Food
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The Ethiopian national dish consists of injera, a flat, circular pancake made of fermented dough on top of which are served different kinds of cooked meats, vegetables and pulses.
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The sauces are generally spiced with berbere, a blend of herbs and spices (including hot peppers) which gives Ethiopian food its characteristic taste.
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Vegetarians should try "fasting food" (for devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast days make up nearly half the year), a colorful spread of Salads, vegetables and pulses, devoid of all meat and animal products.
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One eats national dishes with right hand (water for washing is usually brought to the table before the food is served), tearing off pieces of injera to pick up the "toppings".
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Addis Ababa now boasts of a wide variety of restaurants, and at hotels in tourist sites European style food such as pasta is always available.
Accommodation
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Addis Ababa has two 5 star hotels: the Hilton and the Sheraton-and a growing number of tourist class hotels.
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Standards vary outside the capital (the hotels in the north are generally better than those in the south), but apart from the Omo and Mago areas where camping is unavoidable it is generally possible to get relatively clean rooms with en suite toilet and shower.
Travel by air, road and rail
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Ethiopian Airlines operates an extensive (43 airports and an additional 21 landing strips) and generally efficient and reliable domestic air service, but cancellations and delays do occur.
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Traveling by road allows visitors to experience Ethiopia’s wonderful scenery, but road conditions are generally poor, and mountainous topography in the north will cut speed.
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The hour flight to Lalibela for example takes nearly two days by road.
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Railway enthusiasts who wish to travel by train from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa or on to Djibouti should be prepared for delays and run down carriages.
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Ethiopia has recently secured substantial grants for the renovation of its road and rail network, but improvement will take time.
Money Matters
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Visitors should declare all currency in their possession on arrival and only change at banks and authorized foreign exchange dealers.
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The Ethiopian currency is the birr, the rate of which against the US dollar is fixed in weekly auctions.
(In March 2006 the rate was 8.6 birr to US$1.00, but ask us for the current rate.)
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In order to change birr back to dollars on leaving the country, visitors will be asked to produce bank receipts.
Miscellaneous
Visas:
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Visas should be obtained in the visitor’s country of residence.
Airport tax:
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There is a US$20 departure tax for international flights
Electricity: 220 volts
Souvenirs:
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Many antiques cannot be exported and may be confiscated if found in airport searches. The National Museum in Addis Ababa can issue a clearance certificate.
Photography:
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Generally only 100 ASA is available, slide film usually not.
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As a matter of courtesy, permission should be sought before photographing individuals and in many parts of the country, particularly among the Afar and among the ethnic groups living by the Omo River, people will demand a fee.
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In some sites (Blue Nile falls for example) there is a charge for video photography.
Beggars and begging: Ethiopia’s recent history of civil wars, famines and population displacement, along with poverty and under development generally, has created large numbers of destitute, particularly noticeable in Addis Ababa. Giving to one often provokes a flood of others and does not really solve the problem. Travel Ethiopia is happy to facilitate donations to organizations working with the needy and to facilities like clinics and schools. |
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