Entry
Your passport decides the visa rules; the official site below has the details. Where a visa is required, sources say tourists use an Ethiopian e-Visa, and the visa is reportedly issued for people landing at Addis Ababa airport. Only the e-Visa site run officially should be used for applying, as look-alike sites charge more; the current fee and rules can be confirmed there. Do not count on getting a visa on arrival. Carry an onward ticket and a passport with 6 months of validity. Coming from a risk country calls for a yellow fever certificate. Malaria prevention is a question for a doctor.
Culture and safety - take note
Many people tell time from sunrise, and the calendar used in Ethiopia is its own, running about 7-8 years behind; for that reason, ask if a stated time means 'local' or 'international'. Orthodox Christians and Muslims make up most of the population. Visitors to churches like those in Lalibela remove their shoes and dress modestly. Vegan 'fasting' dishes are what restaurants serve on fasting days, which are Wednesdays, Fridays and the long fasts. An invitation to a coffee ceremony is an honour, and at least one cup should be taken. People should be asked before they are photographed, and government or military sites should never be photographed. Resting on the first day is wise in Addis Ababa, which lies at about 2,300 m. Conflict affects certain regions, the border areas and parts of the north among them, and governments advise against travelling there; other advisories and the travel advice of your own government should be read. The Danakil Depression, which is extremely hot, should be visited only with required escorts and a licensed operator. Halal meals are easy to find. The right hand is the one for eating and giving.
