Ethiopia Travel Tips
Do take along a coat and tie, as they may be needed for the good restaurants. Address people by using Mr. Mrs. or Miss preceding their first name. Don’t take pictures of military installations, airports, bridges, etc. and ask permission before taking photographs of people. Don’t give money to beggars; the local children may quit school to earn. You can expect beggars to thrust their hands inside your taxi if a window is open. There’s not much you can do about it, however: Beggars have already removed the hand cranks used to raise and lower windows on most of the taxis in Addis Ababa. Be careful to be accurate when completing your currency declaration forms, and don’t import or export more than US$100 in the local currency.
Related Travel Information
Zambia : Travellers' Tips
In the near future the information below will be incorporated into the relevant Travel Advice Notice and the Tips will cease to exist as a separate entity.
-Get adequate travel insurance including medical insurance.
-Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before travelling.
-Make a point of checking out local laws and customs and respect them.
-Beware of pickpockets and opportunist car thieves.
-Take medical advice on pre-travel vaccinations and anti-malarials.
-Ask before taking photographs.
-Ensure you know the validity of your visa and don't overstay.
-Leave a photocopy of your passport and travel
Ethiopia : General Information
Ethiopia is a land of enormous ethnic diversity, with people of Semitic, Hamitic, Nilotic and Omotic stock. There are more than 80 ethnic groups and as many languages. In terms of religion, Christians and Muslims make up approximately 40% of the population each (Christians being slightly more preponderant), the remaining 20% animists and others.
Ethiopia is just about the only country in Africa never to have been colonised, and its people have a proud tradition of fighting for their independence. The pride is justified. Ethiopia is home not only to nearly a hundred different tribes, each with its
Kenya Travel Tips
Do not photograph people without taking permission and don't feel offended if they ask you to pay for it since it is a poor country.
It is illegal to export Kenyan currency, it may be difficult to exchage when you depart. Do not change your money in the black market. The illegal money changers are often quick-change artists, and the police will arrest you if they even suspect you're changing money illicitly. Also, We recommend only changing small amounts of money at a time.
Mauritius : Travel Tips
-Get the best travel insurance deal possible.
-Check the FCO Travel Advice for all destinations en route to Mauritius.
-Some prescription drugs are not allowed in Mauritius, check the FCO Travel Advice for more detail.
-Bring enough money for all contingencies.
-Keep valuable effects in a safe place.
-Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.
-Beware of pickpockets and, on foot, stay away from dark quiet streets.
-Carry a photocopy of your passport with you, not the original.
Ethiopia : History
There is a growing consensus among archeologists and anthropologists that the human species originated in Ethiopia. In 1994 the oldest human remains ever discovered, the 4.4 million old bones of Homo Ramidus Afarensis, were found in Ethiopia’s Afar region - the previous record was held by "Lucy" or "Dinkinish" (Amharic for "wonderful"), who at 3.4 million years was a relative youngster.
Ethiopia has extensive historic sites, particularly in the north of the country, where the visitor can see constructions dating from the first millennium BC, the stelae and tombs of the Axumite kings, rock hewn churches dating from
