Answers to what travellers actually ask us before booking Ethiopia — visas and eVisa fees, when to go, what the safety advisories really say, what to pack, and how touring with us works. Everything here is current as of September 2026. If your question is not answered, message us and we will answer it honestly.
Visas and entry
Do I need a visa to visit Ethiopia?
Almost certainly yes. Citizens of Kenya and Djibouti enter visa-free; everyone else needs a visa, and the simplest route is the eVisa applied for online at evisa.gov.et before you fly. Do not use third-party visa sites — they charge more for the same document. Full walkthrough in our Ethiopia visa guide.
How much does the Ethiopian eVisa cost?
$62 USD for a single-entry 30-day tourist visa and $152 USD for single-entry 90 days, checked against the official portal in September 2026. Ethiopia reduced the 30-day fee by $20, so older guides quoting $82 are out of date. Fees change — confirm on the portal when you apply.
How long does the Ethiopian eVisa take?
Three business days under normal conditions, and often faster. Apply at least a week before departure to leave room. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date, and you should print the PDF — immigration at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport checks the printed copy.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Ethiopia?
Yes, visa on arrival is available at Bole International Airport for most nationalities, but we do not recommend relying on it. Queues are long after a night flight, the fee is higher, and availability is not guaranteed. The eVisa costs less and removes the uncertainty.
Do you provide airport transfers?
Yes. All our packages include airport pickup and drop-off. Send us your flight details once they are confirmed and someone will be at arrivals with your name.
When to visit
What is the best time to visit Ethiopia?
October to March is the main season: the rains have finished, the highlands are green, and visibility is at its best. Peak arrivals run December to February, with January the busiest month. The kiremt rains fall roughly June to September — travel is still possible, but some southern and lowland roads become difficult. Our month-by-month guide breaks it down by destination.
When is the best time for each destination?
They differ more than most people expect. Danakil Depression: October to February, when temperatures are lowest — avoid March to September, the heat is genuinely dangerous. Simien Mountains: October to March for clear trekking. Omo Valley: October to May. Lalibela: year-round, best October to May, and spectacular for Timket in January. Addis Ababa and the Bale Mountains: year-round.
When is Ethiopian New Year?
11 September most years, and 12 September in the year before an Ethiopian leap year. Called Enkutatash, it opens the month of Meskerem and is announced across the highlands by the yellow Adey Abeba daisy. In 2026 it falls on Friday 11 September and begins Ethiopian year 2019 — see our guide to Enkutatash and the September festivals.
Why is the Ethiopian calendar seven to eight years behind?
Because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church follows a different calculation of the date of the Annunciation — that of Annianus of Alexandria — while the Gregorian calendar follows Dionysius Exiguus. The two are exactly eight years apart, or seven for the part of the year before 11 September. The Ethiopian year also runs to thirteen months: twelve of thirty days plus a short month called Pagumé.
What are the main Ethiopian festivals?
Four matter most for visitors. Enkutatash (New Year) on 11 September. Meskel on 27 September, with the Demera bonfire lit on the eve — inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) on 7 January, at its most striking in Lalibela. Timket (Epiphany) on 19 January, the largest of them all, celebrated most spectacularly in Gondar. Festival accommodation books out months ahead.
Safety and health
Is Ethiopia safe for travellers?
It depends entirely on where you go, and we would rather give you the real picture than a reassuring one. Addis Ababa, Oromia and southern Ethiopia are straightforward for visitors. The northern regions carry formal advisories: the US State Department rates Ethiopia Level 3 overall with Level 4 — Do Not Travel for Tigray, Afar and Amhara, and the UK FCDO advises against all travel to Amhara, with a carve-out for Lalibela and its access road. Lalibela, Gondar and the Simien Mountains sit in Amhara; the Danakil sits in Afar. We continue to run all three with licensed guides and escorts where required, and we will postpone or reroute rather than run a departure we do not like. Read the full position in our honest safety guide.
Will my travel insurance cover me?
Check the wording before you pay a deposit. Many policies are void, in whole or in part, if you travel to a region your own government advises against visiting — which includes Amhara and Afar for UK and US travellers. Ask your insurer directly if it is ambiguous, and make sure whatever you buy includes medical evacuation. This is the single most important thing to get right, and most operators do not mention it.
Do I need vaccinations to travel to Ethiopia?
See a travel medicine clinic at least six weeks before departure. Yellow fever proof is required if you are arriving from a country with transmission risk. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid are commonly advised. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for areas below 2,000m — the Omo Valley, Awash and the Danakil — but is not generally needed for Addis Ababa, Lalibela or the Simien Mountains.
What about altitude sickness?
Addis Ababa sits at 2,355m and the Simien Mountains camps reach around 3,600m, so it is worth planning for. Drink more water than feels necessary, avoid alcohol and overexertion on your first day, and gain height gradually. Most people are fine. If you are trekking the Simiens, ask your doctor about acetazolamide before you travel.
Is the food and water safe?
The food is excellent and safe at reputable restaurants and hotels — doro wat on injera is worth the trip on its own. Do not drink the tap water, including in Addis Ababa. Bottled water is inexpensive and everywhere in towns; in the Danakil and Simien camps, carry purification tablets or a filter bottle.
Money and practicalities
What currency is used, and can I pay by card?
The Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Larger hotels and establishments in Addis Ababa take cards, but outside the capital cash is king — in the Danakil and Omo Valley it is the only option. ATMs work in Addis and larger towns and are unreliable in remote areas. Carry some USD as a backup; it exchanges easily at commercial banks.
Will I have Wi-Fi and mobile signal?
Wi-Fi is available in most city hotels and lodges and is limited or absent in remote areas — expect none in the Danakil or on the Simien trek. Mobile coverage is good in populated areas. A local SIM is worth buying on arrival if you want reliable data.
What should I pack?
Layers, above all — highland temperatures swing 15°C between morning and afternoon. Bring quick-dry long trousers and long sleeves (cooler, sun-safe, and appropriate at Orthodox sites), a fleece or down mid-layer for Simien nights near zero, sturdy hiking boots, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and a filter water bottle. Ethiopia uses Type C, E, F and L plugs, so bring a universal adapter. Full list in our Ethiopia packing guide.
Can I bring a drone?
Leave it at home unless you have secured a formal permit in advance. Drones are restricted in Ethiopia, the permit process is slow, and customs may confiscate an unpermitted drone on arrival.
What languages are spoken?
Ethiopia has more than 80 languages. Amharic is the federal working language and uses its own script, Ge’ez. English is widely spoken in cities, hotels and the tourism sector, and all our guides work in English. A greeting goes a long way: selam for hello, ameseginalehu for thank you.
Can I photograph people and ceremonies?
Ask first, every time. In the Omo Valley in particular, photography is a local income stream and a small per-photo fee is normal and expected — your guide will explain the going rate so nobody is put on the spot. At churches and during ceremonies, ask before raising a camera and accept no for an answer.
Touring with Ethiosinia
How long do I need in Ethiopia?
A week covers one region properly. Our Lalibela and Gondar heritage tour runs 7 days across the northern historic route; the Omo Valley cultural experience is 6 days and the Simien Mountains trek 5. The Danakil Depression expedition is 3 days. With only a day or two, stay near Addis — the city tour and the crater lakes, monasteries and forest parks within a few hours’ drive are all doable.
What do your tours cost?
Indicative per-person prices: day trips from Addis Ababa $100–$150; the 3-day Danakil expedition and 2-day Awash safari from $450; the 5-day Simien trek from $1,400; and the 6-day Omo Valley, 7-day Lalibela and Gondar and Coffee Origins tour from $1,500. Group size affects the final figure — browse all tours for what each includes.
Can I customise my tour?
Yes, and most of our guests do. Extend a stay, combine regions, swap in a festival date, slow the pace down or build something we do not list at all. Tell us how long you have and what you want to see, and we will build the itinerary around it.
How do I book a tour?
Message us on WhatsApp at +251 91 003 2472 — that is the fastest route and how most enquiries reach us — or use the contact form or email. Tell us your dates, group size and what you want to see, and you will get an itinerary and a price back, not a brochure.
How do I pay?
We accept secure online payment, bank transfer and cash. Payment details are confirmed during booking. Every booking comes with a confirmation letter you can use for the accommodation address on your eVisa application.
Do you run group tours?
Yes, with reduced per-person rates for families, groups of friends and corporate groups. Tell us how many of you there are and we will price it properly rather than multiplying the individual rate.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and others. Tell us in advance so arrangements are made before you arrive rather than negotiated at the table. Ethiopian cuisine is unusually well suited to this: the Orthodox fasting tradition means ye’tsom beyaynetu, a vegan platter, is on almost every menu in the country.
Is Ethiopia good for solo travellers?
Addis Ababa is manageable solo for experienced independent travellers. Beyond the capital, permits, transport and logistics make guided travel considerably easier even setting security aside — the Simien Mountains require scouts, and the Danakil cannot be done independently at all.
Still Have Questions?
If you didn’t find the answer to your question here, don’t worry! Our team is happy to assist. Contact us directly:
- Email: contact@ethiosinia.com
- Phone/WhatsApp: +251 91 003 2472
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM