Travel to Ethiopia — everything you need to know
When to go to Ethiopia?
- October – January — Main dry season : Best time to go: after the rains, with green landscapes, passable roads and ideal temperatures. Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany) in January is extraordinary in Lalibela.
- July — Lush Lalibela : July (rainy season): Lalibela is wrapped in mist and surrounded by flowers, with fewer pilgrims around. A uniquely mystical atmosphere.
Weather in Ethiopia
Check the weather city by city, starting with Addis Ababa.
- Addis-Abeba: daytime highs from 21 to 26 °C depending on the season, 88 mm of rain per month on average.
- Lalibela: daytime highs from 21 to 25 °C depending on the season, 98 mm of rain per month on average.
- Dépression Danakil: daytime highs from 36 to 46 °C depending on the season, 0 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia is the cradle of humankind and a singular millennia-old civilisation: Lalibela and its 11 monolithic churches carved into rock (UNESCO), the Danakil Depression — the hottest and most inhospitable place on the planet —, the Mursi and Hamar tribes of the Omo Valley, and the island monastery on Lake Tana. A journey out of time.
Lalibela — Africa's Jerusalem
Lalibela is one of the wonders of the medieval world: 11 monolithic churches carved directly into red basalt rock in the 12th century, linked by tunnels and trenches. King Lalibela wanted to recreate the Christian Jerusalem. Monks still officiate there every day, 800 years later.
Highlights : Bete Giyorgis — cross-shaped monolithic church, Northern group of 7 churches (Bete Medhane Alem), Timkat (Epiphany) — Ethiopia's most spectacular festival (Jan), Monks and priests in white robes at dawn.
Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression (−116 m, up to +63°C in summer) is the hottest inhabited place on Earth. The Erta Ale volcano holds a permanent lava lake — one of the few in the world. Dallol's yellow and green sulphur formations look like something from another planet.
Highlights : Erta Ale — permanent lava lake (descent at night), Dallol — multicoloured sulphur formations, Afar salt caravans (camels), Dallol — colourful salt formations.
Simien Mountains
The Simien Mountains (UNESCO) are the "Alps of Africa": a rugged plateau rising to 4,550 m (Ras Dashen, Ethiopia's highest peak), home to geladas — endemic red-chested baboons —, walia ibex and Ethiopian wolves.
Highlights : Geladas (red-chested baboons) just 2 m away, Ras Dashen trek (4,550 m) — roof of Ethiopia, Walia ibex — endemic Simien mountain goats, Ethiopian wolf — Africa's rarest canid.
Aksum & Gondar
Aksum, capital of the Aksumite Empire (UNESCO-listed), is home to giant obelisks, the Ark of the Covenant (according to Orthodox tradition) and royal tombs. Gondar, the "African Camelot", features a complex of 17th-century medieval castles unlike anywhere else in Africa.
Highlights : Aksum stelae (24 m obelisks), Gondar castle complex (Fasil Ghebbi), Lake Tana island monasteries (by boat), Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat) — in season.
Travel budget for Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the cheapest destinations in Africa. Addis Ababa is very affordable for a capital city. Danakil requires an organised excursion (security and a guide are mandatory). Ethiopian Airlines is excellent and inexpensive for domestic flights.
- Backpacker : 40–70 €/j — Guesthouse + injera + buses + shared domestic flights
- Comfort : 100–180 €/j — 3★ hotel + guides + domestic flights + Danakil
- Luxury : 300 €+/j — Higher-end hotels + private tour + expert guide
Practical tips for travelling to Ethiopia
- Flight from Paris : ~8h direct (Ethiopian Airlines — Africa's best airline)
- Visa : Online e-visa (~$52) or visa on arrival in Addis
- Currency : Ethiopian birr (1€ ≈ 60 ETB) — cash is essential outside Addis
- Language : Amharic (official) — English is understood in Addis and at tourist sites
- Electricity : Type C/F/L – 220 V
- Mobile network : Coverage in cities, very limited in Simien and Danakil
- Tap water : Not drinkable — bottled water is required everywhere
- Health : Antimalarials for the lowlands (Danakil, Gambela). Yellow fever certificate if transiting through a risk country.
Compare Ethiopia with other destinations