Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. A developing country in east Africa, it has an estimated population of 80 million. The capital is Addis Ababa with a population of 5 million. Eighty percent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture, the rest in industry and commerce.
Ethiopia is a land of contrasts and extremes. Its terrain includes high plateau, mountains and dry lowland plains. The jagged Simien Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has some of the lowest places on the African continent. The Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism website is http://tourismethiopia.org/.
Entry Requirements
While the Ethiopian government does issue tourists visas upon arrival at the international airport in Addis Ababa, it is strongly recommended that you obtain an Ethiopian visa prior to traveling. There has been confusion at the airport, with some U.S. citizens delayed and others not given visas. Additional information on obtaining a visa can be found on the Ethiopian Washington D.C. Embassy website at http://www.ethiopianembassy.org/visiting/visiting_overview.shtml
Security
Ethiopia is currently in the midst of a national election, which will end on July 1. If you are traveling during this time, the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia advises avoiding political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind as these can quickly turn violent.
Most of Ethiopia is considered stable. There are, however, places that are best to avoid. Travelers should also be extremely cautious of the border areas with Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan as well as when traveling to any remote areas of the country. The Eritrea boarder has been in dispute for years and is currently a militarized zone. Land mines as well as military clashes within 30 miles of the Eritrea boarder make this an especially dangerous area.
There is also a warning against any travel in Ethiopia’s Somali region as it is an area where armed insurgents operate.
It is also best to avoid public gatherings and public transportation. Also, be aware of unattended baggage or packages left anywhere, but especially in mini-buses and taxis. Rail travel in Ethiopia is discouraged due to security concerns.
Pick-pocketing and similar petty crimes are common in Addis Ababa. It is always a good idea to limit the amount of cash you carry and to leave valuables such as jewelry and passports in hotel safes.
We’ll continue our look at Ethiopia with our next blog, as we explore money, health and other issues, as well as how you can save money on your airfare.