Travelers' Information

Information For Travelers To Ethiopia

Visas - Please obtain a valid visa before traveling to Ethiopia.  Visas can be obtained for a fee at the airport (but not at land border crossings).  The visas are not immediately issued, and passports may be retained by Ethiopian immigration officers at the airport until the visa is issued.

Money - Ethiopia has a cash economy.  Cash dollars and some of the more popular travelers checks can be changed at the airport, and at some banks.  There are no ATM machines.  Credit cards are only accepted a a couple of the major hotels, and then only for lodging costs.

Currency regulations - Visitors may be asked to declare hard currency upon arrival and may be required to present this declaration when departing.  It is illegal to buy or sell foreign currency except at banks and licensed hotels. It is also against the law to pay for purchases other than the hotel bill with foreign currency.  Foreigners are required to pay for car rentals in hard currency.

Cultural artifacts - Cultural artifacts cannot be taken out of the country without special permission.  If you buy an artifact, please have the vendor provide a museum certificate for customs.  Failure to do so will result in items being confiscated at the airport.

Immunizations - Your immunization records (yellow WHO card) documenting Yellow Fever vaccination are required to enter the country.  Other recommended vaccinations include:  tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, meningitis, poliomyelitis and, for high-risk groups, rabies.

Health - Addis Ababa is located above 8000 feet above sea level, which may cause health problems, even for otherwise healthy travelers.  Individuals may experience shortness of breath, blurry vision, slow reaction times, fatigue, nausea, headaches, leg craps, ringing in the ears and insomnia.  Drinking large amounts of bottled water sometimes relieves these symptoms.  Health facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and inadequate outside of the capital.  Many medications are not available.  All travelers are advised to closely adhere to the following guidelines:

-- Infectious leprosy is found in Ethiopia.  Frequent hand washing is strongly recommended.

-- You should not travel to Ethiopia if you have serious or chronic pulmonary or cardiac conditions.  This includes individuals suffering from bronchial asthma, angina pectoris, previous myocardial infarction, emphysema, congestive heart failure or sleep apnea.  Those with sickle cell trait are encouraged not to come.

 -- Bring sufficient supplies of all chronic and emergency medications. 

 -- All visitors are recommended to obtain medical evacuation insurance sufficient to ensure evacuation by chartered air ambulance before leaving the United States.

-- Malaria prophylaxis is not needed in Addis Ababa, but is needed at lower elevations outside Addis Ababa.  Chloroquine-resistant malaria is present at lower elevations of Ethiopia.  In these areas, malaria prophylaxis containing mefloquine, doxycycline or chloroquine with proguanil, together with exposure prevention techniques (use of mosquito repellent, long-sleeves shirts and long trousers, mosquito nets, etc.) are essential.   

Weather - Addis Ababa experiences two cold rainy seasons.  There may be light rains from January through May.  The heavy rains generally last from June through September.  The rest of the year is dry, with warm, sunny days and cool nights.

Electronic equipment - Travelers carrying tools or electronic equipment (i.e., laptop computers, video cameras, tape recorders) should register the items with the Customs Office at the airport upon entry into Ethiopia.  Failure to do so may result in the items being impounded at the airport upon your departure.

Security - Please review the travel notices for East Africa and the Middle East/North Africa at www.travel.state.gov.  You can also access the Consular Information Sheet for Ethiopia at the same site.

Crime - Pick-pocketing and other petty crimes are prevalent in urban areas.  There are occasional reports of thieves snatching jewelry.  Visitors should exercise normal caution and not carry large sums of money or wear excessive jewelry on their persons.  Visitors should carry wallets and other valuables where they will not be susceptible to pickpockets.  Walking in Addis Ababa after dusk is not safe.  Night driving is strongly discouraged, especially outside of Addis Ababa.  Armed banditry can occur on roads outside major towns or cities and may be accompanied by violence.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the U.S. Embassy.  It is advisable to leave passports, plane tickets and valuables in a hotel safe.  Visitors, however, will be asked to show passports or other official identification when entering the U.S. Embassy compound. 

Photography - Ethiopians are very sensitive about photography.  It is strictly prohibited to photograph military installations, police or military personnel, industrial facilities, government buildings, and infrastructure facilities (roads, bridges, ports, airfields, etc.).  Confiscation of film or camera or even arrest may result.

Departure tax and flight reconfirmation - Ethiopia charges a USD 20 (twenty) departure tax, payable in USD cash only.  It is collected at the airport after the boarding pass has been obtained.  Visitors also should confirm onward flight reservations at least 72 hours prior to departure to reduce the possibility of cancellation.