Ethiopia
Ancient history, unique cuisine, and dramatic highlands in one of Africa's oldest nations.
AfricaTraveler Snapshot: Ethiopia
A quick reference for planning your trip: visas, weather, health, and the essentials.
Visa & Entry
For US passport holders
eVisa required for most nationalities; apply online before travel.
Weather & Climate
Cool highlands year-round, hot lowlands; main rains June to September.
Best Time to Visit
October to March for dry, clear weather.
Health & Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate often required. Hepatitis A, typhoid and malaria precautions for lowlands.
Safety
Check advisories closely and avoid regions affected by conflict. Take standard precautions in Addis Ababa.
Fast Facts
- Capital: Addis Ababa
- Currency: Ethiopian birr (ETB)
- Languages: Amharic, Oromo and others (English in tourism)
- Time zone: EAT (UTC+3) year-round
- Power: Type C/E/F/L plugs, 220V
- Emergency: 911 (police), 907 (ambulance)
Visa and entry notes here are written for US passport holders on typical short-stay tourism. Requirements vary by nationality, so if you hold a different passport your rules may differ. Guidance can change frequently. Always confirm current requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or a licensed travel-health provider before you travel.
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