OneWorld Magazine presents

RIVER ADVENTURES IN ETHIOPIA
Practical Information
by Adrift Expeditions



Ethiopia at a Glance

• Area, 1 112 000 sq kms
• Population, 55 million
• Government, Multiparty Democracy
• Economy, Agriculture is of primary importance with over 90% of the population working on the land.
• Religion, Ethiopian Coptic Christianity has a stronghold over much of the country, but many of the tribes in the Omo valley are pagans.
• Language, Amharic is the official language, but there are dozens of other languages. Arabic, Italian, English and French are also spoken in the cities.
• Currency, Ethiopian Birr

Examples of comparative prices are given below (as of 1996),

    Location:
    Water
    Soft Drink
    Beer
    Dinner - 2 course*
    Dinner - 3 course**     		US
    $US1.50
    1.30
    1.90
    13.00
    24.00     		Ethiopia
    $US0.80
    0.80
    0.80
    4.80
    13.00

* Local fare in a small cafe or restaurant
** Western style meal in a mid-range restaurant in Addis Ababa


Climate, Maps

Ethiopia has a tropical climate which is moderated by altitude and has a definite wet season. This extends across much of the country from July to August. On The Blue Nile Expedition, you should be prepared for intense sunlight during the day and cool evenings.

The Map, Michelin 954 Africa North East, Arabia


Recommended Reading

Many of the following books are out of print but if you can find them, they will give you a valuable insight into Ethiopia.

• Guide to Ethiopia by Philip Briggs (Bradt Publications).

• Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher wrote African Ark (Collins Harvill London 1990) which is a coffee table book with striking photography and informative text on peoples in the Horn of Africa. It features a section on the peoples of the lower Omo valley.

• The Blue Nile by Alan Moorhead (Hamish Hamilton 1962) is an excellent account of the exploration of the major tributary of the Nile.

• Portraits of the Wild by Cynthia Moss (University of Chicago Press, 1982) has the life histo- ries of various African species.

• Paul B. Henze wrote Ethiopian Journeys: Travels in Ethiopia 1969-1972 (Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado 1978).

• A Far Country by Philip Marsden Smedley and The Abyssinians (Thames and Hudson) by David Buxton are other good background.

• River God and The Seventh Scroll by Wilbur Smith talk in flamboyant terms about the Blue Nile.


Visas and Red Tape

Visas are required by all nationals except citizens of Kenya. Getting a tourist visa used to be a complicated business but it has recently got considerably easier although it does remain expensive. You should apply to your nearest Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate for a stay of up to 30 days (extensions are possible). You will need to hold an onward or return ticket.

Health and Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccinations are compulsory for those arriving from infected areas. You should be protected for Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio and Malaria. Consult your travel clinic or doctor for the latest advice, especially against Malaria where strains in Ethiopia are chloroquine resistant. If you do not already have a vaccination certificate, you should acquire one from your doctor and carry it with you on your travels. We also recommend a dental check-up prior to departing.

Return to Ethiopia Index | River Adventures in Ethiopia
Omo River Itinerary | Historic Option | Facts and Figures

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