By far the oldest nation on the African continent, Ethiopia, often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Humanity’ due to the extensive traces of ancient man unearthed there, is a truly fascinating country to visit. The second most populous African nation and the second oldest Christian country in the world (Christianity became the official religion in the 4th century AD), it’s ancient history is there to be discovered at every turn in amongst a vibrant local culture in which many different ethnic peoples live their lives according to traditions that have remained almost unchanged for centuries.

On top of this the country has some of the most spectacular scenery on the continent. The Ethiopian Highlands are a series of volcanically formed mountains, amongst them the Simiens which rise to over 4,000 metres. The Highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley, certainly one of the world’s geological wonders, which runs from the Red Sea through the Danakil Depression (a desert area that has one of the lowest points on the earth’s surface) and through southern Ethiopia to Mozambique.

With this breathtaking landscape and archaeological wonders such as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the ruins of Axum – thought by some to be of the sacred court of the Queen of Sheba, and the splendid castles of Gonder and the possibility to visit remote tribes in the Omo Valley, an Ethiopian trip will not be easily forgotten.

Weather
Ethiopia’s climate varies according to altitude. Both tropical and arid conditions can be found in the plains while higher up, temperatures drop. The normal rainy season is from mid-June to mid-September (longer in the Southern highlands) and is preceded by intermittent showers from February or March: The remainder of the year is generally dry.

Local Customs
In Orthodox Christian regions (such as the Highlands) restaurants do not serve meat dishes on Wednesdays, Fridays and during Lent. The Ethiopian (Julian) calendar consists of 13 months (12 months of 30 days, the thirteenth month has five or six days), and in 2007 the year is 1999 in Ethiopia. Homosexuality is illegal. Shoes should be removed before entering mosques and churches. Photographs should not be taken of military buildings and airports, and permission should be asked before photographing religious festivals and people.

Visas
British nationals require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Passport holders endorsed British Citizen can obtain a tourist visa on arrival for $20.00 or at the Ethiopian embassy in London for £20.00, which is valid for three months. This is also truth for many other Western nationalities including US, Australia or Canada.

Vaccinations
As a sub-Saharan country, there are various health risks when travelling to Ethiopia. Vaccines for polio, yellow fever, typhoid, Hepatitis A and cholera are recommended. Malaria is present in the lowlands (below 2,000m) and mosquitoes may also carry dengue fever. Waterborne diseases are prevalent and travellers are advised to drink bottled or treated water. It is your responsibility to check all relevant recommendations and also to get the most up-to-date health information for the destinations being visited. You can contact your GP or any of the following organisations:

MASTA: Telephone: 0906 822 4100 www.masta.org
Live Travel Health Line: 09068 633414
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Flight Duration
Flight time to Addis Ababa from London is 9hrs, with Ethiopian Airlines.

Accommodation and Transport
In Ethiopia we use mainly 3 and 4 star hotels or eco-lodges. In the more remote parts of the country infrastructure and accommodation are still at a formative stage. Hot water is not always available and power cuts are not uncommon. We use a variety of transport methods including bus, plane and boat, and even mule.