ILO Sub-Regional OfficeAddis Ababa

Entry FormalitiesVisas – All visitors to Ethiopia should havevalid national passports and entry visa, visacould be obtained in Ethiopian Embassy orconsulate in their country of residence.Citizens of 33 countries can now get visas onarrival. Airport tax - There is a US$20 departuretax for international flights.

Declaration - All visitors should declareelectronic goods, and mobile apparatus. Theywill be required to show the declaration paperupon departure, in order for them to takeback their equipments.

VaccinationThe possession of a valid Yellow Fevervaccination certificate is no longer mandatorybut visitors coming from countries whereYellow Fever has been reported may beasked.

Money MattersVisitors should declare all currency in theirpossession on arrival, and only change atbanks and authorised foreign exchangedealers. The Ethiopian currency is the birr,the rate of which against the US dollar isfixed in weekly auctions. (In November 2003

Welcome toAddis AbabaEthiopia

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the rate is approximately 8.60 birr toUS$1.00). In order to change birr back todollars on leaving the country, visitors will beasked to produce bank receipts.

Credit card acceptance is now growingthroughout the country, but only one bank(Dashen Bank) can issue cash on cards, to alimit of US$500.00 per day, and does not yethave branches in all main cities. There is anunofficial, or black market - whiletransactions are quicker, rates are notsignificantly higher than in the banks.

Country topographic profileWith an area of 1,112,000 square kilometres,Ethiopia is as large as France and Spaincombined. From the north and running downthe centre are the Abyssinian highlands, tothe west of the chain the land drops to thegrasslands of Sudan, to the east to thedeserts of the Afar. South of Addis Ababathe land is dominated by the Rift ValleyLakes. The main rivers are the Blue Nile, theTekezze, the Awash, the Wabe Shabele, theOmo, and the Baro.

PopulationThe current population is about 70 million,making it the third most populated country inAfrica.

Government Ethiopia is a Federal Democratic Republicmade up of 9 regions, mainly based onethnicity. The present government was re-elected in May 2000 for a 5-year term.

Ethiopia country profileAt the time of the scramble for Africa,following the Berlin Congress in 1884, the

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disparate ethnic groups that make up Ethiopiaunited to defend the country against foreigninvasion, thus securing their independence.

Ethiopia has its own script, notational systemand calendar. The Ethiopian Orthodox Churchis the oldest in Africa – Christianity was madethe state religion in the Axumite Empire in330 AD, before Rome. Muslim communitieswere established in Ethiopia before thetriumph of Islam in its birth place, theArabian peninsula.

Ethiopia has the most extensive historic sitesin Sub-Saharan Africa, experts estimate thatperhaps as little as 10% of the total has sofar been discovered and excavated. Theoldest hominid remains have been found alongthe Awash River valley – currently 41institutions from 13 countries are excavatingin the Afar Region, where mostpaleontologists now agree the human race hasits origins.

There is every variety of scenery, withtropical rain forests, high moorland withAfro-alpine flora, lakes, savannah anddeserts. In elevation it ranges from 120metres below sea level in the harsh salt flatsof the Danakil depression, to the 4624 metrepeak of Ras Dashen in the Simien Mountains.There are more than 80 ethnic groups and asmany languages.

Economy85% of the population get their livelihoodfrom the land. Coffee (the word originatesfrom the name of the province of Kaffa, inthe south west of Ethiopia) provides the bulkof foreign currency earnings, although the

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recent decline in world coffee prices hasmeant a fall in its share.

The export of livestock, skins and hides(Ethiopia has the largest domestic livestockpopulation in Africa), chat, oilseeds, pulsesand animal feed makes up the rest ofEthiopia’s foreign currency earnings, withtourism set to make an increasingly importantcontribution.

The opening up of the economy since thecoming of the present government in 1991,has created more favourable grounds fordevelopment of Ethiopia’s rich resource base.Ethiopia is the “water tower” of the region(the Blue Nile contributes to 85% of themain Nile flow) and projects are now beingimplemented to better exploit the country’swater resources both for power generationas well as to boost agricultural productionthrough irrigation schemes. Mineralexploration has stepped up in recent years -there are reserves of oil, natural gas, coal,gold, copper, tantalum, potash, zinc, iron ore,nickel, marble, precious and semi-preciousstones. Thermal power generation schemesare already operational in Afar and OromoRegions.

Seasons, Climate and ClothingSeasons in Ethiopia do not correspond to thewinter, spring, summer, autumn pattern, butare essentially defined by the rains.Temperatures are determined by altitude,with highlands (including Addis Ababa) rarelyexceeding 25º C. In the lowlands it can getconsiderably hotter exceeding 40ºC, while inthe Danakil Depression it can approach 60ºC.

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In most of the country, the main rainy seasonruns from June to the end of September,with short rains in March. In southernEthiopia, the main rains are from March toJune, and shorter rains in November. InAddis Ababa you can expect torrential rainsduring this period and extended short rains(sometimes from the end of February intoApril), with occasional rain in January.

Addis Ababa in the rainy seasons can be chillyat other times, it is generally fine and warmin the day, getting hotter in the run up to themain rains but nights and early mornings canalso be very cold, particularly from Novemberto February.

Main harvest time is in November to earlyDecember, but there is another seasonassociated with the short rains, with plantingin February or March and harvest at the endof April or the beginning of May.

Health and MedicalMalaria: lower lying areas of Addis Ababa(around 2000 metres) are now said to bepotentially malarial, but essentially the city ismalaria free, although non-malarialmosquitoes can be nuisance in some areas atnight. For travelling outside Addis Ababa it isadvisable to consult travel agencies onmalarial protection for specific areas. Also itis always good to take a simple first aid pack.In most of the larger towns there are nowprivate clinics, but these and local pharmaciesmay be short of drugs and medical supplies.In Addis Ababa there is range of privatehospitals and clinics, (see Addis Ababalistings, p.13)

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Altitude sickness: Addis Ababa lying between2200-2500 metres asl is the third highestcapital in the world, and new visitors mayexperience discomfort until they adjust tothe altitude – symptoms can include shortnessof breath, fatigue and insomnia.

FoodThe Ethiopian national dish consists of injera,a flat, circular pancake of fermented doughmade from grain called tef, on top of whichare served different kinds of cooked meats,vegetables and pulses. The sauces aregenerally spiced with berbere, a blend ofherbs and spices (including hot peppers) thatgives Ethiopian food its characteristic taste.Vegetarians should try “fasting food”, whichis devoid of all meat and animal products.Ethiopians also eat raw meat, served withinjera and a hot sauce with added hot pepperand mustard powder. One eats with the righthand tearing off pieces of injera to pick upthe “toppings”.

Addis Ababa boasts of a wide variety ofrestaurants (see Addis Ababa listings, p.13)

Avoiding stomach upsets- When moving fromone country to another some stomach upset isgenerally inevitable. The dangers for the newcomer in Ethiopia are hot and spicy dishes,spicy Ethiopian butter, raw meat (you shouldask at dinners or buffets if any of the dishesinclude uncooked meat), and not properlywashed salads.

DrinkIt is safer to avoid tap water. Gassy and stillmineral water, along with soft drinks, areavailable throughout the country. There areseveral brands of locally produced beer.

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Ethiopia produces its own wine and spirits,while imported spirits are also widelyavailable. There are home made alcoholicdrinks: tela (home made beer or ale), tej(wine made from honey) and kati kala(distilled liquor from various grains.)

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, andcoffee drinking plays an important part inEthiopian social and cultural life. The coffeeceremony, where the coffee is roasted,ground and boiled, and incense burnt, can takesome time, as visitors are served three cups,one from each brewing.

AccommodationAddis Ababa has two 5 star hotels - theHilton and the Sheraton (5 star plus) - and agrowing number of tourist class hotels (seeAddis Ababa listings p.13). Standards varyoutside the capital, but apart from placeswhere camping is unavoidable it is generallypossible to get relatively clean rooms with ensuite toilet and shower.

Travel by air and road Ethiopian Airlines flies to most of theAfrican countries and to Europe, Asia andAmerica as well. For flight information, thereare ticket offices in different areas of AddisAbaba.

Ethiopian Airlines operates a safe andextensive domestic air service, butcancellations and delays can occur. EthiopianAirlines and currently one private company,Abyssinian Airlines, offer charter services.Other airlines that fly into Addis Ababa: BA,Egypt Air, Kenyan Airways, Lufthansa, YemenAir and Sudan Airways.

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Getting around in Addis AbabaThe cheapest form of transport are the big,red, city buses where fares are below 50cents. Slightly more expensive (up to andover 1 birr) but more frequent are the blueminibuses which ply certain routes. With theblue taxis there are those which are shared,picking up people along certain routes, and“contract” taxis which you hire for a journey.Fares should always be agreed in advance.Your hotel will either have its own transport,or will call a taxi for you.

Addis Ababa based tour operators (seeAddis Ababa listings p.13) can providevehicles with drivers, and organize trips tothe country’s tourist sites. Travelling by roadallows visitors to experience Ethiopia’swonderful scenery, but in many parts of thecountry road conditions are poor, and themountainous topography in the north will cutspeed.

SecurityEthiopia is generally a safe country, andAddis Ababa a safe capital city, but oneshould still take the normal precautions,avoiding unfamiliar areas at night and notcarrying large sums of money in accessiblepockets.

It is advisable to beware of pickpocketsoperating in certain areas, skilled atidentifying new arrivals, other than thatviolent robbery and muggings are rare andgenerally visitors can tour the city day andnight in safety.

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ADDIS ABABAAddis Ababa, home to more than three millionpeople is the diplomatic capital of Africa,seat of the African Union and the EconomicCommission for Africa. There is no oneidentifiable city centre, rather a number ofdifferent centres. Although there areobviously wealthier and poorer areas, linesare not sharply drawn.

Site seeing in Addis Ababa – what to doThere’s a lot to see in Addis Abba, but if youare only here for a short time you could booka guided city tour. In one day you couldexpect to cover the following places:

Mount Entoto – panoramic view of the city,and the churches of Raguel and Mariam.Menelik II was crowned in the latter andthere is a small museum there.

Ethnographic Museum of the Institute ofEthiopian Studies – located in a former royalpalace - clothing from different regions,along with artifacts, household utensils and inseparate section, paintings reflecting thehistory and culture of the country. (Insidethe University, near Sidist Kilo.)

National Archaeological Museum- exhibitsranging from the 3.5 million year old bones ofLucy, through the Axumite and Gondareneperiods to the monarchs Tewodros andMenelik II. (Between Amist and Sidist Kilo.)

St George Church– interesting small museum,clothes and religious items (by MenelikSquare, near Piassa).

Menelik’s Mausoleum, where Etege Taitu andQueen Zewditu are also buried, and BeataMariam Church, behind the Grand Palace.

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The Mercato, the largest market area inAfrica, where virtually every possiblecommodity is on sale, from livestock tocomputers.

Other sites – Addis Ababa Museum, behindMesqal Square, which focuses on the historyof the capital, The Zoological Natural HistoryMuseum, inside the Science Faculty of AddisAbaba University at Arat Kilo.

Note: Museums are closed on Mondays.

DAY TRIPS OUT OF Addis AbabaThere are a number of interesting day tripsthat can be made out of Addis Ababa, here isa short list:

Debre Libanos and the Jemma River Gorge –on this visit to the site of an old monasticcenter, you can combine history, scenery,bird watching and glimpses of the endemicgelada baboon. (Leave at 8am, return at 5pm)

Debre Berhan and Ankober – old imperialcapitals with great views of the escarpment.(Leave at 7:30am, return at 5:00pm) Furtheralong this road is Senbete, or Sunday market,where the highlands and lowlands meet fortrade. (Leave at 7:00am, return at 5:30pm)

Ambo and Wonchi crater – stunning scenery,a lake situated inside the crater, with islands.(Leave at 7:30am, return at 5:30pm) Similarscenery at Zuqwala, seat of another oldmonastery. (Leave at 8:00am, return at5:00pm)

The Neolithic site at Melka Kunture, the rockhewn church of Adadi Mariam and the stellae

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field at Tiya. (Leave at 7:30am, return at 5:30pm)

The Menagasha Forest – beautiful old trees,some wild life and plenty of birds. (Leave at8am, return at 5:00pm)

Sodere Hot Spring Resort, next to the AwashRiver. Good for birds, but protect yoursandwiches or lunch from light fingeredmonkeys! (Leave at 8:00am, return at 5:30pm)

If you only have half a day and would like toget out of the city you could go to the resorttown of Debre Zeit – only 50 km from AddisAbaba it has seven crater lakes, take a walkon Mount Entoto or drive north to Solultaplains for good scenery and restaurantsserving national food and liquors.

LONGER TRIPSIf you are planning a longer trip, you shouldconsult a tour operator (see listings).

You could fly to some or all of thedestinations on the Historic Route, or toHarer, go trekking in the Bale or SimienMountains, or spend some time in the RiftValley, making your way perhaps to the OmoValley. If you want to read up on thepossibilities, the comprehensive Bradt Guideto Ethiopia is available in Book World (seelistings).

Miscellaneous

Local Time GMT +3

Electricity - 220 volts. Plugs are of the two-pin variety

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Souvenirs - many antiques cannot beexported and may be confiscated if found inairport searches. The National Museum inAddis Ababa can issue a clearancecertificate.

Photography – for taking pictures around thecity precaution should be taken on identifyingsensitive areas. As a matter of courtesy,permission should be sought beforephotographing individuals.

Shopping - bargaining on prices is part of theart of shopping in Ethiopia. Except for someshops that have fixed prices a good bargaincould be won after an effective exchange ofgive and take.

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ADDIS ABABA LISTINGSWhat follows is necessarily brief – just tohelp you find your way around Addis Ababa.

For more detailed guide see bibiliography

Street names in Addis Ababa can beconfusing, and most people including taxidrivers, rely on directions to where a place isnear.

Accommodation Sheraton Hotel – 5 star plus. Swimming

pool. Tel: 171717. Rates from US$204.00.

Hilton Hotel – 5 star. Swimming pool.Tel: 518400. Rates from US$140.00.

Ghion Hotel – 4 star, government owned,wonderful grounds andOlympic sized swimmingpool. Tel: 513222. Rates from US$55.00.

Imperial Hotel – 4 star, near the airport.Tel: 293395. Rates from US$66.00.

National Hotel – 2 star, government owned,just off Mesqal Square.Tel: 516666. Rates from US$22.00.

Ras Amba Hotel – 3 star. Tel: 556634. Rates from US$35.00.

Yordanos Hotel – 3 star, off Haile GebreSelassie Road. Rates from US$25.00.

Axum Hotel - 3 star, Tel: 615001Haile Gebre Sellassie Rd.Rates from US$32.00

Global Hotel - 4 star, Tel: 664766Debre Zeit RoadRates from US$53.00

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RestaurantsEthiopian (* denotes live music, ** live

music with national dancing)Addis Ababa Restaurant – Piassa, near

Habte Giorghis, tel: 113513Agelgil – end of Mesqal Flower Road, near

Debre Zeit Road, tel: 653299Crown Hotel** – 10 km from Mesqal Square

on Debre Zeit Road, tel:341444

Dashen Restaurant*– near AmbassadorTheatre, behind post office,tel: 557515

Fasika Restaurant** - off Bole Road, turnafter Flamingo Restaurant,tel: 514193

Habesha Restaurant* - Bole Road, next toSabit Building, tel: 518358

Kara Mara Restaurant** – Bole Road, at thebridge, tel: 158013

AsianChina Bar and Restaurant – next to entrance

to Ghion Hotel, tel: 513772Honk Kong Restaurant- behind Churchill

Road, near Commercial Bank,tel: 514275bv

Jewel of India – on Mesqal Flower Road,near Olympia, tel: 513454

Sangam – on Bole Road, next to MegaBuilding, tel: 518976

Shaheen – in Addis Sheraton, tel 171717

FrenchLa Brasserie – near Stadium, road going to

Mexico Square, tel: 514885Les Arcades – in Addis Sheraton, tel: 171717

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ItalianBlue Tops – opposite National Museum,

tel: 550934Castelli’s - Piassa area, tel: 571757Il Caminetto - at the end of Bole Road, near

Brass Clinic, tel: 625587.Stagioni – in Sheraton Hotel, tel: 171717Top View – overlooking Megenagna

intersection, tel: 627350.MediterraneanAladdin – off Bole Road, to Japan

Embassy, tel: 615258 Al Baraka – off Bole Road, behind Bole

Printing Press, tel: 155903Mendi – Olympia, between Bole and

Haile Gebre Selassie Roads,tel:512143

Greek Club – Olympia, next to GreekSchool, tel: 530485

CafesCity Café – Bole Road, next to Mega

Building, tel: 151807La Parisienne – Olympia, off Bole Road,

tel: 156174Le Notre – back entrance of Hilton,

tel: 515116Roby Pastry – Bole Road, opposite Mega

Building, tel: 158808Village Café – off Meskal Square, opposite

Estiphanos Church. tel: 154409

Night life Buffet de la Gare – next to Railway Station,

tel: 517888Coffee House – Sidist Kilo, by Egyptian

Embassy, tel: 121263

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Gas Light – disco in Sheraton, tel: 171717The Dome – next to Concorde, on Debre

Zeit Road, tel: 654903 Memo Club – behind Exhibition Centre,

tel: 153344In the Cazanchis area and along MeskalFlower Road there are many Azmari(traditional music) houses, but take a guide.

Souvenir shopsEthiopian Tourist Trading Enterprise – onHaile Gebre Selassie Road, past Traffic Police.

Haile Selassie - before Theodros Square onthe right going up Churchill Road

There are several souvenir shops alongChurchill Road, behind the Main Post Officeand in the Mercato. If it is gold that you areafter, you will be better off doing yourshopping in the Piassa area, along AdwaAvenue.

Art GalleriesAsni Gallery, near French Embassy, tel: 117360Goshu Art Gallery, off Micky Leland Road,tel: 614747Makush Gallery, Bole Road in Mega Building(also serves food)St George, near Sheraton, tel: 510983)

Tour and Travel Agents Experience Ethiopia Travel, ChurchillAvenue, near National Theatre, tel: 519291Greenland, Bole Road, near FantuSupermarmet, tel: 632597Hess Travel, Bole Road, near Mega Building,tel: 515820

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Travel Ethiopia, in National Hotel, tel: 525478Village Ethiopia , inside National Hotel, tel: 523497

CommunicationsThe Sheraton, Hilton, Ghion and many touristhotels offer Internet service, or haveInternet providers on their premises.

Internet Cafes/Business Centres – inNational Hotel, in Mega Building on Bole Road.International calls: hotels tend to beexpensive, for cheaper calls go to theTelecom Centre on Churchill Avenue.

Mobile (cell) phones: your phones will notwork in Ethiopia, and although cards can bepurchased at the Telecom Centre in theDembel Centre on Bole Road, you will need anEthiopian line for them to work.

SportSwimming: Sheraton, Hilton and GhionTennis: Hilton and GhionGyms: Sheraton, Hilton, Power Gym

(behind National Hotel), AlemFitness Centre, Alem Building,Bole Road (belonging to athleteHaile Gebre Selassie.

Golf: the Golf Club (old Airport) has 9holes and a good restaurant.Also offers horse riding.

Emergency servicesClinics: Senai Clinic, Debrezeit Road, near Lancia,tel: 661421Betzatha Clinic, Bole Road, Olympia, tel: 533458

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Brook Clinic, near Ghandi Hospital, tel: 513435

Hospitals: Tikur Anbessa, behind the National Bank ofEthiopia, tel: 511211Demberwa MCH, off Haile Gebre SelassieRoad, tel: 611084Gabriel Hospital, Haya Hulet Mazuria, tel: 614400Hayat Hospital, near Imperial Hotel, tel: 624448

BookshopsBookworld, near Cathedral School, outlets inthe Sheraton, Hilton and Ghion.

MiscellaneousNewspapers – English Language papers, The

Monitor (daily), Sub-SaharanInformer (weekly), Reporter(weekly), Fortune (weekly),Capital (weekly), Addis Tribune(weekly).

Super markets – Novis, Bambis, Tana,Abrico, Shi-Solomon.

BibliographyGuide Books The Bradt Guide to Ethiopia.The Lonely Planet Guide to Ethiopia, Eritreaand Djibouti.The Spectrum Guide to EthiopiaCollins Birds of East AfricaImportant Bird Areas of Ethiopia – EthiopianWildlife and Natural History Society.Collins Flowers and Plants of East AfricaEthiopian Amharic Phrasebook - LonelyPlanet

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HistoryLayers of Time – Paul HenzeA History of Modern Ethiopia - Bahru ZewdeAxum: An African Civilisation of LateAntiquity - Stuart Monroe HayThe Blue Nile - Alan MoreheadThe Sign and the Seal - Graham HancockThe Survival of Ethiopian Independence -Sven RubensonEthiopian Civilisation - Belay GidayThe Ethiopians - Edward UllendorfThe Scramble for Africa - ThomasPackenham

Art booksAfrican Zion: The Sacred Art of EthiopiaAfrican Ark: People of the HornBlack Angels: The Art and Spirituality ofEthiopiaEthiopia Photographed – Richard Pankhurstand Denis Gerard.Ethiopia Engraved – Richard Pankhurst

Birding Important Bird Areas of Ethiopia and otherpublications can be obtained from theEthiopian Wildlife and Natural HistorySociety, tel:

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CommunicatingThere is no space here for a definitiveglossary, Ethiopia has 83 languages and morethan 200 dialects! But Amharic or Amarignais widely spoken through the country. Thefollowing would help you to communicate inmany places. Tenastilign Hello/how are you?Ciao! Good byeYekirta Excuse meAmesegenalo Thank you Simeh mannew? (Masc) What’s your name?Simesh mannew? (Fem) What’s your name?Aw (as in how) YesIshi OKAydellem NoSintinew How much is it?Widdnew It’s expensiveEfellegallew I want Alfelligim I don’t wantTirunew It’s goodTiru aydellem It’s not good Les-lassa Soft drinkAmboha Mineral waterBirra BeerWuha WaterShintibait ToiletBuna CoffeeShai TeaInjera Sour dough pancakeWot Sauce or stewTibs Fried meatTela Local beerTej Honey wine Na! ComeHid! GoChiger yellem No problemBeka EnoughBewhala Afterwards/laterQonjo Beautiful

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ILO Sub-Regional OfficeAddis Ababa

P.O.Box 2532/2788Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: (251-1) 510346, 514313, 517200Fax: (251-1) 513633/511395

Email: addisababa@ilo.orgWebsite: www.ilo.org/addisababa

December 2003