Travel facts on Ethiopia, dress code,
recommended clothing, transport, electrical supplies and
communications whilst travelling in Ethiopia.
Dress Code & Recommended
Clothing
Summer clothes can be worn during the daytime but in the
evening when it is cooler a sweater or jacket is
recommended.
Clothes which are multi-purpose are also
useful, for example, trousers with zip-off legs that become
shorts.
If you visit during the rainy season or intend
to go trekking in the mountains you should also bring warm
waterproof clothing.
General footwear when visiting historical and
cultural sites should be lightweight but robust - not sandals.
For trekking a good pair of walking boots is advisable.
With regard to footwear it is highly
recommended that you DO NOT bring new shoes or boots without
having worn them for quite some time to ensure they are
completely comfortable.
Ethiopians generally dress with moderation and
since it is both a Christian and Muslim country, this should be
taken into account when choosing suitable clothing.
When visiting churches, monasteries and other religious shrines
women should not expose their upper body or the legs below the
knee.
Men are not excluded from covering up and
should wear a long sleeved shirt or a lightweight jacket.
A recommended list of clothing and useful items
might be something like:
3 T-shirts or cotton shirts, one with long sleeves
3 Pairs of cotton trousers or long skirts for
women
2 Pairs of shorts or zip convertible trousers
2 Lightweight jumpers or sweat shirts
2 Warm sweaters
1 Lightweight waterproof jacket
1 Ski-style Jacket
1 Pair Slip-on waterproof leggings
1 Set of thermal underwear (For the Mountain
nights)
1 Tri-season sleeping bag
1 Pair of comfortable hiking boots
1 Pair of Trainer type shoes
Thick boot socks and general purpose light-weight
socks
1 Backpack, rucksack or duffel bag (No suitcases)
Light-weight travel bag for camera, guide books
etc
1 Towel + Toiletries
1 Water bottle
1 Sun Hat or Cap
Other Useful Items
Bandanna or Head Scarf
Travel alarm clock
Money Belt
Binoculars
Small Compact Torch
Hand Sanitizer
Mosquito and Insect repellent
Antidiarrheal drug
Compact Mosquito Net (optional)
High Factor Sunscreen
Travel tissues and wet wipes
Pens & Small Notepad
Compact Sewing kit
Sunglasses
Eye Patch for Sleeping
Spare pair of spectacles if you wear them
Pair of spectacles if you wear contact lenses. Climatic
changes and dust can cause irritation
Plastic carrier bags for dirty washing, dirty shoes and
trash
Multi sized bath & sink plug
Transportation
There are approximately 4,200 km of asphalt roads and 20,000
kilometers of gravel and dirt roads. There is a 778 km railway
line that links Addis Ababa with Djibouti that carries both
freight and passengers.
The main airline is Ethiopian Airlines which has an
extensive domestic network covering more than 42 airfields and
21 smaller landing strips.
Taxis There are no fixed tariff's for
fares and therefore you should negotiate and agree upon a price
before you begin a journey.
Driving
Ethiopians drive on the right and to drive yourself, you will
need a valid International Driving Licence. This you can
arrange before you arrive or obtain at the Transport and
Communications office in Addis Ababa.
Electricity & Communications
Ethiopia has a 220 volt at 50Hz electricity supply with three
main different types of electrical fittings:
3 Round pins with an earth ground (common throughout
Africa, Middle-East and India)
3 Round pins with earth ground pin offset (standard in
Switzerland)
3 Round pins in line (standard in Italy)
You will need a travel adaptor and transformer if you have
equipment that is not capable of working at 220 volts (US
travellers with 110 volt equipment please note).
If you are expecting to connect to the Ethiopian telephone
system with your own equipment you will also need to bring a
telecoms adaptor that caters for a 3 round pin plug standard
common in Italy.
An international direct dialing telephone service, Telex,
Fax, Internet and Airmail connects Ethiopia to all parts of the
world. Services are available at Post Office Telecommunication
branches, Internet Cafes and hotels.
Facts on Ethiopia I
Interesting facts on Ethiopia, its cities, peoples, culture,
history, languages, climate, currency, different times, in fact
everything Ethiopia.
Facts on Ethiopia
II
Travel facts on Ethiopia, Visa & Insurance requirements,
accommodation, food, tipping, health care, medical services, in
all about travel in Ethiopia.
Location Map Of
Ethiopia
Crossed by deep breathtaking gorges, crowned by magnificent
mountains, studded with beautiful lakes and majestic rivers,
surrounded by sweltering deserts, Ethiopia is a land of
indescribable beauty.
Choosing a
Tour
How to request a brochure featuring the type of tours available
to Ethiopia.
