Ethiopia Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

Foreign visitors to Ethiopia may obtain a visa on arrival. For tourist visas, the fees are as follows: USD 20 (one month, single-entry); USD 30 (three months, multiple-entry); USD 40 (six months, multiple-entry). Work visas are also obtainable, but are probably best organized in advance. Note that entry into Ethiopia is only allowed from Addis Ababa International Airport, unless the Government has granted prior permission for another point of entry, and a visa has been pre-organized. A yellow fever vaccination ceritificate is required to enter Ethiopia, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. A visa is a required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

UK Nationals

British citizens require a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. Passport holders endorsed British Citizen can obtain a tourist visa on arrival in the country (see note, below). Passport holders with other endorsements should check with the embassy to confirm their entry requirements.

Canadians

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival in the country (see note, below).

Australians

Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival in the country (see note, below).

South Africans

South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival in the country (see note, below).

Irish Nationals

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. A visa is a required, and can be obtained on arrival in the country (see note, below).

New Zealanders

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon arrival in Ethiopia. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival in the country (see note, below).

Healthcare

Travelers to Ethiopia are recommended to have hepatitis A and cholera vaccines, as there have been recent outbreaks of these diseases. Malaria is prevalent in the low lands (below 6,562ft/2,000m) and altitude sickness may affect travelers to the highland areas such as Addis Ababa. Bilharzia is present in the majority of lakes in Ethiopia and travelers are advised to drink boiled or bottled water, as waterborne diseases are prevalent. Medical facilities are poor outside of Addis Ababa, where hospitals are available but medical supplies are erratic; visitors should bring their own regular medications with them and arrange comprehensive medical insurance before travel.

Safety

Visitors are cautioned to avoid all public demonstrations and large crowds, particularly in Addis Ababa, and to keep a low profile in public places. Travel to the Gambella region near the southern Sudanese border, as well as to within 12 miles (20km) of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions (military zones), should be avoided due to violent unrest and an unstable security situation. The border between Eritrea and Ethiopia is closed. Traveling to Somalia by road should also be avoided, as well as all travel east of Harar. There have been several recent explosions in Jijiga. Overland travel to Sudan or Kenya is dangerous due to armed bandits, and should only be attempted in a convoy. There is a high threat from local terrorism in the country, and although not directed at foreigners, visitors need to be cautious in public places. Flooding often affects Ethiopia between June and September each year, killing hundreds of people in flash floods in low-lying areas.