Packing list for Ethiopia, travel insurance for Ethiopia, and taking your belongings

What to take with you to Ethiopia: spotlighted

Documents: passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. An online and/or offline copy of your passport is always useful.
Money: definitely bring enough Ethiopian Birr and some spare dollars/euro's, just in case your card doesn't work.
Care: strong sunscreen, aftersun.
Outdoor and practical items: hat/cap and sunglasses.
Clothing: in Ethiopia you will find extremely hot valleys and super cold mountain tops. It is therefore best to be prepared for everything and bring layers. From thin cotton/linen shirts and trousers, to a good fleece layer and possibly thermal clothing. Thin clothing with long sleeves is nice against the sun and mosquitoes. Shoulder and knee covering clothing is useful for in the churches. Swimwear if you plan to dive into the water. For the colder regions, a hat, scarf and gloves are also recommended.
Protection: backpack rain cover and a thin water- and windproof jacket for hiking in the mountains.
Shoes: flip-flops/sandals, comfortable walking shoes and possibly trekking shoes if you are going into the mountains.
Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers, anti-diarrhea and ORS, since dehydration is a thing.
Safety: money belt or fanny pack for your valuables.
Technique and equipment: power bank and headlamp or flashlight (with red setting also helps against mosquitoes).
Women: a multifunctional cloth/scarf/sarong for protection against dust, as a cover in church or simply as a towel or blanket.

Reusable water bottle with filter.
Quick-drying travel towel.
E-reader and other offline entertainment.
Toilet paper/wet wipes, because you won't find that everywhere.
International driving license, if you want to rent a car.
A buff, scarf or bandana for extra sun protection.
If you suspect that your accommodation does not have a mosquito net or air conditioning in the room. You may want to consider bringing a mosquito net.
Cultural norms and values, how to dress in church, that sort of thing...
The activities you are going to undertake - are you going into the mountains? Take enough protective clothing. If you are staying in warm areas, you can leave a lot at home.

It depends on where you are going whether mosquitoes are a problem for you. In general, there are few or no mosquitoes in areas above 2,000m altitude. If you are (also) going to lower areas, it is best to take precautions.
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. Particularly in the western lowlands. In some parts of the country this is seasonal, in other parts all year round. The risk peaks after the rainy season (September - December).
So protect yourself well with covering clothing and mosquito repellent.

Sand flies are found in several places in Ethiopia and they can transmit various forms of Leishmaniasis.
Your set of mosquito repellents with DEET can also provide a solution in combination with covering clothing.

It is difficult to find good mosquito repellent in Ethiopia. There are few options, and if you do find it, it is probably not in the form you would like.
So it is best to bring your favorite repellent from home.

Ethiopia is the spiritual center of Rastafarianism. For example, there is a Rastafarian settlement in Shashamane – a place once promised by Emperor Haile Selassie to Afro-Caribbean migrants. And yes, cannabis is used there on a limited scale, in a spiritual context.
Despite that, everything related to cannabis is prohibited in Ethiopia. As a traveler who wants to score a quick joint “for the experience”, you will quickly stand out. Moreover, there have been arrests in the past of naive tourists who thought they were safe in a weed paradise.
You risk prison sentences and heavy fines, and even more if you try to bring it with you.

Access:

Public

Check related region !