Ethiopia Travel Forum

Considering a trip to Addis Ababa. Looking for good hotels and good rates. Anyone know of anything?

Hello,
I am going to Ethiopia for the month of November to work on a film and I am looking for first hand advice about the country. My main concerns/questions are as follows:

-Weather: I am told it is going to be warmer during the day and a little cooler at night but I was curious how cool or how warm? Any specific tips for clothes items or materials that would be recommended?

-Communication: I hear the internet is limited and that late night works the best, any recs on where to get internet access? I also hear the postal service is quite reliable so I'll probably be sending letters. Any tips on communicating back to the US?

-Photography: I plan on bringing my film camera and some rolls of film. I am sure there are none but does anyone know of any photo stores or photo labs in Addis Ababa? if not I plan on shipping my film back to the US. Ideas?

-Money: How much should I expect to pay for an average meal? An average beer? I plan on dealing in cash most of the time, of course, and I want to make sure I bring enough(was thinking about $500-$700 for 4 weeks). My lodging and travel is being paid for but I want to make sure have enough for meals, drinks and other touristy stuff I'll be doing on my days off.

-Misc: Can anyone recommend a guide book or phrase book so that I don't look like an ugly american? Also, any thoughts on different meds to bring with me?

Hi,
I plan to travel around northern ethopia for 4 weeks over Christmas and want to know if it is easy to get around using public transport. I will be flying from A/A to Bahir Dar and then again from Lalibela back to A/A but travelling overland from Bahir Dar to Lalibela via Axum etc. Are all the sites accessible via public transport and if not, how to organise local guides.
All I have found at the moment is expensive tours which is not for me. Help?

I'm travelling between Dubai and Tanzania and there is a stop at Addis Ababa. I'm thinking of extending this stop to a couple of days so see the capital.

Can UK passport holders (but residents of Qatar) get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport? If so, how much is it and is there a long queue?

Regards

Jason

Hey there:

It's not clear from the travel guide I own whether it is possible to rent a car for travel outside Addis without having to pay for a driver. I'm sure a driver would come in extremely handy at times. But my girlfriend and I have traveled many less developed countries safely and relatively easily in rented cars, and we'd prefer to drive ourselves. We live in snowy rural Minnesota (USA of course) and both drive 4x4 vehicles, so we're experienced with backroad travel difficulties. Like most Yanks we have little vacation time and need to cover much ground.

So...where is a reliable outlet from which a smaller 4x4 can be rented. We aren't necessarily seeking something new or expensive, not looking to attract any more attention than we have to.

Any tips on traveling this way? Are we insane for trying it? If we have to hire a driver as well, how does this work as far as hotel, eating, tips etc? Thanks a ton for your comments. gp

i planing to visit adis next month for the first time to have fun,i have heard that the bole road is the crowded with restaurants and cafe ,i like to sit in these cafe and enjoy watching people and being charmed by the beautify of Ethiopian girls , i would appreciate if you could recommed nice hotel or guest house supplied with not water on this vivid road or nearby(walking distance)and close to this restaurants and cafe

Someone mentioned free meal coupons being sold by HOPE foundation. Where do I buy these?

Hi,
I'll be in ethiopia from June 5th through 19th. I plan on spending a few days in the lower Omo, possibly by flying down to arba minch or Jinka. Are there local operators that can provide tours, based out of those towns, to the tribal areas? Would anyone be interested in sharing a 4X4 rental

Cheers,
Rahber

I will be in Ethiopia from mid-June to mid-July and will be travelling on my own for the second half of the trip. I'm interested in doing some trekking, walking or on horseback, and in soaking up some of the incredible natural beauty of the country. Obviously these kind of trips are more practical to organise as part of a group so I'd love to hear from anyone who may have similar plans.

I have been doing some research into various community tourism projects, from the Bale Mountains to the TEFSA project near Lalibella, though am fairly flexible in my travel plans at the moment - so comments or advice on this would also be much appreciated! Thanks

i plan to visit ethiopia next july.
i wish to visit addis and then the main historical places in northern ethiopia.
as i travel alone i wonder if its safe.
maybe its a good idea to join a group but i dont know the cost.
is it a good idea to hire a car-driver for the whole jurney (12 days)
thanx in advance

Can anyone recomend any cheap airlines for tickets to Ethiopia Im thinking of going in August, and advise on were to visit

Thanks Rob

Greetings everyone!
i wish to be in Ethiopia during June 09 for a month.
i would appreciate to hear from anyone who has experience in travelling all over ethiopia or a.a. in particular. many thanks.

-what are the modes of transport available in a.a., and also to travel to scenic
places of the country.

-food safety : types of food avaible, cleanliness and drinking water resources.
economical eating places.

-i heard credit cards are uselss in the country. Is this true, then what are
the best options?
is there a black market in the country one can get better rate of exchange to
the US.Dollar? what are the suitable currencies to carry, rules for carrying
foreign currency into the country.

-budget accomodation for single person : safe, clean and convenient in a.a.
with bed n breakfast.

-option for homestay with decent locals.

regards.

Hello!

I'm planning a three week trip to Ethiopia in July-August. Can anyone give me some advice on where to go and what to avoid absolutely? Given the rain off course...

Thanks a lot!

Thomas

Can anyone please advise on a good, guest friendly and mid-range hotel in Piazza area? Has anyone stayed in National hotel? Is it guest friendly? Or Taitu Hotel?
Thanks for your assistance.

HELLO!

Does anybody knows when (date) Ethiopia easter will be this year? I would like to be in Axum by than, but I do not have a clue when it is!
Thanks for your help!

Toedeloe!

Hey,
I am thinking about trevelling in Ethiopia for one month - March. From my exprience from Kenya I know it is much easier to trevel at least two people for sharing expenses etc. I am female, 26 years old, i have treveled South America, Southeast Asia, US. If someone has the same plans, let me know.

Hello folks,

I head out in a couple of days for my Egypt/Sudan/Ethiopia trip, and I'm wondering how much warm clothes I need. If I have some long sleeve shirts and a fleece, do I need a coat?

Thanks,
Nick

My daughter and I are going to Addis Ababa Ethiopia Jan/08/09 to pick up her newly adopted daughter. I am getting all the recommended immunizations except the yellow fever because of a possible allergic reaction due to the fact I am allergic to eggs. My question is --is this shot required or just a recommendation? We are staying in an American run guest house and will not be in any rural areas.I have been getting different info on the yellow fever immunization shot. Any other recommendations on the city would be appreciated.

Dear All,

I am from Croatia, and planing trip to Ethiopia and Tanzania in february. I have some doubt, I dont know if I need visa for Ethiopia or not. I found this note -Tourist visas can only be issued on arrival to: foreign nationals who are coming from countries where there is no Ethiopian Missionon- http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/consular/Visa.htm#How_to_Apply_for_a_Visa.
So, please, if anyone had some expirience or knowledge let me know.
Thanx

Does anyone know which bus company does the run between Addis and Harar.
Where the bus station for this company os located and what the cost will be?

Hello everyone,
Do you know of a reasonably priced travel agency in Addis that organizes a historical tour to Bahar Dar, Axum and Lalibela?
Thank you.

has anyone an email address for the Exodus hotel, and also the room rates
Thanks,
Travgran

can someone please advise me on a hotel in addis ababa. i am european.

on the internet i find only 2 hotels:

hilton (i have impression it is not good)

sheraton (expensive)

Hi. I'm going from Addis to Jimma in a few weeks from now. I'm wondering if I should go by bus or flight. The flight only takes about an hour, however I heard it oftens gets delayed (i.e. canceled for the day!). I'm wondering how the busride is? Can anyone tell me? And how long it takes? Thanks. Mette

I am planning a 2 week trip to Ethiopia this Nov.2008.
I am thinking about using the tour company'Fest Ethiopia" as my tour guide.
Has anybody out there used Fest Ethiopia? Can I get some feedback on their reliability, etc...
Thank you!
Teresa

I am hiring a 4 x 4 plus travel guide for south of Ethiopia between September 10th to October 10th or I can be flexible on the dates for November to December if I get enough people. I have 3 places left. garysemles@yahoo.co.uk

Ok, I am due to go to Ethiopia in 13 days time.

I chose July as it is the 'dry' season. (The original plan was April but was told it may be too wet)

Just seen the current weather and the 14 day forcast. Heavy rain in Addis, Gonder, Lalibela and the Omo.

I am now seriously worried about internal flights being cancelled, and the roads to the south being im passable.

Anyone currently there who can advise?

Can you please tell me the time/s of flight/s that leave Aksum daily for Addis Ababa and the return flight times from Addis. Thanks.

Hello,

we are to french girls and we are planning to visit north ethiopia in september with abey road travel agency. We are looking for people to share the car rental (2 places left).
Hope to see you you soon in ethiopia!

Céline

Does the Exodus hotel have a website?