5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Ethiopia

The different countries in the African continent has much to offer any traveler who heads their way. Ethiopia, in particular, has much to offer when it comes to nature and outdoor activities. It also has a number of cultural experiences that will delight any traveler who wants to learn more about the country.

Planning a trip to Ethiopia is surely an exciting experience. However, there are certain things visitors must know that can help guide the travel planning.

Here are five things you should know before heading Ethiopia

Peak Tourist Season

The best time to visit Ethiopia is from mid-October to January. According to Ethiopia's travel website, this is because, during this period, "the rains are over but the countryside is still quite green."

However, this period also happens to be the country's peak tourist season. If large numbers of tourists aren't really your thing, you might want to avoid traveling to Ethiopia during this time.

For those looking for an alternative time period to visit, February to May can be considered. It should be noted that these months are considered a dry season, and might not be suitable for those who don't like such weather.

Opening Hours of Shops

If you plan on doing some shopping at night, you might want to reconsider. While store opening hours in Ethiopia are by no means rigid or fixed, they are typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yes, they close rather early. Stores are also typically open from Mondays to Saturdays.

There are some establishments that are open until the evening and on Sundays and holidays. Despite this, it is best not to assume that all shops have this schedule.

Power Interruptions

Unfortunately, power cuts are rather normal in Ethiopia, and this is something that is important to know for travelers. However, large hotels as well as restaurants known to cater to international tourists typically have generators.

As for sockets, Type C (European two-pin) and Type L (Italian three-pin) are the most common in Ethiopia.

Bird Watching

Earlier in this article, we talked about how Ethiopia offers a number of nature and outdoor experiences for its visitors. One of such activities is bird watching as the country is home to 860 species. 18 of them cannot be found anywhere else.

To fully enjoy your bird watching experience, consider scheduling your trip during the European winter months, which are from November to March. It's during these months that travelers can witnes Palaearctic migrants.

Visa Requirement

Ethiopia's travel website notes that all visitors, except those from Djibouti and Kenya, are required to have visas. Those who enter the country due to connecting flights are not required to have one.

While visas can be collected from Ethiopian embassies, it can also be received upon arrival. To know more about the visa, its requirements, and its procedures, click here.

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Ethiopia