Addis Ababa What to Pack

Photo Equipment: Single use batteries are expensive anywhere and here they have a 100% import tax. I have never seen rechargeable batteries on sale here. Bring your own, your charger and an adapter for European 2 pins style plugs if you will be using a digital camera. Also, always keep some spares fully charged as there are power outages here.

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Miscellaneous: Whatever you call them, you need one. Addis is growing at a fantastic pace and sometimes the lights go out. It might be that a workman has cut something or, as the locals say, 'the Government sometimes takes it’. I would highly recommend one of the wind-up flashlight that needs no batteries. Quality batteries can be hard to find and you don’t want to find out you need new ones in a blackout. The pictures were taken in restaurants by me after the lights went out. If you are staying a bit longer, you may want to invest a few pennies in some candles and matches.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Why should babies be the only ones to have these hygienic wipes? I don’t know why, but the adult version of this fantastic travel product always seem to be more expensive than the kids version, even though what’s inside is exactly the same. You need to use your right hand to eat food in Ethiopia. Good luck to you if you are left handed. Sometimes a restaurant may be out of soap and having some wet wipes in your rucksack are indispensable. Also, your hand will be an absolute mess after you are finished and these handy guys get all the food off. There is also almost always NO toilet paper wherever you go in Ethiopia. Yep, handy wet wipes to the rescue. Because there is 100% tax on all imported goods and they don’t make them here – bring your own. I have seen them priced up in Addis Ababa at 3 times what I paid at home.

Wet wipes – don’t leave home without them!

Luggage and bags: You can buy nearly all you want in Addis. This saves carrying expensive "western " clothes etc.. but do take a warm "fleece" or jersey. It is often cold and outside June - October it is wet.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Warm waterproofs

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: can buy cheap in Addis

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Surprisingly, it is quite cool in Addis Ababa because of the high altitude. I would recommend to take a sweater. It is quite amazing, if you go outside Addis Ababa by 20 km it is quite a lot warmer. When I got off my plane at Addis Ababa I noticed the altitude because I was shaking and quite disorientated for a while.