Just to let you know that it is now possible to get your Ethiopian visa in Nairobi. The 'lovely' lady in the Embassy is a bit hard to deal with, but if you approach her well prepared you should have no problems (always assuming she is in a good mood of course!) Top tips:
- Have all your paperwork right first time. You need:
Copy of Carnet (front page with your address on it)
Copy of passport - all copies should be on A4 (she rejected mine because I had A5!)
One passport photo.
Completed application form, including address & Ethiopian telephone number of where you will be staying (just use Wimms Holland House details in Addis).
Bank payment of $20 - CBS bank 1.5 km form the Embassy take the payment & know the embassy details.
Proof that you have been traveling for some time & couldn't have obtained your visa at home before traveling - a passport full of African visas works.
- Be smartly dressed & very polite.
- If there is a woman traveling in the group, she should go in alone to see the visa lady - she doesn't deal well with men.
We got our visa on the same day & I even managed to persuade her to give me 3 months by being ultra flattering about Ethiopia & saying that one month was not enough to see her beautiful country. (the usual is one month from date of issue - but can be extended in Addis)
Good luck