General Travel Information
Bring along
Comfortable clothes, T-shirts and convertible trousers. Instead of a hardcover suitcase, bring along a sports bag. Laundry service available in most places.
Do not forget:
Awra Amba Tours chooses to travel in small groups up to ten people.
Travel documents
When you travel to Ethiopia, your passport has to be valid for a minimum of a months after returning home. You also need a visa. A visa for Ethiopia costs $ 47, which you can pay in cash in US Dollars upon arrival at the airport. At the airport, they will request you to fill in a form with your personal data and the name of you accommodation.
Climate / Best time to travel
Ethiopia is a large country and its climate displays a great range of regional differences. But starting June to August is have a longer rainy season for most part of the country. This does not mean that the rain is pouring down all day long, usually only a few hours a day and then for days on a row, there will be no rain at all. The best time to travel is October to May it is the dry period, However if you love flowers blossoming, trees coming into leaf and butterflies, starting mid-August to September would be the best time to travel.
Accommodation
Type of accommodation will be decided on in close consultation
Transport
We travel in private mini buses, public transport and by bots. You can also choose to take domestic flights.
Meals
Depending on your wishes, meals can be included at an extra charge. Vegetarians or people on a special diet have to inform the cook about their special wishes.
Tips
For most Ethiopia people working in the tourism industry, tips are an important part of their income. It is common to tip guides, cooks and hotel staff after an excursion, trip or stay
Money Matters
The unit of currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr. However, you can change your money into Ethiopian Birr. Dollars are accepted in same places. In case you would like to bring along dollars, $ 50 And $ 100.- notes will get you a better exchange rate than smaller notes do!
It is not that easy to exchange Traveler’s Cheques. You will find ATMs in almost every city nowadays. But, always take some extra cash to exchange in case the ATMs are out of order.
Safety
As long as you take some precautions, Ethiopia is a safe place to travel. Do not walk around with everything you own in your Pockets, divide your possessions over several places. Watch your bag; do not leave it lying around. Don’t wear gold and expensive jewelry, leave your Rolex at home and use a money belt to store your money and papers, preferably underneath your clothes. At any time, it is your own responsibility,so do not leave any money or papers in the car. Keep a copy of your passport, insurance card and ticket at a safe place. It is practical to have some smaller notes at hand so you do not have to fetch your money belt every time you pay for something!
Health Matters
When starting your journey, make sure you are not too run down. If you are over fatigue when you start your journey, take it easy the first day you arrive. You can eat fruits at any time as long as you wash it with (bottled) water. It is best to eat food that is properly cooked, fried and hot. Only drink bottled water. Do not forget to wash your hands frequently! In almost every city it is possible to visit a private hospital in case of problems.
It is advisable to bring your own medication. In case of any specific health problems, inform your travel agent or guide
Taking pictures and shooting films
Most Ethiopians do not like to have their picture taken or being filmed without permission. Take into account that you will really have to get in touch with them to get a chance at taking their picture or filming them. Of course, you are free to take as many photos or make as much films you want of animals and nature. However, we will visit the Awra Amba community in their own village and you can making photos of them.
Language
The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic but in the country there is different regions and they have their Owen language. However, in the big town most people hardly speak English.
Time
In Ethiopia counting starts after sunrise, meaning 7 AM ‘international time’ is 1 AM in Ethiopia, 8 AM would be 2 AM in Ethiopia, and so on. There is a difference of six hours in counting with ‘international time’. This of course causes many misunderstandings. When setting a date for two o’clock, you are likely to think they mean two in the afternoon (2 PM), when of course in Ethiopia they mean 8 o’clock in the morning (8 AM)! So, always ask if they are talking English time or Ethiopian time.by the way Ethiopia is the only country in Africa they have their Owen calendar and letters.
Clothing
In Ethiopia, it is not that much appropriate to dress skimpy. Bare armpits are considered a turn on and therefore private.
Safari Rules
Do not feed the animals, not even a breadcrumb for the birds at the parking places of the national parks. We try not to disturb nature, we leave the animals at peace and we do not make any noises to attract their attention! However enthusiastic you are, enjoying quietly is all safaris are about!
Bring along
Comfortable clothes, T-shirts and convertible trousers. Instead of a hardcover suitcase, bring along a sports bag. Laundry service available in most places.
Do not forget:
- Small backpack
- Sleeping bag for camping safari’s
- Cap or scarf and sunglasses
- Suntan lotion
- Insect repellent with DEET!
- Photo and/or video camera
- Walking shoes, flip-flops and comfortable shoes to wear in the car
- Fleece sweater and wind breaker
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Medication (also see: Health)
- Copy of your passport, your ticket and your insurance papers
Awra Amba Tours chooses to travel in small groups up to ten people.
Travel documents
When you travel to Ethiopia, your passport has to be valid for a minimum of a months after returning home. You also need a visa. A visa for Ethiopia costs $ 47, which you can pay in cash in US Dollars upon arrival at the airport. At the airport, they will request you to fill in a form with your personal data and the name of you accommodation.
Climate / Best time to travel
Ethiopia is a large country and its climate displays a great range of regional differences. But starting June to August is have a longer rainy season for most part of the country. This does not mean that the rain is pouring down all day long, usually only a few hours a day and then for days on a row, there will be no rain at all. The best time to travel is October to May it is the dry period, However if you love flowers blossoming, trees coming into leaf and butterflies, starting mid-August to September would be the best time to travel.
Accommodation
Type of accommodation will be decided on in close consultation
Transport
We travel in private mini buses, public transport and by bots. You can also choose to take domestic flights.
Meals
Depending on your wishes, meals can be included at an extra charge. Vegetarians or people on a special diet have to inform the cook about their special wishes.
Tips
For most Ethiopia people working in the tourism industry, tips are an important part of their income. It is common to tip guides, cooks and hotel staff after an excursion, trip or stay
Money Matters
The unit of currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr. However, you can change your money into Ethiopian Birr. Dollars are accepted in same places. In case you would like to bring along dollars, $ 50 And $ 100.- notes will get you a better exchange rate than smaller notes do!
It is not that easy to exchange Traveler’s Cheques. You will find ATMs in almost every city nowadays. But, always take some extra cash to exchange in case the ATMs are out of order.
Safety
As long as you take some precautions, Ethiopia is a safe place to travel. Do not walk around with everything you own in your Pockets, divide your possessions over several places. Watch your bag; do not leave it lying around. Don’t wear gold and expensive jewelry, leave your Rolex at home and use a money belt to store your money and papers, preferably underneath your clothes. At any time, it is your own responsibility,so do not leave any money or papers in the car. Keep a copy of your passport, insurance card and ticket at a safe place. It is practical to have some smaller notes at hand so you do not have to fetch your money belt every time you pay for something!
Health Matters
When starting your journey, make sure you are not too run down. If you are over fatigue when you start your journey, take it easy the first day you arrive. You can eat fruits at any time as long as you wash it with (bottled) water. It is best to eat food that is properly cooked, fried and hot. Only drink bottled water. Do not forget to wash your hands frequently! In almost every city it is possible to visit a private hospital in case of problems.
It is advisable to bring your own medication. In case of any specific health problems, inform your travel agent or guide
Taking pictures and shooting films
Most Ethiopians do not like to have their picture taken or being filmed without permission. Take into account that you will really have to get in touch with them to get a chance at taking their picture or filming them. Of course, you are free to take as many photos or make as much films you want of animals and nature. However, we will visit the Awra Amba community in their own village and you can making photos of them.
Language
The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic but in the country there is different regions and they have their Owen language. However, in the big town most people hardly speak English.
Time
In Ethiopia counting starts after sunrise, meaning 7 AM ‘international time’ is 1 AM in Ethiopia, 8 AM would be 2 AM in Ethiopia, and so on. There is a difference of six hours in counting with ‘international time’. This of course causes many misunderstandings. When setting a date for two o’clock, you are likely to think they mean two in the afternoon (2 PM), when of course in Ethiopia they mean 8 o’clock in the morning (8 AM)! So, always ask if they are talking English time or Ethiopian time.by the way Ethiopia is the only country in Africa they have their Owen calendar and letters.
Clothing
In Ethiopia, it is not that much appropriate to dress skimpy. Bare armpits are considered a turn on and therefore private.
Safari Rules
Do not feed the animals, not even a breadcrumb for the birds at the parking places of the national parks. We try not to disturb nature, we leave the animals at peace and we do not make any noises to attract their attention! However enthusiastic you are, enjoying quietly is all safaris are about!