Ethiopia
Travel tips for Ethiopia
Top 5 experiences
The „cradle of mankind“ impresses with a diverse landscape and cultural wealth. Among the most famous highlights are the rock churches of Lalibela and the Simien Mountains. Other attractions are:
Lalibela
The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians. The total of 11 churches from the 12th century was built over decades in detailed work and belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Simien Mountains
The impressive mountain world of the Simien Mountains is home to blood-breasted baboons, ibex and the Ethiopian wolf. With altitudes ranging from 1,900m to 4,500m, it is a paradise for hikers who will discover many endemic plants along the way.
Gondar
As a former imperial city, numerous castles and churches can be found here. Among the most famous ones are the palace district Fasil Ghebbi, the Bath of Fasilidas and the monastery Debre Berhan Selassie, located outside Gondar.
Coffee
Ethiopia is known to be the homeland of coffee. Since the coffee here is not simply drunk, but also ceremonially prepared, a real coffee ceremony should not be missing on a trip.
Cultural Heritage
Over 80 ethnic groups with different languages and traditions live in Ethiopia. The Oromo are the largest ethnic group, followed by the Amhars. Among the smaller ethnic groups are the Mursi and Tigray. One can get closer to the diverse mosaic of cultures by visiting a local market or village.
Tourist infrastructure
Ethiopia has a well-developed air network, with Addis Ababa being the starting and ending point of all international connections. There are sufficient domestic flights within the country. The remaining tourism infrastructure is still being developed in the country. Road conditions can vary depending on the region, but are generally rather difficult to drive on. Uneven and rocky roads are standard.
There is a basic portfolio of accommodations, which will be expanded in the future. Especially in the tourist regions accommodations from various categories can be found.
Climate and travel season
Due to the high altitude of Ethiopia, there is a pleasant, mostly summer climate all year round. During the nights, the temperatures sometimes cool down considerably. As in most African countries, there is a rainy season, this extends from June to September. Between March and May there is a small rainy season, in all other months there are hardly any rain showers.
The best time to travel is considered to be October to May, with the months immediately after the rainy season being particularly attractive due to the blooming countryside. Another popular time is during the religious festivals of the Orthodox Church in September and January.
Visa and entry
Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland require a visa for entering Ethiopia, which can be applied for in advance at the responsible representative office in the respective country or can be obtained as E-Visa. All travel documents must be valid for at least six months beyond the trip. It is also possible to apply for a visa on arrival in Ethiopia, but there is often a waiting period.
Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affairs / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.
Impressions from Ethiopia
(Click to enlarge)
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Status: 05.10.2021