Discover Authentic Ethiopia with a Trusted Local Partner.
From rock-hewn churches in Lalibela to Danakil's otherworldly landscapes, from coffee routes to bird-watching in Bale Mountains – Visit Ethiopia curates safe, seamless journeys with full support on travel, tours, passport, visa, translation, notary, hotel & car rentals.
Featured Ethiopia Tours & Experiences
Book ready-made itineraries or use them as inspiration for your fully customized trip. See duration, highlights and availability-style notes – then contact us for a personalized quote.
Complete Ethiopia Travel & Support Services
Visit Ethiopia is powered by YebboTravel & Tours and backed by a full ecosystem of support services to make your journey simple, safe and compliant – from consular paperwork to multilingual documents.
End-to-end trip logistics: international & domestic tickets, hotel bookings across Ethiopia, airport transfers and self-drive or chauffeured car rentals.
Guidance for Ethiopian and foreign passports, e-Visa applications, invitation letters, and pre-arrival documentation so your trip starts smoothly.
Certified translations (Amharic ↔ English and more) plus notary support for legal, academic and business documents while you travel.
Tailored itineraries for serious birders and wildlife enthusiasts in Bale, Awash, Nech Sar and beyond.
Pilgrimages, Timket and Meskel experiences, rock-hewn churches, stelae, and archaeological sites with expert local guides.
Support for research trips, NGO and project site visits, film crews, site scouting, and long-stay accommodation.
About Ethiopia: The Cradle of Humanity
Discover the rich history, culture, and practical information you need for an unforgettable Ethiopian journey.
Ethiopia boasts one of the world's oldest civilizations, with a recorded history dating back over 3,000 years. Key historical highlights include:
- Ancient Kingdom of Aksum (c. 100-940 AD) - One of the great powers of the ancient world
- Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Churches (12th-13th century) - UNESCO World Heritage site
- Solomonic Dynasty - Claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
- Resistance to Colonization - Ethiopia successfully resisted European colonization, maintaining independence
- Lucy (Dinknesh) - The 3.2 million-year-old hominid fossil discovered in the Awash Valley
Ethiopia is a multicultural society with over 80 ethnic groups, each with distinct traditions, languages, and customs.
Amharic for Tourists
Essential Amharic phrases to help you communicate during your Ethiopian journey
Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, with its own unique script. Learning a few key phrases will greatly enhance your travel experience and help you connect with locals. Amharic uses a script called "Fidel" with 33 basic characters, each with 7 forms. While the script may seem challenging, the phonetic pronunciation is relatively straightforward.
Greetings & Basics
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Peace | ሰላም | Selam |
| How are you? (m/f) | እንደምን ነህ? / እንደምን ነሽ? | Endemin neh? / Endemin nesh? |
| I'm fine | ደህና ነኝ | Dehna negn |
| Thank you | አመሰግናለሁ | Ameseginalehu |
| You're welcome | አይበለም | Aye belaim |
| Goodbye (to someone staying) | ደህና ሁን | Dehna hun (m) / Dehna huni (f) |
Days & Months
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | ሰኞ | Segno |
| Tuesday | ማክሰኞ | Maksegno |
| Wednesday | እሮብ | Erob |
| Thursday | ሐሙስ | Hamus |
| Friday | አርብ | Arb |
| Saturday | ቅዳሜ | Kidame |
| Sunday | እሁድ | Ehud |
Numbers
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| One | አንድ | And |
| Two | ሁለት | Hulet |
| Three | ሶስት | Sost |
| Ten | አስር | Asir |
| Twenty | ሃያ | Haya |
| One hundred | መቶ | Meto |
Asking for Services
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | ይህ ስንት ነው? | Yih sint new? |
| Where is the bathroom? | መጸዳጃ ቤት የት ነው? | Metsedaja bet yet new? |
| I need help | እገዛ ያስፈልገኛል | Egiza yasifellegnal |
| I'm lost | ጠፋሁ | Tefahu |
| I'm hungry | ጠጋ ነኝ | Tega negn |
| I'm thirsty | ጠማማ ነኝ | Temama negn |
Menu & Food
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ውሃ | Woha |
| Food | ምግብ | Migib |
| Injera | እንጀራ | Injera |
| Meat | ስጋ | Siga |
| Vegetarian | አታክልት | Atakilt |
| Delicious | ጣፋጭ | Tafach |
Time & Directions
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| What time is it? | ስንት ሰዓት ነው? | Sint saat new? |
| Where is...? | ...የት ነው? | ...Yet new? |
| Left | ግራ | Gira |
| Right | ቀኝ | Keny |
| Straight | ቀጥ ብሎ | Ket blo |
| Far/Near | ሩቅ/ቅርብ | Ruk/Kirib |
Relationships
| English | Amharic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| I love you | እወድሃለሁ | Ewedihalehu (m) / Ewedishalehu (f) |
| My friend | ወዳጄ | Wedajé |
| Family | ቤተሰብ | Beteseb |
| Mother/Father | እናት/አባት | Enat/Abat |
| Brother/Sister | ልጅ/ሴት ልጅ | Lij/Set lij |
| You are beautiful | ጥሩ ነህ/ነሽ | Tiru neh/nesh |
Ethiopians appreciate when visitors attempt to speak Amharic. Even simple greetings can open doors to warmer interactions. Don't worry about perfect pronunciation - your effort will be welcomed. Many people in tourist areas speak English, but learning basic Amharic phrases will enhance your travel experience significantly.
Practical Travel Information
Everything you need to know for a smooth and enjoyable Ethiopian journey
Foreign Embassies in Ethiopia
| Country | Address | Phone | Email/Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Entoto Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 130 6000 | addisababa.usembassy.gov |
| United Kingdom | Comoros Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 617 0100 | gov.uk/world/ethiopia |
| Canada | Old Airport Area, Addis Ababa | +251 11 317 0000 | ethiopia.gc.ca |
| Germany | Higher 24, Kebele 13, Addis Ababa | +251 11 123 5139 | addis-abeba.diplo.de |
| France | Ras Desta Damtew Street, Addis Ababa | +251 11 140 0000 | et.ambafrance.org |
Airlines Flying to Ethiopia
| Airline | Ethiopian Phone | Branch Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | +251 11 665 6666 | Bole International Airport, City Office (Churchill Rd) |
| Emirates | +251 11 552 7424 | Bole International Airport |
| Turkish Airlines | +251 11 552 4155 | Bole International Airport |
| Qatar Airways | +251 11 663 3400 | Bole International Airport |
| Lufthansa | +251 11 552 7414 | Bole International Airport |
Major Ethiopian Hospitals
| Hospital | Phone | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Black Lion Hospital | +251 11 551 7055 | General, Emergency, Surgery |
| St. Paul's Hospital | +251 11 551 7844 | General, Maternity, Pediatrics |
| Myungsung Christian Medical Center | +251 11 629 9999 | Comprehensive, International Standards |
| Hayat Hospital | +251 11 662 1345 | General, Emergency Care |
| Addis Cardiac Hospital | +251 11 551 5888 | Cardiology, Heart Surgery |
Hunting Regulations & Firearm Rules
Ethiopia has strict wildlife protection laws. The following species are completely protected and hunting them is illegal:
- Ethiopian Wolf - Africa's most endangered carnivore
- Walia Ibex - Endangered mountain goat found in Simien Mountains
- Mountain Nyala - Endangered antelope species
- African Wild Dog - Highly endangered predator
- All primate species including Gelada Baboons
- All bird of prey species including eagles and vultures
Hunting protected species carries severe penalties including heavy fines and imprisonment of 5+ years. Firearm importation for hunting is generally prohibited. Always verify current regulations with official authorities. Use only licensed hunting outfitters who understand local laws and conservation requirements.
Ethiopian Traffic Signs & Meanings
Legal Restrictions & Cultural Taboos
Things That May Put You in Jail:
- Drug possession or trafficking - Severe penalties including long prison sentences
- Photography of military installations - Considered espionage
- Homosexual acts - Illegal under Ethiopian law
- Defamation of the state or government - Sedition laws are strictly enforced
- Currency violations - Exporting Ethiopian Birr is illegal
Cultural Taboos (Things No-No in Ethiopia):
- Eating with left hand - Considered unclean in traditional settings
- Public displays of affection - Generally frowned upon
- Pointing with finger - Use open hand or chin to gesture
- Refusing coffee ceremony invitation - Can be seen as rude
- Wearing revealing clothing - Especially in religious sites
Banking & Currency Information
| Bank | Headquarters | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Bank of Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 7700 |
| Dashen Bank | Addis Ababa | +251 11 558 1586 |
| Awash Bank | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 3055 |
| Bank of Abyssinia | Addis Ababa | +251 11 551 7922 |
Currency Conversion (Approximate)
| Currency | Ethiopian Birr (ETB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 US Dollar (USD) | ≈ 56 ETB | Official rate, subject to change |
| 1 Euro (EUR) | ≈ 60 ETB | Varies with exchange rates |
| 1 British Pound (GBP) | ≈ 70 ETB | Varies with exchange rates |
Exchange currency at banks or authorized forex bureaus, not on the street. Keep exchange receipts as you may need them to convert leftover Birr when departing. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and restaurants in Addis Ababa but cash is preferred elsewhere. ATMs are widely available in cities but may have withdrawal limits.
Exporting Ethiopian Birr is strictly prohibited. Convert any remaining Birr back to foreign currency before departure, using your original exchange receipts. Failure to comply can result in confiscation and fines at the airport.
Secure, Reliable & Human-Centered Travel Planning
We combine cutting-edge technology with deep local expertise to deliver an exceptional travel experience:
- Instant Access - Browse and book from any device, anywhere in the world
- Local Expertise - Authentic experiences curated by Ethiopians who know their country best
- Seamless Planning - Easy-to-use platform that saves you time and eliminates stress
- Complete Peace of Mind - Secure payments and data protection for worry-free booking
- Real Human Support - Direct access to our team when you need guidance or have questions
- Quick Response - Get answers and itineraries fast, typically within 24 hours
Travelers, Clients & Partners We've Helped
A design that works for people and businesses: tourists, diaspora, NGOs, research groups and film crews can all use the same platform to plan, book and stay informed.
"Visit Ethiopia and YebboTravel handled everything: Addis, Gondar, Lalibela, plus visits to our family village. The WhatsApp updates and clear itinerary made it stress-free."
"The platform made it easy to coordinate multiple arrivals, gear lists, and permits. The trip page worked like a mini SaaS portal for our whole team."
"They arranged location scouting, vehicles, translators and notary services for appearance releases – all documented through one secure hub."
Visit Ethiopia Resource & Help Center
Articles, FAQs and how-tos about visas, health, culture and best seasons. Great for SEO and for answering your clients' questions before they even ask.
Learn how tourist, business and transit visas work, required documents, and what to prepare before you apply from abroad or at arrival.
Read more →From Timket and Meskel festivals to prime bird-watching and trekking seasons, discover when to go for the experience you want.
Read more →A quick checklist for visas, residency, study, marriage or business trips – and how our translation & notary team can help.
Read more →CDC Travel & Vaccination Guidelines for Ethiopia
Health recommendations can change, and every traveler is different. Always consult a licensed health professional and the official CDC Travelers' Health page before your trip.
Key Topics to Discuss with Your Travel Health Provider
- Routine vaccines: Make sure you're up to date on standard immunizations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), polio, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap), influenza, COVID-19 and others recommended in your home country.
- Food & water–borne illnesses: Vaccines like hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended for travelers to Ethiopia, especially if you'll eat street food, visit smaller towns or rural areas.
- Hepatitis B & other risk-based vaccines: Consider hepatitis B if you might receive medical care, get a tattoo, or stay long-term. Depending on your activities, your clinician may also review meningococcal, rabies, or other vaccines.
- Yellow fever: CDC notes that yellow fever vaccination may be recommended for many travelers to Ethiopia, while some regions (such as parts of Afar and Somali) may be lower risk. Entry requirements depend on where you are arriving from and can be different from CDC recommendations. Discuss your exact route and transit countries with your provider.
- Malaria prevention: Parts of Ethiopia have malaria risk. Ask about prescription malaria prophylaxis, mosquito-avoidance strategies (repellent, bed nets, clothing) and how to seek urgent care if you develop fever during or after your trip.
- Other considerations: Review altitude (for areas like Addis Ababa and trekking routes), chronic medical conditions, pregnancy, traveling with children or older adults, and bringing medications or medical supplies.
This section is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice. Your personal recommendations may differ based on age, health status, itinerary and current public health situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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