Ethiopia besides Egypt is considered to be the oldest nation in Africa and one of the earliest Kingdoms in the world. Ethiopia was one of the first Christian Kingdoms in the world, a chapel in Aksum supposedly stores the Ark of the Covenant in which the stone tablets with the ten commandments are kept in. A large part of Ethiopia is a mountainous area, it is estimated that 70% of all African mountains are in Ethiopia. City life varies across the country, Harrar is the holiest city of Muslims within the country and although there is practically no nightlife, there are some great museums and restaurants to visit in the city or for the most daring you can feed hyenas that live alongside humans in the walled city for almost half a millennia. Ethiopia is one of the most fascinating countries in Africa however it has its share of hazards and important information all visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Ethiopia must have a valid passport. Visas are required by all tourists visiting Ethiopia however obtaining such document varies depending on the nationality. Members of the EU can either apply for an E-Visa or purchase a tourist visa on arrival which costs 50 (USD) for a month or 70 (USD) for 3 months. Two passport photos are also required in order to get a visa on arrival. Tourists traveling from countries where there is no Ethiopian mission are also eligible for visa on arrival. Certain nationals are allowed to get an E-Visa through the official Ethiopian website (link in sources). To check if you’re eligible for an E-Visa to see “E-Visa eligibility” link in sources. Tourists who wish to drive in Ethiopia must exchange their domestic driving license for an Ethiopian driving license for the duration of stay and return it upon departure. An international driving permit is not recognized by Ethiopian law.

Traveling hazards

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ethiopia has the highest road fatality rate in the world. Although paved and unpaved roads during the day are relatively safe, during the night it is very dangerous to drive. Broken down vehicles are often left on the roads, the operating vehicles are often driven by people who do not have the training to drive nor have they any licenses. These vehicles are often in very poor condition and often lack any illumination. Slow moving trucks and animal-drawn carts are often out on the roads. Road markings and signs are rare. Paved roads are riddled with potholes and rarely repaired. The areas of the Eritrean border might be particularly dangerous due to leftover landmines from various conflicts. If planning on driving around these areas especially offroad make sure with the local authorities that the areas have been cleared. When driving a rental car it is advised to keep windows rolled up, doors locked and valuables and bags to be put out of sight. If using public transport, try to avoid buses and minibusses as these are often places of crime and are quite poorly maintained and driven. It is best to use registered taxis to get around.

Environmental hazards

Ethiopia has a wide range of fauna some of which is endemic to the mountainous region of the country however the endemic population is relatively harmless. Although east African lions are not inhabiting exclusively Ethiopia, the male population in Ethiopia tends to have black manes rather than bright. These animals can be very dangerous and are known to target humans as prey. The African bush elephant inhabits areas of Ethiopia, although most of these creatures are rather docile, males with high levels of testosterone might burst out in anger and trample anything in their way. Their gigantic size makes these creatures very dangerous. The spotted hyenas inhabit most parts of Ethiopia. These animals prefer to prey on sick or wounded looking prey. Lone hikers will definitely be harassed by them. Although hippopotamuses look docile, they are the some of the most fierce killers in Africa killing over 3 thousand humans a year even though their range has been greatly reduced. These animals are very territorial and will attack anyone who enters their waters. The Nile crocodiles thrive in the Ethiopian lakes and rivers. These just like hippopotamuses are very territorial however these creatures are carnivorous and also hunt humans for prey. Because these are apex predators they will not be reluctant if an occasion arises. Some of the most deadly snakes in the world inhabit the country. The black mamba and the puff adder are the most feared of the snakes on the continent. The puff adder kills over 30 thousand Africans each year and although an antivenom is available it is usually not injected in time to work. Although black mamba kills much fewer people it has a 100% mortality rate because there is currently no known antivenom.
Ethiopia suffers from occasional earthquakes however there are no active volcanoes in the country. During the summer season droughts are common and have a disastrous effect on the local population particularly in the rural areas whereas during the wet season floods are common and greatly damage the local infrastructure making some roads impassable the duration of the flood.

Health hazards

There is currently a risk of yellow fever in Ethiopia and all visitors traveling from countries with a risk of yellow fever must provide a yellow fever vaccination proof. For those who are not required by the Ethiopian government to get vaccinated are strongly recommended to do so. Ethiopia lies within the Meningitis belt and there is a risk of contracting it. It is strongly advised to get vaccinated against this disease as fatality might occur within a few hours of contraction. There are other non required vaccinations which are recommended. These are the routine vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies and cholera vaccine. There is a risk of contracting malaria in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, there is no approved vaccination for it. There is however medicine on prescription against it. Mosquito repellents are alternative protection from the disease. Because Ethiopia is a developing country the healthcare level is relatively poor. A lot of development has been put into the public sector however a vast proportion of people particularly in the rural areas have no access to sanitation or clean water. Private clinics are available only in large cities like Addis Ababa and provide much better service however it is still far from the European standard. If taking prescribed medicine it is best to get a supply of it prior to the trip as it is most likely not available on the spot. Ordinary medicine may also come short, therefore, packing painkillers may save a lot of stress. To ensure maximum safety ensure that medical insurance covers medical evacuation abroad.
In case of an emergency dial 997.

Crime

Although official crimes against Westerners are unavailable, there are reports coming that most common type of crime is theft. Violent crime is rare however it cannot be ruled out. Tourists are mostly targeted on the basis of their appearance and the possibility of possessing valuables. It is generally advised to avoid exploring at night as criminal activity is increased. It is also advised to keep valuables out of sight, preferably keeping money in money belts rather than wallets in pockets. Jewelry shouldn’t be worn especially outside of the main tourist zones. It is advised to avoid buses and minibusses due to the possibility of muggings or pickpocketing. If renting a car it is best to keep windows rolled up and doors locked. All valuables, bags, purses, etc whilst inside the car should be stored out of visibility. Assailants often tend to engage cars while stopping at red lights. Although running the red lights is a traffic law violation many drivers tend to keep going at the red light to avoid being robbed. The Ethiopian drug laws are very strict, any amount or kind of narcotics can lead to lengthy jail sentences.

Summary

Ethiopia is certainly a place to visit. It provides both incredible views in its mountainous regions, and its fair share of ancient ruins to be explored with some of the oldest buildings in Africa raised by the Coptic Christians. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(E-visa + eligibility)
https://www.evisa.gov.et/#!/home
https://www.evisa.gov.et/#!/tourist-visa
https://www.evisa.gov.et/#!/status
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ethiopia
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291