inspire

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Travel Question about Ethiopia

    Planning a trip to the land of origin and 13 months of sunshine? Here are a few things you should know before you travel to Ethiopia.

    · What’s the best way to travel around Ethiopia? …

    · Do I need a visa for travel to Ethiopia? …

    · How tough is the trekking in the highlands? …

    · What kind of food will I get in Ethiopia? …

    · What language is spoken in Ethiopia? …

    · What’s the weather like in Ethiopia? …

    · What currency is used in Ethiopia? …

    · Is there much Malaria in Ethiopia?

    Ethiopia Travel Tips: For a perfect holiday things to know before you travel to Ethiopia.

    If you are planning a trip to Ethiopia, it’s important to know a few things before you start packing your bags. Where to grab cash on-the-go, how to find medicine, and knowing what to pack, are just a few things to consider before booking your Ethiopian Vacation.

    Keep this Ethiopia FAQ on hand, as we address some of the most commonly asked questions about how to plan trips to Ethiopia right here. Here we give answer to some of the most commonly asked questions by visitors to Ethiopia.

    1. What Ethiopia offers the tourist?

    Ethiopia is very popular tourist destination known for the Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, Bahirdar, simian Mountains, South Omo Valley Tribes, … There are plenty of reasons to visit Ethiopia with its fabulous 3000 years of history, diverse ethnic groups with their own languages, cultures, and traditions as well as with its magnificent scenery embracing contrasting land features ranging from the tops of rugged Simien Mountains to the depth of the Denakil Depression, which is more than 100 meter below sea level and one of the lowest dry land point on Earth but it is still mysterious to many travelers. Here I summarize several most frequently asked questions about Egypt to help make your travel as enjoyable as possible.

    1. What languages are your tours in?

    English, Spanich, French, German, and Chinese Mandarin. We do not offer multi language tours, which means you will never have to wait while your tour guide speaks first in English, then in Chinese-Mandarin, then in Russian.

    1. Do you offer private tour

    We offer private tours. You can choose an ideal pre-made private tour on our website. Alternatively, we can personalize an itinerary in line with your preferences and interests.

    Custom Ethiopia vacations are our specialty. If you come to us as a group, we can put together a customized tour for you but if you wish to join a group tour, we do offr this option.

    1. Do you need a visa to enter Ethiopia?

    Yes. You will need a visa. Depending on your citizenship, the stability of that country and the duration and reasons for your stay you may need to obtain a visa before coming to Ethiopia. https://www.ethiopiaonlinevisa.com/

    1. Who needs a visa for Ethiopia?

    The vast majority of travelers need a visa for Ethiopia to be able to enter. Citizens of Kenya can enter without a visa for periods of up to a year and citizens of Djibouti can enter for a period of up to three (3) months visa-free. These are the only two visa-exempt nationalities.

    1. Do you recommend and book hotels?

    Yes. You will receive hotel recommendations and upon your approval bookings will be made. All information will be on your final itinerary to take to Ethiopia.

    1. Will I need a passport to travel to Ethiopia?

    Yes. Your passport must have at least six months validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. It is best to take a look at your passport’s expiration date before making any international travel plans.

    1. Do you accommodate Special needs?

    We make every effort to accommodate any special needs requests. In order to accommodate your needs as best as possible, we ask that you let us or your travel agent know at time of booking so we can assess the request and see how we can accommodate you.

    1. Should I purchase trip insurance?

    Yes, absolutely. Travel Insurance gives you peace of mind in safeguarding your investment in the event of a cancellation prior to or during your trip. Inspiration Tour Operator strongly recommends that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking.

    1. Can I use credit/debit cards easly?

    Yes. Most places accept these now days, including all decent hotels and restaurants. Your are advised to carry cash when shopping in the many street markets through the larger souvenir shops.

    1. NUESCO Tangible & 4 Intangible world heritage

    The largest Number of any African country, Ethiopia has 13 UNESCO world heritage all of them are worth visiting.

    1. Addis Ababa:

    The capital was settled in 1886 and christened by queen Taytu, consort of Menelik II. The population according to the last official census was over 6 million.

    1. Towns:

    The second- largest town in Ethiopia is Dire Daw, with a population of 306,000 in 1999 Gonder is the third ?largest town, with a population of 142,328in 1999.

    1. People

    The population of Ethiopia today is estimated to be approximately 100 million. Approximately 26 percent are under the age of 14 and almost half are under 34.

    1. Religion:

    The major religions are Christianity (Ethiopia Orthodox church), protestant and islam and others .

    1. Languages:

    Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, although English, Italic, French, and Arabic are fairly spoken. In areas outside of the larger cities and towns, indigenous languages are likely to be spoken- of which there are eighty- three, with some 200 dialects. The some common of these are Oromifa and Tigrigna.

    1. Climate:

    Despite its proximity to the Equator, Ethiopia?s high altitude ensures at temperate, moderate, even chilly climate ? certainly not tropical. There are two rainy seasons: the irregular short rains from late January to early march, and the long rains from June until mid- September.

    1. Government :

    Ethiopia is an independent republic operating under the constitution of the federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president is the head if state while the prime minister is the head of government.

    1. Entry points by air:

    Bole international Airport, in Addis Ababa is one of the main entry point of the countery; whereas Bahir Dar, Melele and Dire Dawa soon start to serve as entry ports. Domestic Airports: in addition there are 9 Airport for Domestic flights in Axum, Gondar, Lalibela, Asosa, Arbaminch, Jinka , Jimma and Gode.

    1. Entry points by rail:

    Dewele on the Djibouti border, Arrival undergo full customs and immigration checks. The railway, with day and night trains, runs from Addis Ababa to Djibouti via Nazaret, and Awash station.

    1. Entry points by road:

    Metema & Humera- crossing from from sudan

    Dewele &Galafi- crossing from Djibouti

    · Toguchale, teferi Ber, Kebri Beyash & Dolo Odo- crossing from Somalia

    · Moyale &Omoratie- crossing from Kenya NB: there are only entry points and no visa service available visa can only be obtained frome Ethiopia Embassies Abroad.

    1. Calendar :

    Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of twelve months of thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days (sis days in a leap year). The calendar is seven years and eight months behind the western (Gregorian) calendar.

    1. Communication:

    Internet service is available at every city in the internet cafes. 3G, 4G and Broadband network are also available all over the country.

    1. Currency:

    The local currency is the Ethiopia birr, made up of 100 cents Notes are issued in denominations of 1,5,10,50, and 100 birr there are five different coins: 1,5,10,25, and 50, cent,

    1. Currency regulations:

    There is no limit to the amount of foreign Currency imported in to Ethiopia, but it must be declared on arrival, using a Currency declaration form. Foreign Currency may be changed only at authorized bank and hotels. The Currency declaration form will be required by customs on departure. Visitors may change back any excess birr in to foreign Currency at the airport before departure, but you must, in addition to the Currency declaration form, bring with you all receipts for exchange transactions.

    1. Daylight:

    Being relative close to the equator there is an almost constant twelve hours of daylight. In Addis Ababa, but sunrise and sunset are at around 06.30 and respectively.

    1. Driving:

    Drivers require a valid international Driving License, which can be obtained by exchange your local license at the transport and communications office on Haile Gabreselassie Road in Addis Ababa. Visitors can recover their original licenses a day or so prior to departure. Those with their own vehicles will require a permit from the ministry of the transport and communication.

    1. Energy:

    Ethiopia uses 220 volts and 50 Hz. It is best to bring your own round two-prong adapter and transformer if necessary.

    1. Medical services:

    Medical facilities are improving and public and private medical Centre are rapidly growing in number though there are quite a number of public Hospital private medical institutions are recommended.

    1. Time:

    Ethiopia is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Remains constant throughout the year the Ethiopian day is calculated in a manner similar to many equatorial countries, where day night is always the same length:

    1. Small medical kit (safety is important!!!)

    Band – aids
    · Antibacterial cream

    Eyedrops
    Earplugs
    Hand sanitizer