Ethiopia - Etiopia

Ethiopia - country in Africa, in the so-called corner of Africa. It is bordered by, among others With Sudan (in the West), Kenya (on the south), Somalia (east and south) i Eritrea (in the north) and Djibouti (on the east).

Characteristic

Geography

Ethiopia is called the roof of Africa. The north of the country is located in the Abyssinian Upland and this part of the country is dominated by the mountain and upland image. The south consists of tropics and lakes.

fauna and Flora

Climate

History

Culture and art

Policy

129 Ethiopia 3.42 Authoritarian regime Federalism, parliamentary republic

Economy

Society

Traditions

Preparations

Guides

There is a Lonely Planet guide (Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti). The first release in 2000 had a lot of bugs, but since then there have been a few re-releases including the late 2009 one which is much better.

Much better English version - Bradt. The most recent issue - December 2018

Travel time selection

During the Polish summer there is a rainy season in Ethiopia and many roads become impassable. That's why it's best to go there during the Polish winter.

Visas

The visa is bought at the airport in Addis Ababa. The office is open 24 hours a day. The cost of the visa is $ 50 - payable on the spot. No photos needed.

You can also buy a visa online https://www.evisa.gov.et Cost $ 52.

Customs regulations

There are no particular restrictions. The border with Somalia and Eritrea is closed.

Currency exchange

You can exchange dollars or euros at the airport. USD 1 exchange rate is around 28 birr.

January 2020 - around 31 birr

Insurance

Equipment

Drive

By plane

There are no direct connections from Poland to Addis Ababa. You can fly with a change in Istanbul, Frankfurt, Paris or London.

By train

There is only one railway line in Ethiopia connecting the capital with Djibouti. An old, worn out train is very slow and rarely arrives on time.

By car

By bus

By ship

Border crossings

Regions

No on the map Name of the region / city Capital of the region 1 Addis Ababa - 2 Afar Asajta 3 Amhara Bahyr Dar 4 Bienshangul-Gumuz Asosa 5 Dire Daua - 6 Gambeli Gambela Peoples Region 7 Hareri Harer Peoples Region 8 Oromia Addis Ababa 9 Somali Jijiga 10 Nations Region, Nationalities and Peoples of the South Awaasa 11 Tigraj Mekelie

Cities

According to official data from 2013, Ethiopia had over 140 cities with a population of over 13,000. residents. The capital city of Addis Ababa was the only city with over a million inhabitants; 15 cities with a population of 100,000 ÷ 500,000; 20 cities with a population of 50,000 ÷ 100,000; 55 cities with a population of 25,000 ÷ 50,000 and the rest of the cities below 25,000 residents.

• Addis Ababa
• Dire Daua
• Gonder
• Lalibela

Interesting places

Objects from the UNESCO World Heritage List

• The Auasz River Valley
• Omo River Valley
• Rock churches in Lalibela
• Semien National Park
• Ruins of the city Aksum
• Archaeological site of Tyja
• Fortified city Harar Jugol
• Fortified city Fasil Ghebbi

Transport

Trains

There is only one railway line in Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to Dire Daua, but the train going along this route is slow and unpunctual.

Coaches

Recently, when the roads between the cities were gravel or badly damaged, the journey took two days. Currently, we can easily get to most cities in one day. it is the primary mode of transportation in Ethiopia. In Addis, you can buy tickets for two bus lines to the major cities of Selam Bus http://selambus.com/selam/ (next to Addis train station) and Sky Bus http://skybusethiopia.com/. Buses of these companies are air-conditioned, departure from the stops is around 5 am. In these buses, there is a steward's stand, i.e. a man who checks tickets (up to 3 times during the trip) distributes drinks, snacks and organizes stops. Traveling on these lines is the safest form of traveling by land in Ethiopia. Using other, albeit cheaper carriers is risky. Of course, there are buses there, but before buying a ticket, it is better to ask what time you will be there and check if the standard of the bus suits us, and some are really in poor condition.

Airplanes

Most tourists on longer routes travel by airplanes that connect the most important towns. A ticket on the Addis-Gondar-Lalibela-Axum-Addis route costs around $ 650. In some offices, tourists can only pay for tickets in dollars, Ethiopian airlines, although they are the safest airlines in Africa, are certainly not the most punctual, even two-hour delays should be taken into account. At the airports, you will undergo a double thorough baggage check before boarding and before check-in.

Cars

In some cities, you can look for a Jeep that goes in the same direction as us. For a fee higher than the bus ticket, we will travel the same route more conveniently and faster (up to two times) than by bus. You have to ask for the Jeep here and there - at the hotel, in restaurants, on the street. For around $ 200 a day, you can rent a Jeep.

Trip

Tongue

 Main article: Amharic phrasebook.

Most Ethiopians speak Amharic, and minorities have their own languages. We communicate in English in tourist towns. In others, it may be harder, but things are getting better. Children at school learn English.

Shopping

Shops, small shops, stalls and all kinds of trade are available at every turn. Of course, prices for "whites" are extremely touristic, you can bargain up to 70% of the price. You should be careful when you offer us souvenirs from tomb looting, eg Axum, because not only do we wind up the business, but it will also be confiscated from us at the airport. A permit from the National Museum in Addis is required for the removal of historical souvenirs. Very poor quality Chinese is available practically in all of Ethiopia.

Gastronomy

The staple food in Ethiopia is indżera - a cake baked with a specific flour. It is eaten with a very hot sauce. The pieces of indżera are torn off, dipped in the sauce and put in the mouth. In almost everywhere, the inżera can be replaced with bread. Pizza and spaghetti are the remnants of the Italian occupation.

When in Ethiopia, you must try fruit juices (or rather purees). The one with mangoes is especially recommended.

Ethiopians believe that white people eat only eggs for breakfast, in all forms they are available in every bar and restaurant at breakfast time.

Accommodation

There is no problem with hotels, although their standard may raise many reservations in the capital, the best hotels are on Bole Road (approx. 2 km from the airport) Overnight in a single room costs approx. USD 60 (approx. 700 BIRR) in a good hotel, while at Piassa prices are around 150 BIRR. In smaller towns, one has to get used to the constant presence of German Prussians in the rooms and, in some cases, to fleas. Hot water is available only at certain times or not at all. There is usually a restaurant close to each hotel.

Science

work

Security

It's generally safe in Ethiopia. Of course, you should be careful about all kinds of hustlers who can demand money for a favor, as well as for a free folklore performance. There are a lot of pickpockets around the bus station in Addis Ababa.

It is also dangerous in the Rastafarian city Shashemene.

Health

Medical consultations in private clinics cost from $ 20 per visit.

contact

Telephone

Internet

post

Tourist information

Diplomatic representations

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Addis Adeba

Dej. Belay Zeleke Road, Guelele Sub-City, Woreda 07/08, House No. 583, P.O. Box 27207/1000, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: 251 11 157 41 89

Web page: https://addisabeba.msz.gov.pl/pl/

E-mail: [email protected]

Ethiopian Embassy in Berlin

Address: Boothstrasse 20 A, D-12207 Berlin

Telephone: 049 30 772 060

Fax: 49 30 772 06 26

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

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