Flights and travel guide to Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country situated in the Horn of Africa. It is the 2nd-most populous nation in Africa ( after Nigeria ), bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, and Sudan to the west. Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and the second-oldest official Christian nation in the world after Armenia. Ethiopia is also the 10th richest country in Africa. Ethiopia has long been an intersection between the civilizations of North Africa, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia was never colonized, maintaining its independence throughout the Scramble for Africa onward, except for a five-year period (1936-41) when it was under Italian occupation. There was no Italian colonization of Ethiopia during this period, however, as the Italians occupied only a few key cities and major routes. The Italian period is thus considered an "occupation" and not colonial rule. Ethiopia has long been a member of international organizations: it became a member of the League of Nations, signed the Declaration by United Nations in 1942, founded the UN headquarters in Africa, was one of the 51 original members of the United Nations, and is the headquarters for and one of the founding members of the former OAU and current AU.

Climate

Tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation. The weather can be chilly in Addis and other areas where the elevation is high.

Time and calendar

Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian calendar, which dates back to the Coptic calendar 25 BC and never adopted the Julian or Gregorian reforms. One Ethiopian year consists of twelve months, each lasting thirty days, plus a thirteenth month of five or six days (hence the "Thirteen Months of Sunshine" tourism slogan). The Ethiopian new year begins on September 10 or 11 (in the Gregorian calendar), and has accumulated 7-8 years lag behind the Gregorian calendar: thus, for the first nine months of 2007, the year will be 1999 according to the Ethiopian calendar. On September 11, 2007, Ethiopia celebrated New Year’s Day (Enkutatesh) for 2000. In Ethiopia, the 12-hour clock cycles do not begin at midnight and noon, but instead are offset six hours. Thus, Ethiopians refer to midnight (or noon) as 6 o’clock.

Note: Airline timetables are based on the 24-hour clock and use the Gregorian calendar.

All visitors to Ethiopia (except for Kenyan and Djiboutian nationals) are required to obtain an entry visa. Since 2002, tourists from 33 countries are able to obtain entry visas upon their arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, and at the airport in Dire Dawa. these countries includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.

By plane

There are plenty of airlines offering flights to Ethiopia from major UK airports including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, New Castle, London Gatwick. Ethiopian Airlines is one of the most successful and reputable airlines in Africa. Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines and also hosts Lufthansa, Sudan Airways, British Airways, KLM, Turkish Airlines and Emirates. A new runway and international terminal, which was said to be the largest in Africa, opened in 2003.

Caution : Arriving in the country without a major currency such as Euros or American dollars is not recommended, especially if one has not obtained a visa prior to arrival. Nationals of some 33 countries can get a tourist visa at the airport - but it can take an hour at busy times. Travelers cheques and cash can be exchanged at the airport.

• If you have a prior arrangement, many hotels will send a vehicle to pick up pre-booked guests from the airport.
• There are also other international airports in Dire Dawa, Mekele, Bahir Dar

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia. The language is a Semitic language related to Hebrew and Arabic, and if you know either one you’ll recognize some cognates. In all parts of the country everyone speaks Amharic to some extent, no matter what their first language may be. The language is written in the Ge’ez script. In big cities, most people under 40 speak some English. (English is a primary foreign language taught in schools). In rural areas, find local school children to translate for you for a fee that could be next to nothing. (Ethiopians have a distinct way of speaking English. Because it is heavily accented, it might be a bit difficult to understand it at the beginning. However, when you get used to the way they pronounce some English words, it will become fairly understandable)

Up north in Tigray, Tigrinya is the primary language, and it’s also written in Ge’ez. However, Amharic is widely understood. In the middle regions, Oromo is widely spoken. Oromo language uses a Latin alphabet.

• For the most part, Ethiopia is safe. Avoid traveling to the eastern part of the country beyond the city of Harar. The Somali separatist groups occasionally launch a guerilla attack. Remember that Ethiopia is a relatively low-crime country comparing to Kenya, Mexico and South Africa. Most expats who go there are US military personnel actively training the Ethiopian army’s anti-terrorism unit. Many others are Chinese, Indian or Malaysian representatives of oil companies, who have been targeted in major guerilla attacks resulting in dozens of casualties.
• Armed insurgent groups operate within the Oromiya and Afar regions of Ethiopia.
• In 2008, a hotel in the town of Jijiga was bombed and two hotels in the town of Negele Borena were bombed.
• Organized crime and gang violence are very unusual in most parts of the country. However, in the border areas of Sudan (Gambella Region) and Kenya, there are some reports indicating occurrences of banditry. Avoid these areas.
• Though Ethiopia has a secular government, the Ethiopian people are very religious. The two dominant religions (the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Islam) strongly influence people’s day-to-day life. Therefore, according to their influence the government implements certain rules and laws that could appear unsettling to westerners. In particular, homosexuality is illegal, and not tolerated.
• Travelers should be cautious at all times when traveling on roads in Ethiopia. There have been reports of highway robbery, including carjacking, by armed bandits outside urban areas. Some incidents have been accompanied by violence. Travelers are cautioned to limit road travel outside major towns or cities to daylight hours and travel in convoys, if possible.
• Travelers with vehicles may often be the target of stoning by local youths when driving in rural areas.

Be careful of the food you eat, and don’t stay in the sun too long. If you get sick, contact your embassy for advice. Ethiopian doctors are expensive. However, the very expensive hospitals, especially in Addis-Ababa and Dire Dawa and Adama, are clean and well maintained.

Do not drink tap water. Bottled water, suitable for drinking, is available almost everywhere in bottles of 1.5, 1.6 or 1.8 liters. Make sure you drink enough water, especially when the weather is hot.

Consult your doctor at home before going to Ethiopia to get advice on malaria prevention drugs. In some parts of the country, the most severe form of malaria is present.

• Ethiopians are very proud of their culture, identity, and country. Avoid criticizing their cultural lifestyle, especially their brand of Christianity (Oriental Orthodox). Avoid all contentious religious discussion, or you may risk all good will and hospitality you could have been afforded. Rather than argue about the merits of Orthodoxy or Islam, it’s best to ask friends to explain their customs, festivals and beliefs and to listen with respect.
• Because they have no history of colonization (except the brief Italian wartime occupation of 1936-1941), the Ethiopians’ relationship with the westerners is free of racial animosity or old grudges. However, there is considerable suspicion and even xenophobia toward foreigners in the country side. Ethiopians can be short-fused if they feel they are not treated as equals.
• If a woman is with a man, ask the man’s permission to talk to her beforehand. For a man to avoid eye contact with a woman is considered a sign of respect. If you’re a foreign woman and are in public with a man, don’t be upset if Ethiopian men address all questions to him. They will do this not to slight you but to show respect. This will be the case on public transport, in restaurants, etc. Likewise, if you are a foreign man, maintaining a formal distance from women will be seen as good manners.
• It is very important that you remove your shoes when entering a Ethiopian home.
• Ethiopians has in many years respect people with other nationalites.

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