SECURITY

Bambu Service Touristik has made the Safety & Security its first priority in order to secure the safety & the security of its clients. The Safety & the Security of our customers is the main Key of the policy of our agency. BAMBU Service Touristik would never organize trips where the Safety & Security of its clients is not 100% assured!!!

The most of the tours are escorted by police and military guard in Somaliland and in Ethiopia, no need in Djibouti.

ACCOMMODATION

Djibouti

• 1*, 2*, 3*,4* and 5* Hotel in Djibouti town, Sheraton and Kempinski Palace are the biggest hotels in Djibouti.
• 1* and 2* hotel in small towns like Tadjourah, Obock, Ali Sabieh and Dikhil.
• And only tourist camps in rest of the country.

Somaliland

• *, 2* and 3* Hotel in Hargesa town, Ambassador hotel is the biggest hotel in Hargesa.
• 1* and 2* Hotel in Berbera City and Maansoor hotel is the biggest hotel in Berbera.
• 1* and 2* Hotel in Burao City and in Borama, Plaza City hotel is the biggest hotel in Burao.

Ethiopia

• 1*, 2*, 3*, 4* and 5* Hotel in Addis Abeba City, there are many big and International hotels, Hilton, Continental but Sheraton is biggest hotel in Ethiopia.
• 1*, 2* and 3* Hotel in big Cities like Dire dawa, Makale and Bahar Dar.
• 1* and 2* Hotel in small towns like Harar, Lalibela and Axum.

Eritrea

• 1*, 2*, 3*, 4* and 5* Hotel in Asmara City,
• 1* and 2* Hotel in small towns.

Sudan

• 1*, 2*, 3*,4* and 5* Hotel in Khartoum..
• 1* and 2* hotel in small towns.
• Nubian house and tent camps in the rest of the country.

F&B

Djibouti

• In Djibouti town, the cuisine is European (French) in most of restaurants but there are also Ethiopian cuisine and Yemen fish which is the main traditional dish of the country.
• In small town like Obock, Tadjourah, Ali Sabieh and Dikhil the cuisine is also European and local in most of restaurants but there is also Ethiopian food.
• In tourist camp, the cuisine is different; local dish like the delicious pancake made by nomad women and served by breakfast; the main dish is rice with cardamom and cinnamon served with Capri farci roosted lamb.
• Pure Ethiopian coffee and local tea with cinnamon and cardamom is served by each meal. Mineral water is also served by each meal and during the whole trip and it is possible to bring and drink alcoholic beverages in Djibouti!

Somaliland

• In Hargesa town, the cuisine is International in big hotels and the food is local in most of restaurants but there is also Yemen Restaurant.
• In small town like Berbera, Burao and Borama, the cuisine is local but there is also International dish in tourist hotels.
• Somali tea is the best tea in the region served with cinnamon, cardamom and milk, coffee is not the favourite drink of Somali people. Mineral water is also served by each meal and during the whole trip.
• NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN SOMALILAND!!!

It is not possible to bring and drink alcoholic beverages in Somaliland! 

Ethiopia & Eritrea

• In Addis Abeba and Asmara cities, the cuisine is International in big hotels and in big restaurants, the famous Enjera is the local food in most of local restaurants but there are also many International restaurants, Italian, Chinese and Sudanese restaurants for example.
• In small town , the cuisine is local but there is also International dish in tourist hotels.
• Pure Ethiopian coffee is served by each meal but the tea is not tasty as in Somaliland and in Djibouti, the Somali and Afar tea is full of spices. Mineral water is also served by each meal and during the whole trip and it is possible to bring and drink alcoholic beverages in Ethiopia and in Eritrea!
• Most of Restaurant don’t serve dessert in Ethiopia, especially in small towns – Only big International hotels and restaurants have Fruit salad as dessert.

Sudan

• In Khartoum, the cuisine is International in most of restaurants but there are also some oriental restaurants.
• In small town like the cuisine is local in most of restaurants.
• In Nubian house, the cuisine is tradional Sudanese food.
• During camping tent, a chief cook is always there with the groupto serve the tourists.

EQUIPMENTS “ what you need to bring”!!!

• Solar cream, sunglasses and hat are highly recommended in the Danakil and in Djibouti during Lac Abbée and Lac Assal tours.
• Sport shoes for hiking and trekking
• Torch lamp (very important in tourist camps).
• Mask, tuba & Fins for snorkelling and swimming.
• First Aid (painkillers, paracetamol, aspirin, anti diarrhoea)
• Mosquitoes cream or spray

 VISA & TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Passport

Your passport must be at least 6 months valid before the date of expiration!

Visa

You need to have the visa in advance in order to cross the borders of Horn of Africa by land from one country to another, especially when you cross Ethiopia border!!!

Djibouti visa

The cost for Djibouti single entry visa is 60USD for 3 days and 90 USD for 30 days and you canapply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of Djibouti in your country.

If you are from Europe, North America, Japan and South Korea, you can directly apply for the visa at the International Airport of Djibouti with our invitation paper or hotel booking.

Ethiopia visa

The cost for Ethiopia single entry visa is 20 USD for 30 days and you can apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of Ethiopia in your country or in the neighbour country. If you are from Europe, North America, Japan, China and South Korea, you can directly apply for the visa at the International Airport of Bole with our invitation paper.        

Somaliland visa

The cost for Somaliland single entry visa is 30 USD for 30 days and you can apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of Somaliland in very few countries like England, Djibouti and Ethiopia. With visa assistance, we arrange the visa for our clients!

Eritrea visa

The cost for Eritrea single entry visa is ? USD for 30 days and you can apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of Eritrea in your country or in the neighbour country. If you are from Europe, North America, Japan, China and South Korea, you can directly apply for the visa at the International Airport of Asmara with our invitation paper.

With visa assistance, we arrange the visa for our clients!

Sudan visa

The Sudanese visa can be applied on arrival at the airport as well as at your embassy. The cost for Sudan single entry visa is different from one country to another!

You need to be sponsored to get the visa and the process could take more than a month.

It is highly recommended to apply for the visa more in advance. With visa assistance, we arrange the visa for our clients!

Somalia visa

The Somalia visa can only be obtained on arrival with sponsorship from tour company or International organization. The cost for Somalia single entry visa is 50 USD for 30 days. With visa assistance, we arrange the visa for our clients!

BAMBU SERVICE TOURISTIK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE IF A CLIENT IS REFUSED TO CROSS THE BORDER AND TO ENTER TO A COUNTRY!!!

HEALTH CARE

Vaccination

You are not obligated to have your vaccination card in Djibouti and in Somaliland but it is highly recommended for some diseases such as hepatitis A&B, anti-malaria!!!

But you need to have your vaccination card in Ethiopia and in Eritrea, especially the yellow fever vaccination!

OTHERS IMPORTANT INFOS

Currency

Djibouti currency

The currency in Djibouti is the Djibouti Franc (DJF) and it is attached to the dollar since the 60’s, which means that the rate never changed since that year: 1$ = 177 DJF. But the rate of euro varies according to the market.

Ethiopia currency

The currency in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB) and the rate of dollar and euro vary according to the market.

Somaliland currency

The currency of Somaliland is the Somaliland Shilling (Shilling Land) and the rate of dollar varies according to the market. It is easier to use and exchange dollars than euro in Somaliland.

Eritrea currency

The currency of Eritrea is the Nakfa and the rate of dollar and euro vary according to the market.

Sudan currency

The currency of Sudan is the Sudanese pound and the rate of dollar varies according to the market. It is easier to use and exchange dollars and euro in Sudan.

Somaliland currency

The currency of Somalia is the Somali Shilling and the rate of dollar varies according to the market. It is easier to use and exchange dollars than euro in Somalia.

“It is recommended to use dollars in Horn of Africa”

• Pictures (It’s been said: “ONE’S PICTURE = ONE’S SOUL”)

It is forbidden to photograph military and governmental facilities!!!

It is also forbidden to photograph people without their consents and agreement, especially Muslim women in Djibouti, Somalia and Somaliland. But with small tips you can negotiate nice pictures of East African people!!!

 Local time

The local time in Horn of Africa is the same in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somaliland.

• + 3h GMT
• +1 hour in summer time in Europe
• +2 hours in winter time for European
• But the local time is different in Sudan.
• + 2h GMT
• +1 hour in winter time for European

Electric usage

220 volts

International telephone code

Djibouti

00253 + 21 + numbers in Djibouti town

00253 + 27 + numbers out of Djibouti town

00253 + 77 + numbers for cell phones

Ethiopia

00251 + 11 + numbers in Addis Abeba

00251 + 911 + numbers for cell phones

Somaliland

00252 + 2 + numbers in all Somaliland

00252 + 63 + numbers for cell phones Telsom

Eritrea

00291 + 1 + numbers in all Eritrea

00291 + 7 + numbers for cell phones

Sudan

00249 + 9 + numbers in all Sudan

Somalia

00252 + 2 + numbers in all Somalia

00252 + 61 + numbers for cell phones

• Tips (“Well done services deserve TIPS”)

Money or Gifts is up to you to give what you would like but it is always better to offer books, pens and pencils for kinds, cloths and painkillers for adults in villages rather than money! But please tipping money the staff in restaurants, hotels and tours.

CONDITION & MODE OF PAYMENT

·        Mode of payment

The payment should be made as following:

•  As confirmation 50% of the Grand total should be paid once the tour is confirmed.
• The rest 50% should be paid 45 days before the commencement of the tours

   Cancellation

•   Cancellation made after confirmation and payment, BAMBU Service Touristik charges its clients 30% of the Grand total for the services done.
•   Cancellation made 7 Days before the starting of the tours, BAMBU Service Touristik charges its clients 50% of the Grand total for the services done.
•   Cancellation made 24 hours before the starting of the tours, BAMBU Service Touristik charges its clients 100% of the Grand total for the services done.
  

Come and Explore the Undiscovered Region of the Horn of Africa with the team of BAMBU Service Touristik, we guarantee you an unforgettable and wonderful experience making your trip an enjoyable and best one.

YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MAIN GOAL!