Ethiopia Volunteering Travel Guide! Ethiopia is a really up and coming travel destination with friendly people, spectacular landscapes and lots of amazing places to see. Not many places compare to Ethiopia – expect bustling cities, stunning nature, lakes, mountains and tasty cuisine. Get inspired to visit Ethiopia today.
Ethiopia Volunteering Travel Guide
Get essential information, inspiration and travel ideas for visiting Ethiopia.
- Capital: Addis Ababa
- Currency: Birr (ETB)
- Country Dialing Code: +251
- Population: 74,778,000 (approx)
- Languages: Amharic (official), Oromo, Tigrinya Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic (official)
Top Reasons to Visit Ethiopia
There are so many reasons you should travel to Ethiopia including:
- Tasty local food
- World famous tourist sights
- Some of the friendliest people in the world
- Learn more about the history of the tribes and country
- Tourism is helping to boost the economy and employ local people
- Less touristy than other destinations in Africa meaning you will get a more authentic experience
Travelling in Ethiopia
Thinking about going backpacking or travelling in Ethiopia? There are so many incredible places you can visit in Ethiopia including Addis Ababa, Axum, Gondar Castles and Churches, Bahirdar, Gondar-Tekeze Valley, Lalibela-Rock Hewn Churches, Bahar Dar, feeding hyenas in Harar, Gondar (Gonder), the Simien Mountains and the Omo Valley. Travelling in Ethiopia will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life.
This is one of the world’s most intriguing countries and one of our top rated up and coming travel destinations. Don’t leave the country before taking a game drive through Bale National Park, a cruise on the waters of Lake Chamo and try to meet the people of the Dorze, Mursi, Hamer and Karo tribes. You can also encounter the tribes of the Omo Valley which is highly recommended.
Ethiopia Gap Year
Looking for an incredible experience? Plan a life changing gap year to Ethiopia. Go Volunteer Africa offers lots of worthwhile programs to book all year round. On a tour or in your spare time from a program you could see the churches at Lalibela and the holy city of Axum – both historic and cultural places of interest are must see destinations.
Ethiopia is a country to visit if you want to feel the warmth of African culture and people. Ethiopia is a very safe destination and a very peaceful country to experience and most gap year programs are located in Addis Ababa which is the capital of Ethiopia, this is also where most international flights arrive into.
This is a city which is great to explore, there is a mix of old and new buildings whilst there is a warm climate almost all year round. You will get an experience like no other in this country and whether you are a student, graduate, career breaker or just looking for gap year opportunities in Ethiopia then our packages will appeal to you.
Ethiopian Infrastructure and the country as a whole has improved a lot over the last decades but there is still a need for help and assistance form skilled / non skilled international helpers. We have a diverse range of projects in Ethiopia available to join all year round. You could join placements on care and community projects, teaching English, coaching sports, helping at schools or working at an orphanage.
If you are looking for work experience then there is journalism, healthcare, medicine and physiotherapy internships and placements. You could also study in Ethiopia by taking a class to learn Amharic. Our placements are open to people aged 18+ but you will need to be in good health and have a flexible / open attitude. Ethiopia is a very poor country probably unlike anywhere you have ever visited before, don’t expect everything to be up to Western standards.
Best Things to See & Do in Ethiopia
Here are some top things to add to your Ethiopia travel itinerary:
Explore Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s timeworn yet fascinating capital. A visit to the Ethnological Museum is highly recommended, as it provides a valuable background to what you’ll be seeing in your trip. You could also head for the bustle of the Mercado Central, the biggest open-air market in Africa,
Drive out along the ever-changing Ethiopian landscape to Bale Mountains National Park. Try to spot packs of Painted Hunting Dogs and Ethiopian Wolves – some of the rarest canids in the world – on a nature walk in the Havenna Forest. Travel on to Arba Minch, stopping off at small villages en route.
Set out by boat on Nech Sar National Park’s Lake Chamo for the chance to see hippos and crocodiles up close. Venture into the hills for a visit to the friendly Dorze people. Learn about the logic underlying the construction of their unique huts and perhaps witness traditional weaving in action. Take a game drive through Mago National Park to meet the Mursi tribe, known for the huge clay lip plates worn by the women.
Marvel at the distinctive hairstyles and highly imaginative bodily decorations of the Hamer and Karo tribes. If the timing of our visit coincides with a male initiation rite, we may even catch a bull jumping ceremony. Learn about development projects designed to improve the livelihoods of the local Konso people. Watch local men haul in salt from the bottom of a Salt Lake.
Wander among the standing stellae of Tututsi, which reveal something of the ancient customs of the people whose graves they mark. Travel to the university town of Awassa and check out its fascinating fish market or pick a restaurant for a final feasting on spicy Ethiopian cuisine.
Ethiopia Budget Travel Tips
Ethiopia is a very cheap travel destination and you can get great value on transport, sightseeing, accommodation and food. Accommodation might not be luxury standard but there are a good level of comfortable hotels and places to stay. Expect conditions in rural areas to be more basic. Public transport can be unreliable but you can book private transport with GVA Tours & Travel Safaris. One of the easiest ways to get around is with an organized experience.
Health & Safety
Ethiopia is a very poor country but very few foreigners encounter any problems when visiting. If you are female, you should dress conservatively. You will need to take Insect repellent, sunscreen, a mosquito net, a medical kit and also rehydration / diarrhoea tablets
Book a Tour to Discover Ethiopia
Most tours start in the capital of Ethiopia – Addis Ababa where there are lots of markets, churches, cathedrals, mosques, cafes and nightlife. From here you will be able to travel overland and explore the country visiting rural communities and seeing a different way of life. Our top recommendation is to visit the Simien Mountain National Park, Lalibella, Hawassa which are spectacular.
Ethiopia is a very cheap destination to visit but tours here can be more expensive than other destinations on an Africa gap year. Tours generally cost around £1000 ($1500) for a 2-3-week trip. You will usually need to arrange your flights, visa and travel insurance.
What is Included in most trips:
- Accommodation in double room sharing and half board basis
- Camping tents, all camping gears,
- Excursions
- English speaking local guides
- Entrance fees for the visiting areas
Top Reasons to Book
- Get an experienced guide
- See the best places
- Go off the beaten track to see locations difficult to reach
- Eat at the best local restaurants
- Enjoy a stress free journey
- Get an authentic local experience
Tours for Solo Travelers
Our tours are perfect if you are travelling solo and would like to meet other people and travel in a group. You will get to meet other international travelers and get taken to the best locations in the country with an experienced guide.
Ethiopia Budget Tours
We have a selection of tours for all budgets, so whether you are looking to explore on the cheap or you have a bit more money to spend you will be able to get a trip to match your interests. We organize lots of cheap tours allowing you to discover the highlights of the country and not break the bank.
Most of our tours specifically cater for the 18-35 age group and are a really popular option due to meeting other people, getting day-to-day activities, hotel check-ins, selected meals, accommodation and also transport/guides included in the price. Don’t worry if you are slightly older, most tours accept all ages.
Accommodation
Usually travelers of the same sex will share a twin room, but there is also the option to pay a little extra and get a private room. Accommodation can vary depending on the tour and location. Some tours also include homestays which allow for a fascinating cultural exchange.
HOW TO APPLY
To start the process fill Volunteer application form and submit it for consideration and book your placement. For more information on how to get enrolled for the volunteering experience of a lifetime contact us. Or Give us a call | WhatsApp | Telegram | Viber | Imo at +254-796-786292 to talk to a Program Specialist.
