Ethiopia Timket Festival: Celebrating in Lalibela

Ethiopian religious festival celebrations are colorful and vibrant. Book this special tour and visit the people when they celebrate Timket- Epiphany festival in Lalibela. The tour also includes a visit of the major historical sites.

Price:	USD $3,360 per person
Type:	Tour
Duration:	13 days
Customise:	This Tour can be customised
Country:	Ethiopia
Supplement:	Plus USD $400 for a single person booking
Persons:	minimum (2)  maximum (11)
Accommodation:	Hotel
Activities:	Cultural Tours, Historical Tours

 Itinerary

Trip Dates 15 - 27 January 2013, The trip begins and ends in Addis Ababa.

This trip begins with a rendezvous at the airport in Addis Ababa on Day 1. Please arrange your flight schedule so you will arrive on the correct day. But on your special request we can arrange other transfer for those arriving earlier.

Ethiopia developed a culture all of its own: its language, customs and arts are all distinctive. Surprisingly, not much has changed and the culture of the people is as it was long time ago. Religion is a constant and central feature of Ethiopians society. The traditions and festivals that take place thought out the country are deeply rooted and all are the more poignant.

Ethiopia also has rich tradition of secular and religions music, singing and dancing, and these together constitute an important part of Ethiopian natural life.

The main Highlights of this Ethiopia tour is to visit the celebration of Ethiopian Epiphany- Timket, on 19 January in Lalibela. Lalibela is one of the Holy towns in the country; Timket festival is celebrated so colorfully and differently. It is the best place to attend Timket festival in Ethiopia. The tour also includes a visit of Ethiopia Historic Route. The tour called the Ethiopia Historic Route is one of the great treasures of Ethiopia. It encompasses the history of Ethiopia from its early beginnings to modern day. A history that stretches back to the time of prehistoric man; to the 3,000 year old history of Axum; the 12th century churches of Lalibela, and the medieval castles of Gondar and the churches and monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana. With some distance drive from Bahir Dar, Blue Nile Falls will be visited.

Day 1: 15 January: Arrive in Addis Ababa, city tour of Addis
On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to Ghion Hotel. An overview of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeletal remains when discovered in 1974. You will also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis. Overnight Ghion Hotel

Day 2:16 January: Drive to Dessie
Drive from Addis Ababa to Dissie through the Great Rift Valley. Continue driving through Tarma Ber, viewpoint as well as the escarpment of the rift valley. We will be arriving in Dessie in early afternoon Overnight Fasika Hotel

Day 3: 17 January: Drive to Lalibela.
After breakfast we drive to Lalibela on the way we will visit Hike Estrifanos monastery on the island of Lake Hike. After lunch stop at Woldia, continue to Lalibela driving through the highland area of Delb. According to Ethiopian tradition the Zagwe Dynasty emerged by the twelfth and thirteenth centuries following the decline of the Aksumite Empire (1137-1270). Power was shifted to Roha in Lasta District. This was renamed for King Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty which ruled in Lalibela for more than a century (1181-1221). The construction of eleven rock-hewn churches is attributed to King Lalibela. Some of the churches are monolithic, carved from a sloping mass of red volcanic scoria under laid by dark grey basalt and interconnected by a maze of tunnels and passages with openings to hermit caves and catacombs. Some are of the basilica type, having archaic features and imitating architectural elements from earlier periods, yet they differ in design and style. Two are decorated with interesting wall paintings and carved figures. The Lalibela churches are included in the World Heritage List since 1978. Overnight Mount View Hotel

Day 4: 18 January: In lalibela.
After breakfast visit of the other groups of Rock churches of Lalibela Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches, lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. It can only be reached through a tunnel. The group of four, south of the Jordan River, comprise of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el. Bet Emanuel's elaborate exterior is much praised by art historians. Afternoon attend Eve of Timket, Epiphany at Lalibela. Overnight Mount View Hotel

Day 5: 19 January: Whole day attend the Timket Festival in Lalibela
Timket- Epiphany
Timket, or Timkat, is Ethiopian language for Epiphany. Although the holiday commemorating Christ's baptism in the River Jordan is observed by Christians all over the world, Timket is of special significance in Ethiopia. It is the most important and colourful event of the year.

The festival starts at Timket Eve, January 18, eleven days after the orthodox Christmas. Although the festival is largely religious, it has no lack of secular elements such as partying and match-making. According to the Ethiopian epic Kebra Negast, the Ark of the Covenant was abducted from Jerusalem to Ethiopia during the first millennium BC. Since then, it has become the most sacred element of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Early afternoon in the Timket Eve, the replicas of the Ark, covered by silks, are carried solemnly by priests from each church to the nearby body of water. Accompanying the procession are tens of thousands of church members and believers, chanting, dancing, drum-beating, horn-blowing, prayer-stick-waving and sistra(a simple musical instrument)-rattling. All in all, it resembles the scene described in the Old Testament.

As evening falls, the priests and the pious believers participate in overnight vigil around the Arks until dawn. Then huge crowds gather around the water. After the chief priest blesses the water, the celebration reaches its climax. Many jump into the water, the rest are eager to get a splash. After the religious vows are renewed, some of the Arks are paraded back with the same celebrating fashion.

Day 6: 20 January: Drive to Mekele
On this day, you drive long to Mekele through the rough nature of road but nice to experience along with the magnificent scenery (gigantic, ups and downs and magnificent landscape). Overnight Axum hotel

Day 7: 21 January: Drive to Axum
Drive to Axum through the Adwa Mountains en route you visit the monastery of Debre Damo. Continue to Axum and a short visit of temple for it is over 2500 years old Temple of the Moon and the church of Aba Aftse. Overnight Remehay Hotel

Day 8: 22 January: visit of historical and archaeological sites in Axum.
The ancient city of Axum is found close to Ethiopia's northern border. It marks the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include: the archaeological museum, monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of ancient palace of Queen Sheba. You also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the covenant. The 16th Century Cathedral of St Mary of Zion was probably built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia. In its sanctuary is said to rest the original Ark of the Covenant. Overnight Remhay Hotel

Day 9: 23 January: Drive to Gondar
On this day, you drive long (380kms) but enjoying very beautiful and spectacular landscape along Tekeze Gorge and Semien Mountains. The drive goes through the Tekeze valley, crossing the Tekeze River. Then After the road rises from1400 meters through hairpin bends down the mountain side to 3100 metres in just 40kms! The drive up to Debark town showcases not only the immensely beautiful Simien Mountain massifs but also the people who eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. You will arrive in Gondar early in the evening. Overnight Red Fox Hotel

Day 10: 24 January: Tour of drive to Bahir Dar Gondar
After breakfast visit attractions in Gondar including: Castles of Gondar- are included in the World Heritage List, the royal Fasiledes Bath and the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its unique murals. Then we drive to Bahir Dar for an overnight stay at Papyrus hotel. We experience typically in an Ethiopian African landscape as we drive from Gondar to Bahir Dar - 180 kms over wide grazing land, hilly mountains with numerous farmlands. On arrival in Bahar Dar you will be transferred to Papyrus hotel, Bahar Dar is a small town set on the southeastern shore of Lake Tana, It is the capital city of its region and an important commercial centre. Bahar Dar is the base to explore some of the ancient monasteries that have been built around Lake Tana, and the Blue Nile water falls. Overnight at Papyrus hotel

Day 11: 25 January: Tour of Gondar and drive to Bahir Dar
After breakfast we pay a visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. Four hundred metres wide when in flood and 45 meters deep, the falls throws up a continuous spray of water droplets, which drench onlookers up to a kilometer away. The area around the river is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff from which injera, the national bread, is made. Drive back to Bahir Dar lunch in the hotel. After lunch, for the rest of the afternoon we take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible and representative of the monasteries, still serving their original function, Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam. Overnight at Papyrus hotel

Day 12: 26 January: Morning visit Blue Nile and then Drive to Debre Markos.
After breakfast drive to Debre Markos. We experience typically in an Ethiopian African landscape as we drive from Bahir Dar to Debre Markos over wide grazing land, hilly mountains with numerous farmlands. The drive is through Amhara people which is the famous Teff (a grain in which injera, the national bread, is made) growing area in the country. Overnight Shabel Hotel

Day 13: 27 January: Drive Addis Ababa; evening fare well dinner then departure
After breakfast drive to Addis Ababa en route you will visit the famous Blue Nile George and the Debre Libanos Monastery. Evening we will invite you a fare well dinner at in one of the cultural Ethiopian restaurants for Ethiopian dish and cultural dances from different ethnic groups. Then after transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flight.

Price includes:
• Meet and greet at airport
• All accommodation based on twin room occupancy
• Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis
• Meals out of Addis, on full board basis
• All entrance fees at sites, churches, parks and villages.
• All transfers and visits in Addis Ababa using mini-bus according to the itinerary.
• All Ground transportation with 4WD Toyota Land cruisers
• Experienced Tour Guide accompanying through out the trip.
• Local Guide and scout fees in parks and villages
• Half day boat cross on Lake Tana
• Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and Music
• A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
• Government taxes

Price doesn’t include
• International flights
• Insurance
• Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa
• Any kind of Alcoholic drinks
• Video filming and photography fees
• Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc
• All what is not included in the list above

Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 11

Discounts for Groups
From 4 - 7 members = USD $ 2620 per person
From 8 - 11 members = USD $ 2360 per person  

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Travel Informatio

Visa and Immigration requirements

Visa applications may be obtained at Ethiopia diplomatic missions located in Abidjan, Accra, Beijing, Bonn, Brussels, Cairo, Dakar, Djibouti, Geneva, Harare, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Lagos, London, Moscow, Nairobi, New Delhi, New York, Ottawa, Paris, Pyongyang, Riyadh, Rome, Sanaa, Seoul, Stockholm, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Tripoli,'yienna, and Washington DC.

Visas are required for all visitors to Ethiopia, with the exception of nationals of Djibouti and Kenya. Visas should be applied for well in advance of any trip as applications can take time to process.

Except in the case of a few nationals, passen­gers in transit in Ethiopia holding confirmed on­ward bookings within 72 hours can obtain transit visas on arrival for a fee of Ethiopian birr 20. However, in this case, passports are held at the airport until departure and a pink-coloured re­ceipt card is issued.

Any visitor intending to take up work or residence in Ethiopia must have a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and a resident permit from the Department of Immigration in the Ministry of the Interior. A visitor on a tourist visa cannot take up work or get a work permit. It is best to have all formalities cleared before you enter Ethiopia and come in on a working visa. 

Health requirements  

All visitors (including infants) are required to pos­sess a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera­infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia. Your doctor may also recommend gamma globulin shots or refresher vaccines for typhoid and polio before you go. Hepatitis, typhoid, meningitis, and other communicable diseases do exist in the country, but most tourists will run lit­tle risk of coming in contact with them.

Malaria is endemic throughout the country ­even at altitudes as high as 2,000 metres (6,560 feet). Visitors should begin taking a recommended chloroquine-based prophylactic two weeks before their arrival and continue taking them for six weeks after their departure. Medication for chlo­roquine-resistant malaria is also a wise precaution, especially when in a malarial area.

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is common through­out Ethiopia but is easily avoided by drinking treated water - tap water in Addis Ababa is treated and safe to drink - and by not swimming in lakes and rivers, with the exception of lakes Langano and Shalla, which are known to be bilharzia free.

International flights 

Ethiopia is served internationally by Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Egypt Air, Kenya Airways, Puntavia (Air Djibouti), Saudia, Sudan Airways, and Yemenia.

Ethiopia's major point of entry by air is Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport, which is modest but does provide full passenger facilities - currency exchange, postal services, banking facilities, telephones, a duty-free shop, gift shops, and a restaurant and bar service.

Taxis and rental cars are available at the airport for transport into Addis Ababa.

Air fares

 

The usual range of fares is available: first, business, and economy class; excursion fares, bookable any time for stays of between fourteen and forty-five days; an APEX fare, bookable one calendar month in advance, allowing for stays of between nineteen and ninety days. The price of cheaper APEX fares varies according to the season. Stopovers en route are possible when arranged with the airline for all but APEX fares. Reductions are available for children.

Departure tax 

As of mid-200l, the airport departure tax was US$ 20, payable in any convertible currency. Travel­ler's cheques are not acceptable. On local flights, there is a 'boarding charge' of 10 birr for residents and non-residents.

Arrival by rail 

The sole point of entry into Ethiopia by rail is at Dewele on the Ethiopia-Djibouti border. Arrivals undergo full customs and immigration checks.
 

Arrival by road 

There are six 'official' points of entry by road into Ethiopia from the country's neighbours. Moyale serves as the border post from Kenya, Sudan has border controls to Ethiopia at Humera and Metema, Dewele is the point of entry from Djibouti, and Rama and Zala Anbessa from Eritrea. All have full customs and immigration checks.

Visitors intending on driving their own vehicle into Ethiopia should first obtain the necessary permit by writing to the Ministry of Transporta­tion and Communication, PO Box 1238, Addis Ababa.

Customs 

Besides personal effects, a visitor may import duty-free spirits (including liquors) or wine up to one litre, perfume and toilet water up to half a li­tre, and 250 grams (half a pound) of tobacco (up to 200 cigarettes or fifty cigars).

If you are carrying a video camera, laptop computer, or any other pieces of sophisticated electronic equipment, it is usually entered in your passport to ensure that you take it with you when you go and do not sell it while in the country. You do not need to declare still cameras, small shortwave radios, calculators, and similar small electronic devices. Professional journalists and photographers must report to the Ministry of In­formation to get a permit.

Permit is given for temporary import of certain articles - such as trade samples or professional articles - which must be produced on departure or duty will have to be paid.

Visitors may import up to Ethiopia birr 10 and an unlimited amount of foreign currency, provid­ing declaration of such currency (on the appropri­ate blue-coloured form) is made to Customs on ar­rival. This currency declaration form will be re­quired by Customs on departure.

Permit is required for export of antiques and wildlife products from the appropriate authorities.

Domestic air services 

Ethiopian Airlines operates a comprehensive net­work of regular daily flights between Addis Ababa and Axum, Bahar Dar, Dessie, Dire Dawa, Gondar, Humera, Jimma, Lalibela, and Makale, as well as several other flights each week to many other towns. The airline flies to forty-three air­fields and an additional twenty-one landing strips within the country. Charter companies also offer flights to all main airports and to many landing fields not served by the national airline.

Road services 

There are some 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) of gravel and dry-weather roads throughout Ethio­pia, and some 3,600 kilometres (2,232 miles) of as­phalt roads. A good bus network operates to and from the countryside from its terminal in Addis Ababa's Mercato.

Taxi services 

Taxis are immediately available at Bole International Airport. They can also be found outside most hotels in Addis Ababa and at the country's major centres. There are two types: privately owned blue-and-white vehicles or, in Addis Ababa, Mercedes Benz taxis operated by the National Tour Operation (NTO). The larger blue-and-white taxis have standard routes and pick up and let off passengers along these routes, operating like little buses. There are no meters; there are low standardized prices for the fixed routes, and all prices for special hire should be negotiated in advance to avoid later mis­understandings. NTO taxis can be booked at any of the major hotels. Trips are paid for in advance according to destination; again, the taxis are not metered. These taxis are about ten times more expensive, on average, than the little blue taxis hailed on the street.

Car rental 

Several firms operate car hire services in Addis Ababa. Vehicles may be hired with or without driver. For trips outside the city it is possible to hire insured cars appropriate for the trip (a four­wheel-drive vehicle with driver/translator is rec­ommended).

Driving 

Drivers require a valid International Driving Li­cence, which can be obtained by exchanging your local licence at the Transport and Communica­tions office on Asmara Road in Addis Ababa.

Visitors can recover their original licences a day or so prior to departure. Vehicle owners will require the necessary permit from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Driving is on the right.

Rail services 

The 778-kilometre (482-mile) Franco-Ethiopian Railway runs from Addis Ababa to Djibouti by way of Nazaret, Awash Station, and Dire Dawa. There are both night and day trains between the capital and Dire Dawa, and the trip takes approxi­mately ten hours. There are first, second, and third classes. The Ethiopian Tourism Commission (ETC) or a travel agent can assist you with sched­ules and making reservations, or you can go di­rectly to the station, which is located near the junction of Churchill and Ras Makonnen avenues.

Climate 

Despite its proximity to the equator, Ethiopia's high altitude, averaging some 2,400 metres (7,800 feet), ensures a temperate, moderate, even cool climate - certainly not tropical. The highest daytime temperatures rarely exceed an average of 21 or 22°C (70 or 71°F) and for much of the year seldom rise above 16 or 18°C (61 or 64°F). Temperatures at night can drop to a chilly lOoC (50°F) or less. There are two rainy seasons: the irregular short rains from late January to early March, and the long rains that stretch from June until mid-September. May is the warmest month and is usually a time of bright sunny days. Daytime temperatures in January run just as high, but the nights are chillier. June, July, and August are grey, wet, and cool.

Currency 

The local currency is the Ethiopian birr, made up of 100 cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 1,5, 10, 50, and 100 birr. There are five different coins: 1,5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. In February 2001, 8.33 birr were equivalent to one US dollar.

Currency regulations 

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency imported to Ethiopia, but it must be declared on the currency declaration form obtained on arrival. Up to Ethiopian 10 birr may be legally imported. Foreign currency may be changed only at authorized banks and hotels. The currency declanHion form must be retained as this will be required by Customs on departure.

Visitors may change back any excess Ethiopian birr to foreign currency at the airport before departure. If you do have birr to cash in at the airport, you must, in addition to the currency declaration form, bring with you all receipts for exchange transactions.

Banks 

Banks have two sets of hours: cash and business. They are open for cash transactions all day from 08.00 to 15.00 including lunchtime Monday to Friday and Saturday 08.00 to 12.00.

Business hours are from 08.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 17.00 Monday through Thursday and 08.00 to 11.00 and 13.00 to 17.00 on Friday. All the major banks offer currency exchange. The two private banks have similar working hours.

Credit cards 

Some credit cards are accepted in the major hotels and some of the larger restaurants. American Express is the most widely accepted. The Sheraton and Hilton also accept Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, Access, and Eurocard.

Government 

Ethiopia, a member of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity, is an inde­pendent republic, operating under the Federal Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president is the head of state, while the prime minister heads the main administrative office for the government. There is a Council of Ministers and Council of Representatives, with permanent secretaries in each ministry. Legislation carried through an elected constitutional council which oversees the application and operation of the constitution.

Local government consists of sixty-five Na­tional/Regional Governments, each comprising a national/regional executive committee, a judicial organ, a public prosecution office, an audit and control office, a police and security office, and a services and development committee. All local officials are elected by the people within each region.

Language

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia, although English, Italian, French, and Arabic are widely spoken. In areas outside of the larger cities and towns, indigenous languages are likely to be spoken - of which there are eighty-three, with some 200 dialects. The most common of these are Orominya and Tigrinya. 

Religion  

Nearly half of the population of Ethiopia (45 per cent) subscribes to Christianity in the form of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, while a large 35 per cent are Sunni Muslims. Eleven per cent of Ethiopians, however, still adhere to traditional beliefs. The remainder subscribe to a variety of other faiths, including Judaism. Although most of the Falashas, or Ethiopian Jews, were airlifted out of the country at the time of the civil war, it is believed there is still a small remnant population.

Time 

Ethiopia is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Time remains constant throughout the year. Ethiopians calculate time in a manner similar to that of many equatorial countries - in units of 12 hours. This means that the daytime 06.00, in fact, is midday and, vice-versa, the nigh time 06.00 is midnight.

Daylight

Being relatively close to the Equator, there is an almost constant twelve hours of daylight. In Addis Ababa, the sunrise and sunset start at around 06.30 and 18.45 respectively.

Calendar 

Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which con­sists of 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of five days (six days on leap year). The calendar is seven years and eight months behind the Western (Gregorian) calendar.

Business hours 

Governrnent offices remain open from 08.30 to 12.30 and 13.30 to 17.30 Monday through Thursday, and from 08.30 to 11.30 and 13.30 to 17.30 on Friday. Government offices are closed on public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Most shops are open from 09.00 to 18.00 or 20.00 from Monday through Saturday with a lunch break from 13.00 to 15.00. Some shops or businesses close on Saturdays at 13.00. A few small all-purpose shops throughout the city open on Sunday mornings.

Security 

The same rules apply for Addis Ababa as for almost any city anywhere. Be careful and take the usual precautions to safeguard yourself and your belongings. Street crime exists, such as non­violent pickpocketing or the snatching of hand­bags or gold neck chains and earrings. Avoid walking the streets at night - take a cab.

A void wearing jewellery on the street, and don't carry too much cash or valuables on your person. Don't leave valuables in your hotel room; use the hotel safe-deposit box. Items of any great value should be deposited with a bank.

Communications 

Internet, telephone, telex, fax, e-mail and airmail services connect Addis Ababa to all parts of the world. Services are available at the General Post Office and its many branches, as well as in the main hotels. International direct dialling is avail­able from all the major centres in the country, which are served by microwave.

Media

There are several foreign-language newspapers published in Ethiopia, including the English daily Ethiopian Hera/d; the English Addis Tribune and Monitor, both weekly; and the Arabic weekly newspaper A/-A/em. The government daily, published in Amharic, is the Addis Zeman. There are other private daily and weekly Amharic newspapers and monthly magazines.

The national news agency is the Ethiopian News Agency, and there are several foreign bureaux operating in Addis Ababa, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Voice of America (VoA), and Reuters.

Ethiopian Television (ETV) broadcasts every evening on weekends, from 13.00 on Saturdays, 12.00 on Sundays and from mid-morning on public holidays. The end of broadcasting varies but is after 23.00. There are programmes in Amharic, Tigrinya, Orominya and English.

Radio service is provided by the Voice of Ethiopia and Radio Fana. The Voice of Ethiopia external service, which broadcasts daily from late afternoon until 23.00 or 24.00, features daily programmes in English, Arabic, French, and Amharic. An internal service broadcasts for a longer period of time, with programmes in many local languages. Radio Fana is an independent service in local languages. Voice of Ethiopia in its FM 97.1, broadcasts for nearly 18hrs a day. The frequency covers Addis Ababa.

Electric Power 

Ethiopia uses 220 volts and 50 Hz. It is best to bring your own round, two-prong adapter. American visi­tors should bring a small step-down voltage converter.

Medical services 

Medical facilities are limited and generally poor, and overtaxed. Contact your embassy for referral to a recommended doctor. If you fall seriously ill or are gravely hurt, you may want to consider evacuation to nearby Nairobi or to Europe. Air rescue services are available, and you might want to make arrangements with one before your trip.

Medical insurance 

Medical insurance should be purchased before you leave and preferably include emergency air evacuation coverage.

Chernis tsl pharmacies 

Medical supplies are limited. Visitors should carry an adequate supply of all medicines they may need with them. Those wearing glasses should carry an extra pair - just in case - or, failing that, a prescription. Most chemists and pharmacies maintain regular business hours. Most are open all day on Saturday and there is a system of 'on-duty' pharmacists open to 22.30 or 23.00, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Liquor 

Ethiopia's several brands of commercially brewed beers are very tasty and inexpensive, as are the very palatable local wines. Imported spirits, on the other hand, are expensive. Local drinks such as lej, a type of mead or honey wine, or lelia, a local home-brewed beer, are cheaper - but some can be quite potent.

Tipping

Tips up to ten per cent are an accepted practice and appreciated. At night, tipping the guard who is watching your car outside a restaurant, usually with one birr, is common practice. During the day, street parking boys will want a tip for watching your car willie you shop. You are not required to tip them for their unsolicited services, but you may, if you wish to do so. You are not expected to tip a taxi driver on a standard route, just as you would not tip a bus driver. But you can tip the driver of a negotiated trip if the service has been good. In this case, a tip of ten per cent is considered generous. Hope Enterprises sells books of meal tickets (8 for 4 birr) at their shop on Churchill Avenue. This are welcome tips for street boys watching cars.

Clubs 

Clubs are a prominent feature of Ethiopian social life, particularly for expatriates. Most are         organized around sport, some are philanthropic. Many have excellent facilities and welcome visitors, especially members of international clubs and societies with reciprocal arrangements. Some charge a temporary membership fee.

Sport club activities include angling, bad­minton, basketball, ten-pin bowling, cricket, golf, horse-riding, handball, polo, rugby, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, Tae Kwon Do, and tennis.

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