Eastern Africa Tours Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa (the name means 'new flower') is of fairly recent origin - Menelik 11 founded the city in 1887. Situated in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and standing 2,400 metres above sea level it is the third highest capital in the world. The city has a population of about two million.
Before moving to the present site of Addis Ababa, Menelik had established temporary capitals at six different locations caused by exhausting the fuel wood at each of these sites. Addis itself was in danger of being abandoned until the introduction of fast-growing eucalyptus trees from Australia provided the city with a regular source of fuel.
Addis Ababa is an important administrative centre not only for Ethiopia but also for the whole of Africa. The headquarters of the UN Economic Commission for Africa was established here in 1958 and it is the site of the OAU's secretariat.

Getting There and Away
By Air :
Bole International Airport is 5 kilometres from the city centre and is undergoing major extensions, with a new International Passenger Terminal Building under construction:
Ethiopian Airlines run a free shuttle bus into the city. Taxis and 'contract taxis' run to and from the city, and leave the city from Piazza area

By Bus :
The 2 main bus stations in Addis are the Autobus Terra near Mercato, and the smaller terminal on Ras Mekonin Ave near the railway station. All National buses, with the exception of buses to Nazret and Oebre Zeyi leave from the Autobus Terra. Buses to Nazret and Debre Zeyit depart from the terminal in Ras Mekonin Ave.

Getting Around
Very few streets have names in Addis Ababa , and if they do may not be known by the names on the map. The exception to this is Churchill Avenue which is the main thoroughfare and shopping street in Addis.
It is best to navigate by using landmarks like the Post Office (posto bet), Abiot (also known as Meskal), the station (la gare) and areas like Piazza and Mercato, which are shopping areas. Some roads have one name on the map and another in general use. For example Africa Avenue on the map is universally known as Bole Road, and Has Biru Avenue as Debre Zeit Road.
There is a large and efficient network of blue and white minibuses which cover the town