A full passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Ethiopia, is essential. A visa is also required and can be obtained on arrival in Addis Ababa at a cost of approximately US$50 each. Payment must be made in cash. An e-visa can also be obtained prior to travel at https://www.evisa.gov.et/#/home. Visas are valid for 30 or 90 days from the date of arrival into Ethiopia.

Travel advice is available from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Non-UK passport holders: please consult your Ethiopian embassy or consulate in your home country for the latest advice on visas and entry requirements.

The rainy season lasts from June to September, with the heaviest rainfall in July and August.  There may also be wet spells in March and April. It is hot in the lowlands but temperate in the highlands. In Addis Ababa, temperatures usually stay fairly constant throughout the year, with high of between 69-77f (20-25c) and lows between 41-50f (5-10c).

Vaccinations are recommended for yellow fever, typhoid, diphtheria, polio, tetanus, and hepatitis A. Doctors may recommend meningitis jabs for certain areas. We do also recommend that you take preventative treatment for malaria which, although not widespread, is found in some areas of the country. You should start obtaining your immunisations at least 4 weeks before travel if possible.

We must stress that our suggestions for medical protection are purely advisory and you should always consult your GP for the latest information. See also the NHS Fit For Travel website.

Currency

The unit of currency is the birr and local currency cannot be brought into or taken out of the country. The airport and Addis Ababa foreign exchange bureaus are best for changing currency; rates are similar to banks but there is less paperwork. Only a few small hotels accept credit cards and the exchange rate for travellers’ cheques can be poor; so we recommend that visitors take cash in USD or UK pounds and/or use the city ATMs.  Smaller towns may not even have a bank so plan your currency exchange carefully.  

On arrival in Ethiopia a currency declaration form must be completed. This form is checked on departure, so all exchanges must be legitimate, and receipts should be retained.

Tipping

Hotels and restaurants will normally add a service charge to every bill. 
Restaurants – you can leave a tip of around $1 or $2 per person after the meal but do check first that service has not been charged to the bill.  

Hotel porters – leave approximately US$2 at check in and again at check out.
Local guides/church priests – your guide will advise during the journey.
Drivers – for drivers we would recommend $5-10 per day; $10 per day if you have a driver-guide.

With a tour guide accompanying a group throughout we recommend they receive US$5-US$8 per day from each passenger, to be collected and put into one contribution on the last evening.