Travel Information From Democratic Republic of the Congo to Ethiopia

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Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Cholera

Vaccination may be considered for adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. Cholera is presumed to be present in Ethiopia. Areas of active transmission include Afar, Amhara (last case reported October 2021), Gambella, Oromia (last case reported December 2021), Sidama, SNNPR, Somali (last case reported December 2021) and Tigray (last case reported September 2021) regions. Cholera is rare in travelers but can be severe. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Ethiopia.
Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.
Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Ethiopia.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Ethiopia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.
Meningitis (Meningococcal disease):
Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling to Ethiopia during the dry season (December to June).

Polio

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children; the routine series is recommended for unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children and adults and those with unknown vaccination status.

Rabies

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Ethiopia. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Ethiopia, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available.
Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include
• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas
Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Ethiopia.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.
Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age, except as mentioned below. Generally not recommended for travelers whose itinerary is limited to the Afar and Somali Provinces.

You will need 6 months validity remaining on your passport from the date of entry.

Local Phrases Language : Amharic

Local Phrases :

Greetings

Hello = selami
Good morning = inidemini āderiki
Good afternoon = inidemini āderishi
Goodbye = dehina huni
Nice to meet you = siletewawek’ini desi bilonyali

Conversational

How are you? = inidēti nehi?
I am good thank you = dehina nenyi āmeseginalehu
What’s your name? = simishi mani newi?
My name is … = simē newi …
Do you speak English? = inigilīzinya yinageralu?
I don’t speak … = ālinagerimi…
How do you say… in … = inidēti tilalehi… be…
I don’t understand = āligebanyimi

Basics

Yes = āwo
No = āyidelemi
Please = ibakiwo
Thank you = āmeseginalehu
You’re welcome = minimi āyideli
Excuse me = yik’irita
Wait = t’ebik’i
Hurry up = fit’eni
Go away = wedezīya hīdi
Let’s go to = wede inihīdi
I want to go to … = mehēdi ifeligalehu …
A little bit = tinishi
A lot = bizu

Shopping & Eating Out

Restaurant = migibi bēti
Do you have? … = ālehi? …
Not too spicy = bet’ami k’imemi āyidelemi
It was delicious = t’afach’i neberi
The bill, please = hīsabu ibakachihu
How much? = siniti?
Very expensive = bet’ami widi
Can you reduce the price? = wagawini mek’enesi yichilalu?
Please can I have a beer? = ibakachihu bīra met’et’ati ichilalehu?

Transportation & Directions

Taxi = takisī
Car = mekīna
Bus = āwitobusi
Right = k’enyi
Left = gira
Straight = k’et’ita
Stop here = izīhi k’umi

Places

Downtown = mehali ketema
Street = godana
Hotel = hotēli
Museum = muzīyemi
Mall = yegebeya ādarashi
Market = gebeya
Hospital = hosipītali
Doctor = dokiteri
Police = polīsi
Post office = posita bēti
Bank = baniki

Time & Dates

What time is it? = siniti se‘ati newi?
Today = zarē
Tomorrow = nege
The day after tomorrow = tenege wedīya
Yesterday = tinaniti
When? = mechē newi?

Emergencies

Where is the toilet? = mets’edaja bētu yeti newi?
Help me, please = ibakihi redanyi
Call an ambulance = āmibulanisi yidewilu
I don’t feel goo = gugu āyisemanyimi።

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The traditional Ethiopian calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar that is widely used internationally. New Year is in September and there are 12 months of 30 days followed by a 13th month of 5 days (or 6 in a leap year). The Ethiopian calendar is 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. If dealing with official documents, you can expect the date to be written in the Ethiopian calendar. Time of day is also counted differently by traditional Ethiopian mechanisms. Daytime hours are counted beginning from what would be 0600 using a globally standard 24-hour clock, and nightime hours from 1800. “2am” on the Ethiopian clock is therefore equivalent to 0800. Most hotels and larger organisations’ documents, including all airline tickets, are expressed using the global clock rather than the traditional Ethiopian clock. But many individuals and smaller organisations continue to use the Ethiopian clock. If you are not sure the time of a meeting or an event check with your host which clock is being used (‘Ethiopian time’ or ‘Western time’). Ethiopia is a religiously diverse and largely tolerant country. However, many believers are devout in their respective faiths and you should make sure to respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend, especially during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious sites of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Outside Addis Ababa, particularly in rural areas, women may wish to dress modestly to avoid the possibility of causing offence. Modest dress is a must when visiting religious sites. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast each Wednesday, Friday and in several other periods. In predominantly Orthodox areas, at these times only vegan dishes are likely to be available except in larger hotels and restaurants catering to foreigners. Homosexual acts (applying to both sexes) are illegal, and carry penalties of between 1 and 15 years imprisonment. Be sensitive to local laws and customs and avoid public displays of affection. It’s illegal to carry more than 1000 birr in local currency when entering or leaving Ethiopia. If you're found to be carrying in excess of that amount the money will be seized and a prison sentence is possible. You must declare to customs officials on entry or exit any cash in excess of 3,000 US dollars (or the equivalent) in foreign currencies. Travellers leaving Ethiopia with more than USD$3,000 must present a bank advice notice if the currency was purchased from a local bank or a valid customs declaration form obtained at the point of entry. A bank advice notice or customs declaration form becomes invalid if 45 days or more have elapsed since the date of issue. You will need an export certificate to take antiques out of the country, otherwise the items are likely to be confiscated and you may face prosecution. Owning ivory is strictly prohibited. Drug offences are treated seriously in Ethiopia. Don't become involved with drugs of any kind. Khat is a legal drug in Ethiopia but it is an offence to take it out of the country. Bags are regularly searched at Addis Ababa Bole Airport and anyone found to be in possession of Khat is likely to face criminal prosecution.

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Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s sprawling capital in the highlands bordering the Great Rift Valley, is the country’s commercial and cultural hub. Its National Museum exhibits Ethiopian art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, "Lucy." The burial place of the 20th-century emperor Haile Selassie, copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral, is a neo-baroque architectural landmark.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

Street scams

Never accept an invitation from someone on the streets of Addis Ababa to join them at a 'gathering' – especially if they try to assure you it will be free. Most of the time this scam involves chat (khat) chewing, or someone guiding you around at no cost, but then they tell you how much you owe them after their kind gesture has come to an end.

Students will join your walking tour in order to practice their English, but at some point, they will begin asking you for money so they can pay for books or shoes. These students are persistent, but not aggressive, but do not give them money.

pickpocketing

The ancient art of pickpocketing is a constant threat in Ethiopia and is the most common crime travelers will experience.

'Snatch and run' thefts, including from occupied vehicles, and other petty crimes are common in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Remain cautious and aware of your surroundings, keep your valuables out of sight and don't dress in flashy clothing. Pickpocketing is usually a crime of opportunity rather than a planned attack.

When it comes to specific areas to watch out for, exercise caution in crowded streets, and be extra careful while walking around the Mercato in Addis Ababa where pickpockets may operate.

Criminals will be looking for an easy score on national and religious dates – so check out the festival calendar before you go.

International Driving Permit not recognised.

• The most common religion in Ethiopia is Christianity
• Don't expect individual plates full of meal for every person - in Ethiopia, a single, individual plate for food is considered wasteful. Food is served in communal plates with bread.
• Don't necessarily give money to beggars who approach vehicles stopped in traffic - it’s illegal.
• Don't take pictures of airports, government and military buildings, as well as soldiers, police or officials. Always ask for permission when taking photos of locals.
• Don't forget to have permit from Ministry of Information if you are commercial photographer.
• Don't refuse food or coffee at someone's home - leave a bit on plate if you're full.
• Don't enter someone's home without removing the shoes.
• Don't be surprised by some time differences - the Julian calendar is used in Orthodox Christian areas in the highlands, and the clocks might be different. Better double check bookings and appointments.
• Don't be too direct - politeness is valued and people tend to - Avoid directness.
• Don't display a large amount of cash or expensive valuables in public.
• Don't display same-sex relations - it’s illegal and punishable.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Ethiopia?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to Ethiopia. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare System in Ethiopia

Healthcare of Ethiopia is ranked 150th in the world. Access to modern healthcare is very limited, and in many rural areas it is virtually nonexistent.

Health Risk

Leptospirosis

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Schistosomiasis

Caused by wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated water body.

African Tick-Bite Fever

Caused by Tick bite.

Chikungunya

Caused by Mosquito bite.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

Caused by touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF.

Dengue

Occurs from insect bites, including mosquitoes.

Leishmaniasis

Occurs from sand fly bite.

Zika

Occurs from mosquito bite.

Hantavirus

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.