ETHIOPIA
Travel to Africa, Ethiopia with a special and free-spirited plan that suits me

Various concerns about traveling to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia's climate and the best season for travel

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Average temperature and rainfall in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency website, 2017 data (http://www.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/cpd/monitor/)

Cash, cards and currency exchange

・When exchanging money, it is advisable to convert Japanese yen to US dollars or euros in advance and then exchange them for birr locally. US dollars and euros are more widely circulated, so the exchange rates are better. Additionally, there are places where you can shop directly with US dollars without exchanging, so it's best to exchange money as needed.
・Credit cards can be used at hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. However, there are small shops and taxis where cards may not be accepted, so always carry cash, and it's recommended to use both cards and cash when sightseeing.

Tips

Generally, tipping is not customary, but it may be necessary in some cases.
・Luxury hotels: 5 birr when having luggage carried
・Luxury restaurants: About 10% of the bill if the service charge is not included
・Guide: 50–100 birr if the fee is not set
・Driver when chartering a car: 50–100 birr per day

Public Safety

・Avoid areas considered dangerous, such as the border regions with Eritrea and Somalia, the border area of Gambela, Somali Region, West Hararge Zone of Oromia, parts of Amhara, parts of Oromia, and Gambela.
・Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and snatching are frequent, and tourists are particularly targeted, so caution is necessary.
・Many Ethiopians drive recklessly, and there are no pedestrian bridges or crosswalks, so be very careful of traffic accidents. Avoid walking while using a smartphone or looking at a guide map, as it is very dangerous.

Clothing

・Depending on the season and region, generally, light and easy-to-move clothing is recommended. Especially when visiting highland areas, bring a light jacket or sweater as it gets chilly in the mornings and evenings.
・Also, from a religious perspective, avoid clothing that exposes a lot of skin. Women, in particular, should aim to cover their shoulders and knees.

Things You Should Bring

・Stomach medicine, cold medicine, mobile battery, insect repellent items, sun protection items, wet wipes, tissues, etc.

Visa availability and arrangements

・Obtaining a visa is necessary.
・For tourism purposes, a single-entry tourist visa (valid for 1 month) or a multiple-entry tourist visa (valid for 3 months) can be issued upon application. Visas can be obtained at the airport upon entry for US$50, but the immigration visa section may be closed late at night, so it is advisable to obtain it in Japan beforehand.

Required vaccinations

・There are no mandatory requirements for travel, but vaccinations for yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, meningitis, rabies, and typhoid are recommended.