IR asked: 
We have started thinking about what we may need to do or to acquire between now and then. I wonder if you have any practical information - on medication, clothing etc - which you have gleaned from previous trips, which might be useful for all participants.


I would certainly take along any medications that you regularly need. I would also take a first aid kit to deal with cuts and bruises, coughs and colds, flu and other common ailments. You should certainly take along medicine for diarrhoea relief and upset stomach issues – which are a common occurrence.

I would advise on taking normal everyday clothing. It is warm in the day (mid 20’s) and cool in the evening (around 10) but we will not be going out much in the evening. So an extra layer for the evenings would be good. As far as Shabbat – no formal wear required – nothing we wear is anything like the local clothing anyway.

Will I need a mosquito net in Ethiopia?

Last year we did not encounter any mosquitoes and there was no need for a net. In general, February is in the dry season, and there aren't many insects around. The only place you might encounter insects are in Bahar Dar near the lake.

For the trek on the Sunday, do we need walking boots or are sandals/ trainers ok?

The trek on Sunday is over uneven ground. You might be more comfortable with hiking boots - but you could certainly manage with any good walking shoe or trainer. I will be wearing hiking boots throughout the trip - as the roads and pavements aren't in good condition and I find that much more comfortable.

We are having very mixed advice about yellow fever vaccination. Is it  now still advisable?

There is no longer a requirement to have the yellow fever vaccination to visit Ethiopia. The areas we are visiting are considered low risk. I do have the inoculation - but my main consideration is that I will visit Africa many times so the risk is greater.
 
Ethiopian airlines provides on-line check in but only with an electronic ticket. Will we be supplied with such tickets?


I expect Ethiopian to issue electronic tickets once all of the details have been confirmed with them. For the record - last year no one managed to do the on-line check-in - but the check-in at Heathrow was very fast and efficient.

Michael Asked:
How much money in dollars / pounds should we bring for meals not on the programme? Are driver/guide tips already included in the trip fee? And have entrance fees been included in what we've paid already?

Tipping is part of the culture in Ethiopia and you are expected to tip everywhere. To make this easier on us all, I will collect money for participants at the beginning of the trip - and will tip the hotel porters, guides, bus drivers etc. as we go along. That way you will not have to worry about it. Last year the total tips budget came to around 800 Birr per-person - which is £25. You can expect this year to be similar plus or minus 5 £.

The cost of meals will depend on where you eat. Outside of Addis Ababa all meals are included at the hotels - so there isn't really a need to eat out unless you wish to. I would budget £5 - £10 per person for each meal out - although in Addis itself it is possible to find more expensive restaurants. 

You will certainly want to buy mineral water throughout the trip. This is available everywhere and will cost £0.30 - £0.50 for a litre bottle.

All entrance fees are included in the price of the trip.

Question: I've just being doing some homework.  According to this website, you can encounter all sorts of sockets, including the old English type.  I wondered what your experience was.

Answer: My experience is that there is no consistency with the plugs.  Some rooms have the normal uk style plug and others the European style plug. Most rooms offer a range of different plugs or multi plug adapters.  I take a European adapter and have always managed with either the standard UK or European plug. 

Question: What currency is used in Ethiopia? What currency should i bring with in order to change it?

Answer:  The currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr. It isn't traded on the International Markets - so is only available in Ethiopia. You can change money at the airport when you arrive or at the hotels where we will be staying. 
It is best not to change more than you will need as you can't do anything with the money anywhere else!

You can change any common currency: Stirling, Euro or Dollars are all well known and widely accepted.

Is it safe to use ATMs in Ethiopia, or is it better to bring cash to change?

Ethiopia is mainly a cash society. In most of the places we will visit you will not be able to use a credit card.

When I visited last year I tried a number of ATMs - but none of them worked. I ended up using cash for everything. I changed my currency at the hotel and kept the cash in the hotel safe  and carried small amounts of cash with me. I had no problems changing dollars, Pounds or Euros.

There are lots of banks around - and will be able to change money in the different hotels. It is best not to change more than you need - as it might not be easy to change back at the end.

I also found things much cheaper in Ethiopia than I expected - so money lasted longer than anticipated

Could you please give me more information about the availability of Kosher food while we are in Ethiopia? Is the food Hechshered?

During the trip we are staying at the hotels on a Bed and Breakfast basis. The breakfasts will include hot drinks, basic cereals bread and spreads. For the other meals participants will provide their own food. Vegetarian food is widely available. Most participants will eat out at restaurants. Others, including myself, will be brining kosher provisions with them for the duration of the trip.

The exception to this rule is the time we are in Gondar. The Jewish agency runs a Jewish centre in Gondar for the remains of the Falasha Mora community who are preparing for Aliyah to Israel. There are  Israeli shlichim stationed in Gondar, and one of the hotels has a Kosher kitchen which is under the supervision of the Rabbi who is in charge of the conversion programme in the Jewish Agency compound.

The Shabbat meals in Gondar are included in the price of the programme and will come from this hotel.

I will be sending out more information closer to the trip including advice on which food you can bring if you are packing food for the week.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Chaim Weiner

This blog was launched in May 2012 to provide up-to-date information about the trip to Ethiopia. You can use this blog to find out the latest news, read background information on subjects connected to the trip or to pose your questions if you think that other participants will be interested in them.

Chaim