What you buy before the trip matters more in Ethiopia than in most places, because good outdoor gear, sun protection and spare parts are hard to find — and often costly — once you leave Addis Ababa. This is a practical, no-padding shopping list: what to get at home (and break in), what to buy on the ground, what to book early, and a simple timeline from eight weeks out to the night before you fly.
Key facts
- Buy before you fly
- Rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, broken-in shoes, layers, plug adapter, power bank, headlamp, sunscreen, first-aid kit
- Buy in Ethiopia
- A netela shawl, local coffee, souvenirs, bottled water, and (with ID) a local SIM — though an eSIM before landing is easier
- Hard to find upcountry
- Quality outdoor gear, good sun protection, reliable adapters and specific medicines
- Voltage and plugs
- 220 V, Type C and F sockets — US and UK plugs need an adapter
- Start early
- Order and break in boots, and get insurance and any travel-clinic advice 6–8 weeks before departure
- Cash
- Bring clean, recent US dollars plus small notes — see the money guide
- Don't forget
- Travel insurance that covers altitude and trekking, plus offline maps and printed confirmations
What to buy at home vs in Ethiopia
Buy at home: technical clothing, shoes, sun protection, power and tech accessories, a first-aid kit and your own prescriptions. They are cheaper, better and more consistent in your home country, and you can test them before you go.
Buy in Ethiopia: a netela shawl for church visits, Ethiopian coffee, local crafts and souvenirs, bottled water, and snacks. A local SIM is possible with your passport, but an eSIM before landing is easier. Bring clean, recent US dollars and small notes for cash — see our money guide.
Clothing and layers
The key is layers for altitude and a waterproof shell for the rains. Our guide to what to wear by season and terrain explains the logic; this is the shopping list:
- A packable rain jacket — essential for the June to September rains and useful in the mountains year-round.
- A fleece or light down jacket — highland mornings and evenings are cold.
- Quick-dry trousers and shirts — dry overnight and protect from sun.
- A merino base layer and a warm hat and gloves if you are trekking in the Simien or Bale mountains.
- A light shawl or scarf for church visits.
Shoes and socks
Bring one grippy, broken-in pair of walking shoes for cities and churches, plus waterproof ankle-support boots if you are trekking. Never start a trek in new boots. Thick socks are the single most-thanked tip for Lalibela's cold stone floors — see what to wear to Ethiopian churches.
Sun protection
At 2,000 to 4,000 metres, the sun is far stronger than the temperature suggests. Pack UV-rated sunglasses, a wide-brim or legionnaire-style hat, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm. High-quality sun protection is hard to buy upcountry.
Power, tech and navigation
Ethiopia runs on 220 V with Type C and F sockets, so US and UK plugs need an adapter. Power cuts happen, remote lodges have little charging, and networks can drop, so bring a power bank, download offline maps, and keep printed or downloaded confirmations. A headlamp is the most underrated item on this list: power cuts, dark church interiors and pre-dawn starts all need it.
Health and safety kit
Talk to a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure about vaccinations and malaria risk for the lowlands you plan to visit — this is medical advice only a professional can give. Beyond that, pack your own prescriptions in original packaging, plus a compact first-aid kit, oral rehydration salts, insect repellent for lowland trips and a filter bottle if you will be on the road a lot. Upcountry pharmacies are limited.
Bags, money and security
A lightweight daypack (20 to 30 litres) carries your layers, water and rain jacket on day trips. Packing cubes keep layers organised through frequent hotel changes. A hidden money belt is a simple way to carry spare cash and a passport copy safely; Ethiopia is a cash economy, so see our money guide and our scams guide.
Trekking extras (Simien, Bale)
If you are trekking, add trekking poles for steep descents, a thermal base layer, warm hat and gloves, and a rain cover for your pack. See the Simien trekking guide and Bale Mountains guide.
Book the big things early
- Travel insurance that covers altitude, trekking and evacuation — see our insurance guide. Most policies are void in regions your government advises against.
- Visa — most visitors use the e-visa; see visa and entry requirements.
- Flights — arriving on Ethiopian Airlines can unlock cheaper domestic fares; see the domestic flights guide.
- Hotels and tours — book refundable rates until plans are firm.
- An eSIM — set up before you land.
An easy timeline
- 6–8 weeks out: insurance, travel-clinic advice, visa, flights; order and start breaking in boots.
- 3–4 weeks out: buy clothing, sun protection, adapters and your first-aid kit; book hotels and tours on refundable rates.
- 1 week out: pack with our packing checklist, download offline maps, install your eSIM, print confirmations.
- Night before: check passport, cash, chargers and your rain jacket.
