Hoya

Tour Ethiopia

FAQ

When is the best time to travel in Ethiopia?

Travelers can visit Ethiopia any time of the year, as it is considered a year-round destination. Variations in climate are widely due to the dramatically diverse landscape. Snow can be seen in the Bale Mountains, where the Danakil Depression can reach temperatures of 49 degree Celsius. The main rain season starts from June upto end of September in most of the country .In southern Ethiopia, the main rain season period runs April to July and the second (small) rain season falls end of September to beginning of December.

What are the tour guides like?

Our tour leader accompanies you throughout your tour, or a local guide will escort you on shorter extension trips. The leader speaks English, is well trained, and works in conjunction with local guides throughout your trip. Our tour leader treats our travellers like friends, showing visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.

Is there much Malaria in Ethiopia?

Malaria exists in some but not all parts of Ethiopia. In places where the altitude is very high it is uncommon whereas in the lowlands and tropical areas it is common. Any tourist coming for a short time should avoid risk and take the necessary precautions. Please consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations and anti-malarials before travelling.

Is tipping appropriate?

There is no obligation to make a tip. We believe that people need to be paid a realistic wage, and excessive tips work against that. Excessive tips can spoil the person receiving and be against the work culture. In spite of that small appropriate tips to guides or drivers are welcome.

What currency should I bring?

Local payments at restaurants, shops etc will be paid in the local currency. The local currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB), made up of 100 cents. Birr notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 50,100 and 200.Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency USD, Euro or Pound sterling which should be declared on arrival to the customs authorities on the appropriate blue-coloured form.

Foreign currency may only be exchanged at authorized banks and hotels and a receipt must be obtained. Pounds are as good as Dollars & Euros in banks. The currency declaration form must be held as this will be required by customs on departure.Visitors may change back any excess Ethiopian birr to cash at the exchange form you must bring with you all receipts for exchange transactions.

Should I bring cash or Traveller’s checks? Are ATMs available?

Credit cards (Visa & sometimes MasterCard) are accepted in major hotels and some malls in Addis Ababa only and are not readily used or accepted outside of larger tourist areas. Ethiopia is predominantly a cash-based society outside of the larger urban areas. Most well-established hotels, and a few bank ATMs will accept cards. Travelers should check with their card company before they travel to inquire about any per-day maximum limitations. Plan to bring exchange to enough local cash with you for the majority of your trip. Traveller’s checks are not typically used.

Are mobile networks and internet access widely available in Ethiopia? Can I use my cell phone?

Depending on your provider, some mobile phones will receive a signal in some towns and safari camps near larger towns when using the local provider. You should contact your phone carrier to find out if your phone will work properly. Another option is to buy a local SIM card once you are in Addis Ababa if you do have an unlocked phone. It is advised to also double check your international calling rates with your provider. Services for making international phone calls are widely available in tourist areas. Many hotels do offer a communal Wi-Fi signal, however keep in mind the internet connection is slower than what you are used to at home.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling in Ethiopia?

Yes. All passengers are required to purchase travel insurance before they start their trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is the main essential and necessary part of every journey. Many insurance companies will not cover you for countries, or parts of a country, that your home government has issued a travel warning for.In Ethiopia many border regions and parts of the south can often fall under this category – check before travelling.

Are there any dangerous areas for my safety and security?

Ethiopia is relatively safe to travel in compared to many African cities. However, pick pockets do operate in some places in Addis. In crowds there is also a chance of bag snatching or pick pocket but this is not common and some basic precautions should mean you have a good trip with no major problems.A money belt or safe pocket is a good idea, with only daily spending money in your outside pocket or wallet.

Are there any items I am not allowed to take out of the country?

Visitors may export souvenirs, although some articles (such as animal skin and antiques) require an export permit.

How tough is trekking in the Ethiopian highlands?

Most of the short treks can be done by people with a general level of fitness. If you want to do a trek for more than 4 or 5 days then we would advise it only for people who are used to long distance trekking. The altitude in the highlands can reach above 4000 meters so it’s important to try and acclimatise yourself for a few days before beginning the trek.

How concerned should I be about the altitude?

Depending on the trip you are choosing in Ethiopia, you may need to consult with your doctor if you will be at a high altitude for one or more days. Those with high blood pressure or other similar illness will need to obtain a doctor’s approval to travel on certain high-altitude tours in Ethiopia. Your doctor should also be able to instruct you regarding precautionary altitude medications.

What’s the best mode of transportation to travel around Ethiopia?

In Ethiopia a variety of transport is used from public buses, to trains, pack animals, to private taxis and your own two feet! Internal flights may be used to cut down on travel time. Ethiopian Airlines has a great network of domestic flights to all the major tourist destinations. If you fly into the country on Ethiopian Airlines, you then qualify for a discount on the price.Each tour itinerary page has a description of the transportation included on that tour.

What kind of food will I get in Ethiopia?

In Addis Ababa, you can get pretty much any type of food in the world. There are Italian, Indian, Chinese and a host of other ethnic food restaurants to choose from. Of course there are also plenty of Ethiopian food options as well! The main staple food of Ethiopia is pancake style bread called Injera. It is made from a grain called ‘Teff’ and is very healthy.  Injera is eaten with your hands and usually comes with a sauce and a meat or vegetable depending on the day of the week and time of year.Many Ethiopians are orthodox Christian and follow strict fasting guidelines that may restrict them to vegetables wat or a thick stew only for a time.

 Vegetarian food is available in Addis and the destinations you will be heading to offer a wide selection of tasty and delicious foods both for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

The coffee ceremony is also an important part of daily life. This process involves about an hour-long ceremony where coffee is roasted, ground, and brewed by hand and served up to three times together.

Do tour rates include international flights?

our rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travellers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. You can purchase international flights on your own.

How far in advance should I book a tour?

You can request your tour at any time and generally the earlier you book, the better. Further, we usually recommend that you wait to book your international flights until after your tour is confirmed. The sooner that we arrange your tour, the sooner that you can take advantage of accommodations and  flight deals as they become available. We are often able to accommodate last minute travellers as well, so give us a call or notice and we will do our best! For last minute requests, it helps to be flexible and organized. Your first choice hotel may not be available for your schedule, but we can recommend some similar options that would be equally interesting!

What should I pack?

You must be careful what to pack, as international flights restrict luggage weight to 20 kg and domestic flights restrict the total of your hand baggage and luggage to only 15 kg, so you need to pack light. Relaxed clothing is best, as is cotton. Layers are advised particularly if you will be trekking at high altitudes where the night time temperatures can drop significantly, or if you intend to visit the Danakil Depression which can reach temperatures of 49 degree Celsius. It is best to bring 3-4 outfits and use the readily available laundry services at most hotels. Underwear however should be packed for your entire time, as due to local traditions, laundry service may not be offered for these garments. Clothing that covers most of your body is also best, to help protect from the sun as well as mosquitoes. Comfortable walking shoes are also a must.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms and Conditions

Hoya Tours Ethiopia undertakes to ensure that all possible care is taken so that the travel arrangements specified in your itinerary run efficiently and successfully. These booking conditions seek to explain as clearly as possible the responsibilities undertaken between you and us when you make and we accept a reservation.

Booking confirmation

Before confirmation of the booking by  Hoya Tours Ethiopia the client has to agree with the offered itinerary, the total tour price and the Terms and Conditions as provided. Contracts and agreements will be valid following the Hoya Tours Ethiopia confirmation of the booking by  e-mail or letter.Failure to pay the advance payment will result in cancellation of your booking.

-Hoya Tours Ethiopia or its agent companies in the destination are not responsible for any consequences of delays or change in schedules of airlines, trains and boats used in its programs.

-Hoya Tours Ethiopia bookings are only guaranteed with payment made as per the agreements.

– Hoya Tours Ethiopia    is not responsible for over-bookings by a third party, as long as we can prove with sufficient written documentation that overbooking has been the error of the third party. If the confirmed accommodation is not available for any other reason mentioned in the above we will provide the best possible alternative, in the same level standards or higher. In case of overbooking by fault of a third party, we will do our best to negotiate a settlement to the satisfaction of affected clients  with the third party, but will not be responsible if such settlement cannot be reached.

– Hoya Tours Ethiopia   may arrange and keep shearings for series, or when necessary groups. Such  shearings    may be subject to deposit payments as indicated in the above unless otherwise stated, we need a full name  and rooming list ,35 days before the beginning of the tour which will be used to reconfirm the  shearing. Failure to produce such a list in time may cause the cancellation of the  shearing  . After the  shearing   has been reconfirmed any last minute bookings or amendments will be added subject to availability.

Hoya Tours Ethiopia  Responsibility and Liability

– Hoya Tours Ethiopia    is liable to passenger’s transportation, all vehicles we used during the tour have covering complet insurance. All claims are subject to the jurisdiction presided over the court and laws of Ethiopia.We will  do all services as agreed for every client to the best of our ability with every possible care taken to protect you and your belongingness throughout the tour, If you have any complaint during the tour, contact us immediately we will do our best to solve the problem. However, we can’t be held responsible for cancellations in case of unrest, war or natural disasters and over-bookings made by third parties such as hotels, airlines, boat trip suppliers.

– Hoya Tours Ethiopia   accepts no liability for loss or damage of any personal effects. We will use our best efforts to assist visitors when dealing with third parties such as hotels, air lines and other transport companies and travel agents. However,  Hoya Tours Ethiopia can’t be held responsible for any   loss or damage of baggage or other personal belongings during both international and domestic flights   or harm such as sickness, injury, thefts, death or additional costs incurred due to denied boarding, overbooking, cancellation or delay caused by the third party.

– Hoya Tours Ethiopia and its agents act only as agents of passengers in all matters relating to hotel accommodation, transport of tour by air, boat or any other means, and it shall not be liable for injury, flight schedule changes or delay, loss or damage arising from any cause and in any manner whatsoever.

– Hoya Tours Ethiopia    defines Force Majeure as: “Any circumstances beyond the reasonable control of a party which prevent or impede the due performance of our services including but not limited to war or hostilities; riot or civil commotion; epidemic; earthquake, flood or other natural disaster. We shall not be responsible and/or liable for costs or missed opportunity due to changes and/or cancellations in the program or part(s) thereof due to Force Majors.”

-Hoya Tours Ethiopia accepts complaints on the services provided by our staff . Any complaint not reported to us locally, will not be taken into consideration at any last stage. If a complaint is reported by a traveler and cannot be resolved locally, the local Tour Operator will be notified and it will be handled between our companies.

–  Hoya Tours Ethiopia   reserves the right to employ subcontractors to carry out any or all parts of the services agreed to be supplied.

– Any decision made by the  Hoya Tours Ethiopia   representative on the tour shall be considered final on all matters.
–  Hoya Tours Ethiopia  shall not be responsible or liable for any client who commits an illegal or unlawful act, or the consequences of such an illegal act. The client may in such circumstances be excluded from the tour without a refund, at the sole care of the  Hoya Tours Ethiopia  .

– If  Hoya Tours Ethiopia   considers a client unsuitable for a tour (due to mental or physical illness or implied danger to any other client or  Hoya Tours Ethiopia  representative), before or during the tour, it may at its sole care decline to carry the client further without any refund and  preconditions.Any dispute arising out of these Terms and Conditions is subject to the laws of Ethiopia.

Travelers Responsibility and Liability

-Travelers are responsible for having proper travel documents, such as a valid passport with enough pages, the proper visas,  and any necessary health, vaccination, and counsel your doctor before your trip is advised.

-It is the client’s  responsibility to ensure that passport, visa, permits and immunizations required for the tour are acquired well in advance and are in order for a visit to Ethiopia.  Hoya Tours Ethiopia  can’t be held liable for any failure or additional cost on the part of a client to be in possession of the correct travel documentation.

-Travelers are responsible to have proper and adequate travel insurance for the duration of the trip.Insurance to cover cancellation of the confirmed tour is strongly recommended.

Payment

-Payment is due on the date specified as “due date” on the invoice.

At the time of confirmation on receiving signed of the tour agreement a deposit of 30% of the total cost is requested and deposit has to be paid as indicated in the tour payment invoice by bank transfer.The remaining 70% of the total confirmed tour price is payable before or upon arrival, prior to commencement of the confirmed tour. Payment can be made through bank transfer, in cash, or other methods of payment with advance discussion.

-Deposits needed to secure certain reservations, such as domestic flights, and hotel allotments will be communicated first, and may in some cases be invoiced with a separate due date.

-If complete payment has not been made as per above  Hoya Tours Ethiopia  due date it is not obliged to conduct the tour.

Cancellation of confirmed individual and group bookings

Time of notice for cancellation is counted upon local time receipt of written notification on working days only. We work  daily, except on Sunday and on the public holidays, see public holidays under Ethiopian travel tips.

Any cancellation of a confirmed booking must be done in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following charges:  

-Up to 30 days before the start of the tour, the following cost will be applied: a fee of 5% of the total tour cost would be charged as administration and handling charges.

-Between 30 days and 15 days before the start of the tour, a penalty of 30% of the total tour costs.

-Between 14 days and 3 days before the start of the tour put through a cancellation fee of 50% of the total tour cost.

-Less than 7 days before the commencement of the tour ,penalty of 100% of the total cost of the tour.

-Special cancellation fees may apply for third party bookings.

-Hoya Tours Ethiopia reserves the right to cancel the tour without prior notification in case of circumstances beyond its control and in such an event only agrees to refund all monies already paid and received from the client.

We reserve the right to give no refund in case of cancellation of the remaining program, in full or partial, by the travelers after they started the tour, we advise our travelers to include trip cancellation insurance for their entire trip.

Prices

Tour prices will be provided upon request. The price on our website on each itinerary is the least

price and the domestic flights are calculated on discounted price if you fly to Ethiopia by Ethiopian Airlines. All prices are not fixed. The price of the tour depends on your service preferences including accommodation level standard, meal plan preference, guiding service options, international airlines carrier arrival, kind of ground transportation choice depending on the route you travel, current fuel prices and currency exchange rates. Hoya Tours Ethiopia has the right to adjust an earlier given price up to 30 days before commencement of the tour. After payment of the total tour price by the client(s), no price adjustment will be made.

Tour packages/ Itineraries

We provide a variety of recommended tour packages/itineraries in our tour packages. However, abundant types of tours that suit the traveler’s preference, interests, time frame, budget and convenience can be organized upon request. Our best suggested combined tour packages are complete for full understanding.

Transportation

For regular tours and safaris, minibuses, bus and 4X4 land cruisers will be provided according to the route, number of participants and travel choice agreement up on communication.

Flexibility and  Amendment

Hoya Tours Ethiopia is open for any flexibility and amendment in the tour package or mode of transportation in all possible circumstances to satisfy customer interest with advance notification either from our side or client’s side as long as it doesn’t experience any additional costs.

-All amendments would be subject to availability and confirmation from third parties and Hoya Tours Ethiopia would not be responsible for any inconvenience due to local circumstances or events, which may include sickness or mechanical breakdown, high season or over booking, flight cancellations, and events from political disputes like strikes, climate & other unpredictable or unforeseeable situation beyond the control of Hoya Tours Ethiopia.

-In the unlikely event of a vehicle breakdown that is beyond the control of Hoya Tours Ethiopia   and beyond immediate repair, Hoya Tours Ethiopia   will arrange alternative means of transport in the fastest possible time.  Hoya Tours Ethiopia   reserves the right to amend the itinerary accordingly in order to make up any time lost due to any unforeseen circumstances.

-Changes and amendments requested by client(s) are, within reason, handled free of charge by  Hoya Tours Ethiopia  . Any additional cost by third party bookings arising from these changes or changes are payable by the client.