Good to know before you go

Ethiopia is generally safe but it is best to take a few precautions. We suggest keeping your valuables out of sight and being aware of belongings, especially when traveling on public transport, in markets or a busy area – this is particularly good practice in Addis Ababa. Also be aware of pickpockets (usually children offering chewing gum or tissues for sale), and we suggest using a trusted taxi driver when traveling in the evening (avoid any you see chewing kat, which is a narcotic leaf).

Most visitors to Ethiopia need a visa. You can purchase a tourist visa online here or on arrival at Addis Ababa (Bole) International Airport. A one month visa is $US50 and three months $US75.  It is best to bring cash to pay for your visa as credit cards are only accepted when the network permits (please note that USD bills must be from 2006 or newer). For Ethiopian Airline customers with a less than 24 hour layover, free transit visas are available through the airline.

If you fly into the country with Ethiopian Airlines, you’ll receive a large discount on all domestic flights that you take, which may be booked upon arrival.

Ethiopia is a cash economy with credit cards rarely accepted except at the largest hotels. The most reliable way to access cash is from a hotel lobby ATM, though you may only withdraw 4,000 birr (approx. $US175) per transaction. You can exchange USD (bills must be from 2006 or newer) at most hotels at a competitive rate.

You’ll need insurance that covers staying at altitude, activities such as hiking, medical evacuation and repatriation.

There are a number of private hospitals throughout Addis. We recommend the Suisse Clinic. There are plenty of pharmacies but we do suggest that you bring all medication you may require with you. We suggest that you check your insurance covers you for medical evacuation and repatriation.

Addis Ababa is above the malaria line and therefore it is considered safe not to take antimalarials. However, areas below 2,000m, such as Omo, are considered high risk and antimalarials are recommended. There have been no reported ebola infections and precautionary health checks are in place at the airport.

There is a risk of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Ethiopia and it is recommended that pregnant women do not travel to the country.

For the latest health information and recommendations visit https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/76/ethiopia

Under International Health Regulations, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of Yellow Fever, or having spent a layover of more than 12 hours in such a country. A certificate is valid for life.

Yellow Fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes and is present in Ethiopia. Read more about it here.

No. Do not drink tap water anywhere in Ethiopia and make sure your drinking glass is dry before using it. It is safe to drink only bottled or boiled water. The tap water is fine to wash with.

You can purchase a local 3G or 4G SIM card for 15 birr ($US1) from an Ethio Telecom office (you’ll need to bring a copy of your passport and two passport photos) or more quickly at a ‘phone suks’ reseller at a small markup. Airtime/credit is bought in the form of a scratchcard that may be purchased almost everywhere for 100 birr ($US4). GSM phones don’t always work in Ethiopia.

WiFi is available in most hotels in the country but it isn’t absolutely reliable.

Ethiopia’s weather varies by altitude, though the temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year. The central plateau, including Addis Ababa, is usually mild with cool evenings, and most rainfall occurs between June and September during the monsoon (kiremt) season. The lowlands, particularly to the south-east of the country, are significantly drier and hotter, with the heaviest rain falling in July and August. The Afar desert region in the north-east, site of the Danakil Depression and the volcano Erta Ale, is hot all year and is noted for being the hottest, driest place on earth.

Conservative dress is the norm (at least knee-length shorts or skirts) and we suggest avoiding anything very revealing. Check out our essential packing list to ensure you have everything you need.

It is essential that you agree to the fare before you get into a taxi in Addis. Fares range from 150-400 birr (approx. $5-$15 USD), but expect the negotiating driver to start at a much higher rate. It is more economical to ask the driver to wait if you are making a round trip or several stops.

There is also a ride hailing app for taxis called Ride that usually works well. To use Ride you need a local cell phone number so as to coordinate with the driver – they’re not always good with the GPS/Maps and often navigate using local landmarks.

Taking public transportation in Addis is relatively safe. We would caution against taking countryside buses given road and vehicle conditions.

Rwanda is generally safe but it is best to take a few precautions. We suggest keeping your valuables out of sight and being aware of belongings, especially when traveling on public transport, markets or in a busy area. This is particularly good practice in Kigali.

Most visitors to Rwanda need a visa. The Rwanda Tourist Visa is $US50 for 30 days and permits a single entry. The East African Tourist Visa is $US100 for 90 days for multiple entry to Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.

Some travelers may be able to purchase a visa on arrival with cash or credit card, otherwise purchase in advance online here. Please ensure your passport is valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry and that it has two blank pages on arrival.

The Rwandese Franc is used throughout the country and can be withdrawn from ATMs in Kigali and other towns, though the machines are not absolutely reliable to work. You can exchange USD (bills must be from 2006 or since) at the airport and withdraw USD from KCB ATMs in Kigali.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Kigali and at many hotels outside the capital, but elsewhere cash is king.

You’ll need insurance that covers staying at altitude, activities such as hiking and bicycle riding, medical evacuation and repatriation.

King Faisal Hospital is the country’s main hospital and is in Kigali. There are plenty of pharmacies but we do suggest that you bring all medication you may require with you. We suggest checking your insurance covers you for medical evacuation and repatriation.

Rwanda is considered a low-risk area for malaria: it is uncommon in Kigali and the high altitude areas, though sometimes found, and is more prevalent in the east of the country. There have been no reported cases of ebola in Rwanda; the government continues to take precautionary health measures, including vaccinations of key frontline health workers.

For the latest health information and recommendations visit https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/187/rwanda

Under International Health Regulations, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries where there is a risk of Yellow Fever, or having spent a layover of more than 12 hours in such a country. A certificate is valid for life.

Yellow Fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes and is considered low for potential exposure in Rwanda. Read more about it here

No. Do not drink tap water anywhere in Rwanda. It is safe to drink only bottled or boiled water. The tap water is fine to wash with.

You’ll need to check with your mobile/cell provider for the specific costs of using your mobile in Rwanda. Local SIM cards are available; you’ll need to take your passport with you to buy one and ensure your phone has been unlocked by your home network.

MTN is the most popular telecom provider, though Airtel and Tigo are also available and sometimes have stronger data connections. You can purchase a 3G SIM card (RwF 1,000), airtime and data bundles from street vendors all over town.

WiFi is in most of the top hotels in the country but it isn’t absolutely reliable. Elsewhere WiFi varies greatly and can be slow and patchy with most people relying on their mobile data.

The dry season usually lasts from June to February and the rainy season from March to May. Even during the dry months rainfall is not uncommon but tends to be in short bursts. Temperatures are steady most of the year but do vary across the country:

Kigali daytime is usually around 70 Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) with cooler evenings

Akagera National Park daytime 79F (26C) and night 57F (14C)

Musanze daytime 64F (18C) and night 46F (8C) and high in northern mountains even as low as 32F (0C)

Nyungwe National Park daytime 79F (26C) and nights 57F (14C)

Conservative dress is the norm (at least knee-length shorts or skirts) and we suggest avoiding anything very revealing. Check out our essential packing list to ensure you have everything you need.

You’ll find coaches and buses traveling around Rwanda and taxis, motos (motorcycle taxis) and bicycle taxis in the cities and towns. It’s best to ask your hotel to order a taxi for you – don’t rely on hailing one in the street. Drivers are not always good at reading GPS/Maps or street names and often navigate using local landmarks.

Expect to pay RWF 15,000 (approx) for a taxi from the airport to the center of Kigali.

For city tours the maximum group size is 10 though we usually guide groups of three or four people. We’re also happy to run a tour for just one person. If you’d prefer to keep things intimate, take a larger group or customize the timing, you can book a private tour.

Absolutely!

You can book any time in advance until 8pm the night before the tour. Sometimes we’re able to fit in a last minute booking too – please email us. For truly last minute or same day bookings give us a call.

Whenever there are large conferences in town, city tours do sell out, so please book early.

Once you book you’ll receive an email with detailed instructions and a map showing you the start point. Please arrive on time as we begin tours promptly.

Yes! Children 5 to 12 years old receive discounted tickets, and those under 5 years old are free of charge. Please note that we do not have car seats for children.

Yes, we go whatever the weather. Check out the weather forecast here

Do not drink the tap water and always ensure your drinking glass is dry: you must only drink bottled water. All the restaurants and food stalls we work with have a high level of food safety and we’ve tried and tested each hundreds of times. As a general rule, do not eat salad or anything that might have been washed with tap water.

We hope so! Please let us know your food preferences so we can plan the tour accordingly.

Comfortable walking shoes and, if it is raining, your waterproof jacket. Read a little more about what to wear on our packing list.

If you wish to take photos of people, their shop or stall, please speak to your guide first.

Only if you want to buy a memento or tip the guides.

Only if you really enjoyed the tour and thought that the guides were superb should you tip. If you wish to do so, we suggest 10% of the total cost of the city tour. Know that it will be very greatly appreciated.

If you’d like to make one of our city tours private, go to Book Now and simply select this option when prompted in the checkout. If you’d like to customize a city tour or have a larger group to book for, please get in touch.

Please get in touch as soon as possible to let us know – we know that unexpected things come up when traveling! If you cancel at least 8 days in advance you’ll receive a full refund. For cancellations made 7 days to 3 days in advance, there is a 50% cancellation fee. If you cancel after this (72 hours before the start day of the tour), there is no refund.