Lalibela Packing List Tips by DAO Top 5 Page for this destination

TOILETRIES & COSMETICS

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Lalibela has VERY limited shopping opportunities outside of some cold drinks. The town does not even have a bank. On top of that there is a 100% import tax on all goods from outside Ethiopia. Lalibela gets most of its goods overland from Addis Ababa, increasing the price. Finding women’s hygiene products and things like deodorants is not guaranteed and will cost you 2-4 times what you would buy it for at home. My deodorant (pictured) cost my twice what it would in the USA. Please pack accordingly.

WET WIPES

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Why should babies be the only ones to have these hygienic wipes? I don’t know why, but the adult version of this fantastic travel product always seem to be more expensive than the kids version, even though what’s inside is exactly the same. You need to use your right hand to eat food in Ethiopia. Good luck to you if you are left handed. Sometimes a restaurant may be out of soap and having some wet wipes in your rucksack are indispensable. Also, your hand will be an absolute mess after you are finished and these handy guys get all the food off. There is also almost always NO toilet paper wherever you go in Ethiopia. Yep, handy wet wipes to the rescue. Because there is 100% tax on all imported goods and they don’t make them here – bring your own. I have seen them priced up in Addis Ababa at 3 times what I paid at home.

Wet wipes – don’t leave home without them!

ESSENTIALS - HATS

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Ethiopia may be mostly highlands, but they often get MONTHS of sunshine without much rain. It still gets hot and you are very close to the Equator. A good all around hat would be a very good idea. One that will not be destroyed during packing and repacking. Even the locals find the sun very strong and often use umbrellas (pictured) to shield themselves. Some good sunscreen to match would be a very good idea as well. Buy both before you come as they have a 100% import tax on all goods and few shops sell these items here, if at all.