Tadez means hello in Amharic. Tadez Travel is a specialist in organizing all kinds of journeys in Ethiopia. From basic organization for backpackers to the most "luxurious"(as far as possible in Ethiopia) custom made tours. We also offer package tours, group travel services, incentives and much more. Tadez Travel stands for reliability and quality concerning all the trips or services we offer you!
Tadez Travel is an initiative of Eveline van Hooren. Tadez Travel operates from the Netherlands and Addis Abeba and organizes tours in a sustainable manner. Tourism is growing tremendously in Ethiopia so this is the time to visit this beautiful country! Make sure you're not too late!In 2007, tourism in Ethiopia grew by 50%! Tours can be tailor made to suit the individual or you can choose a package deal.
Some of our itinaries (please contact us when you are interested and you will receive the full program by mail):
These are all inclusive prices and itinaries; if you wish to rent a car and accommodation only; please contact us and we will give you a price!
In all our programs the following is included;
- transport per 4x4 Toyota landcruiser
- English speaking driver/guide
- car insurance, roadtaxes
- unlimeted milages,
- all entrances
- all local guides
- all meals (free to choose from menu)
- all hotels (good quality)
- in case of campingtrips; all camping and cooking equipment (exept sleepingbag)
- backup
Itineraries - Region: Across Ethiopia
21 Days - North and South Ethiopia €2195 per person
28 Days - North, South and Harar
Itineraries - Region: East
5 Days East - Awash NP, Harar, Babile; €595 per person
7 Days East - Harar, Babile, Dire Dawa, Awash NP
Itineraries - Region: North
7 Days North - Bahir Dar, Gondar and Lalibela: €900 per person
10 Days North - Bahir Dar, Gondar, Simien Mountains and Lalibela
11 Days North - The Historical Route
14 Days North - The Historical Route and Harar
15 Days North - The Historical Route and Simien Mountains
7-Days Trekking in the Simien Mountains
10 Days - Danakil Depression
Itineraries - Region: South
8 Days South - Omo Valley
10 Days South - Omo Valley
13 Days South - Omo Valley and Yabello
15 Days South - Omo Valley and Bale Mountains
2 Days to Lake Awassa
7 Days Bale Mountains and Sof Omar
22 Days Upper and Lower Omo Valley
Itineraries - Region: West
10 Days Southwest - Surma
9 Days West - Jimma, Gambella, Lake Wenchi
Surprising price!
A custom made tour or package deal with Tadez Travel is often less expensive than an organized (group) trip with the major operators. How is this possible? Because we operate in the field which keeps costs low. In addition we get discounts with many of the local purchasing agents, which is more cost effective than traveling on your own with a Lonely Planet Guide in your hand! Tadez Travel always indentifies your needs first and then quotes you for anappropriate program for your trip.
If you wish to discover the real Ethiopia (off the beaten track) you are at the right place! Tadez Travel only works with reliable Ethiopian agents. Ethiopia is often called "the best kept secret in Africa", this because of the unique mix of culture, nature and breathtaking landscapes! In visiting this country, we try to preserve the original culture and contribute in a positve way to its development.
Flexibility
The defining characteristics of Tadez Travel are personal contact, quality, flexibility and a fair competitive price. You decide how you want to travel and what you want to see. Some trips can be done partially via domestic flight or a complete overland route. You choose hotels (from basic to luxurious), full board or bed and breakfast etc.
In short Tadez Travel offers the following services:
- Tailor made trips per landcruiser
- Packagedeals by landcruiser
- Landcruiserrental (with driver/guide)
- Standard grouptrips (limited departure dates) or tailor made grouptrips per overlandtruck
- Citytrips (e.g. for associations)
- Incentives
- Start packages
Why Tadez Travel?
- Extensive experience
- Fair value for money
- Good accomodation (the best hotels in every price range!)
- Experienced and reliable drivers
- Good tourleaders for grouptrips
- Reliable service and support provided
- Registered at the Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands
Note: tourism in Ethiopia is still in its infancy! If you want to travel in this country you will always find "problems"like no hot water, bad rooms, flat tires etc. A great deal of flexibility is required!
Visiting a new country always brings a new set of circumstances and a different way of life. That’s why we travel, isn’t it? Here’s a bit of information to make your stay as smooth as possible.
Language
With more than 80 ethnic groups in Ethiopia come just as many languages. The main working language is Amharic, a Semitic language with its own unique alphabet and numbers. The alphabet consists of over 200 unique symbols, or fidel, each representing a syllable, usually a consonant and a vowel sound together.
Amharic numbers are rarely used, mainly due to the lack of a character for zero (0). Rather, Indo-Arabic numbers are used, which is the same as in the Western world (1, 2, 3, etc).
Other widely spoken languages include Oromifa (Oh-roh-mee-fa) in the Oromo region and Tigrigna (Tee-gree-nya) in the region of Tigray.
Money
The local currency is the Ethiopian birr. US dollars, Euros and GB Pounds can easily be exchanged. ATMs are available in Addis Ababa (Visa only) and in a few locations outside of the capital, though these should not be relied upon as they can often be out of order and/or money. Visa users can also take cash advances at Dashen Bank branches throughout the country. Mastercard users can take a cash advance at the United Bank in the Hilton. Few hotels accept credit cards, and where they do, it will be visa only (except for the Hilton and Sheraton in Addis Ababa). Traveler’s checks are accepted in some locations, but travelers should bring the purchase receipt with them.
Remember to keep your receipts for ATM transactions or currency exchanges. You will need these in order to change any remaining birr to foreign currency before leaving Ethiopia.
Visas
Tourists arriving from the following 33 “tourist-generating” countries can obtain a Tourist Visa valid for 3 months at Bole International Airport upon arrival for a fee of $20 (USD): Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korean Republic, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States. Nationals from all other countries must obtain a visa before arrival.
Communications
Ethiopian Telecommunications is the sole provider of phone, mobile and internet services. SIM cards are difficult to obtain, but may be rented for the duration of your stay. Roaming services using international mobile SIM cards is rare. International phone calls and fax services are available in Addis Ababa and various locations around the country.
Internet cafes are widespread throughout the country, but connection speeds are mainly dial-up and can be very slow. Broadband connections are available in Addis Ababa but may vary in quality.
Ethiopia’s postal service is reliable, though can be slow. Post offices are generally open Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 5 or 6pm, but desks may actually close at 4pm and during lunch time. They are generally open on Saturday mornings as well.
Accommodation
Accommodation can vary widely in quality and price throughout Ethiopia, ranging from local standard to 5-star hotels in Addis Ababa. Camping is also available in certain locations, with amenities also varying in quality and availability. Particularly during festivals and high tourist season, reservations are recommended. It should be noted, though, that simple reservations via email or over the phone are not always honored. The best way to ensure a reservation is to pay in advance and keep all receipts. Abeba Tours does its best to match its guests with their accommodation preferences.
Food & Drink
The staple of every Ethiopian meal is injera, a spongy pancake-like bread. The injera is laid on a large platter with the main dish on top. Small pieces of injera are then torn off and used to pick up bite-size portions of the main dish. Injera is made from the local grain teff, mixed with water and allowed to ferment before it’s cooked on a large, flat pan. Dishes eaten with injera include a variety of meat (beef, lamb and chicken), stews (known as wat, they may be spicy or mild) and vegetables. A variety of international cuisines are available in Addis Ababa but may be less widespread outside the capital. Generally, pasta is always available.
Short-term guests are advised to drink bottled water to avoid any stomach discomfort during their stay. Soft drinks are wide-spread as well as fresh fruit juices. Coffee lovers will be delighted as Ethiopian coffee is some of the best in the world.
A variety of local Ethiopian beers are available as well as some locally-made wines. The local alcoholic beverages include tella, a local beer made from various grains, tej, local wine made from honey, and areki, a hard liquor made from maize.
Climate
Known as the Roof of Africa, much of Ethiopia sits in the highlands, between 1800 – 2400m. This keeps the climate temperate, with warm sunny days and cool nights. In the south the weather is particularly warmer, but the nights may still be cool. Rainy season is from June through September with a short rainy season in February and/or March. The Danakil Depression is hot year-round, with temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.
Time
Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which makes it approximately 7 years behind the Gregorian calendar (used in most of the Western World). The calendar consists of 13 months – 12 months of 30 days and a 13th month with 5 days (6 in leap year). The Ethiopian new year is September 11th. September 11th, 2008 rang in the year 2001 in Ethiopia.
As with many equatorial countries, Ethiopia tells its time 6 hours different from Western time. This is generally based on the rise and set of the sun, which had little if any variation throughout the year. For example, 7am is Ethiopia’s 1am, while at noon, Ethiopians would say 6:00. While most Ethiopians will “translate” their time into Western time when speaking English, it is always advised to confirm whether the time given is “Ethiopian time” or “European time” in order to avoid any confusion.
Health
With proper precautions, visitors to Ethiopia can enjoy a healthy stay. All visitors are recommended to have travel insurance, and Abeba Tours operates under the assumption that all of its clients have done so.
It is recommended to obtain recommended vaccinations before arrival, including Yellow Fever, which is required. Malaria is present in low-lying areas, so proper precautions should be taken. There is no malaria in Addis Ababa and most highland locations in the northern part of Ethiopia (except Bahir Dar, where there is a malaria risk).
Water should always be boiled or treated before drinking. Alternatively, bottled water is always safe. Visitors may be cautious when eating raw vegetables or salads that may have been washed in local water. Food should always be eaten freshly cooked. Remember the traveler’s mantra: “Boil it, cook, it, peel it, or forget it.”
Hospitals will vary greatly in quality throughout the country. In Addis Ababa, recommended hospitals include: St. Gabriel Hospital, Bethzatha Hospital and Myunsung Christian Medical Center (Korean Hospital).
What to Bring
Most necessities are available in Ethiopia. It is recommended to bring warm clothes for cool evenings, long-sleeve shirts and trousers (for protection against mosquitoes), insect repellant, sunblock, first-aid kit, rain gear (if coming during rainy season), flashlight or headlamp (for power outages), water filter or purification tablets (if not drinking bottled water).
Electricity
Ethiopia runs on 220V, and uses 2 round prongs (such as those in Europe). However, this may vary from time to time (size of prongs and/or width between prongs). An adapter is advised, and are widely available throughout Ethiopia.
Begging
Despite its cultural richness, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with a large percentage of its population living in poverty. This has led to a large number of beggars and street-dwellers, particularly in Addis Ababa. Supporting these beggars unfortunately does not help the situation, but can rather often make it worse. We therefore advise guests to support a local organization instead of giving handouts, including candy, pens and clothes to street children. In Addis Ababa, guests can buy meal tickets from Hope Enterprises (located on Churchill Rd.) and distribute them to those who approach them. Hope Enterprises serves over 200,000 meals every year.
Another form of begging, particularly in the countryside, may also be called the “Highland frenzy”. Highland was the first bottled water in Ethiopia, and it has become synonymous with the plastic bottles, which are highly coveted. This “Highland frenzy” often involves children running after fast-moving vehicles in hope that a plastic bottle will be thrown out to them. This creates a very dangerous situation of children running in front of the vehicles with dire consequences. We therefore ask our guests to refrain from the practice of throwing them out of the vehicles at the children, but rather give them to a hotel or restaurant in a local village.
Photography
It is recommended to always ask before taking a photograph of any person. Many people will happily oblige, but others may not want their photos taken, and that should be respected. Often times, people might ask for a fee (1-2 Ethiopian birr) to take their photo. You should always negotiate the price before taking the photo. Of course, you may also opt not to take a photo if you don’t agree with the price, terms, or the practice.
Safety/Security
Ethiopia remains a very safe country for travelers. There are, however, some basic precautions to consider for safe travels. Always watch your belongings and beware in large crowds of pickpockets. Particularly in Addis Ababa and in the mercato and stadium areas, pickpockets operate in large numbers. Use common sense and keep all moneys in a money belt and all valuables in your hotel safe.
A common scam is that of people (often students or self-appointed guides) inviting guests to a coffee ceremony or other small gathering. People are often taken to a local home where coffee, tej, and maybe local food is served. After the fun, the guests are handed a bill of often the equivalent of $100 or more, and forced to pay. We recommend against talking to people who approach you on the street and attending such events. If you are interested in a local coffee ceremony or traditional dinner and dance, we will be happy to entertain you.
Holidays
The following are holidays in Ethiopia for which governmental offices are closed:
January 7th – Ethiopian Christmas (Genna)
January 19th – Timket (Epiphany)
March 2nd – Adwa Victory Day
March 10th – The Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday (Mouloud)
April 17th (2009) – Ethiopian Good Friday (Siklet)
April 19th (2009) – Ethiopian Easter (Fasika)
May 1st – Labour Day
May 5th – Patriots’ Victory Day
May 28th – Dergue Downfall Day (National Day)
September 11th – Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash)
September 20th (2009) – Id al Fetir (End of Ramadan)
September 27th – Meskel (Finding of the True Cross)
November 27th (2009) – Id al Adaha/Arefa (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Genna
January 7 (January 8 in leap year)
Genna is Ethiopian Christmas, and coincides with other Orthodox Christmas celebrations around the world. The feast marks the end of the 40-day fasting period of Advent. On Christmas Eve, the faithful participate in church services through the night before celebrating with family and friends on Christmas day.
Lalibela is the most popular place to celebrate Genna, as thousands of pilgrims flock to the holy city for this celebration.
Timket
January 19 (January 20 in leap year)
The Ethiopian celebration of Timket (also known as Epiphany), is a symbolic reenactment of the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. For Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, it serves as a renewal of their baptismal vows.
Timket is a two-day festival. On the first day, the church tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant) is taken from the church to a nearby location, usually near a body of water. This is representative of Jesus coming to the River Jordan. The tabot spends the night in this location while the priests and other faithful hold a vigil through the night. In the morning the water is blessed and is then sprinkled on the faithful gatherers (or they may chose to bathe in the water), renewing their baptismal vows. Long parades then carry the tabot back home to the church while the revelers sing and dance.
Gondar is a popular place to witness Timket, as the Bath of Fasilidas provides a stunning backdrop for the festivities. Lalibela is another popular location, as is Addis Ababa, where it is held at the Jan Meda fairgrounds.
Fasika
Orthodox Easter (March/April)
Fasika is Ethiopian Easter and is celebrated in conjunction with Orthodox Easter celebrations around the world. Fasika follows a long 55-day fast, where no meat or dairy products are consumed. Strict followers generally consume one meal of vegetables and lentils during this time. Church services are attended on the eve before the holiday, where revelers participate in a colorful service lit with candles. The following day, families and friends celebrate Fasika with special feasts that mark the end of the long fast. Doro wat, a spicy chicken stew, is the most traditional food served in all households. Celebrations continue for the following week, with an unofficial "second Fasika" the following weekend.
Enkutatash
September 11 (September 12 the year before leap year)
Enkutatash, which means “Gift of Jewels” is the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of 13 months (twelve months each with 30 days and a final month with 5 or 6 days, depending on leap year.) The Julian calendar is 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian calendar, which is used throughout most of the Western world. In 2007 (Gregorian calendar), Ethiopia rang in the year 2000 and the new Ethiopian Millennium.
Enkutatash happens to come near the end of a long rainy season, coloring the green landscapes with bright yellow flowers and giving great reason to celebrate the new harvest. Torches of dry wood are burned in front of houses on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, girls dressed in new clothes go door-to-door singing songs. Families and friends celebrate together with large feasts.
This day also happens to coincide with the saint’s day of St. John the Baptist. This religious ceremony can be seen at the Kostete Yohannes church in the village of Gaynt, where celebrations are carried out for three days. Just outside of Addis Ababa, on the Entoto Mountain, Raguel Church has the largest religious celebration in the country.
Meskel
September 27 (September 28 the year before leap year)
Meskel (Finding of the True Cross), is the celebration of the finding of remnants of the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified. According to Christian tradition, St. Eleni (Empress Helena) discovered the hiding place of three crosses used at the crucifixion of Jesus. In her dream, Eleni was told she should make a bonfire; the direction of the smoke would tell her the exact location of the True Cross. She followed the directions from her dream, and the smoke landed exactly where the cross was buried.
Meskel celebrations begin the night before with large bonfires topped with a cross and decorated with Meskel daisies. The bonfire preparations are blessed and burned while revelers sing and dance around the fire, locally called demera. It is believed that the direction of the smoke will predict the future for the year to come. After the demera has burnt out, the faithful mark crosses on their foreheads with the ash.
The biggest Meskel celebration is in Addis Ababa, held in the centrally-located Meskel Square. Gondar, Axum and Lalibela are also good locations to celebrate this festival. Probably the most exuberant celebrations take place in the region of the Gurage people, southwest from Addis.
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