Africa
Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries
Visa Requirements – Holders of UK passports do require a visa for entry into Ethiopia, and a three months visa can be bought upon arrival at Bole International Airport for approx US$30 . You should have a full passport with a minimum of six months validity from the date of your return to the UK.
Health Requirements – A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination is no longer required to enter Ethiopia, however, if you come from a country where Yellow Fever has been reported, you may be asked. There are no mandatory vaccinations required although Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis are recommended. We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or the MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) Travellers Health Line on 0870 60 62782 or their website at www.masta.org for all professional medical advice.
Time – Ethiopia is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
Money – The currency of Ethiopia is the Birr (also referred to as the dux or the dollar!). Notes are in denominations of birr 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1, and there are 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent coins.
Money can be exchanged at most branches of banks, although it must be noted that with banks in smaller towns this can take a considerable amount of time. It is best to plan ahead and change money whilst staying in bigger towns, especially since some branches in smaller towns may not be equipped at all to deal with foreign exchange transactions, cash or travellers' cheques.
Credit cards are of very limited use, they will be accepted in the Addis Ababa Hilton and Sheraton and a few other hotels in the capital, but nowhere else in the country. ATM machines can only be used by local cardholders, they do not accept international debit or credit cards.
Flights
Airline Route Frequency Via Ethiopian Airlines Heathrow/Addis Ababa Daily apart from Tues Direct or via Amman British Airways Heathrow /Addis Ababa Mon, Wed & Sat Amman
Climate - a rough guide
There are three main seasons in Ethiopia, with temperatures varying according to the different topographical regions. The lowlands are generally hot and humid, and the heat in the desert and Red Sea coastal areas can be extreme and reach the occasional high of 50 C. The Central Plateau has a moderate climate with minimal seasonal temperature variation, whilst the temperatures in the Ethiopian Highlands are much cooler. The dry season runs from October to May, while June to September is the rainy season. This pattern changes as you head further south, the rainy season in the Rift Valley generally starts and ends a few weeks earlier than in the highlands. In South Omo most of the rain falls in March, April and May, and other parts of the south even have two rainy seasons, falling either side of the June – September rainfalls.
Please note also that in recent years the traditional seasons in Ethiopia, as elsewhere in the world, have become less predictable than before, so the above is just a guideline.
When to go - The most pleasant time to visit is during the dry season from October to May, but Ethiopia can be visited throughout the year. The country is particularly green during September and early October, and there will be a sea of wildflowers. As the climate can differ quite a bit depending on where in the country you are, it is prudent to decide on your itinerary before deciding when to go.
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Addis Ababa |
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|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Temp (F) |
61 |
63 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
63 |
61 |
61 |
59 |
59 |
59 |
59 |
|
Rain (in) |
1.2 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
2.7 |
3.5 |
4.3 |
8.3 |
11 |
6.3 |
1.2 |
0.4 |
0.6 |
|
Dire Dawa |
||||||||||||
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Temp (F) |
70 |
73 |
77 |
81 |
82 |
81 |
77 |
77 |
77 |
73 |
72 |
70 |
|
Rain (in) |
0 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
2.4 |
1.6 |
1.2 |
3.9 |
5.1 |
2.4 |
1.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
Gonder |
||||||||||||
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Temp (F) |
66 |
68 |
70 |
72 |
70 |
66 |
64 |
64 |
66 |
66 |
64 |
64 |
|
Rain (in) |
0.4 |
0.4 |
1 |
1.6 |
3.5 |
6.7 |
12 |
11.8 |
6.3 |
1.2 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
|
Harar |
||||||||||||
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Temp (F) |
64 |
68 |
68 |
68 |
66 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
68 |
64 |
64 |
|
Rain (in) |
0.4 |
0.8 |
1.2 |
3.9 |
2 |
2 |
3.1 |
5.9 |
3 |
1.2 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
F (Fahrenheit) = Average Maximum Temperatures
Rain = Average Monthly Rainfall (inches)
