Reality Brief: Bahir Dar

Current alerts

• Tigray, Amhara and Afar

  Fighting ongoing in Tigray and Afar; Tigray, Amhara and the Danakil strongly advised against.

  Published on September 30, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, latest news and alerts, France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safety

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• A visa is required and must be obtained online before departure (e-Visa); keep a paper copy. Visa on arrival is unreliable and strongly advised against.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence

• Machine-readable passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival (after departure according to Canada).

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EthiopiaGuide: Entry and residence

• Up to 3,000 birr on entry and exit (10,000 to Djibouti); declare foreign currency above 10,000 USD. Excess cash may be seized and lead to prison.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EthiopiaFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence

• Police and emergencies: 911; ambulance in Addis Ababa: 907 (UK). Canada lists 991, also given by France for the police in Addis Ababa.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: EthiopiaFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful informationGuide: Health

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 30 September 2026): Tigray, the whole Amhara region, the Afar border with Eritrea, the borders with both Sudans, Somalia and Kenya, western Oromia (Wellega, Horo Guduru, around Fiche) and Gambela region. Fighting continues in Tigray and Afar; any travel to the Danakil is strongly advised against.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, latest news and alertsGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the birr (ETB). Cards are only accepted in large hotels, agencies and a few shops in Addis Ababa; ATMs are rare outside towns and sometimes empty. Keep foreign currency in reserve.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: EthiopiaGuide: Money and banking

• Ethiopia has one of the highest road death rates in the world: never drive at night outside towns, check the vehicle and insurance when renting, and fly instead. Accident without injuries: stay at the scene until the police arrive. Some roads are impassable from June to September.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful informationGuide: Safety and emergencies

Living in Bahir Dar

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 30 September 2026): Tigray, the whole Amhara region, the Afar border with Eritrea, the borders with both Sudans, Somalia and Kenya, western Oromia (Wellega, Horo Guduru, around Fiche) and Gambela region. Fighting continues in Tigray and Afar; any travel to the Danakil is strongly advised against.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, latest news and alertsGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Ethiopia has one of the highest road death rates in the world: never drive at night outside towns, check the vehicle and insurance when renting, and fly instead. Accident without injuries: stay at the scene until the police arrive. Some roads are impassable from June to September.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Ethiopia, useful informationGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (8), clinics (8), hospitals (8). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (3), supermarkets (3). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (40), cash machines (1). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (2). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (7). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Emergency numbers

  Police and emergencies 911, ambulance in Addis Ababa 907.

  911907

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Ethiopia travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026