Ethiopia What to Pack

  I BOUGHT IT IN ADDIS FOR 150 BIRR (R)
by DAO
 
  • I BOUGHT IT IN ADDIS FOR 150 BIRR (R)
      I BOUGHT IT IN ADDIS FOR 150 BIRR (R)
    by DAO
  •   What to Pack
    by DAO
  •   What to Pack
    by DAO
  •   What to Pack
    by DAO
  • MY WET WIPES IN ADDIS
      MY WET WIPES IN ADDIS
    by DAO
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Simien Trek Price List 2010

by Elisabcn

Things to pay in advance at the Park's Headquarters before starting the trek. These prices cannot be negotiated.Entrance to the site: 90 birr per day per personLodge second night (managed by the Park): 40 birr per night per personArmed Scout: 40 birr per dayCooking Stuff: 40 birr per dayMule: 35 birr per dayMuleman: 35 birr per day The den of the first night is not managed by the park so it is not payed in advance but directly to the people who take care of it, in the den itself.Important: at the Park's Headquarter it was told us that the price was 40 birr per night per person. Always confirm the price when you arrive there, before taking the den. We did not do it so when we left the owners wanted us to pay 80 birr per person per night! I had to discuss a lot to pay a reasonable price at the end. Notice that a muleman costs the same than the mule . . . and he is cheaper than 2- 3 pots...

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The Real List from a Recent traveller

by kelseyschwartz

Not too big a bag especially if you are going to multiple cities. It is very cumbersome for the people who need to help you and rooms are very small. The areas you are travelling in will be rougher surfaces than most areas. Hiking boots and comfortable walking shoes is essential. Surfaces are irregular with dirt or rocks. In the daytime the weather is warm. The further north you go, the warmer it is. At night, it is cool so a variety of clothing is good. The atmosphere is very dry and dusty. Fabrics should be breathable and easy to clean. Revealing clothing is not appropriate. Sun screen is important for fair skinned people. Electricity is unreliable, so keep that in mind when thinking of hair care (I have a 220V hair dryer that kept overheating). Bring a shawl if you are a woman because you will be going into churches where head covering is recommended. The shawl can also help with...

WET WIPES

by DAO

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!

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Essential Packing Items for 3rd world countries

by Nautilis

If you're rather possessive about who touches your baggage or plan to do a lot of internal travel, take a bag with shoulder straps on like a backpack. Suitcases with wheels on are not suitable for the gravel roads. Back packs also prevent opportune porters wanting a tip for hauling your luggage uninvited, this happens at all airports and hotels.I've put this here as it won't fit under MEDICAL SUPPLIESMALARIA: Bring doxycycline as an antimalarial if you plan to go to malaria alert areas at short notice (i.e. 2 days) Start taking them 48 hours before visiting that area. Doxycycline is the only antimalarial that you don't have to take weeks in advance as a prophylaxis, but after visiting such areas you must continue to take it for at least 4-5 weeks after a possible expososure. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE, side effects for the treatment of malaria is as bad as the disease itself....

FLASHLIGHT (ELECTRIC TORCH)

by DAO

Whatever you call them, you need one. Many towns and cities in Ethiopia are 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.

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Stuff

by flynboxes

I hate suitcases since they are cumbersome at best. Since I work for an airline and used to throw bags while I was in college I will never check a bag as long as I live. Most hotels have laundry service for a small fee so no need to overpack. Don't go any wider that the usual carryon since the overhead bins in the Ethiopian F-50s are not the same as Airbus you rode down here in. Good walking shoes..tared roads are the exception not the rule yet......Rainy season lasts around 3 months in Addis so a small unbrella works or you can buy one and a sweatshirt or light jacket is a good idea since it can get a bit cold at night in the North during the (our) winter. I brought all of my own stuff. You can get most of what you need in Addis and the local clinics if you get sick but why trouble yourself with wondering if it is the real thing in the smaller towns plus the locals need access to it...

Medicines

by Apfelsaft

Take all your medicines with you. Ethiopian drugstores (especially outside Addis) offer a very limited range of medicines (only medicine for cough I could find in Aksum was some kind of pure ephedrine). The most reliable ones are made in South Africa and they are not so common. Hotels often don't offer any shampoo or even soap, take your own. Respiratory mask will help you a lot if you planto travel by 4WD - the roads are extremely dusty. Take a telescopic lens to make photos of birds (anywhere) or endemic animals (in Simien Mountains National Park).

HEALTH & BEAUTY

by DAO

Pack a few essentials that are also brand names like:• Sunscreen• Deodorant• Moisturiser• Make-up• Tampons They are available in Addis Ababa but expensive even by western standards. Outside of Addis you may not be able to find them at all!

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Take everything, I mean everything. Malaria kills.

by Bashir2005

Travel light in Africa, take jeans and kaki's shorts and trainers. The highlands can be cold, make sure you have jumpers and enough sweaters. Do not socks and underwear in Ethiopia, bring your own and make sure you wash them at night as dirty underwear and socks can smell from a distance. I have seen packpackers passing by and everyone around them getting dizzy with a bad smell comign from their bags. Travelling in Africa is something, taking the entire oxygen is something else. Casual clothing, blenty of t-shirts, jeans and shorts. Plenty of clean socks and underwear. First aid box is a must. Off the shelf nedication for flu or cold could be useful. Some painkillers if you are like to have your period whjilst on holiday is useful, I have seen women begging me to give them painkillers. Just digital camera and extra merory cards and batteries (don;t forget your charger and adoptor when...

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couple helpful hints

by cynaddis

rainy season will be miserable if you dont have a proper jacket and comfortable walking shoes that can get muddy!!! when traveling around ethiopia make sure you supply your own toliet paper!!!! most places have a place to wash your hands but it doesnt hurt to carry that waterfree hand sanitizer stuff its hard to get film over 100 ISO here, and thats no good during the rainy season nor will it work for most indoor places due to poor lighting for photography i reccomend a camelback back pak. i can fill it up with 3 liters of water as well as all basic travel needs i saw a tip that said you cant find toothpicks here that may have been the case a few years ago but they are pretty much everywhere now (sept 2006)

What to pack for Ethiopia

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Reviews and photos of Ethiopia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Ethiopia sightseeing.

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Questions and Answers

Maya33y profile photo

Q:  Hi forum members, I am planning to visit Ethiopia for 10 days on/around mid Jun 2012, solo. I am in-contact with different... 

DAO profile photo

A: What prices have they quoted you and can you pay by credit Card? Also what names have they given you? 

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