Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa between the tropic of Cancer and the Equator. The country covers an area of 1,251,000 square kilometres and has 75 million inhabitants. In contrast to most African countries, Ethiopia was never colonised and has long enjoyed its independence. This has meant that the country has taken on a prestigious role in the context of Africa as a whole; in fact, the African Union has its headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

Climate
There are two seasons on the Ethiopian Plateau: the dry season from October to May and the rainy season from July to September. In the south and the Omo region, the rainy season is concentrated between March and May, while the rest of the year experiences occasional rain. Average temperatures range from 18 to 30°C.

Language
Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic country with 83 languages and 200 dialects.
The official language is Amharic. English is widely spoken.

Religious festivals
Meskel (Finding of the True Cross): 26/27 September
Genna (Christmas): 6/7 January
Timket (Epiphany): 18/19 January
Fasika (Easter): date varies
Hidar Zion (Axum): November 29/30
Palm Sunday (Axum): one week prior to Easter
Gishen Mariam: 1st October

UNESCO Sites
- the monasteries of Lake Tana
- Axum
- Lalibela
- Simien Mountains National Park
- Tiya Stele Park
- Omo National Park
- Awash River Park
- Bale Mountains National Park

Time
Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which has thirteen months: 12 months of 30 days and one month lasting just six days.
Ethiopia is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Electrical power
220 volts

Visa
Visas may be obtained directly upon arrival to the international airport of Bole. The cost: $20 for a normal visa.
The visa for Gibuti can be obtained at the cosulate in Addis Ababa, you need two photos and the cost is 30 usd.
The visa for Somaliland can be obtained at the consulate in Addis Ababa, you need two photos and the cost is 40 usd.

Currency
The Ethiopian currency is the birr. Currently, 1 euro is worth 15 birr and 1 US dollar is worth 10 birr.

Internet
Internet is available in the main tourist locations.

Mobile phones
International roaming (GSM900 System) is available.

Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted only in the major hotel chains and in the offices of Ethiopian Airlines.

Food
Ethiopian cooking centres around the use of a flatbread made from local millet. This is known as teff or injera and is served with meat and vegetable sauces. Hotel restaurants also serve international cuisine.

Vaccinations
There are no obligatory vaccinations for entry into Ethiopia. However, travellers to the south and west of the country are advised to take anti-malaria precautions.

Itineraries
All itineraries proposed can be made the other way round with not change in visits and excursions. The stay can be planed at the beginning or at the end of the tour, lasting according to the travellers wish. It will be better in any case to avoid week ends.

Camps
The agency supplies igloo tents Ferrino and Nova, mattress and bed cover, shower tent, beside camp table and chairs, It supplies no sleeping bag.
During the expeditions cold meals will be provided at lunch and hot meals will be prepared by cook for dinner. The wather purified or mineral is provided.

Photos and tips
We always recomand to ask for permission to take photos. In some place people ask payment for any photo taken and the amount is to be negotiated with the people. We recommend not to give money when not request and not to give objects, candies to children on the road or in the country, in order to upset their daily life ( they often leave their occupations and sometime school to run after tourist; this way the tourist becomes, unconsciously, responsible of a real cultural impoverishment) We suggest to consult the guide to give donations or anything else to school and other organisations.
You can usually take photos celebrations in copt churches, but we think you shold mantein anyway a distance of respect.
This is also valid for muslim celebrations.
We are not keen to get tribe celebrations organized for us, so the visitor will be able to see only the spontaneous ones he might casualy meet.

Clothes
Practical and light clothes and light shoes, hat and sunglasses. Something warm for the evening and waterproof jacket.
We recommend to take extra socks to put on in the churches, where it is compulsory to take off the shoes to get in. We recommend to get in the churches with fit clothes, especially during rites.
It is useful to take a torch with you, both for the camp and to better watch the painting in the churches which are often little lit.