Visiting Ethiopia

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Ethiopia page at Yoogo.

Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), and cash is the dominant payment method throughout the country. Credit and debit cards are accepted at some hotels and larger restaurants in Addis Ababa, but outside the capital you should carry sufficient birr, as ATMs are scarce and card acceptance is limited.

Ethiopia attracts many international visitors each year, particularly to the historic northern circuit and established national parks. Conditions vary significantly by region, so it is worth consulting your government's official travel advisory before your trip and staying informed throughout your stay.

Domestic flights are the most practical way to cover Ethiopia's large distances, connecting Addis Ababa with Lalibela, Gondar, Axum, and other key destinations. Within cities, metered taxis, ride-hailing apps such as Ride and ZayRide, and minibuses are widely available, while organised tours with private vehicles are common for reaching national parks and rural sites.

October to March is generally the most popular period for travel, when the dry season brings clear skies and comfortable temperatures across the highland circuit. The main rainy season runs from June to September, which can disrupt travel on unpaved roads but brings lush landscapes and significantly lower accommodation prices.

Amharic is the national official language and Oromo is the most widely spoken language by population, while more than 80 other languages are in daily use across the country. English is reasonably common in Addis Ababa, at tourist sites, and in hotels throughout the country, but is less reliable in rural areas, where a local guide is a practical asset.

Yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, and proof of vaccination may be checked at the border. Malaria is present in most lowland areas below 2,500 metres, so antimalarial medication is recommended for travel outside highland cities, along with vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus as a baseline.

Tipping is not obligatory but is warmly appreciated, particularly in tourist-facing businesses. A tip of around 10 per cent is standard in restaurants accustomed to visitors, while tour guides typically receive 100–200 Birr per day and drivers 50–100 Birr per day as a customary acknowledgement of their work.