COVID: Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Ethiopia
Addis Ababa has an approximate population of around 3,384,569 people and you can typically expect to pay around £0.43p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa is bustling, a city peopled with humanity and diversity. The commercial and recreational hub of Addis Ababa is the focal point of Ethiopia's development since modernizing in the mid-20th century. Addis Ababa literally means "the place where the rivers flow," a description of its location and population. It has been called by the likes of Thomas Jefferson, among others, because it is a gateway through which millions of visitors annually cross into Ethopia, an American satellite state, and the world's most developed country. Tourists come from all over the world to explore this city that is considered to be a melting pot of ethnicity, religion, and history.
Although Addis Ababa itself is quite bustling, you will be missing some of the more appealing parts of town if you do not hire the services of a local travel agent or friend finder to help you navigate the many points of interest. A friend finder in ethiopia can help you find local lodging as well as car rentals or sightseeing tours that are relevant to your trip. Some examples include trips to Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and the towns of Ferta Kebira, Zaerogor, and outside the walls of the ancient city of Tetangale. In addition, a good friend finder can also help you find a hotel, restaurant, or bed and breakfast in Addis Ababa so that you can experience a true African experience.
When it comes to deciding where to spend your time in Addis Ababa, whether you are planning to stay for a few days or a month, remember that you should spend some time at Lake Baringo. The lush waters of this lake are filled with ornamental fish, as well as an abundance of aquatic invertebrates and semi-aquatic mammals. For some reason, the fish here are known as "lovehabibibi" or "gourds of heaven." No matter what time of year you visit Addis Ababa, you will love seeing all of these sights, but they are particularly striking at the start of the rainy season, when you can see hippos along the shores and in the river. You'll also love the beautiful crocodiles that make their home in the narrow lakes of addis abaiba.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Ethiopia are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
For up to date information around safety and security in Ethiopia read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office latest information for Ethiopia.
The best time to visit Ethiopia is Sep-April, but particularly at either end of the rains – in April, when the land is dry and barren, or as it flourishes again in Sep-Oct. This green season is also best for highland wildlife. Rains replenish the Omo Valley even sooner – so travel Nov-Mar or Jun-Sep.
The Ethiopian people have a wide variety of festivals and celebrations. Meskel, the name of the largest of all the celebrations, is celebrated annually on the third day of the second month. It is an old Christian festival that dates back more than 1600 years. The country celebrates its Christmas on the seventh day of January. Other important celebrations are known as Meskel, Meskelfest and Tijulet. You should visit Ethiopia for these festivals if you love to learn more about the culture of this beautiful country.
Timket, or the "Baptism of Christ" is the most famous and colorful Ethiopian festival. It commemorates Christ's baptism in the River Jordan. It is celebrated two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. Priests carry replicas of the Arc to a water area during the afternoon. It is important to note that the celebrations continue throughout the night. In addition to the religious rituals, a patriarch blesses the water.
Another Ethiopian festival is Meskel, which is held at the end of the thirteenth month. It is an important occasion for Ethiopians to celebrate their new year. The country has 12 months of thirty days each, and one month with five days. As such, the New Year is celebrated on the eleventh day of September. This is a day for street parties and revelry. This festival is a great time to learn more about the culture of Ethiopia and see how it manifests itself in the country.
The largest Ethiopian festival is called Timket. It commemorates the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist and is held two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. Hundreds of thousands of people gather in the city's Janmeda square to celebrate. During the festival, there are dances, singing, and a patriarch's blessing. During this festival, replicas of the Arc of the Covenant are taken to a nearby body of water and celebrated by everyone.
The Ethiopian National Games are held every four years in March and are attended by thousands of Ethiopians. The games are held in a stadium with many cultural performances. The Ethiopic National Film Festival features local and international films. This festival is the biggest event in Ethiopia and is celebrated for its rich culture and heritage. The nation's national Easter race is also an important celebration. This event sees a number of children participating in the race.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates Meskel as their most important holiday. The pyre is a symbol of the Christian faith. The Christian Orthodox Church also celebrates different festivals, such as Easter and the discovery of the true cross. Other important festivals include the meskel, which is an annual celebration of the birth of Jesus. This is the most celebrated festival in Ethiopia. It is the most popular festival in the country.
The landlocked country of Ethiopia is divided by the Great Rift Valley. Its rich archaeological history spans three million years, and its rock-cut Christian churches date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. In the south, the ruins of ancient cities and castles can be found in Aksum. Other areas in the country have a long history, including the medieval city of Tigray. For the most adventurous traveler, Ethiopia has a wide variety of cultural sites to choose from.
Lalibela, known as the New Jerusalem, is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians. It boasts 11 monolithic cave churches built in the 13th century, and a circular village built around them. These buildings are considered important to the Ethiopian Christian community and are places of pilgrimage and devotion. If you are traveling to Ethiopia, make sure to visit these historic sites. There are several other sites you must see while you're there.
Gonder, the ancient capital of Ethiopia, is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. This city is home to a variety of historical monuments, including the Royal Enclosure, which was first broken in 1635. The complex was then rebuilt by different rulers, but the 1704 earthquake damaged it severely. In World War II, the British bombed it, which caused the ruins to be destroyed.
You will need a visa to enter Ethiopia. E-visas can be purchased in advance from the Ethiopian Immigration website. Visas on arrival are also available for tourists at Addis Ababa (Bole) International airport, at a cost of approximately $US50 for 1 month and $US75 for 3 months.
See which forms you may need for entry into Ethiopia.
The official currency of Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Ethiopia you can grab amazing Ethiopian Birr deals via Wise.com (GBP to ETB).
Among the latter are the cheetah, lion, civet, serval, African bush elephant, bushpig, gazelle, antelope, ibex, kudu, dik-dik, oribi, reedbuck, Somali wild ass, Grévy's zebra, hyena, baboon, and numerous species of monkey.
Amharic food? The national dish of Ethiopia is Doro Wat which is a spicy Ethiopian chicken stew.
Amharic is the official national language of Ethiopia. English, Arabic, Italian and French are widely spoken by many Ethiopians. The Ethiopian languages are divided into four major language groups.These are Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic, and Nilo-Saharan. You can learn some basic Amharic before you travel to Ethiopia and really impress the locals!
The currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr (Most meals at small Ethiopian restaurants cost between 30-60 Birr ( 50p-£1). 5-10 Birr (10p-20p) would be a very generous tip.).
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What is the time difference?
The GMT time difference is 3 hours