Ethiopia Travel Tips: Visa Application, Sightseeing & Travel Advice

Flag of Ethiopia

Ethiopia – a country filled with cultural diversity and incredible landscapes.

Here you will discover delightful landscapes, tasty food, interesting history and the world’s most sensational coffee.

With 80 ethnic groups who speak more than 80 languages and practice different religions, Ethiopia’s cultural diversity is huge.

The capital city Addis Ababa is particularly popular with tourists and is located in central Ethiopia.

If you’re planning to travel to Ethiopia whether it’s for a couple of weeks or a long excursion, you may be unsure of a number of things like the visa application process or things to do when you get there.

In this guide, we will detail everything you need to know about your Ethiopian visa application.

We will also give you some important travel advice and tips as well as some ideas for places to go sightseeing.

Sightseeing in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a truly unique and special place. Although it’s not the typical vacation destination for tourists, it offers a very special cultural experience.

When it comes to sightseeing, Ethiopia has some stunning attractions to explore.

There are many natural and historical wonders to be seen.

Below are just five of the many wonderful attractions worth visiting in Ethiopia.

Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay)

Most incredible during Ethiopia’s rainy season, the Blue Nile Falls are true evidence of the country’s natural beauty.

The waterfall is located 28km from Bahir Dar, it falls from a height of 42 meters and bursts into clouds of mist.

While here, you can enjoy beautiful scenic views, spectacular wildlife, and some quaint villages where you can soak in the Ethiopian culture.

waterfall in Ethiopia

Simien Mountains National Park

One of Ethiopia’s most popular walking destinations, The Simien Mountains National Park is located in Northern Ethiopia.

The park is home to some exotic animals and Ethiopia’s highest mountain Ras Dashen is located within the park.

There is some spectacular scenery of the cliffs and landscape, especially from certain observation points in the park.

Lake Tana

Ethiopia’s largest lake, Lake Tana features some centuries-old monasteries.

For those intrigued by Ethiopia’s ancient culture, you will find some stunning murals in the 20 monastic churches.

A boat trip on this spectacular lake will leave you in awe of the beautiful landscapes.

Babile Elephant Sanctuary

This sanctuary is home to many elephants and other wildlife with 31 different mammals being protected here.

Located 25km from Harar city, the sanctuary has some beautiful rocky scenery.

Watching the giant elephants walk side by side is a truly wonderful experience.

Danakil Depression

One of the most popular attractions in Northern Ethiopia, the Danakil Depression is extremely unusual yet fascinating.

The Danakil Depression is a depression caused by the divergence of three tectonic plates. It is also one of the hottest places on earth!

As you stroll around you may feel like you’re on another planet with bubbling volcanoes and lava lakes.

Donakil Depression in Ethiopia

Travel tips for travelling to Ethiopia

The best time to visit Ethiopia

This is a tough one and really does depend on what attractions in Ethiopia you want to visit.

Some say October up until February is a good time to visit as this is the dry season.

However, if you’re interested in experiencing true Ethiopian culture, some of Ethiopia’s cultural festivals take place throughout the rainy season.

The best advice we can give you is to do your research on what you want to see and what kind of experience you want to have while you’re in Ethiopia.

Accommodation in Ethiopia

Where you can stay in Ethiopia depends on the region that you visit.

You can choose from a range of accommodations, such as lodges, backpacker hotels, and guesthouses across the country.

Food & Drink in Ethiopia

The food in Ethiopia is extremely diverse and is not likely to be similar to anything you have tasted before

The staple food is “Injera” which is a sourdough flatbread with a somewhat spongy texture.

Also, Ethiopia is home to the world’s greatest coffee where the beans are cultivated in excellent climate conditions.

Ethiopia is the fifth-largest coffee producer in the world.

If you are looking for a coffee-tasting experience like no other, Ethiopia is the place to be.

Learn to negotiate

If you think something is too expensive, offer a lower price and be willing to bargain. In Ethiopia, prices are almost always negotiable.

This is especially true for Ethiopian taxi rates, tours, trinkets, and almost everything else.

As a result, we would advise against booking tours before visiting Ethiopia because it will be cheaper to do so when you arrive.

Visit the UNESCO sites

Ethiopia has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When visiting Ethiopia, you will quickly discover that the country has more UNESCO sites than any other African country.

The most famous are the Lalibela rock-hewn churches (the one that comes to mind is usually Bete Giyorgis, the cross-shaped one), which must be included in your itinerary (they are a real must-see).

Fasil Ghebbi Castle in Gondar is another UNESCO World Heritage Site (among the only castles in East Africa). Other attractions include the Simien Mountains and its National Park, the fortified historic town of Harar (considered the fourth holiest city in Islam), and Aksum, which houses the famous Ark of the Covenant.

Make time to get used to the altitude

Make sure to leave enough time to adjust to the altitude.

A diet of easy-to-digest carbohydrates; drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol are all things that can help with altitude sickness symptoms.

One thing to keep in mind before traveling to Ethiopia is that the country is located at more than 1,500 meters above sea level, which may cause altitude sickness. Because Addis Ababa is at around 2,350 meters above sea level (the highest peak in the metropolitan area is Entoto Hill, you may experience some (or all) of the symptoms of altitude sickness.

You may also experience shortness of breath and dizziness, as well as headaches and insomnia.

Be prepared for extreme heat

With an average temperature of 34 degrees Celsius and peaks that regularly exceed 40 and even 45 degrees, Ethiopia is known as the hottest place on Earth.

Heat exhaustion, like altitude sickness, is often a problem for visitors to Ethiopia. The Danakil Depression, which is frequently included in Ethiopia travel itineraries, is where you’ll find Erta Ale Volcano, Lake Giulietti, and Dallol. This is where you may feel these unpleasant symptoms.

It is critical that you are prepared for such difficult conditions. Here are some basic simple tips:

  • Drink lots of water – at least two liters per day. In case of severe dehydration, keep some electrolyte powder on hand to dissolve in water. You can get it right here.
  • Wear light cotton long pants and a t-shirt, preferably long-sleeved, to avoid getting sunburned.
  • Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Reduce the amount of time you spend outside.
  • If you are a high-risk traveler, avoid the Danakil (for example, if you have a heart condition).

And slow internet connection…

Trying to connect to the internet while in Ethiopia is at best frustrating. Addis Abeba has the best internet, but even there it is limited.

With the slow internet and the Ethiopian government’s regular shutdowns of social media, you might as well give up and enjoy your trip without worrying about getting online. Inform your family and friends that you won’t be online much, and set up an out-of-office reply for your email so that you can deal with it when you get home.

Travel with Tuk Tuks

In Ethiopia, public transportation is scarce, at least for foreigners. There are two types of taxis: shared / public taxis (minivans) and contract taxis, which are simply regular taxis.

When visiting Ethiopia, the best way to get from one place to another in any city is by tuk-tuk, also known locally as bajaj. When looking for one, make sure to refer to them as such, and don’t be afraid to haggle over the price!

For around 600 Ethiopian birrs, you can get a Tuk Tuk for a whole day trip!

Also, expect to go back in time

Yes, indeed. The Ethiopian calendar is currently ten years behind the Gregorian calendar, which is the one we use, so they are in 2012.

In fact, the Ge’ez calendar, which is used in Ethiopia, has 13 months in a year, 12 of which have 30 days. Depending on whether it is a leap year or not, the 13th month has five or six days.

The good news is that you won’t have to figure out what day of the week it is because most people in the tourism industry use the Gregorian calendar when dealing with tourists.

Ethiopia Visa Application

The Ethiopia eVisa

Unless you are a national of Djibouti or Kenya, you must obtain a visa to visit Ethiopia.

You can visit Ethiopia for a holiday or business trip with the Ethiopian eVisa.

This is a single entry visa and can be valid for either 30 or 90 days (this is for Tourist Visa).

The Business eVisa will be valid for 30 days. The validity of this visa begins on the date that you arrive in Ethiopia and not the date the visa is issued.

Citizens of all countries are eligible for the eVisa, provided that they meet the requirements and can provide the documents that are required.

It is important to note that due to Covid-19, it is currently recommended to avoid any non-essential travel to Ethiopia.

How to apply for the Ethiopia eVisa

If you’re planning a trip to Ethiopia for tourist purposes, you should apply for your Ethiopia Tourist eVisa.

In order to apply for this eVisa, you can apply online or you may be able to apply when you arrive at the immigration checkpoint in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Visa on arrival is only permitted for nationals of:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • China
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti (Exempted – Allowed to enter without visa.)
  • France
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong, China
  • India
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kenya (Exempted – Allowed to enter without visa.)
  • Macau, China
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

 

If you opt to obtain your visa on arrival, you should note that it will only be valid for up to 3 months.

Not to mention that due to Covid 19, most of the on-arrival services worldwide are suspended.

The Business eVisa can only be applied for online.

Nevertheless, don’t spend your time confusing yourself with the finer details, simply apply today with Visa First!

For more information about the Ethiopia eVisa, contact our team which will be more than happy to help you!

What do I need to apply for my Ethiopian eVisa?

If you’re applying with Visa First, we will need you to provide us with a number of documents depending on your travel purpose. The documents you need may include a:

  • Completed questionnaire
  • Passport (with blank pages) for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Ethiopia
  • Recent digital photograph
  • Invitation letter from the Ethiopian company to be visited (applicable for Business eVisa only)
  • Application letter from the Ethiopian company to be visited (applicable for Business eVisa only)
  • Business license (renewed for the fiscal year) of the inviting company  (applicable for Business eVisa only)
  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate (renewed for the fiscal year) of the inviting company  (applicable for Business eVisa only)

 

Mistakes to avoid when applying for an Ethiopian eVisa

  1. Not following the instructions for the visa application form correctly. – Read the instructions it makes life a lot easier!
  2. Excluding necessary documents from your visa application
  3. Providing incorrectly sized passport photos. – If possible, get your passport photos taken professionally it will save you a lot of time!
  4. Not completing your application on time. – Apply for your visa as soon as you know you need to travel!
  5. Becoming overwhelmed and confused with the endless paperwork and reading. – This will make the visa application process a nightmare! Why not let Visa First do it for you and save yourself the time and hassle!

 

For more tips on what mistakes to avoid when applying for visas, check out our detailed guide.

Axum Church, Ethiopia

Who can help me get my Ethiopian eVisa?

Visa First! We are one of the world’s leading providers of visa and immigration services.

Our global visa specialists will take care of the tricky application forms and documents.

We also offer a range of other services to help you to be fully prepared for your trip including passport cover, insurance, language courses, etc.

Why choose Visa First?

  • Your dedicated account manager will offer comprehensive solutions to your queries
  • You won’t have to wait in line at an airport or embassy
  • Over 17 years experience in the industry
  • Our qualified visa specialists will ensure your visa application is prepared accurately

Updated On: 03.11.2022

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