Travel Consideration: Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a developing East African country comprised of 11 semi-autonomous administrative regions organized loosely along major ethnic lines. A 17-year civil war ended in 1991 and a transitional government turned over power to an elected five-year government in August 1995. Tensions between the countries of Eritrea and Ethiopia related to a border dispute escalated in May 1998, and in February 1999, resulting in armed conflict. Tourism facilities in Ethiopia are minimal. The capital city is Addis Ababa.

A passport and a valid Ethiopian visa are required to enter or transit Ethiopia. Due to animosity stemming from the border conflict with Eritrea, U.S. citizens of Eritrean origin should defer traveling to Ethiopia. U.S. citizens of Eritrean origin who travel to Ethiopia despite the foregoing may experience delays in processing of their visa applications, because all such applications must be cleared through the main Ethiopian Immigration office in Addis Ababa. Laptop computers must be declared upon arrival and departure. Tape recorders require special customs permits. Those intending prolonged stays should check, prior to travel, with the Ethiopian Embassy, 2134 Kalorama Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 234-2281/2; fax (202) 483-8407. Inquiries overseas may be made at the nearest Ethiopian embassy or consulate.

In May 1998 and February 1999, a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea escalated to armed conflict. The border area should be avoided. As a result of the tensions in May 1998, the Government of Ethiopia deported some people of Eritrean origin. U.S. citizens should stay clear of security operations and should not try to intercede with police on behalf of Eritreans or anyone else.

Armed attacks, apparently targeting foreigners, have occurred in Ethiopia. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to the Tigray region or that part of Afar region bordering Eritrea. U.S. citizens throughout Ethiopia are advised to carefully consider security implications when visiting public places such as markets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and hotel lobbies and to limit their presence in these places. It is advisable to lodge at larger hotels that offer better security. U.S. citizens should exercise particular caution in Harar and Dire Dawa, and defer travel to the Somali region and the Bale Zone of the Oromiya region.

In Addis Ababa, three coordinated grenade attacks against public places in April 1997 killed one Ethiopian and injured numerous people, including several foreigners. In 1996, bombs at the government-owned Ghion and Wabe Shabelle Hotels killed five Ethiopians and wounded numerous Ethiopians and foreigners.

In southern Ethiopia, along the Kenyan border, reports of banditry are not uncommon. Isolated incidents of violence have occurred in the vicinity of Lake Langano and Awassa. In eastern Ethiopia, two foreigners were killed and one wounded in daylight shooting incidents in Dire Dawa in October 1996. A February 1997 grenade attack at a hotel in Harar wounded five foreign nationals. In several of these incidents, the attacks appear to have targeted foreigners. Since the mid-1990's, there have also been several clashes between various opposition elements and government forces around Harar and in the Somali Regional State, particularly near the border with Somalia. The Awash-Mile Road has been the site of shootings, apparently by bandits operating at night or the pre-dawn hours.

In western Ethiopia, military units have skirmished on rare occasion with forces alleged to be of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in the vicinity of Nekemte. The western-most tip of Gambella region is subject to political violence originating from Sudan and to inter-ethnic conflict. Visitors should seek current guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa or local officials before traveling to other areas along the Sudan border.



Pickpocketing and other petty crimes are prevalent in urban areas. There are occasional reports of thieves snatching jewelry. Visitors should exercise normal caution and not carry large sums of money nor wear excessive jewelry on their person, as well as carry wallets and other valuables where they will not be susceptible to pickpockets. Armed banditry can occur on roads outside major towns or cities and may be accompanied by violence. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical facilities in Ethiopia are extremely limited. Although physicians are generally well trained, even the best hospitals in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment and shortages of supplies (particularly medicine). Emergency assistance is limited. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Travelers must bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventative medicines. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States.

Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Travelers to Ethiopia are strongly urged to consider supplemental medical/travelers' insurance because these policies are inexpensive when compared to the costs of a medical evacuation.

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Ethiopia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

While travel on paved and unpaved roads is generally considered safe, land mines and other anti-personnel devices can be encountered on isolated dirt roads that were targeted during the civil war. Before undertaking any off-road travel, it is advisable to inquire with local authorities to ensure that the area has been cleared of mines. Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and livestock in the roadway, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Ethiopian roads. In addition, road travel after dark outside Addis Ababa and other cities is dangerous due to broken-down vehicles left on the road and the possibility of armed robbery in some locations.


While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Ethiopian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ethiopia are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines

CURRENCY REGULATIONS: Visitors must declare hard currency upon arrival and may be required to present this declaration when applying for an exit visa. Official and black market exchange rates are close to convergence. Penalties for exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment. Credit cards are not accepted at most hotels and not accepted at any restaurants, shops, or other local facilities. Foreigners are required to pay for hotel and car rental in hard currency.

PROHIBITION ON PHOTOGRAPHY: Bridges, dams, military installations and certain buildings and public places may not be photographed, but such sites are rarely clearly marked. Travel guides, police, and Ethiopian officials can advise if a particular site may be photographed. Photographing prohibited sites may result in the confiscation of film and camera.

EXPORT OF ANTIQUES AND ANIMAL SKINS: Permits are required before either antiques or animal skins can be exported. Antique religious artifacts, including "Ethiopian crosses," require documentation from the National Museum in Addis Ababa for export.


U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Ethiopia. The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa, telephone (251-1) 550-666, extension 316/336; emergency after-hours (251-1) 552-558; consular fax number is (251-1) 551-094.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ethiopia's Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Ethiopia's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-229-4801.

Security procedures at the International Airport in Addis Ababa are thorough, and the FAA has determined that the airport complies with international standards for security. There have been no hijackings of domestic or international flights since November 1996, when a flight from Addis Ababa to Kenya was hijacked and crashed off the Comoros.