Travel Tips for Ethiopia - Ark of the Covenant
Expedition
Weather
and Apparel: Bring
things that you can “layer.” This trip is an expedition, after all,
and attire should be comfortable and modest.
We are visiting Ethiopia during the best time of
the year, generally speaking; January is the “dry” season, but we might
encounter some rain. The temperature in Ethiopia should average
66F-85F during the day; but because of the elevation of most of the
country, it’s advisable to bring a sweater.
In the evening, the temperature can drop close to
freezing. Most important of all will be good walking shoes. The entire
trip will be considered casual, including dinners.
For ladies, long skirts or slacks with a tunic
shirt or poncho type wear are desired for the days we attend the Timket
festival and the other days we visit the churches and holy sites.
Women are better received into the churches if dressed in a skirt or
dress—denim or khaki work well. Otherwise, walking shorts are
considered normal. Sunglasses as well as hats and scarves are
recommended as protection against the strong sun.
Money:
In Ethiopia, credit cards will only be accepted at the hotels. You’ll
want to exchange more than enough upon arrival; exchanging currency
beyond Addis will not be easy. The local currency in Ethiopia is the
Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 cents. Visitors will be able to change
back any excess Ethiopian Birr to U.S. currency at the Addis airport
before departure. To cash in Birr, you’ll need not only the currency
declaration form that will have been given to you on our first arrival
in Addis Ababa, but also all the receipts for the original exchange and
for purchases you’ve made inside Ethiopia. Basically, their country
wants to see how much of their currency you brought in, how much you
acquired during your stay, how you spent it and how much you’re taking
out. Be careful to be accurate when completing your currency
declaration forms. You cannot take in more than $100 worth; and when
you depart, you cannot leave with more than $100 worth of Ethiopian Birr
either.
We’ll plan to arrive at the airport early enough
that all of you can exchange your Birr back to USD, BUT occasionally the
airport bank closes. Please make sure you do not lose your currency
declaration card; you WILL be asked for it.
Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not
exceeding E. Birr 500, or $59USD at today’s rate of exchange, and some
articles (such as animal skin and antiques) require an export permit.
Items considered as antiques will be confiscated if their customs
office deems it necessary.
Luggage:
On your domestic flights throughout Ethiopia, you will be limited to 20
kg (44 lbs.) per person, including 1 checked piece and 1 carry-on plus
purse or camera bag. If you plan to carry small gifts for the orphanage
or women’s center, you can take another 20 lbs from the U.S., because
you will be donating most of the items in Addis before your first “44lb”
flight.
If you need to take
more with you, you might be interested in a service some of our clients
use, which actually picks up luggage at your home or office and ships it
to your hotel. In fact some clients use it for all except a small
carry-on bag because it lets them avoid some of the time spent in
check-in and customs inspection. Let us know if you’re interested in
these possibilities.
Laundry:
In Ethiopia you’ll find very economical, 24-hour service offered. This
is great since we will be carrying such a small amount of luggage for a
long trip. If you plan on doing some hand-laundry yourself, take some
large ziplock plastic bags in case things are still damp by repacking
time and cold-water soap such as Woolite.
Electricity: Ethiopia
uses 220-240 volts 50 cycles AC. Wall plugs for Ethiopia are the round,
two-pronged European type. No adapters or transformers are provided,
so you will need to bring your own. They’re readily available at
luggage or Target-type stores. If all of your electrical appliances
have voltage converter switches on them, you’ll only need the plug
adapter. We will be sending out a catalogue sheet of various travel
items other clients have recommended and found useful, including
converters and plug adaptors, that we can deliver to you along with your
final documents. If you are taking camera equipment that requires
recharging, check your reference books for any specialized converters
you may need.
Even if your voltage transformer has the 2 round
prongs (and it will have), take a separate plug adaptor. Sometimes the
wall socket is recessed. The adaptor will give the needed extension.
Time:
Time in Addis Ababa will be 11 hours later than Los Angeles and 8 hours
later than New York City. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which
consists of twelve months of 30 days each and a thirteenth month of five
or six days.
Health Requirements and
Precautions:
Generally, for your own protection, you should be immunized
on any exotic trip against Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Typhoid and
Polio. Your local health department may have additional recommendations;
it is best to listen to them.
Bring insect repellent cream or gel for
mosquitoes. It is worth carrying some antiseptic creams for minor
cuts. Anti-diarrhea tablets such as Immodium or Lomatil should be
carried as a precautionary measure. Bring a high UV sunscreen. Always
drink only bottled water, and avoid ice. Eat in hotel restaurants. Be
sure your food is well cooked. Peel all your fruits and eat only
vegetables that have been cooked or that you can peel. These eating
and drinking tips are not unique to our destination, but rather,
standard precautionary statements.
Gifts:
We will be visiting people of great need. We urge you to consider
starting to accumulate items we could give as gifts, such as pens for
children (very much sought after,) aspirin and other over-the-counter
medications, reading glasses, bandages, candy, toothbrushes, small
flashlights (and batteries!), sewing kits, a small calculator, small
toys, balloons, combs, rubber bands, or similar light-weight items.
When traveling with Bob, we usually try to visit one of the women’s
centers and an orphanage in the Addis area.
Do’s
and Don’ts:
-
Don’t expect
running water 24 hours a day, even in the most expensive hotels.
-
Do buy
guidebooks before you go if you want them; they’re not widely sold
in Ethiopia.
-
Don’t miss out
on the excellent coffee and pastries in many of Ethiopia’s
Italian-style pastry shops.
-
Do be prepared
to bargain (that’s “haggle”) for everything in Ethiopia.
-
Do be patient
with officials and you’re more likely to get what you want.
Provincial Ethiopian Airlines offices are not connected to the
computer reservation system, so don’t plan on advance seat
assignments.
-
Do expect power
supplies to be disrupted for the foreseeable future.
-
Don’t be
surprised by the long afternoon siesta beginning at lunch. Once
stores reopen, however, they stay open late.
-
In the event we
are approached by throngs of people wanting us to buy from them, the
best approach is to avoid eye contact with them.
-
Do understand
that Ethiopia now shuts down the flow of water over Blue Nile Falls
on several days of the week, diverting the water for irrigation and
other uses. These days are not consistent and change without
notice. We don’t want to disappoint you, but we of course can’t
control their infrastructure.
Film
and Photography:
Take twice the film you think you’ll need. There’s a lot to photograph,
and film is expensive there. (Check with your local camera store for
the appropriate filters—tell them you’ll be shooting in dusty,
glare-filled conditions at high altitudes.) Don’t take photos
indiscriminately. Ask permission before taking photographs of people.
Pay local residents a modest tip when photographing them and avoid
taking pictures of military installations, airports, bridges, etc. When
in doubt, don’t shoot. If permitted, you will need a flash to
photograph inside monuments. The sun is very bright; for outdoor
pictures take a light meter and low ASA film. You have to pay a charge
in some sites for permission to use your cameras. The Timket Festival
at night is a stunning sight because of the thousands of lighted candles
and is a temptation that most photographers can’t resist.
Crime
and Annoyances:
Leave expensive watches
and jewelry at home. Most crime is just an annoyance rather than
violent. But don’t be surprised to find that locals are aware of your
movements. It’s nothing sinister, but tourists are still so rare in
Ethiopia that word gets passed along on the grapevine. Look out for
pickpockets around the mercato in Addis—they are very
professional. Beware of angelic-looking boys often working in groups
who “bump” into you or distract you in some way while the others pick
your pockets. Don’t give beggars money, as children may quit school to
earn what seems to be a profitable income. Expect beggars to thrust
their hands inside a window, if it’s open. There’s not much you can do
about it; beggars have already removed the hand cranks used to raise and
lower windows on most of the taxis in Addis Ababa.
Passorts
& Visas:
You will require a valid passport for this trip. Your passport must
have a validity date of at least 6 months after your return date. We
will be obtaining your visa for Ethiopia in advance and application
forms will be sent to you. We urge you to send it either by registered
mail (slow) or via Federal Express (faster) or similar so that it can be
tracked--passports are valuable items! We will return your passport to
you with your final documents and air tickets. Because the delivery
will require the signature of the receiver, sometimes people prefer that
we send to an office or some address other than the usual home mail
address. If this situation applies to you, let us know the alternate
address.
Departure
Taxes: . For Ethiopia, you
will need to be prepared to pay 10 ETB (about $1) for each domestic
departure in the country unless you are continuing onward in the same
day. The Ethiopian international departure tax is about US$20.00 and
must be paid at the airport. Keep US dollars set aside especially for
this.
Other currencies including Ethiopian Birr are not
accepted, and it can be both a hassle and time-consuming to change Birr
back into dollars. The bank at the airport is not always open either.
Traveler’s checks in US dollars are accepted, but there’s an extra
“commission” charged for this.
Remember
to Pack:
Bring all needed medications with you; there may be no handy place on
our itinerary to get refills. Bring an extra pair of prescription
glasses or the prescription. A fanny pack around your waist is
recommended to hold your camera, extra film, water, and small bills and
change. Passports and most money should be carried in a more secure
way, such as in a money belt that fits under the waistband or under a
shirt. Instant Sanitizer, “ Purell “ or similar, is popular with
travelers for a quick freshening up; and a flashlight will come in
handy for the dim light of the tombs and museums and those times when
the hotel light switches just have no effect.
Telecommunications:
Ordinary U.S. cell phones do NOT work from or in Ethiopia. We can
arrange to send you a World Phone. Call us for details. We will, of
course, be sending you telephone and fax numbers for all of our hotels
with your final documents.
Shopping:
Addis Ababa is a great place to shop for souvenirs, coffee,
frankincense, spices, Harari baskets, wall rugs, Afar knives, jewelry,
beads, furniture (such as stools and lamps), paintings, Falasha red
pottery, Christian relics (!!), crosses and iconography.
Tipping:
With few exceptions, you have prepaid your tips. However, if you do not
arrive with the group, or stay later, individual tipping will be
appropriate. Tipping at restaurants and meals not included in the trip
is also not included in your package price, of course. If the guide or
driver goes above and beyond, it would be a kind gesture to provide
additional tipping.
Most
of all,
pray for
God’s blessing on our trip, pray that God will use your investment to
His glory, and pray for a Christ-centered response to each day and every
situation.
