Before you travel:
- Evaluate whether you are fit to travel.
- Check to see if your innoculations are up to date, and visit a doctor if you are either unsure or in need of booster jabs. Be sure to ask your doctor about anti-malarial pills, such as Larium and Mephaquim. Most areas within the Horn are considered high-risk malarial regions. If you plan on travelling outside of the Addis area, and particularly if you are visiting Lake Langano and the northern tourist areas, you should strongly consider beginning an anti-malarial course. Additionally, ensure that your yellow fever vaccinations are up to date and carry proof of your vaccinations with your passport--these health certificates are essential for you to be allowed into the country.

What to tell the doctor:
You should inform your doctor of the following conditions:

- Any allergies to drugs, foods, etc.
- Pregnancy
- Any medication you are currently taking. Be sure to tell your doctor everything; especially important are steroids and anticoagulants
- Any problems with chronic illness
- HIV/AIDS infection

Special precautions may be necessary for these travellers with certain health conditions, and for children. Additionally it should be noted that Addis Ababa and most of Ethiopia is at a very high altitude above sea level (about 3000 meters). The air is much thinner here, and therefore those individuals suffering from breathing or lung problems, or athsma, often experience mild breathing difficulties--just be sure to bring the appropriate medications, such as inhalers.

Sexually active visitors should always practice safe sex and use condoms whether their partner is local or a fellow traveller. If you are planning on being sexually active during your trip here, we suggest carrying your own condoms with you from your home country.

Food and Drink
Ice is best avoided unless you verify that it has been boiled or purified. Your best option is the bottled water--the most widely available brands are Highlands, AquAddis and the sparkling Ambo--which are all high quality and safe.

Ethiopia has a wealth of exotic fruits and vegetables that you should experience--just make sure that you check their quality at the fruit market and wash and peel them thoroughly before consumption.

Meat is an Ethiopian staple, and is considered a national delicacy in its raw form. However, whilst travelling it may be better to avoid raw meats; should you choose to try this delicacy, make sure you do so at a reputable eating establishment.

Local beer is fine and enjoyable, as is tea everywhere. Coffee consumption is wildly popular and an age-old tradition that even has its own ritual ceremony. See Coffee Ceremony in our Glossary.

Safety
Violent crimes against tourists are rare in Ethiopia. The majority of crimes are petty--pick-pocketing, bag snatching and the occasional hold-up or mugging. Even these do not pose a serious problem with a vast majority of tourists. Travelling at night outside of Addis is cautioned against and should be avoided. Similarly, driving long distances outside of Addis is not suggested unless you are part of a vehicle convoy--doing so alone has resulted in incidents of carkjacking.

Transportation
Blue taxis (known as "contract cabs") are available all over the city and are generally considered safe. Be sure you haggle to get the best rate to your destination. There are larger, minivan-type taxis that transport passengers between two points, like a miniature bus system. These are safe (although as a tourist you should avoid the empty ones), very inexpensive and they run until about 8 pm everyday.