Ethiopia travel blog

Local insights, practical planning advice and stories to help you understand Ethiopia before you arrive.

28 October 2026

Ethiopian Food Guide: 10 Dishes to Try in Addis Ababa

Injera, doro wat, tibs, kitfo and the coffee ceremony: a local guide to Ethiopian food, how to eat it and where to taste it in Addis Ababa.

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26 October 2026

Addis Ababa Layover Guide: How to See the City Between Flights

Can you leave Bole Airport on a layover? Visa options, how much time you need, and what to see in Addis Ababa between flights.

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24 October 2026

Is Ethiopia Safe to Visit in 2026? A Region-by-Region Guide

An honest, region-by-region look at travelling in Ethiopia right now, from a local team that guides visitors across the country. Updated 24 October 2026.

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22 October 2026

Understanding the Ethiopian Calendar and Time

Ethiopia has 13 months, its own year number and a clock that starts at sunrise. Here is how it works and what it means for your trip.

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22 October 2026

Best Time to Visit Ethiopia: A Month-by-Month Guide

When should you visit Ethiopia? A practical guide to the seasons, the best months for each region and the festivals worth planning around.

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22 October 2026

Timkat 2027: How to Experience Ethiopian Epiphany

Timkat is Ethiopia's most colourful religious festival. Here is when it takes place in January 2027, what happens and where to experience it.

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2 August 2026

Ethiopia Visa Requirements and eVisa Guide

Latest updated Information One of the first questions travelers ask us is: Do I need a visa to visit Ethiopia?” For most international visitors, the answer is yes. The good news is that Ethiopia has an online eVisa system, so most trav…

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7 July 2026

How to Spend Two Days in Addis Ababa: A Local Guide's Itinerary

A local guide's two-day Addis Ababa itinerary: Entoto views, Lucy at the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Merkato, coffee ceremonies and the best Ethiopian food.

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1 July 2026

Planning Your First Trip to Ethiopia

A practical starting point for choosing your route, trip length and travel style.

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20 May 2026

Understanding Ethiopian Coffee Culture

Coffee in Ethiopia is not only a drink; it is hospitality, conversation and ceremony.

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Traveller reviews

What our travellers say

Tripadvisor ★★★★★

“Took a 12-day trip with three friends all around Ethiopia with New Ethiopia Tours and would highly recommend them. Bre was professional, communicative, and easy-going. He was willing to work with us to fulfill all our requests, to pivot when unexpected issues popped up, and was just a generally great person to have on our trip with us. He went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing trip even when the weather and health issues had other plans for us. Throughout the trip, I felt safe and respected. This was my first time in Ethiopia and I am glad I went with Bre and New Ethiopia Tours. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to book a tour in Ethiopia.”

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Google ★★★★★

“Great car, great guide, and customised the trip for me. Thank you very much.”

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“Recently spent 9 days visiting Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gonder, Simien Mountains and Lalibela, all organised by New Ethiopia Tours.

Birhanu and the team took care of every detail, were able to answer any questions and attentive to any special requests eg. vegetarian meals! Accommodation was all a high standard, transport all felt very safe and was impressed by how smooth everything went.

A special mention to our guide for the whole trip Henok, who was exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of this unique and fascinating country!

A reliable and professional tour operator and would highly recommend!”

“The guid Ebraham was very helpful and tried his best to make my trip wonderful. I would recommend him for everyone.”

“I recently spent almost two weeks in Ethiopia (Addis, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, and the Danakil Depression). Everyone from accommodation, currency exchange, local guides/transportation, and domestic flights was organised by Birhanu and his team. I was very impressed at how smoothly everything went, and Birhanu was always extremely helpful and communicative. Would absolutely recommend to anyone wanting to visit Ethiopia.”

“Title: Birhanu and Solomon - The Perfect Guides to Ethiopia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’re planning a trip to Ethiopia, Birhanu and Solomon from New Ethiopia Tours are exactly who you want leading the way. They’re incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and generous, making every moment of the journey memorable.

From the start, they made us feel welcome, like we were exploring with friends rather than guides. Their deep understanding of Ethiopia’s culture and history, paired with their warm sense of humor, kept the trip both educational and fun.

Whether it was helping us navigate bustling markets, sharing fascinating stories, or going out of their way to ensure everything ran smoothly, they truly went above and beyond. Each stop felt thoughtfully planned, yet they still managed to keep things flexible and relaxed.

If you want a seamless and enriching experience, Birhanu and Solomon are the perfect choice. Highly recommended!”

“Very good experience with this local tour operator. Very reattive to my messages and professional during and after the booking Process i did the city tour and dankil depression. Happy for the services and timing. I reccomend this company as reliable and organised. Thanks”

“Thanks to Mule and Birhanu, we had an amazing experience in Addis and the surrounding areas. They helped us truly connect with the people, landscapes, and local customs in a way we could never have done on our own. They’re super professional, friendly, and know every little corner. If you’re thinking of exploring Ethiopia for real, don’t hesitate—reach out to them. Booking their services was the best decision of our trip. Highly recommend!”

“It was such a wonderful experience! The tour guides are very elaborate and patient with the different questions. They were also recommended very nice restaurants for us 👌🏾”

“We were honored to have had an amazing and hospitable tour guide experience during SHAPE Africa event. Birhanu is amazing. He takes good care of you, ensuring that everything goes smoothly and eloquently.”