Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, and the Sudan 1,606 km.

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selaisse (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. The regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000.

The climate can be described as tropical monsoon but it varies greatly depending on the topography. Ethiopia's lowest point is at the Denakil Depression -125 m; its highest point is Ras Dejen standing at 4,620 m.  The central plateau has a moderate climate with minimal seasonal temperature variation. The mean minimum during the coldest season is 5.5°C (42°F), while the mean maximum rarely exceeds 26°C (79°F). Temperature variations in the lowlands are much greater, and the heat in the desert and Red Sea Coastal areas is extreme, with occasional highs of 60°C (140°F). Heavy rainfall occurs in most of the country from June to September. The central plateau also experiences a second, through much milder, rainy season between December and February. Average annual precipitation on the central plateau is roughly 48 inches. The western most region of Ethiopia receives an annual rainfall of nearly 80 inches. The Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia.

Generally Ethiopia  has two main seasons , the dry season lasting from mid September to the end of May and the rainy season which goes from  June to September has an average temperature of 25 0c.

Ethiopia is found in the GMT + 3 and follows the Julian calendar which consists of twelve months, of thirty days and the thirtieth month with 5/6 days.

The local currency of Ethiopia is called Birr made up of 100 cents. We have one, five, ten, fifty and hundred notes. Visitors can import unlimited amount of foreign currency providing declarations for customs at the airport. The current exchange rate is 1$ = 8.6 ETB. Exchange of currency is allowed only at authorized banks or hotels.

Banks

Monday to Thursday 0800 -1200 & 1300-1700 
 
Friday 0830 -1130 & 1300-1700

Shops

Monday to Friday 0800-4230 & 1530-1930

Saturday 0900-1300 and 1500-1900

Jan 7th Ethiopian Christmas

Jan 19th Epiphany

March 2 Victory of Adwa Day

April 6 Patriots Victory Day

April 17 Id Al Adha (Arafa)

April 25 Ethiopian Good Friday

April 27 Ethiopian Easter (Fasika)
(with changing day every year)

May 28 Downfall of the Dergue (Since 1991)

July 17 Birth of Prophet Mohammed (Moulid)

Sept 11th New Year's Day

September 27 Feast of the True Cross (Meskal)

Electric Power is 220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :

Round pins with ground

Round pins with round grounding pin (offset)

Round pins with round grounding pin (in-line)

All kinds of souvenirs are available in several shops however; some items like antiques and animal skins require an export permit.

PS advise your guide or representative from your travel agent before purchasing items of such kind

Most places in the north are located at altitudes between 1,800 and 3,000 metres above sea level. It is cool in the morning and evening, so a light jacket and a sweater are recommended. At the daytime, the weather is a bit hot and dry and the temperature is 25-30°C. In the period from October to April (the dry season) it seldom rains.

It is useful to bring some medications such as broad-spectrum antibiotic, milk enzymes and eye-drops. It’s also advisable to take yellow fever vaccination. It’s a must to have a vaccination against cholera if visitors have visited any cholera infected area six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.

NB We appreciated any prior information give to the travel agent regarding allergies especially on foods.

There is internet supply in the capital city and in all the Historic sites of the country. In the south , until Arbaminch town, internets are available.

Ethiopia can be expressed as the safest country from Africa for tourists. It’s possible to walk on the main streets at any time and can also move around for shopping on foot.

Ethiopia has a Federal Republic government

British Air ways

Ethiopian Air Lines

Egypt Air Ways

Emirates

Kenya Air Ways

KLM

Lufthansa

Sudan Air Ways

Turkey Air Ways

Yemen Air Ways

Domestic Flight: Ethiopian Air Ways

NB. Ethiopian air lines offer almost 50% discounts on the domestic flight for all travellers more than two using the Ethiopian air ways for the International sector.