Liyu Ethiopia Tours

Location and size

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is situated in the Northern east of Africa customary known as the horn of Africa. so called because of the horn, shaped tip of the continent and it is about twice the size of France, has an area of 1,112,000 square kilometers, About 65 percent is presently cultivated. Ethiopia Shares its boundaries with Eritrea north and north east, Djibouti Easter part, Somalia south east and south, Kenya south and Sudan in the western side.

Capital

The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa which mean (NEW FLOWER), founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu as Addis Ababa, currently the population of Addis Ababa is estimated to be 6(six) millions, Addis Ababa also known as the capital of Africa by hosting many international organization headquarters, UN for Africa (ECA), the AU (African union) and other Diplomatic mission for Africa

Climate

Throughout most of the country there are two major seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to mid of September.

Language

Amharic is the official language, but there are 80 other local language which is dialectic to some 200. English and Arabic are wildly used and Italian and French is spoken.

Religion

Ethiopian Christian churches both the Ethiopian Orthodox and Protestant churches are dominan which cover almost 62 % of the population, Islam will cover 33% mainly in the east and south.

Currency

The Local currency is an Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 Cents, Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, but they need decoration to the customs authority upon arrival.

Time and calendar

Ethiopia is in GMT +3 hours’ time Zone, and follows the unique Julian calendar which is seven years and eight months behind the Gorgonian calendar, consists of thirteen month, the twelve months consists of 30 days each and the last (13th Month) will have 5 or 6 days during leap year, The New Year fall on the 11th of September.

When to come

Ethiopia can be visited all round the year, but for some special route like the south west Ethiopia and Danakil (Dallol) depression contact us to know the detail.

Accommodation

Addis Ababa has two 5 stat hotels- the Hilton and the Sheraton (Luxury collection) and a growing number of tourist class hotels. Standards vary outside the capital, but apart from some remote areas where camping is unavoidable it is generally possible to get relatively clean rooms with en suite toilet and shower.

Communication

Telephone, Tele fax, Internet, e-mail and postal facilities are available in the country. Internet services are available in major cities and towns.The international dialing code for Ethiopia is +251.

Customs

Duty-free import are permitted for up to:

200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 1/2 lb of tobacco
1 liter of alcoholic beverages
1/2 liter, or two bottles of perfumes

Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Birr 500, although some articles (such as animal skins and antiques) require an export permit.

Economy

About 90 per cent of the population earn their living from the land, mainly as subsistence agriculture, Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector are coffee, oil seeds, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals. There is also a thriving livestock sector, Annual growth rate: 10%.

Courier and Money Transfer Services

Money transfers can be made through Western Union and Money Gram. Both have representative branches in Addis Ababa and outside in some of the major towns and make their services available from private and national banks. For courier services, DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EMS have offices in Addis Ababa.

Visa

visa is required for all visitors to Ethiopia and they can get from Ethiopian Diplomatic Mission abroad ,Visitors from the countries listed below can obtain visa on arrival at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa): Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, and US.

People

Ethiopia’s population is estimated around 110 million, that makes second highest population in the continent. Ethiopia is composed of about 83 ethnic groups. Based on the linguistic they speak, they can be divided into Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilotic Saharan.

Transportation

Surface Transpiration: There is asphalt road which will connect the whole tourist destination except the southern Omo Valley, for this route you need to have (4 X 4); the road is a grave and dry weather road. Air Transportation: The National carrier is Ethiopian Airlines www.ethiopianairlines.com which has extensive domestic flight network flying to several destinations including the popular tourist destination Axum, Lalibela, Gonder, Bahir Dar, Mekelle, Dere Dawa, Arba Minch, Jimma.

Heath requirement

A visitor should have a valid health certificate for yellow fever, vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days of arriving in Ethiopia.

Banking Hours

Banking hours are usually from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 am - 11:00 am on Saturdays. Closing times may be an hour longer in some private banks. Most banks work through lunchtime including foreign exchanges services.

Energy

Ethiopia uses 220 volts and 50HZ, it is best to bring your own round, two-prong adapter and transfer if necessary.

Clothing

Visitors should take light, summer clothes for the day time and something warm for the evenings, like a sweater or jacket. The temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset. Simian or bale Mountains trekkers should bring warm clothes and water proofs for unexpected seasonal rains. Shoes must always be removed before entering churches and mosques, foe more information in clothing please contact us.

Safety

Ethiopia is generally a safe country, and Addis Ababa a safe capital city, but one should still take the normal precautions, avoiding unfamiliar areas at night and not carrying large sums of money in accessible pockets. It is advisable to beware of pickpockets operating in certain areas, skilled at identifying new arrivals, other than that violent robbery and muggings are rare and generally visitors can tour the city day and night in safety. Safety is one of the main factors that are considered while stunning Ethiopia Tour organizes its trips.

Brief Historical and geographical information

Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia) is located in the east of Africa, commonly known as the Horn of Africa. It covers an area of 1, 1 12,000kmq, twice the area of France, and according to the recent census has an estimated population of 82 million inhabitants with 80 ethnic groups. It is bounded on the northeast by Eritrea and Djibouti, on the east and southeast by Somalia, on the south by Kenya and on the west by Sudan. The Ethiopian landscape is dominated by a volcanic plateau with an average altitude of 2000 meter above sea level, which decreases towards the country's borders on three sides. The Great Rift Valley which begins at Jordan, Red Sea and traverses long distance all the way the Danakil depression (which contains the lowest point on the earth 120 meter below sea levels) continuing towards the south of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and finally Mozambique. Ethiopia known as cradle of human kind, it is almost certain that human beings and their hominid ancestors evolved in the eastern zone of the Rift Valley: Lucy, our most distant ancestor, who lived 3.2 million years ago, was found in the rift Valley region a place called Hadar.Ethiopia has a very strong cultural identity, which has been preserved thanks to a long period of independence, lasting practically until present times.

Food

The Ethiopian national dish consists of Enjera, a flat, circular pancake of fermented made from an endemic grain seed called teff, served with different kinds of cooked meats, vegetables and different sauce, The sauces are generally spiced with berbere, a blend of herbs and spices (including hot peppers) that gives Ethiopian food its characteristic taste. Vegetarians should try "fasting food" (for devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast days make up more than half the year), a colorful spread of salads and vegetables devoid of all meat and animal products. Usually One eats national dishes with the right hand (water for washing is usually brought to the table before the food is served). Addis Ababa now boasts of a wide variety of restaurants traditional, Italian, Far East and western, and at hotels in tourist sites European style foods are always available. If you are travelling to remote areas and camping, such as the Omo Valley and parts of southern Ethiopia, our company provide professional cook with first class cooking materials it is also advisable to inform your interest of food during booking.

Tipping

In most hotels and restaurants, a 10 per cent service charge is added to the bill. Tipping is a fairly frequent custom, but amounts are depending on the service quality differ.

Government

The Ethiopia is an independent republic operating under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government.

Ethiopian Holidays

Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) 11 SeptemberMeskel (The find of the true cross) 27 SeptemberGenna Ethiopian Christmas: birth of Christ) 7 JanuaryTimkat Ethiopian Epiphany: baptism of Christ) 19 JanuaryAdwa Day (commemorates the victory by Menelik II over Italy in 1896) 2 MarchPatriots' Day (celebrates end of Italian occupation in 1941) 6 AprilInternational Labour Day 1 MayEthiopian Good Friday May (variable)Fasika (Ethiopian Easter Sunday) May or April (variable)Idd al Fitr (end of month of fasting for Ramadan) May (variable)Idd al Adha August (variable)

Entry points

Travelers using rail ways on the Djibouti border is the only point of entry to Ethiopia and those driving to Ethiopia via surface, Moyale (in Kenya), Humera and Metema (in Sudan), and again Galafi in Djibouti are the available means of entries. All arrivals undergo full customs and immigration checks.For the major part of travelers accessing via flight, the Bole International Airport is the only terminal available in the Capital Addis Ababa though there are other domestic airports and airstrips serving domestic needs.

Driving

Drivers require a valid International Driving License, which can be obtained by exchanging their local license at the Transport and Road Authority office in Addis Ababa. Visitors can recover their original license a day or so prior to departure. Those with their own Vehicle will require a permit from the ministry of Transport and communication. Driving is on the right.

Getting Here

Flight information and Hotels in Addis Ababa
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
Ethiopian Airlines International destinations

Services to: 66 International and 17 Domestic destinations
Emirates
Emirates to Addis
LUFTHANSA
KLM

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