A registered tour guide is your best bet, as they'll organise everything for you: accommodation, airport transport (23km from town), tickets and extras such as a visit to a local village.
■ Organise your tour guide well in advance. ■ Google your guide's recommended accommodation to see if it fits your requirements and pocket. ■ Check whether payment must be in dollars or ■ Confirm what type of vehicle is used for airport pick-up and drop-off. ■ Bajajis are generally used in town. ■ Many, if not most, Ethiopians speak very little English. ■ Although there's not a lot of begging, locals tend to offer small services such as providing a walking stick and looking after your shoes at the church entrance. To avoid those uncomfortable situations, agree beforehand with the tour guide to handle all tipping. ■ Tickets to the 11 churches are $50 per person and are valid for five days. It includes a visit to the museum. ■ You can visit all 11 buildings in one day, but it is a lot to take in. ■ Dross conservatively. No shorts or minis. A headscarf is required in church. ■ The churches are dark inside and you might need something stronger than a mobile torch. ■ Photographs are usually allowed, but the guide will tell you where it is not permitted. ■ These churches are 800 years old; floors and steps are uneven. Be careful especially in the darker parts. Borne areas can be wet and slippery. ■ Medical services are limited, if available at all. Carry an emergency kit, prescription medicine, and a copy of the doctor's prescription for in case you encounter a difficult immigration officer. • There's a lot of walking, most of it on uneven surfaces and hilly terrain. It is unfortunately not accessible to wheelchairs - except with several dedicated helpers. • Officially, Wi-Fi is available everywhere but be prepared for interruptions. • Be careful not to buy antiques or even good copies of religious paraphernalia. It is best to keep all invoices if you buy precious stones. Rather check with the Ethiopian Rsvbhub and Customs Authority - if you ssb your way open for lengthy negotiations. • Notify thB South African embassy when travelling off-grid. However, staff might not be available. Inform a reliable private contact of your itinerary and keep this parson informed of changes. • South Africans need a visa, easily obtainable online. You must get the visa before departure ss it is no longer available at Addis Ababa airport. Allow at least two weeks; fast-tracking is possible but vary costly. Using an agent for your visa application is comfortable but much more expensive.
