Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Women may have an easier time: even the idea of a lesbian relationship is beyond the
permitted imaginings of many Ethiopians! Behave discreetly, and you will be assumed to
be just friends.
Note that the Ethiopian penal code officially prohibits homosexual acts, with penalties
of between 10 days' and 10 years' imprisonment for various 'crimes'. Although gay loc-
als obviously exist, they behave with extreme discretion and caution. Gay travellers are
advised to do likewise.
Information on homosexuality in the Horn is hard to come by, even in the well-known
gay publications. Try the
International Lesbian & Gay Association
(ILGA;
www.ilga.org
)
for more information.
Insurance
»A travel-insurance policy for all medical problems is essential for travel in Ethiopia,
while one to cover theft and loss really is helpful but not vital.
»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 the Danakil area, the
Eritrea border region and parts of the south can often fall under this category - check be-
fore travelling.
»Vehicle insurance is discussed on
Click here
.
»Worldwide travel insurance is available at
www.lonelyplanet.com/travel_services
. You
can buy, extend and claim online anytime - even if you're already on the road.
Internet Access
»Internet cafes are everywhere in Addis Ababa and other major towns and fairly easy to
come by in smaller places that see few tourists. Most are open 8am to 8pm Monday to
Saturday; many open with limited hours on Sunday.
»In larger towns in-room wi-fi is increasingly common in many midrange and top-end ho-
tels (and budget hotels popular with foreign tourists).
»In general internet connections in Ethiopia are among the worst on the continent. Con-
nections in internet cafes in most towns are generally reasonable but don't expect much
joy with wireless internet as the band width is often insufficient and connections rarely
seem to work all that well outside Addis (even in Addis wireless internet can be decidedly
hit and miss).
