Ethiopia

For most travellers, October to March is the sweet spot for Ethiopia: the skies are generally clearer, the highland roads are easier, and sightseeing feels more comfortable. Ethiopia’s rainy season runs roughly from June to September, though travel is still possible if you don’t mind occasional delays and wetter landscapes. A good itinerary needs time. A classic northern circuit usually takes 10–12 days, while adding the Danakil Depression or a more immersive southbound route can push the trip toward two weeks or more. If you only have a short visit, focus on one region rather than trying to rush across the country. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to keep your route tidy, especially if you’re combining domestic flights, overland transfers, and a few big-ticket stops like Lalibela, Gondar, or Bahir Dar. The country rewards slower travel: a couple of extra nights can mean time for a proper coffee ceremony, a relaxed market visit, or a day trip that would otherwise get squeezed out.

Ethiopia is large, varied, and not always fast to cross, so transport choices matter. Between major tourist hubs, domestic flights can save a lot of time, especially if you’re linking Addis Ababa with places like Lalibela, Axum, or Gondar. On the ground, long-distance buses are a budget-friendly option, but they often require advance planning and an early start. In Addis Ababa, taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful for short hops, and local connectivity makes a real difference here — a Hello eSIM is handy if you want maps, ride apps, and messaging to work from the moment you land. For travellers splitting costs, Hello’s expense splitting feature is useful when you’re dividing airport transfers, car hires, or group tours. Keep some flexibility in your schedule too: road conditions, weather, and holiday traffic can all affect travel times more than expected. When distances look short on a map, Ethiopia often has a different idea.

Ethiopian food is one of the country’s great travel pleasures, and it’s worth arriving hungry. Start with injera, the spongy sour flatbread that comes with almost everything, then work your way through dishes like doro wat (spiced chicken stew), shiro (chickpea or broad bean stew), and kitfo in places that specialize in it. Meals are often shared, so dining is naturally social — perfect for groups who want to split the bill with Hello while keeping track of spending in Ethiopian birr. Coffee is another highlight. Ethiopia is the spiritual home of coffee culture, and a traditional coffee ceremony can stretch into a lovely, unhurried part of the day. In many cities, you can also find fresh fruit juices, local beers, and fast, inexpensive lunch spots serving veggie-heavy platters that are especially useful after a long journey. If you have a sensitive stomach, start with well-cooked food and bottled or filtered water until you settle in.

Ethiopia feels deeply layered: Orthodox Christian churches, Muslim heritage, ancient kingdoms, and living traditions all sit side by side. Dress modestly, especially when visiting churches such as those in Lalibela, and ask before photographing people, ceremonies, or market stalls. Carry cash for smaller purchases, because many places still prefer it; using Hello’s budget tracking can help you see exactly how much you’re spending in birr as the days add up. Connectivity can be uneven outside major cities, so setting up a Hello eSIM before arrival helps with maps, translation, and confirming plans without scrambling for local data on day one. For practical planning, keep copies of your passport and bookings offline as well. If you’re heading to rural areas, expect simpler infrastructure, early closing times, and fewer payment options. The upside is that the pace slows down in a way that makes room for conversation, hospitality, and the kind of memorable detours that often become the best part of the trip.