Ethiopia is one of the most fascinating countries you are ever likely to visit. It is a land of majestic landscape, diverse natural history and the richest historical heritage in sub-Saharan Africa. It is full of contrasts and surprises.
You will see that there is more to the country than famine and misery. Ethiopia is about the only country in Africa never to have been colonised and its people have a proud tradition of fighting for their independence.
Ethiopia is home of the Ark of the Convent, the spectacular Simien Mountains, Lake Tana – the source of the Blue Nile and the Tissisat Falls – the ancient sites of Axum, the mind-blowing cave churches of Lalibela and the medieval castles of Gonder. The country is unusual for its rich Orthodox Christian heritage, which the Ethiopians maintained even when all its neighbours embraced Islam in the 7 th century.
Now is definitely the time to visit. Many travellers would arguably say Ethiopia is Africa’s best-kept secret.
Although there is rainy season from mid-June to the end of September and light rains in March-April, sunshine is practically guaranteed. Late September just after the end of the rainy season is a particularly good time to visit. The country is wonderfully green, the wildflowers are stunning and there are fewer visitors at this time.
If possible it is worthwhile trying to coincide your visit with one of Ethiopia’s very colourful festivals, particularly Timkat or Meskel. November to January is a popular time to visit, and due to limited availability of flights and hotels, early booking is highly recommended for this period.
Ethiopia ’s best-known travellers’ trail is the so-called historical route, which loops through northern Ethiopia. The circuit includes all of the most famous historical and religious sites including ‘the big four’: Bahar Dar, Aksum, Gonder, and Lalibela. The spectacular Simien Mountains provides an excellent opportunity for trekking and is offered as a highly recommended extension to our main small group tour.
Other areas of the country can be visited as part of a tailormade itinerary. The Bale Mountains National Park is known for its endemic mammals and birds, and offers a good combination of trekking and wildlife. The Awash and Nechisar National Parks are also good places for wildlife and take a half/full day respectively by road from Addis Ababa.
As well as the Bale Mountains, the Rift Valley lakes is another good area for those keen on birds, and are easily accessible by road from Addis Ababa. For natural sites, many travellers will know of the Blue Nile Falls, and a visit can be arranged as part of our tours.
Visas- Back to top A visa is required for a tourist visit, which should be obtained before departure. Applications can be made by post, and in the case of the London embassy are issued at a cost from £12.00 depending on the length of stay. Call the Embassy on 020 7838 3898 for further details
Getting to Addis Ababa - Back to top The capital, Addis Ababa is well served by a number of airlines, including the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, a well-respected and long founded airline. They serve the London to Addis Ababa route as well as other European destinations. Other options include British Airways direct and Lufthansa via Frankfurt. Both of these airlines are members of global alliances, which means that Ethiopia could easily be included as part of a multi-stop or worldwide itinerary.
As we are a small specialist operator we are unable to secure the best deals with the airlines. Increasingly they are only offering their best fares to a selected number of large agents or through their own website. We can recommend Trailfinders, as consistently they offer competitive fares and knowledgeable advice.
Immunisations- Back to top As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your Doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice and the necessary vaccinations. We can recommend the Trailfinders Travel Clinic.
For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Anti-malaria medication will also be required and the use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
Travel Insurance - Back to top We have a legal obligation to stress the absolute need to have adequate travel insurance, which should be taken at the time your trip is confirmed. These days there’s a huge range of options available and premiums have never been more competitive. Increasingly annual multi-trip policies offer good value for money, but you should compare the level of cover and the activities included with each policy. Please contact us for further details.
Foreign Office Advice - Back to top We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign Office and its embassy in Addis Ababa. On the whole Ethiopia is a safe and peaceful country, and certainly for travellers, one of the safest in Africa. Currently the Foreign Office has no warnings in respect of travel to areas that we would normally visit, including the popular ‘Northern Historical’ circuit. Should the position ever change we would of course advise all effected clients. Furthermore, we will always be as flexible as possible and do our best to waive normal cancellation fees (subject to the agreement of local suppliers), should we need to cancel a trip due to the advice issued by the Foreign Office.
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