๐ Ethiopia Trip – A Personal Experience
Continent: Sub-Saharan Africa
Country: Ethiopia ๐ช๐น❤️
Currency: Ethiopian Birr
Language: Amharic
All the photos shared from this trip are personal photos.
✈️ Getting There
You can travel via EgyptAir and arrive with Ethiopian Airlines, the leading airline in Africa.
๐ Health & Vaccinations
Before traveling, it is mandatory to get the yellow fever vaccine, at least 11 days before departure.
It is also recommended to bring chloroquine as a malaria treatment, depending on the number of days or weeks you plan to stay.
๐จ Accommodation
It is best to look for accommodation on-site. Many good, clean hotels do not appear online.
Prices are very affordable:
- 10 to 15 USD per night
- Large and clean rooms
๐ Transportation in Addis Ababa
In the capital Addis Ababa, the best way to get around is by train. It is usually crowded, but efficient.
One mistake I made at first was not standing in line ๐ — people are very disciplined and respect queues when boarding.
Public transport is very cheap. Taxis are available, but can be up to 20 times more expensive.
Honestly, this made me appreciate the blessing of fuel prices in Algeria ๐.
๐️ Museums & Culture
There are many museums in Ethiopia:
- National museums covering historical periods, especially the 1970s
- Cultural museums presenting Ethiopia’s diverse communities
All are worth visiting, although entrance fees are higher for tourists.
☕ Coffee & Traditional Food
One of the best things in Ethiopia is coffee. You find it everywhere, prepared in a traditional way.
It is inexpensive and makes a great gift for family and friends.
A must-try traditional dish is Injera:
- A very large, sour flatbread
- Served with red sauce and meat
Traditional dishes are cheaper than pizza or sandwiches.
When they hear you speak Arabic, they often assume you are from the Gulf. So don’t forget to explain that you are also African — even though their currency is stronger than ours ๐.
๐ฃ️ Language & Religion
Many Ethiopians speak Arabic among themselves more than English, because many of them worked in Gulf countries and later returned home.
Some do speak English as well.
Ethiopia is very diverse and tolerant:
- Muslims
- Christians
- Jews
๐ Security
Security is relatively strict, especially in the capital. When entering crowded places, there are usually security checks.
๐ค Amazing People
I met truly wonderful people. One of them was a taxi driver and his son, who spent an entire day showing us around for a very reasonable price.
He even offered us traditional coffee at his home ❤️.
๐บ️ Traveling Outside the Capital
For trips outside Addis Ababa, I first visited a government tourism office. They provided detailed information and high-quality brochures to help choose destinations.
Honestly, I have never seen such organization back home in Algeria.
Later, I contacted a travel agency that organized a road trip to the north:
- 1,700 km in 5 days
- 4x4 vehicle
If you travel in a group, prices drop significantly. For example:
- About 30 USD per day per person if you are 4 people
They were surprised to see an Algerian passport, as most of their clients are Europeans, Australians, or Americans.
It was an unforgettable adventure.
๐ Historical & Natural Sites
In Ethiopia, you can visit:
- The first mosque built in Africa in Islamic history
- Volcanoes near the border with Eritrea
๐ฅ Final Note
I had local contacts in the country due to my studies, and I traveled with a close friend.
Ethiopia was an authentic, affordable, and deeply enriching experience.
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