Visa Requirements
Westerners require a visa to enter Ethiopia. If you are flying into Ethiopia for as a tourist you may obtain your visa on arrival at Addis Ababa (Bole) and Dire Dawa International airports. If you are arriving by other means, or at another airport, you must obtain a visa prior to arrival, even when travelling from countries without an Ethiopian Embassy or Mission. Penalties for overstaying your visa can be severe. Yellow Fever vaccination certificates may be required for visitors from countries where it is endemic.

Driving (Left/Right)
Right

Air Safety
Since 1 November 2005, all airport departure taxes for international flights departing Ethiopia and for internal flights within Ethiopia are no longer collected on departure as they are now included in the price of airline tickets.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

Local Travel
We advise against all travel to the Gambella Region following continuing unrest in the area that has resulted in many deaths.

Since the mid-1990's, insurgent groups, some affiliated with terrorist organisations have clashed with government forces in the Somali regional state, particularly in the Ogaden region. They may also occasionally operate within the Oromiya, and Afar regions. There were reports in late May 2006, of rioting in Jijiga. We advise against crossing the Ethiopia / Somalia border by road, and against all but essential travel in the area east of the Harar to Gode line.

If you intend to travel into the Republic of Djibouti by road or rail, you should check with your Embassy in Addis Ababa on the current situation before setting off. We advise particular caution if travelling in the Kenya/Ethiopia border region. If crossing into Kenya or Sudan, keep to the main road and seek advice from local authorities about travelling in convoy.

Independent travellers should keep themselves abreast of local and international news and consult the latest information before travelling to more remote areas. Avoid driving after dark in rural areas: vehicles often have no lights and livestock may be roaming the roads.

Ethiopia/Eritrea border
We advise against all travel within 20kms of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions, which remain a predominantly military zone. There are occasional acts of banditry in more remote areas. The most recent incident was an attack on a tourist bus west of the town Awash, on 7 November 2005.

A government opposition group has issued a warning of reprisals against foreigners working on the Ethiopia/Eritrea border demarcation taking place in the Afar region. There is also a strict no fly zone in force between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Eritrea has recently extended the ban to UN aircraft operating within Eritrea. There have been troop movements on both sides of the border. Tensions are increasing and the border remains closed. The situation is very volatile and could deteriorate rapidly.

All travel to the border area between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which remains a predominantly military zone, despite the December 2000 peace agreement between the two countries, should be avoided. In recent weeks, restrictions placed on the UN Monitoring force by the Government of Eritrea have further heightened tensions. In particular, we advise against travel south of the Barentu-Dekemahare line due to the UN controlled Temporary Security Zone. The Eritrea/Ethiopia border remains closed. We also advise against all travel to border areas with Sudan where there continues to be military activity. The Eritrea/Sudan border is presently closed.

Health

You should ensure that you obtain adequate medical insurance before arrival and carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling up country. Medical insurance should cover the cost of air ambulance evacuation out of Ethiopia in the event of serious accident or illness. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Addis Ababa sits at 2,800 metres above sea level. Adjusting to the altitude may take several weeks. If you have a heart condition you should take advice from your GP before travelling.

Diseases
Malaria is prevalent in areas of the country below 2000 metres. Before travelling to these areas you should seek up to date medical advice about suitable anti-malarial medication and on arrival, ensure you take adequate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. Some common side effects of Larium can be severely enhanced by the altitude in Addis Ababa. Waterborne diseases are prevalent and you should boil water before drinking, or use bottled water.

HIV/Aids is widespread and transmission may also occur through sub-standard medical facilities.

Medical supplies and facilities
There are hospitals in Addis Ababa. Elsewhere medical facilities (including dentistry) are extremely poor.

Landmines

Ethiopia is affected by significant landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination in many areas as a result of a series of internal and international armed conflicts dating back to 1935. The major periods of war in Ethiopia were: the Italian invasion (1935-1936), the Ogaden war between Ethiopia and Somalia (1977-1978), the border war with Sudan (1980), internal conflict (1975-1991), and the Ethiopian-Eritrean war (1998-2000).

The Somali region is contaminated by mines and UXO remaining from the Ogaden war with Somalia. There have been unconfirmed reports that mine-laying continues on a small scale as part of banditry and fighting between warlords.

Eritrea/Ethiopia border
The war with Eritrea resulted in significant contamination of Tigray region and, to a lesser extent, Afar. The two-year border war with Ethiopia has left Eritrea with one of Africa’s more significant mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) problems. During the 1998-2000 border conflict, Eritrean forces laid an estimated 240,000 mines; Ethiopian forces are estimated to have laid an additional 150,000 to 200,000 mines.

Mine contamination in Eritrea has significant social, economic and humanitarian effects. Some of the most populated and agriculturally productive areas, such as Debub and Gash Barka, are heavily mine-affected. The Shilalo area (in Gash Barka region) has “severe contamination” by mines and UXO and is the most mine-affected area of Eritrea.