Travelers' Information

Information For Travelers To Ethiopia

Visas - The Government of Ethiopia has recently revised its immigration policy.  U.S. citizens of Eritrean origin are no longer permitted to receive visas at Bole International Airport.  Please obtain a valid visa before traveling to Ethiopia.  In some cases, visas can be obtained for a fee at Bole International airport (but not at land border crossings).  However, the U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that all travelers to Ethiopia receive a visa before arrival in country. In some cases, U.S. tourist and business travelers have not been permitted to receive visas at Bole International Airport or have been significantly delayed.  Therefore, it is strongly recommended that all travelers obtain a valid Ethiopian visa prior to arrival.  Useful information on Ethiopian visa requirements can be found on the Washington DC Ethiopian Embassy web site.

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 - Ethiopia’s currency regulations are strictly enforced.  Travelers arriving in Ethiopia are required to declare any foreign currency in their possession in excess of $3,000 USD.  This must be done by filling out an Ethiopian Customs and Revenue Authority declaration form.  Travelers who neglect to declare currency over $3,000 USD risk having their money seized either upon entry or when they later depart the country.  This applies to transit travelers who stay in Ethiopia for 24 hours or longer as well as those remaining longer.  When exiting Ethiopia, non-residents of Ethiopia must have documentation of the origin (such as a bank or money exchange receipt or other evidence of origin) of any amounts of foreign currency they are carrying in excess of $3,000 USD.  Foreign nationals who are residents of Ethiopia must have evidence of the origin of any amount of foreign currency taken out of the country or by producing a customs declaration form not more than 45 days old.  All travelers entering or departing Ethiopia are limited to carrying no more than 200 Ethiopian Birr (approximately USD 18).  American citizens have been arrested and jailed for violations of these regulations and have had their excess funds seized.

Americans are also cautioned to change currency only at licensed facilities or banks and risk arrest and incarceration if they are caught changing currency with unauthorized dealers.  Travelers should be sure to obtain receipts for such transactions and retain them in case they are asked to account for the currency when they later depart Ethiopia.    Exchange receipts are required to convert unused Ethiopian currency back to the original foreign currency.  Penalties for exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment.  Credit cards are not accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops, or other local facilities, although they are accepted at the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels in Addis Ababa.  Some hotels and car rental companies, particularly in Addis Ababa, may require foreigners to pay in foreign currency or show a receipt for the source of foreign exchange if paying in local currency.  However, many hotels or establishments are not permitted to accept foreign currency or may be reluctant to do so.

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.   

-- Avian/Pandemic Flu information: www.pandemicflu.gov

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.