Best Time to Visit - Take into account the seasons in Ethiopia when planning your tour. In Addis Ababa and Ethiopia’s northern highlands, the rainy season begins at the end of May and continues to mid-September. The greenness and splashes of color brought on by the rains linger into November making September through November a good period to be in Ethiopia for its colorful landscapes with less chance of rain.The big rainy season in the South Omo Valley region occurs between March and June with a short rainy season occurring the end of September to the beginning of November. Recently, weather patterns have become less predictable but you are less likely to encounter rain if you visit the South Omo between July and August and December through February.

Clothing - Due to vast altitude differences between highland and lowland areas, if you are intent on exploring Ethiopia fully you should prepare for a wide range of temperature differences. Bringing clothes that can be easily layered is the obvious choice. You will need lightweight clothing for the lowlands and medium weight for the hill country. At least one warm jumper or pullover should be brought along to cope with dramatic temperature drops once the sun goes down

Visa

Visa is required for all visitors to Ethiopia and they can get from Ethiopian Diplomatic Mission abroad ,Visitors from the countries listed below can obtain visa on arrival at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa): Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, and US.

Ethiopia offers 1 and 3 month as well as multiple entry visas. The multiple entry and sometimes the 3-month visas are not available at the airport. When applying for your Ethiopian visa, make sure you get the appropriate amount of time for your travel period. If you plan to travel to Somaliland from Ethiopia, it is advisable to get a multiple entry visa before you come as getting a return visa in Somaliland is usually time consuming.

Health

With proper precautions, visitors to Ethiopia can enjoy a healthy stay. All visitors are recommended to have travel insurance, and First class ethiopien Tours operates under the assumption that all of its clients have current policies.

It is recommended to obtain recommended vaccinations before arrival, including Yellow Fever, which is required. Malaria is present in low-lying areas, so proper precautions should be taken. There is no malaria in Addis Ababa and most highland locations in the northern part of Ethiopia (except Bahir Dar, where there is a malaria risk).

Water should always be boiled or treated before drinking. Alternatively, bottled water is always safe. Visitors may be cautious when eating raw vegetables or salads that may have been washed in local water. Food should always be eaten freshly cooked. Remember the traveler’s mantra: “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.”

Other Risks

Diarrheal diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Hepatitis E is widespread; hepatitis B is hyper endemic. Meningococcal meningitis risk is present, particularly in dry areas and during the dry season. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

The high altitude and low oxygen level of much of Ethiopia need time to be acclimatised to. Anyone who suffers from heart ailments or high blood pressure should consult a doctor before travelling.

Hospitals will vary greatly in quality throughout the country. In Addis Ababa, recommended hospitals include: St. Gabriel Hospital, Bethzatha Hospital and Myunsung Christian Medical Center (Korean Hospital).