Ethiopia
- Starting from AED 350 (ETA)
- “Hassle-free, Pick-up & Delivery Service”
Ethiopia
- Starting from AED 350 (ETA)
- “Hassle-free, Pick-up & Delivery Service”
Ethiopia
Ethiopia Tourist Visa For UAE Residents
Ethiopia: The Land of Origins Awaiting UAE Travelers with Breathtaking Beauty, Coffeeand Culture
Ethiopia, often referred to as the Land of Origins, is a captivating destination that has long attracted travellers from around the world, especially those from the Arab region. Known for its stunning landscapes like the Simien Mountains and Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia offers a mix of adventure and tranquillity for nature lovers. The country is also famous for its vibrant culture, historical sites like Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches, and Addis Ababa’s bustling city life. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and travellers can indulge in its rich coffee culture. With its delicious food, from injera to doro wat, and the warmth of its people, Ethiopia promises a memorable experience. Its beautiful women and rich traditions add even more allure to this stunning country, making it a favourite among Arab tourists.
When planning your Ethiopian adventure, Al Layah Tours LLC is your go-to travel partner. We make your journey smooth and hassle-free by offering assistance with e-visa applications, travel tickets, and hotel bookings for UAE citizens and residents. Whether you’re looking for an immersive cultural experience or a scenic escape, we’ve got the best travel packages tailored for you. Let Al Layah Tours handle all the details, so you can simply enjoy the beauty and culture of Ethiopia.
Important Visitors Guide:
1. Currency Declaration: UAE nationals entering Ethiopia must declare any amounts exceeding $3,000 to customs officials by filling out a declaration form upon entry at the airport. This form can be inquired upon arrival.
2. Gold and Silver Declaration: Any quantities of gold or silver must be declared to customs authorities at the airport upon arrival.
3. Professional Cameras: It is not allowed to carry large professional cameras into Ethiopia without prior permission from the Ethiopian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
4. Wildlife Hunting: Ethiopia prohibits wildlife hunting. UAE visitors must be aware of the regulations and obtain a license from the concerned authorities or through travel and tourism agencies.
5. Mobile Phones and Laptops: Visitors are only allowed to carry a maximum of two mobile phones and one laptop when entering Ethiopia.
6. Currency Declaration Upon Departure: Passengers departing Ethiopia with more than $3,000 must submit the endorsed declaration of foreign currency provided upon entry.
7. Foreign Currency Exchange Receipts: Visitors converting foreign currency to Ethiopian Birr must keep exchange receipts. Without these receipts, any excess local currency cannot be exchanged back to foreign currency when leaving Ethiopia.
8. Coffee Export: It is allowed to carry a maximum of 10 kg of Ethiopian coffee beans when departing from Ethiopia.
9. Antique Purchases: Visitors must keep original invoices when buying antiques and obtain an export certificate to take them outside Ethiopia. Without this certificate, antiques will be confiscated.
10. Ivory Possession: Possession of ivory is strictly prohibited in Ethiopia, with penalties ranging between 5,000 and 25,000 Birr in fines.
11. Safety Precautions: UAE visitors to Ethiopia should take care and caution, especially in crowded places.
Types of Visas:
Visa Type | Category | Visa Fees |
Tourist Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $62 |
Business & Related Studies Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $152 |
Workshop/Conference Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $52 |
Journalist Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $152 |
Investment Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $62 |
Medical Treatment Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $102 |
Sports Competition and Training Visa | Single Entry 30 Days | $82 |
Note:
- Please be informed that, effective November 18, 2020, we do not accept credit card payment transactions from applicants originating from the following countries: Cuba, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Crimea region of Ukraine and the Syrian Arab Republic.
- Applicants intending to visit for business, joint ventures, or related activities should apply only for the Business and Related Studies Visa (BRV).
- Individuals holding multiple nationalities must select their citizenship based on the passport they plan to use for travel.
- A business visa will not be issued to individuals under the age of 18, however, parents traveling to Ethiopia on business visas with their children can apply for tourist visas for their children.
Ethiopia
Requirements For UAE Nationals
UAE citizens who wish to visit Ethiopia for tourism purposes can obtain a visa upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. However, they also have the option to apply for an e-visa before traveling. Here are the key requirements:
- The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Ethiopia.
- A recent passport-sized photo is required for the e-visa application.
- The visa fee varies depending on the type of visa (single-entry or multiple-entry) and the duration of stay (Tourist visa fee is $50).
- A confirmed return or onward flight ticket may be requested at the point of entry.
- Hotel bookings or an invitation letter from the host in Ethiopia might be required as part of the visa process.
- Yellow fever vaccination is required if traveling from a yellow fever risk country.
- UAE nationals visiting the Republic of Ethiopia must register at the service “Tawajudi” on the website of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The processing time for the e-visa is typically between 1-3 business days.
- Tourists from the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Ethiopia can contact the UAE embassy in Addis Ababa, on numbers: 0025193599900800251 – 113203680/83.
Al Layah Tours LLC is here to make your Ethiopian travel experience smooth and hassle-free. Whether you’re planning a visit to the historic landscapes of Lalibela or the bustling capital of Addis Ababa, we’ve got you covered with everything you need. From fast-tracked visa applications and ensuring all the required documents are in place, to booking the best hotels and flights, Al Layah Tours takes care of every detail. Our team provides expert guidance on Ethiopia’s visa requirements for UAE citizens and ensures you have the most seamless travel experience possible. Trust us to manage everything from start to finish, allowing you to enjoy your trip without any worries.
Ethiopia
Requirements For UAE Residents
- Filled Ethiopian e-visas application.
- 6 months passport validity after the date you plan to enter Ethiopia.
- Scanned colour copy of valid passport and UAE residence visa.
- 2 recent passport-sized photos with a white background.
- A no objection certificate (NOC) from your employer stating they have no objection to your travel to Ethiopia.
- A recent bank statement (typically for the last 3 to 6 months) to prove financial stability during your stay.
- A salary certificate from your employer to confirm your income.
- Return Air Tickets.
- Hotel Reservation.
- Travel Insurance.
- Applicants for business visas should first be sure that the organization or company has registered and approved a reference code related to each type (Business Visa).
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Festivals:
Enkutatash (New Year): Taking place on September 11 or 12, Enkutatash signals the end of the rainy season and celebrates the start of a new year. Families light torches on New Year’s Eve, while girls sing traditional songs door-to-door. The festival showcases Ethiopia’s vibrant landscapes, adorned with blooming Meskel flowers, and marks a time for family feasting and thanksgiving.
Meskel Festival: Celebrated on September 26 or 27, Meskel commemorates the discovery of the True Cross. A large bonfire, topped with a cross and Meskel flowers, is lit, and people gather to mark their foreheads with ash. The festival is inscribed by UNESCO and draws global tourists showcasing Ethiopia’s religious and cultural heritage.
Timket (Epiphany): Celebrated on January 19 and 20, Timket re-enacts Christ’s baptism. During this vibrant festival, replicas of the Ark of the Covenant are carried in processions, accompanied by music, dance and colourful umbrellas. Holy water is sprinkled on attendees, symbolizing spiritual renewal. The event brings communities together in celebration.
Irrecha Festival: This traditional Oromo thanksgiving festival, held near rivers and lakes, marks the end of the rainy season. People dressed in colourful attire gather to give thanks to God for blessings. Irrecha promotes peace and unity and is a significant cultural and spiritual event for the Oromo people.
Fasika (Easter): After a long fasting period, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Fasika with prayers, church services and feasting. Families gather to enjoy traditional dishes like lamb and chicken. The festival is deeply spiritual, reflecting the religious devotion and culture of Ethiopia’s Christian community.
Buhe Festival: Held in August, Buhe is a joyful festival where boys sing door-to-door in exchange for fresh bread. Bonfires are lit to symbolize light and joy and the event fosters community bonding through music and celebration.
Ashenda Festival: Celebrated by the Tigray and Amhara communities, Ashenda marks the end of the Filseta fasting period. The festival is known for its vibrant displays of traditional clothing, singingand dancing by young women, celebrating femininity and cultural identity. It is a week-long festival of joy and unity.
Fiche Chambalala: The New Year festival of the Sidama people, Fiche Chambalala celebrates the arrival of the harvest season. Families gather for feasting, prayers and traditional songs. It is a time to celebrate new beginnings and express gratitude for the harvest and future prosperity.
Ethiopia
Unforgettable Experiences to Enjoy in Ethiopia
View mighty monoliths at Axum
Spending time exploring Axum is highly recommended for anyone travelling to this archaeologically rich African nation. It’s the perfect place to explore ancient castles, palaces and churches echoing with centuries of history. The huge monoliths (stelae) are elaborate tombstones for glorious rulers in Ethiopia’s past. The largest (Remhai’s stele) is an incredible feat of ancient engineering, and would have stood 33m high, weighing 500 tons, when first erected!
Spot an Ethiopian Wolf in the Bale Mountains
No list of things to do in Ethiopia can fail to acknowledge the country’s bounteous wildlife, including opportunities to get ‘up close and personal’ with endangered species. A visit to the Sanetti Plateau in the Bale Mountains National Park provides the best chance of seeing an Ethiopian wolf, whose numbers have dwindled to around 500 in the wild. The area is also home to equally endangered black-maned lions, Honey Badgers and various species of monkeys. Keep your eyes out for Bleeding Heart Monkeys (the gelada baboon).
Take a boat trip on Lake Tana
If your bucket list involves meditating in ancient monasteries, this is a must-do. Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and leads on to the Blue Nile, a vastly important water source for the entire country. A boat trip on the lake could take you to 20 monastic churches, many dating back to the 14th century.
Trek to the Erta Ale Volcano
Of course, Mother Nature has provided her own breath-taking things to do in Ethiopia, including backdrops for the best hiking and climbing holidays on the African continent. A trek to the Erta Ale volcano is moderately challenging, though keep in mind the need for local guides (this is an active volcano) and make proper preparation to face those year-round high temperatures and summer heat peaks in this part of Ethiopia.
Visit the Danakil Depression
Another adventure expedition in Ethiopia is to trek this geological depression. It’s where the earth is impacted by the divergence of three tectonic plates. In its simplest sense, it provides a chance to stand where ancient volcanic activities tore Asia from Africa! Which is why visiting the Danakil Depression is sometimes referred to as seeing the “cradle of humanity”.
See Harar’s Hyena Man in action
This is a far more contemporary offering. Who is the Harar Hyena Man? He’s a local character in the Eastern city of Harar, who calls nightly to attract these wild creatures. He then feeds the hyenas, to the joy of fascinated onlookers. Harar is a fabulous place to visit, famed for its iconic walls and gates, the maze of alleys, and traditional African homes including colourful hanging baskets.
Explore the castles of Gonder
Another popular place to visit in Ethiopia, Gonder offers a chance to explore wonderfully preserved 17th-century African buildings. The early morning offers the best views of the castles, palaces and other monuments; a lasting legacy of Ethiopia’s opulent but brutal past. Not surprisingly, this is a Unesco world heritage site. Be sure to include the oldest and most impressive building – Fasiladas’ Palace – on your tour of Gonder.
Discover the rock-hewn churches of Tigray
In Northernmost Ethiopia, explore more of this African nation’s incredible architecture and archaeological significance. The monolithic churches of Ethiopia’s Gheralta Mountains have been carved in some of the remotest parts of the Tigray region, and include the extraordinary and much-photographed church of St. George (Bet Giorgis).
Ethiopia
Top Tourist Attractions in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia’s capital is located more or less in the dead centre of the country and is the world’s third-highest capital at 2,400 m. Its name means ‘New Flower’ and it is a relatively modern city, founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II. In just over a century it has grown from nothing into a modern metropolis of several million people. Its altitude lends it a comfortable climate and throughout the year the weather is temperate with just the occasional downpour.
Awash National Park
This scenic national park is situated in the dry acacia savanna of the Rift Valley some 200km from Addis Ababa. A magnificent 150m-deep gorge, carved by the Awash River, forms the southern boundary of the park, including a substantial waterfall. To the north, you’ll see the ragged edges of Mount Fantelle, a dormant volcano whose crater towers above the surrounding bush.
Axum
This fascinating town was the centre of the Axumite Empire, one of the most important and technologically advanced civilisations of its time and a major force in world trade between the 1st and 7th centuries AD. A further twist in the town’s long history is speculation that it could have held the court of the Queen of Sheba and also that it is the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar, with its wide avenues of palms and scenic lakeside location, is one of Ethiopia’s most attractive towns. Located on the southern shore of Lake Tana, it is an ideal base from which to explore the lake and surrounding area, which includes the blue nile falls. Once no more than a sleepy fishing village it has grown in size during recent times and palm-lined avenues and lakeside vistas make it an attractive place to stay.
Bale Mountains National Park
The Bale Mountains National Park is a protected area of approximately 2,200 km2 and is located around 400 km southeast of Addis Ababa. Its high mountains, sweeping valleys, dramatic escarpment and wide expanses of forests provide visitors with a diversity of vistas unique to the Ethiopian highlands.
Gheralta
This unspoilt corner of North Eastern Tigray is scenically spectacular with vast spaghetti-western landscapes of flat dry plains and towering rock outcrops known as the Gheralta. The region is most famous for its 35 old rock-hewn churches, the largest concentration anywhere in Ethiopia.
Gonder
Up until the beginning of the 17th century, Ethiopia had what was locally referred to as a ‘mobile capital’. But in 1632 Fasilidas took the throne and proclaimed Gonder as his capital, where it remained for the next 200 years. As king and emperor Fasilidas not only ushered in a period of relative calm in Abyssinia’s turbulent history he also built a stupendous fort at this strategic location – added to by his successors – most of which is still intact.
Harar
Harar is one of the most impressive of Ethiopia’s historic sites, reflecting the long and colourful history of the country. Located in the East of Ethiopia, it was founded in the late first millennium BC and became a stronghold of Islam. Harar has been ruled by seventy-two successive Imams since its formation, through which time unique traditions have been born.