General Information

Calendar and Time

Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar, consisting of twelve months with thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days (six days in a leap year). The calendar is seven years and eight months behind the Gregorian calendar. Ethiopia is three hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3) Fortunately major travel services like Ethiopian Airlines, banks, courier services, accommodations and travel agents use the Gregorian Calendar.

Currency

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr ETB. Foreign currency is allowed to be brought into Ethiopia without limit and can be converted into banks and hotels.

Driving

Driving is on the right on all Ethiopian roadside and foreigners are required to obtain International Driving License in exchange for their original one from Addis Ababa Transport Bureau for driving purposes.

Taxis

Passengers can contract meter taxis for city journeys in Addis Ababa.

Food and Beverages

The Ethiopian national dish is Injera, a flat-round pancake alike made of fermented Teff dough eaten with various dishes of stew, meat, lentils, vegetables, and many other fillings. Local beverages of alcoholic content are primed as Tej, a honey wine that is yellow and has different concentration levels served in a beaker glass.

Other international dishes are also available in Addis Ababa and several tourist destinations in the country. There is also availability of Chinese, Indian, Italian, and other specialty restaurants in Addis Ababa.

Photographs

Each tourist is allowed to come with only one Photo Camera to pass a custom check on arrival. Generally, taking photographs is permissible on most sites, except in some areas that charge fees for photo shoots. Visitors shall request permission before taking people’s photos.

Clothing

Visitors should take light, summer clothes for the daytime and something warm for the evenings, like a sweater or jacket. The temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset. Light trekking shoes are recommended for trekking routes. Simien or Bale Mountains trekkers should bring warm clothes and waterproofs for unexpected seasonal rains. Shoes must always be removed before entering churches and mosques.

Camping Etiquettee
Deforestation is a real problem in Ethiopia generally and in national parks specifically. Travelers are therefore urged to rent a stove rather than depend on fires for cooking, and are certainly discouraged from making large wasteful bonfires to keep themselves warm at night. Note that it is forbidden to light fires in national parks outside the designated campsites.

Suitable Time to Travel

Ethiopia has 13 months of sunshine, including the 13th month of Pagumen 5 days (6 in a leap year). The country is accessible to tourists throughout the year better yet, it is most convenient to see it from September to May, which hosts a blend of cultural festivities' day like Meskel (September 27) and Timket (January 19).

Customs

Duty-free imports are permitted for up to:

200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or ½ Ib of tobacco
2 liters of alcoholic beverages
Half-liter or two bottles of perfume

Visitors may export souvenirs, although some articles (such as animal skin and antiques) require an export permit.

Communication

Telephone, Telefax, Internet, e-mail, and postal facilities are available in the country. Internet services are available in major cities and towns. The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251

Courier and Money Transfer Services

Money transfers can be made through Western Union and MoneyGram. Both have representative branches in Addis Ababa and make their services available from private and national banks. For courier services; DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EMS have offices in Addis Ababa.

For additional information or inquiries, please contact us.

Newspapers
There are few English-language weekly businesses and newspapers; Addis Fortune, The Reporter, Ethiopian Herald, and Capital are among them and these are sold mainly in the streets and supermarkets.