A typical first trip here runs about $300 to $400 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Injera, spongy sourdough flatbread; used as both plate and utensil
- Tibs, sautéed meat with butter, chili, and herbs
- Doro wat, spicy chicken stew simmered in berbere spice blend
- Fasting food, Ethiopia's Orthodox Christian tradition produces extraordinary vegetarian cuisine
- Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a multi-hour ritual; coffee originated in Ethiopia
- Timkat (Epiphany, January 19–20), spectacular processions with colorful umbrellas
- Meskel (Finding of the True Cross, September), huge bonfire celebrations in Addis
- Ethiopian Christmas (Genna, January 7), celebrated with horse games
- Lalibela rock-hewn churches, carved from solid rock in the 12th century
- Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash, September 11), 7 years behind Gregorian calendar
Amharic is the working language; Ethiopia has 80+ languages. English is taught in schools and widely spoken in Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, be aware when confirming dates. "Selam" means hello.
- Participate in the coffee ceremony, it's the heart of Ethiopian hospitality
- Eat with your right hand from the shared communal injera, it's deeply social
- Remove shoes when entering churches
- Tipping 10% is appreciated in tourist restaurants
Latest for Ethiopia
Updates for Ethiopia will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.