Practical information Ethiopia

Yes, a tourist visa is required for all French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals. The simplest option is to obtain the e-visa through the official Ethiopian government portal before departure, at 82 USD for 30 days or 202 USD for 90 days, payable by card. Validation typically takes three business days. It is also possible to obtain it upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, but queues can be long. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date and have two blank pages. Our team will provide you with the official link and guide you through the process.

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory only if you arrive from a country where it is endemic, but it is strongly recommended for any trip to Éthiopie. Also check that your universal vaccinations are up to date: DTP, hepatitis A and B, typhoid. Rabies and meningitis are recommended depending on your itinerary. Malaria is present below 2,000 meters, so it concerns the Omo Valley, the Danakil and certain areas in the south, but not Addis Ababa, Lalibela or the Simien located at altitude. A consultation at an international vaccination center six weeks before departure allows you to adjust the recommendations to your itinerary.

Excluding international flights, budget between 130 and 200 euros per day per person for a private circuit with English-speaking driver, mid-range accommodations, meals, site entries and permits. Domestic flights are additional, approximately 80 to 150 USD per segment with Ethiopian Airlines, reduced rates for international passengers of the airline. A double room in a decent hotel in Addis costs 60-90 euros, a local meal between 5 and 10 euros, a beer 1 euro. Danakil and Omo expeditions cost more due to 4x4s, escorts and specific permits. Tips for guides and drivers represent an envelope to anticipate, approximately 10 USD per day.

The dry season extends from October to March on the highlands, the ideal period for historic Northern regions, Simien and Lalibela, with sunny days and cool nights. Heavy rains fall from June to September, making certain tracks impassable and visibility reduced, but offering lush landscapes. For Danakil, choose November to February, when heat remains bearable around 35-40°C. The Omo Valley can be visited year-round, with a preference for August-September, the season of the bull-jumping ceremony among the Hamer. Orthodox festivals Genna in January and Timkat in January-February are worth the detour.

Distances are long and roads uneven. For the Northern Circuit, the most efficient approach combines domestic Ethiopian Airlines flights between Addis, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela and Axoum, supplemented by minibuses or private vehicles for local visits. A 4x4 with driver is essential for the Danakil, Omo Valley and Bale Massif, where tracks are rocky and distances significant, sometimes 8 hours of driving per day. Self-drive car rental is not recommended due to road safety and signage concerns. Our agency systematically arranges transfers with experienced drivers and modern vehicles.

Ethiopia is generally welcoming, particularly in the classic tourist regions of the historic North, South, and Rift Valley. However, certain areas are subject to restrictions or warnings according to the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommendations, notably Tigray, parts of Amhara, western Oromia, and the borders with Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia. Our team based in Addis Ababa monitors the situation daily and adjusts itineraries accordingly. On the ground, standard precautions apply: avoid traveling at night, keep your documents secure, follow instructions during trips to the Danakil where an escort is mandatory. Anna remains available throughout your journey.