despite modernization, development was slow and the population began to be discontented also with the emperor’s autocratic rules.

Selassie’s reign came to an end in 1974, when a Marxist-Lenist military junta, called Derg , led by Mengistu Haile Mariam, overthrew him and established a one-party state. General Tafari Benti becomes head of state and the Provisional Military Administration Council under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mariam took over the country in 1977. From 1977 to 1991, this government fought against Eritrea, the Somali rebels, and its own people . The following year, Haile Selassie dies in mysterious circumstances.

In 1977, Benti dies and is replaced by Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam. The following years were a period known as ” Red Terror “, led by Mengistu, which killed thousands of government opponents. The TPLF party ( Popular Tigrayan Liberation Front) was fighting for regional autonomy. In 1977, Somalia invaded the Ogaden region of Ethiopia and the following year the Somali forces were defeated with the massive help of the Soviet Union and Cuba. In addition, in the early 1980s, a series of famine periods led to the death of one million Ethiopians. In 1987, Mengistu was elected president under a new constitution and only in 1988 did Ethiopia and Somalia sign a peace treaty.

In early 1991, the EPRDF party ( Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front ) forced Mengistu to flee the country. In the same year, Eritrea established its own provisional government, pending a referendum on independence. In 1993, a referendum was held and overseen by the United Nations mission and the majority of Eritrea’s population voted for independence, which was declared on May 24, 1993. The 1994 Ethiopian Constitution divided the country into nine ethnic-based regions, a year later Negasso Gidada became full president in 1995, and Meles Zenawi took over as prime minister. In 1998, the dispute over the Ethiopia-Eritrea border culminated in armed clashes. The following year, frontier clashes turn into a large-scale war. Girma Wolde-Giorgis was president of Ethiopia from 2001 to 2013, he was the second president since the founding of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia in 1995.

In April 2005, the first section of the Axum obelisk, looted by Italy in 1937, was returned to Ethiopia from Rome. The May 2005 elections guaranteed the return of the EPRDF party and put Zenawi in power as prime minister, even if the opposition, local media and international observers pointed to irregularities in the elections. The results led to a wave of protests and deaths. As if the internal political turmoil were not enough, relations with Eritrea also heated up in late 2005 and the troops once again organized themselves along the border, but the tension soon calmed down again.

Only in June 2000 did Ethiopia and Eritrea sign a ceasefire agreement. However, tens of thousands of people died in that conflict and negotiations on the demarcation of the border continued for some years. In April 2002, Ethiopia and Eritrea accepted a new common border, drawn up by an independent commission, although both sides subsequently claimed the city of Badme and tensions between countries remained, but without violence.

In May 2010, the EPRDF party won the majority in the parliamentary elections and secured a four-year term for PM Meles Zenawi, who was prime minister until 2012. The presidential election held on October 7, 2013, was the fourth presidential election of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to elect the country’s third president. Mulatu Teshome was elected by parliament for a six-year term and the current prime minister is Hailemariam Desalegn .

Instability has always been an enemy of Ethiopia, political, religious and ethnic, internal and external conflicts with Somalia and Eritrea further contribute to the economic backwardness and are responsible for the country’s low Human Development Index. The government still invests a lot in wars and the country’s infrastructure remains precarious.

visa

Ethiopia’s popularity as a holiday destination continues to grow. It is a truly breathtaking country and ideal for safari and wildlife-lovers. Thankfully getting there has never been easier.

There are 2 types of visas for tourists which are also very easy to obtain: the visa on arrival and the eVisa. Many nationalities are eligible for the visas on arrival which can only be secured at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The visas on arrival are valid for up to 3 months and allow one entry into the country. This means they cannot be used to leave and reenter Ethiopia.

Find more at www.evisa.gov.et/client

national parks

Many national parks in Ethiopia allow visitors to enjoy their natural landscapes and observe their wildlife. Not to mention that they still offer opportunities for adventure travel. There are more than 30 preserved areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries in the country. There are also areas declared “controlled hunting zones”, where tourists can hunt wild animals on a sustainable basis and paying a very high price. All of these conservation areas plus priority forest areas cover 14% of Ethiopian territory.

Ethiopia’s biodiversity is unique, even when compared to its famous neighboring safari destinations such as Kenya and Tanzania. The diversity of altitudes in the country has given rise to a variety of ecologically distinct areas, helping to stimulate the evolution of endemic species through ecological isolation. There are more than 6,000 species of plants, many not yet described by science, about 860 species of birds (16 endemic species and two endemic genera and 14 endemic species shared with Eritrea) and 277 mammal species, of which 35 endemic species and six endemic genera.

The endemic species, which are only found in Ethiopia: the baboon, the only grazing primate in the world; the Nyala mountain antelope, which lives in the northern highlands; the Ethiopian wolf that looks like a coyote, has red and white fur and is one of the rarest and most endangered canids in the world; Walia Ibex , a type of wild goat that lives on the steep mountain cliffs; Swayne’s Hartebeest , a species of native and endangered antelope; African wild donkey, adapted for life in the desert, and also the Dibatag , an antelope from the desert areas of Ogaden.

Omo National Park is the largest in the country, occupying an area of ​​4,068 km². It is a vast expanse of savanna and geomorphological formation, alongside the Omo River, which flows south into Lake Turkana and is one of the richest and least visited wildlife sanctuaries in East Africa. In this park, 306 species of birds have been identified, while the large herds of Eland (antelope), some of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, leopards, zebras can be spotted by visitors. The Omo River is known as one of the most classic adventure destinations in the world, as it brings together rapids, countless streams and waterfalls, canyons and thermal waters.

The Mago National Park is linked to the Omo National Park by the Omo Valley, on the border with Kenya. Together, these two parks protect a small but substantial population of elephants, buffaloes and lions and a wide variety of antelopes and primates.

Netch Sar National Park , located 510 km south of Addis Ababa, near the city of Arba Minch, got its name from the cream-white grass that covers the park area on the central plains. It offers spectacular views of lakes and is home to 37 species of mammals and 200 species of birds, many of which are endemic. Hot springs found in the eastern part of the park and the ” crocodile market “, located on the northwest shore of Lake Chamo, are additional attractions. It is bounded by the Amaro Mountains to the east, to the north by Lake Abaya, and to the south by Lake Chamo.

About 20 km northeast of Gondar is the Simien Mountains National Park , which covers 179 km² of mountain area at an average altitude of 3,300 meters. Simien escarpments, which are often compared to the Grand Canyon in the United States, have been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia, is next to the park. The Simien Mountains, a massive table of rock and divided by erosion, offer an easy and immensely rewarding hike along the edge of a plateau that descends completely forming the plains. The park is the habitat of the baboon and the Walia Ibex .

The Bale Mountains National Park is not as popular as the Simien Mountains National Park, but in many ways it is the most interesting park. The wild “moorland” ecosystem, which is characterized by high, arid and rocky terrain, draws attention in the park; alpine lakes and gushing water sources. The hikes are spectacular and this is the place to see the Ethiopian wolf.

The most accessible is Awash National Park, which is a few hours from Addis Ababa by car (about 210 km to the east). The park has an area of ​​756 km² and takes its name from the river Awash, which marks the southern border of the park. It protects many mammals and more than 420 species of birds. One of the main features of the park area is the Fentelle volcano, in the southern part where the dark scar of the last lava flow of 1820 can be seen. Another attraction is the turquoise blue thermal pools, in the north end of the park, where the visitors encounter some species of baboons and can hear lions at night.

why ethiopia ?

The country is much more than the stereotype of hunger and poverty, few people in the world really know its natural, historical, cultural and religious riches. Therefore, it is a destination that must be explored because it is a great living museum, full of value, because it is possible to study how human life arose, the evolution of the species, how it developed culturally, the processes of formation of the earth’s crust and yet the birth of civilizations.

The country offers cultural and spiritual attractions for visitors, it is an opportunity to discover all the historical wealth of Ethiopia, its sacred cities, the religions worshiped and their rituals, tribes, monuments, the mysteries and curiosities related to the construction of churches, temples, decline of some dynasties, for example.

Ethiopia has a culture marked mainly by the religions professed by its various peoples, which is why it is known as the “Museum of the Peoples”. The country allows harmonious contact with Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious trends. Religion is most often the reference for cultural production.

The natural beauty and landscapes are impressive, from the Simien Mountains to the lower lands of the Danakil Depression , considered one of the lowest and driest spots in the world. In the trips to the different national parks it is possible to know different ecosystems: saline deserts, savanna, dense forests, mountains, African Alps, waterfalls, lakes. The country is also home to several endemic and endangered animal species.

In the south of Addis Ababa, the land is dominated by the lakes of the Rift Valley. The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile (or Abay), which travels a distance of 1,450 km from the source on Lake Tana to join the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. Most of the water in the Nile River originates in Ethiopia . Visitors can visit and admire the Blue Nile Falls .

Ethiopia has 8 places declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , in addition to 2 more archaeological sites. The Awash River Valley is considered the cradle of humanity, there were found the fossils of the first humans to inhabit the Earth. In the Omo valley, skeletons of hominid species were also found more than three million years ago.

Tiya is the most important of the 160 archaeological sites in the south of the country with several stelae clusters, which are granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. There are still many monuments of an ancient Ethiopian culture not yet defined by scholars.

There are many sacred places in the country. Tigray , the northernmost region of Ethiopia, has more than 120 churches carved into the rock. The most famous are Daniel Korkor , Debre Mariyam Korkor and Abreha We Atsbeha .

In Lalibela , tourists can see up close its 11 monolithic churches – built in the 12th century, carved out of the pink granite rock and which have been classified as one of the wonders of the world – as well as a monastery and several sepulchres carved into the mountain as sculptures.

Gondar is the city of castes, palaces and churches, defined as the African Camelot. Lake Tana is dotted with more than 36 islands, many of which are the sites of monasteries and churches. This city was the center of the country’s power in the 17th century, and one of the highlights is the church of Debre Berhan Selassie.

Aksum was an important commercial center and housed one of the most important kingdoms in the country. The city preserves the Ark of the Covenant in a sanctuary and still congregates churches and stelae groupings , known as obelisks and historically were used for funerary or commemorative purposes. The ruins of the Aksum Empire were considered Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1980.

Addis Ababa is a modern city, bustling and full of contrasts. It houses the Ethnological Museum, which offers an in-depth look at Ethiopian peoples; the National Museum, known for being the best African museum for preserving the fossils of Lucy, a hominid 3.2 million years old. It also has the largest market in East Africa: Mercato.

Ethiopian tribes are fascinating, exotic, both in terms of organization, rituals, skills and especially the aesthetic standard and the concept of beauty. Hamer women wear metal rings on their arms and legs that are never removed. Surmaris and mursis use elements that they take from nature to decorate themselves, from leaves, flowers, fruits, barks and roots. The characteristic of the Mursi woman is the placement of a circular wooden or ceramic adornment on her lower lip, in addition to wearing discs on her earlobes, metal bracelets and shaved hair. The Karo people, on the other hand, are identified by their typical paintings and scars on their backs, accessories and paintings made with caucáreas stones, iron powder and coal.

what to wear ?

In general, mid-season clothing is more appropriate for a climate that is neither so cold nor so hot. Prefer cotton fabrics or natural fibers that prevent yeast infections. Sports shoes are more suitable. In regions with higher altitude (north and center) it is recommended to wear woolen clothes or heavier coat at the end of the day and at dawn. Travelers should bring raincoats or waterproof clothes, easy to dry, when visiting the country between February and October.

As a prevention, it is important to carry insect repellent, sunscreen, medicines you usually take for fever, flu, headache, diarrhea, allergy in your bag. Another important item is a scarf or bandana to protect the nose and mouth when traveling in open cars, like a jeep, because road dust can be annoying.

transport

Popular Ethiopian transport comes down to the bus or minibus. Bus travel can be a social experience, but most of the time it is exhausting. Ethiopia is one of two countries in Africa that does not accept passengers standing in the corridor, this practice is illegal. Therefore, the buses are not so crowded, but most are very old, they break easily in the middle of the itinerary. The roads are unpaved and generally in poor condition, so even short trips can take much longer. Efficient train line practically does not exist.

The distance between the regions can be a great challenge for independent travelers, it is not possible to reach many areas only with public transport. Therefore, the recommendation is to organize the trip with travel agencies that can offer more comfortable options of logistics and your stay in the country will be more profitable.

Anyone deciding to rent a car needs to know that Ethiopia does not recognize international driver’s licenses for more than seven days . For this reason, those who will stay in the country longer need to obtain an Ethiopian license, approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Addis Ababa.

The country’s air network is very good, there are regular flights to major cities.

currency

The Ethiopian Birr (ETB) is the official currency and one of the strongest in Africa. The birr is divided into 100 cents, there are 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents coins and the banknotes are 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 birr. Always carry local money for shopping in the city, especially in the markets.

The US dollar is the easiest international currency to exchange in Ethiopia, although the Euro and British Pound are growing in popularity not all banks will accept them. Although banks exchange more money than travelers checks, fees for exchanging travelers checks are more advantageous.

Banking hours are usually Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm, and on Saturdays they are open from 8 am to 11 am. Some private banks close for more than an hour during lunch hours, but most of them work without interruption in service. However, currency exchange services are halted during lunch hours (between 12pm and 1pm).

Larger branches of Banco Dashen in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar and Mekele have ATMs that accept Visa International cards. The service is expanding to regional cities and other banks as well. It is worth mentioning that Mastercard, Solo, Cirrus or Plus cards do not work at any ATM. Credit card payments are very restricted to Addis Ababa at travel agencies, airline offices and large hotels, but they normally charge a fee between 3 and 5% for their use.

vat (value-added tax)

A 15% tax on goods circulation (VAT) is added to the price of most products and services in Ethiopia.

travel insurance

We recommend purchasing international travel insurance, which in addition to covering accidents and medical treatment, offers coverage for luggage, accident and medical treatment.

malaria

There is a risk of malaria in Ethiopia, so we recommend that you see your doctor before your trip and he will recommend appropriate prophylactic measures. We suggest always using insect repellents on the skin and spray, wearing long-sleeved pants and blouses at dusk and dawn, in addition to using a musketeer at night.

The country is also at risk of yellow fever. The International Vaccination Certificate (ANVISA) with the yellow fever vaccine properly taken is essential and it must be presented at the airport, when boarding. The requirement is to have the vaccine up to 10 days before the trip because of possible adverse reactions and international requirements.

Cholera vaccination is also required for any tourist who has visited or transited through a cholera-infected area within 6 days of arrival in Ethiopia. We also recommend keeping up to date with the following vaccines: typhoid fever, hepatitis A, tetanus and diphtheria, viral triple.

important to know

The country’s voltage is 220 V, with an electrical frequency of 50 Hz.

Addis Ababa, located between 2,200-2,500 meters above sea level, is the third highest capital in the world. Visitors may experience some discomfort until they adjust to altitude, symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue and insomnia.

In general, Ethiopia is a peaceful destination for tourism and Addis Ababa a safe capital. However, a traveler’s normal precautions should be put in place: avoiding unknown areas at night and not carrying large sums of money in your pockets. It is advisable to be careful with pickpockets that operate in certain areas, especially groups of children.

In Addis Ababa, telephone, fax and internet access is possible in most hotels, in the Ethiopian Telecommunications Authority’s main office and in private internet service centers in the city.

Shopping centers are open from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm until later (they are flexible). Some also operate on Saturday. There are supermarkets and beauty salons in the capital that work 24 hours a day.

There are hospitals in major cities with English-speaking doctors. In areas without hospitals, clinics or doctors, pharmacists can be very helpful and they also speak English.

Ethiopian holidays are most concentrated between the months of March and May. So be aware that in addition to shopping centers not working, banks also close their doors. Schedule to change money or traveller’s check in advance.

Holidays are associated with religious festivals in the country, with colorful processions and celebrations. It is very worthwhile to plan to get to know these festivities up close, especially in Lalibela, Gondar and Axum.

Travelers should exercise caution when visiting the most remote areas of the country, including the borders with Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Sudan and South Sudan, and should avoid traveling outside major cities in those border areas.

Prefer well cooked food and served hot. Avoid fruits and vegetables when you are not sure how they were cut and washed.

Do not drink water or brush your teeth with tap water, we recommend only using bottled mineral water for both situations.

curiosities

There is a very famous proverb in Ethiopia “ Buna dabo naw “, which means coffee is our bread . Ethiopians’ favorite drink is called “Bunna” (coffee). Bunna is drunk in Ethiopia in an original and traditional way known as the ” coffee ceremony “. First, the coffee is roasted, ground, then filtered, placed in a Jebena (coffee maker) with boiling water. When ready, it is served to people in small glasses, up to three times per ceremony.

The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is an integral part of the people’s social and cultural life. An invitation to participate in the ceremony is considered a sign of friendship, respect and is an excellent example of hospitality. Performing the ceremony, which takes a few hours, is almost mandatory in the presence of a visitor and at any time of the day. But, there are even government buses that hold the ceremony for tourists, just buy the ticket.

Ethiopia is considered the land of origin of coffee and because of its aroma and quality it is appreciated worldwide. Even Arabica grains are the flagship of the country’s exports, they are harvested in the highlands of the regions of Harrar, Ghimbi and Sidamo. More than 90% of the Ethiopian population lives in rural areas and the basis of the economy is precisely agriculture.

Other drinks produced locally are Tella , the country’s homemade beer, and Tej , a wine made with honey and very popular. Both are produced with leaves from a local plant called Gesho.

Ethiopia’s national dish is called W at . It is a spicy stew accompanied by injera (large spongy pancake traditionally made from teff flour and water). There are many varieties of wat, for example, chicken, beef, lamb, vegetables, lentils and peas, they are cooked with hot seasoning called berber .

Teff is the country’s exclusive grain, grown in the highlands and its flour is gluten-free. It is a grain so small that it takes 3,000 grains to obtain a gram. It is traditionally consumed in Ethiopia and Eritrea and its botanical name – Eragostis tef – means “ love herb ”.

Ethiopians do not use cutlery during meals, food is served by hand. Often women feed men with their own hands as a sign of respect and zeal.

The nation is also the spiritual cradle of the Rastafarian religion. Haile Selassie , who was emperor of Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974, is considered by members of the Rastafarian religious movement to be the incarnation of the messiah on Earth. More than religion, it is also considered a lifestyle, a philosophy with many orientations from the Bible.

Ethiopia was one of the first Christian countries in the world , Christianity was adopted as an official religion in the 4th century. The country still has a Christian majority, which follow the Ethiopian Orthodox Church . Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in Tewahedo do not eat meat and dairy products (ie egg, butter, milk and cheese) on Wednesdays and Fridays, except 50 days before important dates on the calendar. According to belief, the faithful must refrain from eating meat and dairy products to achieve forgiveness of sins committed during the year, and undergo a rigorous program of prayers.

One third of the population is Muslim. The nation is the site of the first Hegira in Islamic history and the oldest Muslim population in Africa, in Negash. According to Muslim tradition, the Prophet Muhammad was breastfed by an Ethiopian woman. Later, the Muslim Hadith (collection of traditions about the life of Muhammad) reports that Mohammed sent some of his followers to Negash to avoid persecution in Arabia. Negash remains an important pilgrimage spot for Ethiopian Muslims.

Black Jews from Ethiopia are known as falashas. They believe they are descendants of King Solomon and the queen of Sheba.

It is not yet known how old the word Ethiopia is, whose name appears in the Bible in Genesis, as the place where Adam and Eve lived. It is also mentioned in excerpts from the Iliad and Odyssey. The oldest use attested in the region is a Christianized name of the Kingdom of Aksum in the 4th century, in stone scriptures of King Ezana.

Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of 12 months of 30 days each and a thirteenth month of five or six days.

Recent discoveries in Kenya, in 1992 and 2001, began to “challenge” Lucy in relation to the direct ancestor of humanity, which further increased the controversy about the human evolutionary tree. The fact is that Lucy is an important milestone in the history of Ethiopia. Regardless of the controversies, today paleoanthropologists consider that human life began in this region of Africa that encompasses Ethiopia, Kenya and Chad.