Ethiopia

Head to the breathtaking Simien Mountains to hike along escarpment trails and tackle an ascent of Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak

Marvel at thundering waterfalls and ornate island monasteries on a Lake Tana cruise

Explore the ancient ruins of Axum and the medieval castles of Gondar, Ethiopia’s former capital

See World Heritage Listed rock-carved churches in the holy town of Lalibela

Experience the rich traditions of the Omo Valley’s diverse ethnic tribal groups

Spot unique wildlife including gelada baboons, walia ibex and Simien foxes

Wander colourful markets and museums in the dynamic capital of Addis Ababa

Ethiopia, although almost on the equator, experiences a temperate climate and sometimes temperatures below freezing in the Simien Mountains, due to the high altitude here (up to 4600m in places).

Throughout the highlands, the climate is moderate and daytime temperatures rarely exceed 25oC. The temperature can drop at night to 8 - 10oC at around 2500m and below zero in higher areas. Frosts are not uncommon.

Lalibela and Addis Ababa are at a similar altitudes, that being around 2600m, and have a similar temperature range of about 6 – 25oC.

The hottest months are April and May, just before the main rains with the coldest months being June to August.

Ethiopia boasts “thirteen months of sunshine" a year - referring to the thirteen months of the Julian calender.

There are, however, two rainy seasons a year: the irregular short rains from late January to early March and the long rains that stretch from June until mid September.

One of the most ideal times to visit Ethiopia is between October and January, when the rains have ceased and the land is green.

It can rain or snow at any time of the year at altitude so a good waterproof jacket and warm layers of clothing are essential items on your packing list.

Note that people affected by dust or having respiratory illness should not travel between January to March due to high dust levels and ploughing.

Ethiopia is +3 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Amharic (official national language); Oromo (official - State of Oromiya); Somali (official - State of Sumale); Tigrigna (official - State of Tigray) and Afar (official - State of Afar).

Ethiopian Birr

We suggest carrying money in US dollar cash (other currencies may cause confusion at banks) – use notes printed after 2006 only.

Many hotels will change USD cash into Birr.

A cash card affiliated with Visa or Mastercard that can be presented at a foreign exchange bureau or used in an ATM machine is also useful in major centres only. ATMs/Cash Machines are found throughout Addis Ababa and in major cities/towns such as Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela. Beyond these centres it will be very difficult to change money.

The Jupiter Cazanchise and Jupiter Bole hotels (most commonly the group hotels) also have ATM machines which issue Birr in their lobbies. (NOTE: reliability of these machines cannot be guaranteed.) For this purpose, credit cards are very useful. However, few if any places accept credit cards for payment of purchases or meals.

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Electricity in Ethiopia is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Electricity in Ethiopia is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.