Printable Ethiopia checklists and Amharic phrase card

Arrival checklist

• Passport valid 6+ months with a blank page
• e-Visa PDF printed (or Origin ID / residence permit)
• Return/onward ticket and first-night address saved offline
• Cash declaration rules checked (non-residents: over US$10,000; max 3,000 birr in/out)
• Insurance policy number and 24-hour assistance line saved
• Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country
• eSIM or SIM plan ready; offline maps downloaded
• Pre-booked transfer or ride-hailing app (no improvised taxi fares)
• Small US$ notes (2013+ series) for exchange at a bank or hotel

Safety checklist

• Read my government’s advisory in the last 30 days
• Every night mapped against restricted regions; insurer confirmed in writing
• No road travel after dark — fly the long legs
• Embassy traveller registration done; emergency numbers saved (police 991, ambulance 907, fire 939)
• Itinerary + check-in time shared with someone at home
• Copies of passport, visa and insurance in an offline folder
• Seatbelt on, every ride
• Do not photograph military, police, government buildings or checkpoints
• Cash for several days and a backup card
• Hospital that accepts my insurance identified in Addis

Packing list (core)

• Passport, visa, insurance, printed copies
• Layers for cold highland mornings; rain jacket in the rainy season (about June–September)
• Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
• Walking shoes; socks you can wear in churches
• Scarf/shawl and modest clothing for religious sites
• Universal adapter, power bank, headlamp
• Insect repellent; malaria plan agreed with a travel clinic
• Water filter bottle, oral rehydration salts, basic first-aid and prescriptions in original packaging
• Reusable bags; small notebook with Amharic phrases

Amharic phrase card

More in the Amharic phrases guide.