Attractions
Addis Ababa
The state capital Addis Ababa is 2440 m above sea level. i.e. M. Central Highlands. Sights include St. George’s Church (19C), Trinity Church, Menelik’s Mausoleum and Old Ghibbi Palace. The Ethnographic Museum, which, like the university, is housed in the former residence of Haile Selassie, is also definitely worth seeing. The Saturday market, one of the largest in Africa, invites you to browse.
National parks
Ethiopia has nine national parks, the Simien National Park (in the mountain massif of the same name in the north, in which the Ras Dashen, at 4620 m the highest mountain in Ethiopia, lies), the Awash National Park (east of Addis Ababa; species-rich animal world, impressive waterfalls), the Omo National Park and Mago National Park (both southwest of the capital), Gambala National Park, Shala Abijata National Park (south of the capital), Southern Highlands Bale National Park (diverse birdlife), Nechi Sar National Park and the Yanguli Rassa National Park.
- Searchforpublicschools: Offers schooling information of Ethiopia in each level – compulsory, technical and higher education programs.
Shopping
Overview
Good souvenirs include gold and silver jewelery (sold by weight), wood carvings, leather goods, spears, drums, carpets and wicker. You can bargain on the markets, in the shops the prices are mostly fixed. Shop opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-12.30 and 15.30-19.30, Sat 09.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00 (regional differences).
Culinary
Overview
Ethiopia’s national dish is we’t (meat, chicken or vegetable stew in a hot sauce) served with injera (soft flatbread). Typical specialties also include shivro and misir (chickpea and lentil dishes) and tibs (crispy fried steak). Traditional restaurants in the larger cities serve their dishes on a colored wicker table, the masob. Soap, water and a towel are given before the meal, since the we’t is picked up with the injera in the right hand. The use of cutlery is unusual. Drinks: Ethiopian coffee comes from the province of Kaffa, the added rye gives it a very special aroma. Talla (Ethiopian beer) has a distinctive taste;
Accommodation
Hotels
There are good hotels in Addis Ababa and other major cities, and some also have conference and exhibition rooms. Hotels in the north of the country are generally of a higher standard than hotels in the south. A service charge of 5-10% will be added to all overnight rates. Further information from the Ethiopian Commission for Tourism (see addresses).
Culture
Religion
Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the north (35-40%), mainly Islam in the east and south (45-50%); also animists (12%) and others (3-8%) such as Ethiopian Evangelical Church, Catholics, Hindu and Sikh minorities.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: Conservative clothing is preferred, but casual clothing is i. Generally appropriate. Informal private invitations are gladly extended. Most religious sites do not allow women to enter. Photography: A small fee is sometimes charged for photographing and filming tourist attractions. There is a strict ban on photography at airports and in the vicinity of public buildings and military installations. If you want to photograph people, you should always ask for permission. Tipping: Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. tip is i. Generally usual, but the amounts are small.
Climate
Best travel time
Very humid or hot and dry on the plains up to 1000 m altitude, moderate between 1000 and 2500 m and comparatively cool in the highlands above 2500 m. Frequent rainfall between June and September. The best time to travel to Ethiopia is autumn, winter and spring.
Country data
Phone prefix
+251
Area (sq km)
1,104,300
Population
114,963,588 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
102
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
907
