Travel Tips

Visa

You may obtain your visa upon arrival or from any of Ethiopia’s embassies abroad. To receive your visa upon arrival at the airport, you will need to pay a fee of either USD 50 EUR 43 or GBP 33 in cash for each person in your group.  Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of entry.  You will need to provide the name and phone number of either your tour operator or the hotel where you will spend your first night.  Passport photos or other documents are not required. The below nationalities may obtain their one month tourist visa upon arrival of Bole international airport: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States of America. If your country is not on the list, you can receive your visa at the nearest Ethiopian embassy or consulate.

Safety

Ethiopia is one of the safest countries in Africa for foreigners, and violent crime against foreigners is rare. However, all visitors should take extra precautions to secure their valuables.  A money belt or other means to hide cash and documents is strongly recommended. Security in towns and at airports is tight, frisking or body scanning and inspection of bags when entering a building is common. Strict regulations are followed for domestic flights.

When to visit

The main rainy season of the country except the southern Ethiopia is between June until September, whereas the southern part is between March to May.
Visiting the historical sites in the north and the east of the country is possible during all seasons except for serious hiking tours to the Semine Mountains National Park. However, we recommend bringing rain coats, umbrellas and waterproof shoes if you choose to come during the rainy season(s).
The rainy season in most southern regions of Ethiopia (e.g. the Omo Valley) usually starts around April and ends in May – June, which can make some roads rather difficult during this time. Some of the most fascinating ethnic rituals like the “Jumping of the Bulls” and the “Evangadi Moon Light Dance” take place mainly during the harvest season from August to October.
In the Danakil Depression, Ertale and Lower Awash Valley where the temperature will exceed up to 40 degrees Celsius, it is so important to consider the traveling time. The best time for travelling to the Danakil Depression (Dallol) in the north-eastern Afar region, home to active volcanoes, hot springs, colorful minerals, salt lakes and caravans, is from end of November to March, when the temperatures “cool down”.