text:
Ada (Ghana)

Ada is an area in the Dangme East District that is in the eastern part of the Greater Accra Region in the southeast of Ghana. It is comprised principally of the "towns" of Ada Foah, Big Ada, and Ada Kasseh. Ada Foah, which is also the district capital, is located at the beach and river estuary, and naturally is where most visitors spend their time.

Understand
The district's coconut palm fringed coastline is 45 kilometers long and provides a living to many people that are employed in fishing and fish processing. However, this coastline is constantly being eroded by the strong tidal waves that are washing away or threatening several villages that are located close to the beach. In order to solve this problem, the construction of a sea defense wall is under way since 2010. The long, sandy beaches are certainly some of the most important tourist attractions. However, there are certain obstacles such as the lack of toilets in the villages close to the beach and the consequence of using the beach as such. Also, garbage – mostly plastic – is piling up at the beach, some of it disposed there, some washed up from the sea by the tide.

Apart from the sandy beaches, another natural attraction in the district is the Volta River and its estuary. The Volta River forms the eastern boundary of the district before it reaches the Gulf of Guinea. The islands in the river and in the estuary are a wildlife paradise: marine turtles, birds, crocodiles and monkeys are some of the animals living there. The mangrove vegetation in the salty parts of the estuary is another attraction and an important ecosystem. It is however endangered by human activity along with rare animals that are often hunted down.

The estuary also offers the best conditions for water sports like sailing, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, wake boarding and jet skiing.

Another important water body and one of the most important salt mining areas in the country is the Songor Lagoon. Additional to visiting it and learning about salt mining it serves as a base for birdwatchers.

Talk
Most of the inhabitants (85.9 %) belong to the Dangme Tribe. The local language in the Dangme East and West District is Dangme, also called Adangme. It is a Kwa language and is spoken by around 800,000 people in the Dangme East, Dangme West, Volta Region and Togo. They are part of the Ga-Dangbe ancestral lineage. The Dangme speak und understand Ga Language as it is similar to Dangme. English is also spoken by nearly everyone since it is the official language of the country. Many people also speak some Ewe (to communicate with the neighboring people of the Volta Region, Togo and Benin) or Twi.

Get in

The best way to get to Ada is by Tro-Tro (small bus), taxi, your own or a rental car.

From Accra: there is a regular connection (1½ to 2½ hours, about 120 km) from Tudu Station or from Tema Roundabout. Some Tro-Tros go directly to Ada Foah, with others you have to change in Ada Kasseh. The usual times of operation are between 04:30 and 21:30, but can vary according to the day of the week.

From Aflao:take a Tro-Tro in the direction to Accra and get off at Ada Kasseh (3-4 hours, about 80 km).

You can also get there by ferry from the Volta Region (Anyanui). It only operates on Wednesdays and leaves Anyanui at around 13:00 and 18:00 and takes about 1½ hours. It departs in Ada Foah around 08:00 and 15:00.

Get around
Taxis are readily available, either by car or by motorcycle. Even though motorcycles are not officially allowed to operate as taxis, it is a very common and affordable means of transport. And it can bring you to faraway places that don't seem to be accessible with any vehicle. Just stand at the street and stop a passing one. You can also ask your guesthouse or the Tourist Information Center to book one for you.

The best way to get around is the ever present Tro-Tro (small bus). It's easy to get around with a reagular connection between Ada Foah and Kasseh (about 20 km).

If you feel like taking the water route, consider joining the ferry to the market in Anyanui on Wednesdays. This is a very fun way of getting to the other side of the Volta River with a big crowd of locals who bring their products to the market. The ferry leaves Ada Foah around 08:00 and 15:00 and returns from Anyanui around 13:00 and 18:00. It takes about 1½ hours one way. These are only approximate times - in general, the ferry operates similar to the Tro-Tro: it leaves when it's full.

The Estuary Beach camps are a little harder to reach. The typical way is to grab a motor canoe from virtually any beach on the bayside, with the closest, cheapest option being from the end of the taxi-passable road at the entrance to Azazanyi Village. You can do the sandy 30-minute walk through Azazanyi too, with the most direct (and lightest hassle) route being along the oceanside beach.

See
In Big Ada, Dasume Shrine and Dada Shrine (also called Ogbekpe) can be visited. There is another big one in Goi, one on the island of Alorkpem and one on the other side of the Volta in Anyanui.
 * Community zoo. Samuel Kabutey Kabo caught his first snake when he built a well some years ago. He went to town to get some supplies and accidentally ran over a cobra with his bike. The snake got very angry and followed him back to his house where it fell into the half-finished well. Samuel's first instinct was to kill the snake, but the Wildlife Division told him that he should keep it and show it to the people to educate them about local animals. That is how the community zoo started. After the Cobra Samuel also caught some pythons and crocodiles that can all be visited at the zoo.
 * Crocodile Island. There used to be a great number of crocodiles living on one of the islands in the river. But increased human activities drove them away. All that is left nowadays are two or three crocodiles living in a small walled cage on Pediatorkope island. There is no tour to visit them, but any boat operator will take you there if you want or just rent a canoe and paddle there yourself.
 * Fetish shrines. Shrines are part of daily life in Ghana. The two major shrines in Big Ada were closely connected to Trokosi, or girl child slavery. In this traditional perception, a crime is atoned for when a girl of the offender's family is send to a shrine to serve the gods. This can be for months, but also for many years. Although this practice was legally abolished in 1998, there are still some groups who want to hold on to this tradition. Other opposing groups on the other hand have put much effort into the liberation of the girls and their education and reintegration into society.

 * Fetish priests. Every shrine has its priest who takes care of it and worships the gods in it. So naturally, there is a great number of shrines in the district – most of which can also be visited. Many priests have special healing abilities, do spiritual ceremonies and are consulted for any kind of problem from sicknesses to family problems, unemployment or bad luck.
 * Fishing. Building traditional fishing boats requires much work and is very expensive. The lower part of the boat is made of one big piece of wood, the upper part of planks. All the boats are then painted in many colors with religious sayings written on it. There are many fishing villages around, the bigger ones being Akplabana and Pute.
 * Monkey Island. You have to get up early to see the monkeys on so called "Monkey Island" in the Volta River. During the day they stay away from the villages and retreat far into the woods, but if you manage to arrive around 06:30 you can watch them from one of the watchtowers that were built for this purpose.

 * Old trading fort at the seaside. Only few people know where Ada Foah has got its name from. The reason is the fort near the Presbyterian Church that gave the town its name to distinguish the two Adas: Ada Fort, village of the fort. As the sea comes closer more than 1.5 meters each year, it is gradually washing the building that once used to be a prison into the ocean. Half of it is already eroded but hopefully the upcoming construction of the sea defence wall will stop this progress.
 * Ostrich Farm. If you want to see some really big birds go to Dedukope Ostrich Farm, located close to the border of the Dangme East District. They have some hundred ostriches living in enclosures whose meat is sold to restaurants. You can walk along the enclosures and have a look at the giant eggs. It's a bit difficult to get there, there is no established tour so far and the only information you get is from the watchman or the taxi driver (a small tip is appreciated for the visit).
 * Presbyterian church and missionary cemetery. When looking at the Presbyterian Church in Ada Foah you will be aware that it is a missionary church built by the first generation of Ghanaian Christians at around 1890. When the European missionaries came to Ghana in the 19th century they faced harsh conditions that they were not adapted to. Many died very young of various tropical diseases. These missionaries were buried at the cemetery next to the Presbyterian Church in Ada Foah.
 * Sacred Woods. In traditional belief, walking into a sacred wood can turn that person into an animal or he or she might vanish and never return. There are about 20 sacred forests in a near Big Ada which are believed to house deities that are worshiped by people with traditional beliefs. Officially, these forests are only allowed to be entered by people of traditional beliefs and are mostly feared by all others.
 * Songor lagoon. Visit the Songor Lagoon, the biggest natural salt mining area in Ghana; only about 15 minutes drive from Ada. At this communal salt field you can watch locals at all stages of salt production: from inducing salt water from the ocean into the pans, the crystallization when it dries to washing and packing the salt into bags and loading them unto trucks. Apart from watching the salt mining activities, it is also an excellent place for watching the wintering European birds. The Wildlife Division has put up some observation towers and offers guided tours to the sight.

Do

 * Asafotufiami Festival. Historically, the Asafotufiami is a remembrance of ancient wars with neighboring tribes. The "Asafotu" are companies of warriors who fire their muskets in celebration. These days, the festival is a grand homecoming for the Ada diaspora. The celebration starts on Thursday in the first week of August and goes on until the following week. The days are filled with celebrations, traditional ceremonies, beach parties, boat races, river excursions and football matches.
 * Bird watching. The Songor lagoon is an area of international importance as it hosts thousands of migratory European birds wintering in Ghana. The lagoon provides feeding, breeding and resting ground for over nearly one hundred migrant and local birds. The best time to watch birds is towards the dry season (August to February) – the European winter, and in the early morning or late afternoon.
 * Boat race. A boat race can be witnessed on the river near the estuary every year in December. Paddle boats for 5 or 15 people compete against each other. Visitors can watch the race and also participate if they register as a group about a week in advance.
 * Church. The majority of the Ghanaians are Christians and religion is very present in everyday life. Signs of this are many religious shop names such as “God is great” or “Fear God” and the enormous number of churches in every town and village. The majority of people go to church on Sunday and visitors are always welcome to join.
 * Funerals. Funerals are part of everyday life and it is common to see people walking around in the mourning colors black, white and red on weekends. The celebration follows a strict schedule: On Friday the corpse is brought to the family house accompanied by songs of brass bands and the ceremony starts. On Saturday the corpse is buried accompanied by drumming and music before and after the burial. Throughout the whole ceremony, the sympathizers are expected to make a contribution that is noted precisely. On Sunday, the guests attend a thanksgiving church service in memory of the deceased in case it is a Christian funeral and give thanks. If it is a traditional funeral, the ceremony is continued until the afternoon when the guests depart.
 * Monthly Beach Soccer event. There is a beach soccer tournament on the first weekend of each month at the seaside near the estuary where teams from different communities in the district compete against each other. Before the start of the tournament the beach is cleaned which is the underlying intention of the whole event.
 * Monthly symposium. Once a month the ferry that operates between Ada Foah and Anyanui turns into an event location. This unusual venue hosts a monthly symposium that informs both locals and tourists about specific topics concerning health, tradition and education. For the current topics, ticket purchase and the exact dates please contact the Tourist Information Center.
 * Sea turtle watching. Every year from August to February the Leatherback turtle, Green turtle and Olive Ridley turtle lay their eggs at the seashore. The main nesting areas are the islands/sandspit between the two estuaries and beaches westward of the estuary. Visitors can witness this fascinating sight of the huge turtles coming out of the water and nesting in the sand. Night tours are organized by the Wildlife Division.

Buy
There is a big market in Kasseh on Tuesdays and Fridays where you can get just about anything you can imagine. From Ada Foah take the Tro-Tro in the direction of Accra and get off at the market place at Kasseh. A smaller market in Ada Foah on Wednesdays and Saturdays is good for buying fresh vegetables and seafood and some smaller supplies. The Wednesday market in Anyanui is small but less chaotic than the one in Kasseh. You can combine a market visit in Anyanui with a ferry tour. Leave Ada Foah at 08:00 and witness how the sellers already start their business on The ferry. It will return to Ada Foah at around 15:00, always depending on when the ferry is full.
 * Coffins. Ever thought about being buried in a tomato? Or maybe a truck? Although the majority of the Ghanaians are buried in normal ones, there are some carpenters that have specialized in building eccentric coffins. All are made for order and can be any shape you can imagine, from fish, canoes and Tro-Tros to sewing machines, pepperoni, tomatoes and books. The shape of the coffin is always connected to the life or profession of the deceased, so a fisherman would be buried in a fish or canoe, a teacher in a book and a farmer in a tomato.
 * Markets

 * Rum factory. Ebenezer from Aflive calls his island the "rum island". His sugar cane distillery and the produced "Igo-gro" (from "I go - I grow") has gained quite some fame and people come from faraway places to stock up on his homemade rum.
 * Tailors. The rattling of sewing machines can be heard everywhere around the towns and most people have their clothes sewn there instead of buying manufactured clothes. There are sewers for women’s, men’s and children’s clothes and special sewers for school uniforms. So just get yourself some colorful fabric at the market, choose a design from the pictures and order for a custom-made dress or shirt.

Traditional handicrafts

 * Basket weaving. Weaving palm leaves into baskets, rope or mats for sleeping is a widespread local activity. Palm leaves are collected, cut and woven into ropes. Those ropes are used for typing straw mats or any other thing and are very durable. On many islands in the river (especially Aflive and Alorkpem) visitors can watch the women and men weaving and also try it out for themselves.
 * Pottery. The Vume Pottery Cooperation, located in the Volta Region close to the border to Dangme East draws clients from faraway places to buy it there. Visitors can buy the locally produced vases and pots, watch the men and women work on the potter's wheel and with their hands and try it out themselves.

Go next

 * Island Tour: Join a boat tour on the river around the islands. Visit the rum factory to try some locally produced Akpeteshi, take part in the basket weaving and stop over at the estuary on the way back. You can decide to spend the night in one of the beach camps at the estuary, walk back to Ada Foah through the villages or go back by boat.
 * Songor Lagoon: Visit the salt mining activities at the Songor lagoon and learn how the salt is locally mined and processed. If you like, you can  join a bird watching tour by the Wildlife Division either before or after the visit. The tours to watch the migratory European birds only take place in the early morning or late afternoon.
 * Turtle Tour: Join a night turtle tour along the beach with the Wildlife Division. You will be walking or driving along the beach searching for sea turtles that come to the shore to nest. It is allowed to come close to watch while they lay and hide their eggs.
 * Wildlife Island Tour: In the early morning, take a boat to the monkey island. If you are lucky, you will spot some of them from one of the watchtowers. After your visit, do a boat cruise along the Volta River and consider a stop-over at the crocodile island.
 * Local Tradition Tour: Do a tour to one of the shrines where you can meet a fetish priest and learn more about traditional religion. Later, visit one of the sacred groves around the towns and find out about the history. For this tour you should contact the Tourist Information Center that will arrange your visit and tell you about what to keep in mind before visiting these traditional sites.
 * Asafotufiami Festival: Take part in one of the Asafotufiami festival days in August, one of the biggest festivals in the region. There are processions, speeches and celebrations in which you can take part. Check on "Dates and Events" about the current dates.
 * Old Fort and Fishing Villages Tour :Visit the old fort in Ada Foah that is partly washed into the sea and the Presbyterian church with the old missionary cemetery. Then do a tour to one of the fishing villages along the coast and see how they fish with nets, distribute the fish and process it by smoking.
 * Local Handicraft Tour : Visit the pottery village in Vume and the coffin makers in Sege. After you had a good look at the handicraft produce or bought something visit the market in Kasseh on your way back.
 * Traditional Ceremony Tour:Start the weekend with a visit of the traditional drumming at the Fetish Priest's shrine in Anyanui on Friday. You can spend the night in the shrine or stay overnight at the Africa Home Lodge in Anyanui. On Saturday and Sunday, visit a funeral and go to a church service. On any other day, you check at the Tourist Information if there are child naming ceremony taking place.

title: Ada (Ghana)


text:
Ada (Michigan)

Ada is a town in West Michigan, east of Grand Rapids. It is best known – and most visited – as the world headquarters of "multi-level marketing" giant Amway.

Get in
Ada is located on Michigan state highway M-21, roughly 10 miles east of Grand Rapids. Driving is the only practical way to reach the town; there is neither bus service nor an airport.

Get around
As Ada is a small town, there is no public transportation. The downtown area is easily navigable by bike or walking.

Do

 * Take a walk down to Ada Park and discover miles of trails.
 * Pick up some donuts from Sprinkles
 * Buy some Starbucks next to the Ada Fresh Market
 * Walk though the Ada that has been getting updated since 2016
 * Walk though Legacy Park then walk down to the Schoolhouse and get some nice ice cream

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Ada (Michigan)


text:
Ada (Ohio)

The Village of Ada is a college town in Northwest Ohio.

Get in
OH-235 becomes the main street of Ada. Ada is just south of US-30.

Get around
The village of Ada is fairly small. Having a car or bicycle is ideal, but going on foot isn't a bad option.

See

Go next

 * Findlay
 * Lima
 * Bluffton
 * Kenton
 * Mansfield

title: Ada (Ohio)


text:
Ada (Oklahoma)

Ada is in the Chickasaw Country region of Oklahoma.

Go next

 * Sulphur
 * Davis
 * Choctaw Country

title: Ada (Oklahoma)


text:
Adama

Adama or Adaamaa, formerly known as Nazret, is a large city in central Ethiopia. It is a popular weekend destination for residents of Addis Ababa and hosts many governmental and non-governmental conferences.

Understand
Adama was renamed Nazret or Nazreth after Nazareth, the childhood hometown of Jesus, in the 1940s. Its name reverted to Adama in 2000, but is still also known as Nazareth. It served as the capital of the Oromia region for a few years, until Addis Ababa, also known as Finfinne, became the capital of Oromia again in 2005.

Being at 1600 m altitude (750 meters lower than Addis Ababa) in the middle of the Rift valley, Adama is significantly warmer than Addis and other parts of Ethiopian highlands. It is also much drier due to the location between two mountain ranges, with many sunny days even in the middle of the rainy season. The resulting climate is quite pleasant, with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and nights at around 15 degrees year round.

Get in
Adama lies approximately 100 km southeast of Addis Ababa, along the main highway that leads to Djibouti via Dire Dawa. If coming from Addis Ababa, it's probably better to ask the best way to go to Adama at the place where you stay, as the buses no longer depart from Le Gare in downtown (like some older guidebooks say), and the main southern/eastern terminal is inconveniently located in Kality suburb 10 km from the downtown (and still far from the southernmost LRT station of the same name) - more than half an hour and 15 birr (2019) by very crowded minivan from the city center, but "probably at least 300-350 birr" by taxi. When going from Adama, you're likely to be asked where are you going to in Addis - and some places offered, e.g. Megenagna, are both much closer to the city center and near the LRT station. The trip from the Kality bus terminal to Adama was 50 birr (2019), while the return trip to Megenagna was 60 birr.

The buses do not follow a strict timetable. Generally the driver waits for the entire bus to fill with passengers, though usually this means that buses leave at least once an hour (less in case of a minibus). Make sure the bus/minibus you're going to take is "Express" - which means it goes non-stop via the (nice) toll road connecting Addis Ababa and Adama. This way, 80 km trip between Addis outskirts and Adama will take just over an hour - but the traffic in Addis could easily double that.

On arrival to Adama, the minibus will likely stop a few times on the main road offloading some of the passengers, before turning to the right at the town center - choose the stop nearest to the place/area where you intend to stay, as the bus terminal is a few kilometers away from the center.

The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway runs through the city, with daily trains in both directions.

Get around
Street names and addresses are not discernibly marked (if, indeed, they are used at all). The Addis Ababa-Dire Dawa Road is the main thoroughfare through the town, and is pretty walkable by African standards, at least in the city center. Blue-and-white taxis use fixed routes along major streets, and cost less than one birr per person, per ride. These will pick up and let off other passengers along the route. It is possible to hire a taxi for private use (called "contract") for a higher fare, which should be agreed upon in advance. A horse-drawn cart, or gari, is even cheaper than a public taxi, though by 2010 these had been largely supplanted by auto-rickshaws (called "Bajaj," after their manufacturer). Bajaj drivers do not particularly pester foreigners passing by, but some may try to ask on arrival for more than agreed before (like 100 birr to the bus station instead of 50 - inner-city rides definitely should be even cheaper).

Do

 * Climb the beautiful surrounding mountains including Kechema.

Eat
The famous "tibs", or "kurt", raw or roasted beef in the city's famous restaurants specialized in serving roasted beef dishes.

Small restaurants on the main street are inexpensive (with most expensive meat dishes around 100-120 birr), but often there's neither English menu, nor someone speaking enough English to help a foreigner. Oromo language in menus, unlike Amharic, uses Latin script, but the names are quite different from what you could know from Addis - worth to do some research if you want to try some truly local (or Somalian) delicacies.

Drink
Several cheap (around 20 birr per mug) bars are available at and near the main road, where you'll see many visitors from Addis enjoying their beer on a weekend. A few nicer club-like bars are open till late, but other than that, there's not much of nightlife in town.

As it is Ethiopia, coffee is also cheap, good and easy to find.

Sleep
Many inexpensive guesthouses are available in the side streets off the main road, quite a lot of them are signposted in English and/or may be found via Google Maps. You may have to walk around a bit if arriving on a weekend, as it's when many people from Addis Ababa come to Adama. The price asked for a clean room with hot shower and old TV in a nice (for a guesthouse) building was 250-300 birr (July 2019).

Connect
Most telephone numbers in Adama use the city code 022 (or simply 22 from outside Ethiopia), though some numbers use 011 (which is the same city code as Addis Ababa).

Internet access is available at most hotels, as well as at various internet cafes. Cheaper guesthouses may or may not have Wi-Fi. As of 2019, internet access in Adama uses ADSL connections which provide a usable but not fast connection. 3G mobile internet is available through Ethiotel. Both types of connection can fail at times.

Go next
Adama is about 25 km north of the spa town Sodere. Minibuses will take passengers to the entrance of Sodere for a few birr. While there is a large hotel at Sodere, the resort is perhaps more well-suited for day trips, as accommodations are better in Adama.

Minibuses to the places further east (of which Harar is probably the most interesting for a traveller) are stopping to pick up the passengers at the main road occasionally - choose the correct (southern) side of the road, and look for someone shouting the desired town's name.

To go to Addis Ababa, it may be better to take a bajaj to the bus station, as minibuses passing the main road are often already full, and at the bus station it will be easy to choose the destination bus station in Addis, saving time and/or money on local transportation there.

title: Adama


text:
Adamaoua

Adamaoua is a region in central Cameroon that stretches across the middle of the country from the Nigerian border east to the border with the Central African Republic.

Cities

 * — the gateway to the province

Understand
Adamaoua is one of the geographically diverse regions in Cameroon. It consists of mountainous and sparsely populated terrain, divided into the savannah north and jungle south. The Muslim Fulbe (Fulani) form the major ethnic group, though Tikar, Gbaya, and other peoples are present in lesser numbers.

The Adamawa's economy is based almost entirely on one thing: cattle, a Fulbe monopoly. The region's low population, high humidity, and vast fields of grass make it ideal for grazing. Herdsmen rotate pastures, and they often construct watering holes or wells for themselves and their animals.

Nearly all farming in the province is done at the sustenance level. Millet is the mainstay, though maize, and manioc are also important. Other crops, grown in smaller quantities, include cocoyams, yams, and groundnuts. The Gbaya, Mbum, and Dourou are the region's most prolific farmers, though even the herdsmen farm in the rainy season.

Get in
Ngaoundéré is the gateway to the province, and it is most easily accessible from southern Cameroon via the "Transcam II" rail line. The trip takes between 12 and 30 hours, but the presence of couchettes makes the journey bearable for those who can afford them. Other passengers are crammed into all available seats, however, including those in the dining car. Due to the overcrowded conditions, thieves are another hazard.

Road travel from the south is also possible, but this is limited to poor roads from the Centre Province or else a long detour through the East Province, where the roads are not much better. Roads within the Adamawa are mostly unpaved and are often in poor condition (particularly south of Ngaoundéré) due to little maintenance. The road north from Ngaoundéré into the North Province is paved, however, meaning that those travelling via train can continue to the North and Far North without too much discomfort. National Road 6 enters the province from Foumban in the West Province and continues on to Banyo, Tibati, and Meïganga. National Road 15 comes from Sangbé in the Centre Province to Tibati and on to Ngaoundéré.

A regional airport services Ngaoundéré with flights to Yaoundé, Douala, Garoua, and Maroua. Tignère, Banyo, Ngaoundal, Tibati, and the Mbakaou Reservoir all have airstrips.

See
Most travellers see the Adamawa only briefly as they transition at Ngaoundéré from the train to a bus further north. The province does see some visitors who are interested in the region's rich cultural history. A number of lamidos allow tourists to visit their palaces, for example, such as the ruler of Ngo, who receives nobles every Friday and Sunday. The province also has numerous scenic destinations ranging from crater lakes to caves and waterfalls.

 * Lamidat de Ngaoundere, local history museum.

 * Mont Ngaoundere, tourist attraction with mountain that can be used in hiking.

Do

 * Terrain Bitcou, soccer field.

 * Alliance Franco Camerounaise de l'Adamaoua,  recreation center.

Eat

 * Super Kilichi.

 * Terre Promise.

 * Chez Saadjo, African dish restaurant.

Drink

 * Sofitel Bar.

 * Gadourou Bar.

 * Le Rocher.

 * Transcam Hotel.

title: Adamaoua


text:
Adams

There is more than one place called Adams:

Canada

 * Adams (Quebec) - A town in the province of Quebec.

United States of America

 * Adams (Alabama) - A city in the state of Alabama.
 * Adams (Florida) - A city in the state of Florida.
 * Adams (Illinois) - A city in the state of Illinois.
 * Adams (Indiana) - A city in the state of Indiana.
 * Adams (Kansas) - A city in the state of Kansas.
 * Adams (Kentucky) - A city in the state of Kentucky.
 * Adams (Massachusetts) - A city in the state of Massachusetts.
 * Adams (Maine) - A city in the state of Maine.
 * Adams (Minnesota) - A city in the state of Minnesota.
 * Adams (Mississippi) - A city in the state of Mississippi.
 * Adams (Nebraska) - A city in the state of Nebraska.
 * Adams (New Jersey) - A city in the state of New Jersey.
 * Adams (New York) - A city in the state of New York.
 * Adams (North Dakota) - A very small city in Walsh County (North Dakota).
 * Adams (Oklahoma) - A city in the state of Oklahoma.
 * Adams (Oregon) - A city in the state of Oregon.
 * Adams (Pennsylvania) - A city in the state of Pennsylvania.
 * Adams (Tennessee) - A city in the state of Tennessee.
 * Adams (Wisconsin) - A city in the state of Wisconsin.

See also Adams County (disambiguation)

title: Adams


text:
Adams (Massachusetts)

Adams is a small town in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. It features the summit of Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 ft (1064 m), which is on the Appalachian Trail.

Get in
Adams is on State Route 8. State Route 8 can be accessed from Dalton Avenue in northeast Pittsfield, from which you need to drive north to reach Adams.

Get around
The downtown area is small, but if you are anywhere outside that immediate area, it is best to have at least a bicycle to get around. Route 8 is not pleasant to walk on, while the cars speed past you.

Most non-hikers will probably prefer to drive to the summit of Mt. Greylock, though it is also possible to cycle up the winding roads.

Events
The Western Mass Athletic Club runs numerous road, trail and snowshoe races along Adams streets and at the Greylock Glen area at the foot of Mount Greylock.

Go next

 * Cheshire
 * Pittsfield

title: Adams (Massachusetts)


text:
Adams (North Dakota)

Adams is a small town in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. It had a population of about 120 people in 2019.

Get in

 * By car: from Grand Forks, I-29 north to exit 176, then west on state highway 17 for about 40 miles.

Do
Fishing:
 * Bylin Dam 3 miles east, 3 miles south of Adams. Northern pike, bluegill.
 * Dougherty Dam 1 mile west of Bylin Dam. Northern pike, bluegill.

title: Adams (North Dakota)


text:
Adams County

There's more than one place called Adams County:

United States of America

 * Adams County (Colorado)
 * Adams County (Idaho)
 * Adams County (Illinois)
 * Adams County (Indiana)
 * Adams County (Iowa)
 * Adams County (Mississippi)
 * Adams County (Nebraska)
 * Adams County (North Dakota)
 * Adams County (Ohio)
 * Adams County (Pennsylvania)
 * Adams County (Washington) - part of the Columbia River Plateau region
 * Adams County (Wisconsin)

title: Adams County


text:
Adana

Adana is a city on the Cilician Plains of central Turkey, on the Seyhan River about 50 km from the Mediterranean coast. It's industrial and mostly modern but with several places of interest in its historic centre. In 2021 the metropolis had a population of 2,263,373.

Understand
Adana has been inhabited for over 8000 years. The name may drive from a proto-European word danu, "on the river", making it an unlikely cousin of the Danube, Dnieper and Doncaster. People known to settle here include the Luwians, Hittites, Sea People, Assyrians, Cilicians, Persians, Selucids, Armenians and Romans - these built the stone bridge (Taşköprü) over the river. Adana changed hands many times after the break-up of the Roman-Byzantine Empire but came under Ottoman control from 1517. In early modern times it developed a cotton industry and had a polyglot population of Muslims, Armenians, Greeks, Syrians and Arabs. But inter-ethnic tensions played into resentment of industrial labour conditions, and the Armenians suffered a massacre in 1908 then genocide in 1915.

The cotton trade has slumped but the economy of Adana remains based on agriculture, plus mixed industries including automobiles, and banking. It nowadays has four districts: Seyhan is the historic core, with the sites of traveller interest. Çukurova, often called "New Adana", is a residential area north along the lake shore. Yüreğir east of the river is industrial and low-rent residential. Sarıçam lies northeast and has the university. A fifth, nominally part of Sarıçam, is İncirlik, where the NATO air base is springboard for operations deeper into Asia. This effort has brought an influx of westerners into Adana, and the town has business hotels and other western-style amenities out of proportion to its size.

Adana lost about 450 of its citizens in a dozen collapsed buildings (mostly high-rise residentials) during a series of powerful earthquakes in early 2023. The local damage was incomparably lighter than that suffered by its eastern neighbours closer to the epicentre.

By plane
The airport is only 4 km west of town, with taxis and dolmuşes to the centre. Bus 135 runs every 30 min to the old centre (15 min), railway station and northwest suburbs. Bus 125 runs hourly past old centre (get off at Sefa Ölzer Cd) to the hospital campus. Buy tickets on board for both. The direct bus to Tarsus and Mersin is axed.

By bus
Buses from Istanbul run every couple of hours and take 13 hours via Ankara and Niğde, for a fare in 2023 of 350 TL.

Three buses a day take 5 hours from Konya. Two per day wind over the mountains from Antalya via Alanya, Taşucu (for Cyprus summer ferry), Silifke, Mersin and Tarsus.

One bus a day runs all the way from Van near the border with Iran, via Tatvan, Bitlis, Batman, Diyarbakır, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep and Osmaniye.

Bus operators on these routes are Metro Turizm and Flixbus.

the bus terminal is 4 km west of town on D-400; it's average-tatty. Taxis and minibuses will take you downtown.

By train
You can reach Adana same day from Istanbul or Ankara by taking the YHT high-speed train to Konya. Change there for the daily Toros Ekspresi, taking six hours via Karaman to reach Adana for 22:00. The return train leaves Adana before 08:00 and likewise connects at Konya with YHT trains to Istanbul and Ankara. The Karaman-Adana line is being upgraded for high-speed trains so disruptions may occur until this is complete (maybe by 2025) but in 2023 it's running normally.

There's also slower mainline trains such as Erciyes Ekspresi that runs daily from Kayseri, taking six hours via Niğde, and Fırat Ekspresi which runs daily from Elazığ, taking 13 hours via Malatya and Osmaniye. Finally there's an hourly regional train from Mersin (for ferries from Northern Cyprus) taking 90 min via Tarsus. Three trains per day continue to Iskenderun, taking 3 hours via Osmaniye.

Other routes are a tale of woe. The Cukurova Express sleeper from Ankara and trains from Gaziantep has been suspended for years or due to construction works. Former international routes from Syria and Iraq are closed indefinitely.

By road
From Ankara it's 500 km, say 5 hours, following O-21 motorway south then O-51 east. In 2022 the tolls totalled 163 TL.

O-52 runs east to Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Mardin by the Syrian border. West is a good highway past Mersin but then a narrow twisty road over the coastal mountains to reach the Med resort strip at Alanya.

Get around

 * Walk: the city sprawls but the area of interest in the old town is compact.

 * City buses — Extensive bus network including city buses and dolmuş.

 * Adana Metro is a single line running 14 km southeast to northwest across city centre: Vilayet is the stop for the railway station. Most visitors are unlikely to use it. An extension to the university main campus is in planning.

 * Taxi prices are comparable to the rest of the country.

See
Tepebağ is the core of Old Town. Most sights are here.
 * Central Park is the relaxing riverside area north of Sabancı Central Mosque.
 * is a Roman bridge over the Seyhan River, probably built around 120-135 AD, on the trade routes from Persia and Anatolia to the Mediterranean. Until 2007 it carried motor traffic but is now a footbridge and popular hanging-out spot. Its names have included Saros Bridge, the Bridge of Justinian and al-Walid Bridge; the present Taşköprü (stone bridge) says what it is.
 * is a Roman bridge over the Seyhan River, probably built around 120-135 AD, on the trade routes from Persia and Anatolia to the Mediterranean. Until 2007 it carried motor traffic but is now a footbridge and popular hanging-out spot. Its names have included Saros Bridge, the Bridge of Justinian and al-Walid Bridge; the present Taşköprü (stone bridge) says what it is.
 * is a Roman bridge over the Seyhan River, probably built around 120-135 AD, on the trade routes from Persia and Anatolia to the Mediterranean. Until 2007 it carried motor traffic but is now a footbridge and popular hanging-out spot. Its names have included Saros Bridge, the Bridge of Justinian and al-Walid Bridge; the present Taşköprü (stone bridge) says what it is.
 * is a Roman bridge over the Seyhan River, probably built around 120-135 AD, on the trade routes from Persia and Anatolia to the Mediterranean. Until 2007 it carried motor traffic but is now a footbridge and popular hanging-out spot. Its names have included Saros Bridge, the Bridge of Justinian and al-Walid Bridge; the present Taşköprü (stone bridge) says what it is.
 * (Yeni Cami) was built in 1724 in Mamluk style.
 * (Yeni Cami) was built in 1724 in Mamluk style.
 * (Yeni Cami) was built in 1724 in Mamluk style.
 * (Yeni Cami) was built in 1724 in Mamluk style.
 * (Yeni Cami) was built in 1724 in Mamluk style.

Further out

 * Seyhan Barajı is the lake created north of the city in 1955 by the Seyhan Dam. There are several recreation areas around it, and beneath its waters lies the Roman city of Augusta.

 * is managed by the university. The public are free to stroll here - no barbecues or picnics, though the amount of trash suggests otherwise.
 * is the 1575 m bridge across the west arm of the barrage lake. It carries traffic but it's a relaxing spot with restaurants both sides.

Do

 * Hamams, traditional Turkish baths, are at over a dozen central locations.
 * Lunapark is a funfair by the Seyhan lake dam, north edge of town.
 * Football: Adana Demirspor play soccer in Süper Lig, Turkey's top tier. Their home ground New Adana Stadium (Yeni Adana Stadyumu, capacity 33,500 all seated) opened in 2021. It's in Balcalı district 15 km northeast of city centre. Adanaspor share the stadium and play in TFF 1. Lig, the second tier. Demirspor women's team play in the Women's Super League, their top tier, at Muharrem Gülergin Stadium north by the O-50 motorway bridge.
 * Beach: Karataş is the closest, 55 km south, but Mersin is better. Karataş also has the ruins of the ancient city of Magarus: the amphitheatre is the best of these but they're not worth a special trip.

Buy

 * Optimum is the biggest central shopping mall, east across the bridge from Sabancı Mosque.
 * Galleria is on the riverbank east of the railway station.
 * M1 mall is at the west edge of the city and has a Carrefour, open daily 10:00-22:00.

Eat

 * Adana Kebab the town specialty is a skewer of minced lamb.
 * Old town places are round its rim rather than central. Try Kebapçı Şeyhmus, Eyvan Kebap, Erciyes Kebap, Abidin Usta, Sirdanci Bedo, Kazancılar (below) or Oz Asmaalti Kebap Salonu.
 * Station area has Eski Dostlar, Paşalimanı, Saki Meyhane, House of Kamer, Tokana, The Sopranos, Makarnos, Elem (below), Yüzevler and Zeynel Ocakbaşı.
 * Lake shore has Dalyan Balik, Bigfish, Yeşilçam Meyhanesi and Sercan (below).
 * Mado's is a dessert chain with outlets on Cemal Paşa, Kurttepe, Toros St, Carrefour Mall, and M1 Mall.
 * Lake shore has Dalyan Balik, Bigfish, Yeşilçam Meyhanesi and Sercan (below).
 * Mado's is a dessert chain with outlets on Cemal Paşa, Kurttepe, Toros St, Carrefour Mall, and M1 Mall.
 * Mado's is a dessert chain with outlets on Cemal Paşa, Kurttepe, Toros St, Carrefour Mall, and M1 Mall.

Drink

 * Far more pubs here than in most Turkish towns, mostly north towards the railway station.

Sleep

 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.
 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.
 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.
 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.
 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.
 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.
 * Otel Seyhan opposite Şirin Park gets poor reviews.

Connect
Adana has 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of Jan 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Karataş is the closest beach resort, 55 km south. The ruins of Magaros are here, with a Roman amphitheatre.
 * Yumurtalık is another resort east. It has an old castle.
 * Tarsus has sites associated with St Paul and the Roman era.
 * Mersin 65 km west is a large port with ferries to Cyprus.
 * Karaisalı and Pozantı are small towns on the passes through the Taurus mountains with several historic sites.
 * Ceyhan is a grubby oil town east, but Yılan Castle rears up from its plains. Anavarza 30 min north is the ruins of a small Roman town.
 * Osmaniye is a modern town with historic sites nearby.

title: Adana


text:
Adare

Adare is a small town in County Limerick in the Shannon Region of western Ireland. It's one of the prettiest towns in the country, with a castle and a plush golf resort. Adare grew up at a point where the River Maigue can be forded, hence its name Áth Dara, "ford of the oak". In 2022 the population was 1224.

Get in
Adare is 15 km southwest of Limerick city. M20 / N21 leads to Adare but there's no bypass, so the town is always congested with traffic passing through to Kerry on top of tourist traffic for the town itself. A bypass is scheduled to open in June 2027, a few weeks ahead of the Ryder Cup being staged here; the congestion will be shambolic if it doesn't open on time.

By bus: Bus Éireann 13 and 14 run from Limerick hourly, daily, taking 20 min. They continue via Rathkeale to Newcastle West, whence the 13 runs every two hours via Listowel to Tralee, while the 14 runs every two hours via Abbeyfeale and Kerry airport to Killarney.

The bus stop eastbound towards Limerick is outside the Heritage Centre, while the westbound buses to Tralee or Killarney stop outside the Post Office.

Get around
Access to the castle is by shuttle bus, everything else is best visited on foot. There's a free public car park (monitored by CCTV) behind the Heritage Centre, with an e-car charging point. Street parking is difficult and just adds to the congestion.

Taxi firms are Adare Cab (+353 86 810 0077) and Adare Taxi (+353 87 991 1675).

See

 * on Main Street is the place to start. It's open daily 9AM-5PM, use the free car park behind. The centre has a small exhibition, a restaurant, and inevitably a large gift shop.
 * Main Street is lined with attractive thatched cottages, pity about the incessant traffic.
 * Holy Trinity Church (RC) is on Main St next to the Heritage Centre. It's mostly from 1811 but is on the site of the Trinitarian Abbey of 1230. This order was founded in 1198 to ransom Christian captives of Muslim kingdoms, before broadening into other charity work
 * (Church of Ireland) incorporates the original "Black Abbey" or Franciscan Friary. It's well preserved, with a 15th century cloister and sedilia, and a 16th century Pieta. It's usually accessible daytime, on Main Street at the river bridge.
 * Adare Manor is now a plush hotel, see Sleep.
 * or Friary of St Michael the Archangel was established in 1464-66. It's now a ruin on Adare Manor Golf Course, check in with the clubhouse before strolling out there.
 * Croom Castle 5 km south of Adare probably dates from 13th century but is now just ruined masonry.
 * Croom Castle 5 km south of Adare probably dates from 13th century but is now just ruined masonry.

Do

 * Town Park is south of the main road opposite the Heritage Centre.
 * Adare Manor Golf Club is on the grounds of the Manor but not part of the hotel; access is from the main road north of town. White tees are 5807 yards, par 69, and a visitor round costs €120.
 * The Golf Course at Adare Manor is part of the hotel resort and only available to its guests. The course, re-designed in 2017 by Tom Fazio, is open mid-March to Oct. White tees are 6505 yards, par 72, and a round costs €600 plus obligatory caddie fee.
 * Ryder Cup between the US and Europe is to be played on the hotel course in summer 2027, dates tba.
 * Adare Pitch and Putt is south edge of town on N21 towards Killarney.
 * 3 km west of town has training, rides and jumps for the experienced, and horse-riding holidays.
 *  Limerick Racecourse is 9 km east on N21.

Buy
There's an ATM outside the AIB bank by the roundabout in town centre.

Several craft shops along main drag, they're all a bit tourist-trappy.

Eat

 * 1826 Adare is next to Blue Door, open Th-Sa 5-9PM, Su 3-8PM.
 * The Maigue is in Dunraven Arms Hotel, see "Sleep".
 * Ramona's is a fish & chips takeaway on Station Rd, open daily 1-10PM.
 * The Maigue is in Dunraven Arms Hotel, see "Sleep".
 * Ramona's is a fish & chips takeaway on Station Rd, open daily 1-10PM.
 * Ramona's is a fish & chips takeaway on Station Rd, open daily 1-10PM.

Drink

 * Bill Chawke's stands at the start of Rathkeale Rd, open M-Th 10:30AM-11:30PM, F Sa 10AM-1:30AM, Su noon-11PM.
 * Two Collins bars bracket Billy Chawke's: Sean Collins south also has accommodation, Pat Collins is just north. They're both open daily to around midnight.
 * Aunty Lena's on Main Street does good food and is open M-Th 9AM-11:30PM, F-Sa 9AM-12:30AM, Su 10AM-11PM.

Connect
As of April 2024, Adare has 5G from all Irish carriers.

Stay safe
Usual precautions about safety in the seething traffic and not leaving valuables unguarded. The Garda (Police) station is in the yellow building opposite the Post Office.

Go next
See County Limerick for nearby attractions such as Foynes Flying Boat Museum, and the prehistoric site of Lough Gur.

Further west you cross into scenic County Kerry: Tralee and Killarney are about a 90 min drive.

Adare is near Limerick city, and a bypass leads you into County Clare and Shannon airport.

title: Adare


text:
Ad Dakhla

Ad Dakhla (Dakhla, Dajla) is a city in southern Western Sahara.

By bus
There are a few buses daily from as far away as Casablanca and Marrakech. Buses are run by CTM, Supratours and Satas. There are no regional operators.

Supratours and CTM buses run to and from Agadir (~20 hr, ~350 dirham). Supratours has two buses per day, while CTM has one. From Laayoune, costs are 230 dirham per person (2023). Be prepared for up to eight checkpoints along the way and, if a Westerner, to be checked thoroughly.

By car
National Route 1, running the length, of the country passes by Dakhla It is also the only major road in the vicinity. Distance from the nearest major city in the north, El Aaiun is 535 km. This road is in good condition but expect long distances between gas stations.

To the south of Dakhla is 440 km of almost uninhabited territory, except for a few tiny fishing villages, until the Mauritanian border and Nouadhibou. Travelling this stretch by car is perfectly possible but requires some planning and careful preparations. There are only two gas stations along the entire route and breakdown could include hours of wait in scoring temperatures.

Get around
The city centre is small enough to navigate on foot. Should you want to head further out, petits taxis abound and are metered.

See

 * Take a road trip to Aoussard: UN base, followed by mine field, followed by Moroccan army base. Take water with you and fill up with gas: it's a 3-hour drive (if you obey speed limits) and it gets hotter with each kilometre.
 * Take a break at the laguna and watch kite-surfers. They even have a special road sign that says "watch out for kite surfers that sometimes crash on the road".
 * Drive to the historic lighthouse west of Ad-Dakhla: albeit as of January 2014 climbing it was no longer permitted, the building continues to be one of the most recognisable landmarks of Western Sahara due to the black-and-white ring pattern.

Do
There are windsurfing and quad driving opportunities north of Dakhla. Inquire locally. A kite shop next to the Supratours office at the waterfront is helpful with all the necessary info. You can wind and kitesurf on both the western (ocean) and eastern (lagoon) side of the peninsula.

You will hardly see anyone around during daytime, but don't worry, Dakhla, like most other cities in the area, comes to life after sunset.

Eat
Many patisseries offer cheap pastry. The restaurant at Sahara Regency hotel has decent European food, though the choice is limited and it is not always fresh. There are also numerous eateries in town.

Sleep
There are plenty of budget hotels clustered around the city centre. Due to military presence, most only have twin rooms and you will pay almost the same price if you are alone. Twin rooms usually cost 150 dirham (2023). Prices, as always, are negotiable.

There are a few campsites by the road to the north of Dakhla. Camping Moussafir is a popular spot with overlanders, and is located just south of the first checkpoint out of town.

North
Ticket for any bus heading north can be bought at the corresponding agency, they all have offices around the town centre (Satas is a bit further south).

South
Supratours runs a bus south to the Mauritania border. The bus leaves from the waterfront office at 08:00 and costs 160 dirham, arriving at the frontier at 13:00. It returns to Dakhla at 15:00, arriving Dakhla at 20:30.

Finding a lift is usually not a problem. You can try to get a lift from overlanders (ask around at Camping Moussafir) or catch a ride with the Mauritanian traders, who gather on a lot opposite from the first police checkpoint north of Dakhla (take a petit taxi to get there for about 15-20 dirham, or walk the 7 km). The going rate is 250 dirham for a car (a minivan) or 350 dirham for a Mercedes. The cars leave in the morning.

You can also organize your ride to Nouadhibou (350-400 dirham, ~10 hours including border crossing) or Nouakchott (600 dirham, min. 12 hr) at Hotel Sahara in the centre. Ask for Tawfiq. The cars leave around 07:00.

Be prepared to spend several hours on both sides of the border.

title: Ad Dakhla


text:
Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa (Amharic: አዲስ አበባ) is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. It had an estimated population of almost 4 million in 2023 and it is growing very rapidly like many African cities. The city is an important center of diplomacy, and despite being a relatively young city, Addis is a good introduction to Ethiopia and its culture.

Understand

While Ethiopia is regarded as the original home of humans, and there has been several earlier settlements in the region, Addis Ababa was founded only in 1886 by King Menelik II and Queen consort Taytu Betul. Since that, Ethiopia has went through a lot of events that have left a mark on the city, such as two cathedrals built to commemorate victories over Italians, sites where emperors lived and worked, monuments to them, and a memorial museum to the victims of the red terror during the Derg regime. The museums of the city lets visitors experience much older times too – indeed you can see a replica of the hominoid Lucy at the national museum. In addition, the restaurants and cafés of the city let you sample Ethiopian cuisine, its famous coffee and the national drink tej.

There are more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. The headquarters of the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are both in the city. The European Union and the United States both have two delegations in Addis Ababa, one for bilateral relations with Ethiopia and one for the African Union.

The city is divided into ten boroughs, known as subcities, then further divided into wards (kebeles). Suburbs include Shiro Meda and Entoto in the north, Urael and Bole (home to Bole International Airport) in the east, Nifas Silk in the south-east, Mekanisa in the south, and Keraniyo and Kolfe in the west. Many of the wealthiest people live in the southeast (Bole), southwest (old airport), CMC, Ayat and Lamberet parts of town. The city is one of the first in Sub-Saharan Africa to have rail based public transit. The light rail system built with Chinese help is often credited with a rapid change of connected parts of the city.

Climate
Addis Ababa features a subtropical highland climate (Cwb), a variety of the temperate oceanic climate, with wet summer (comparable to Mexico City). The average highs are between and, the average lows between  and. The warmest months are February to May, but not "hot" as people imagine Africa; most hotels do not have air-conditioning. Temperatures and climate can vary due to elevation. Addis Ababa has 132 rainy days per year and records of rainfalls annually.

Temperatures in Addis Ababa are remarkably constant from month to month: the annual temperature variation is low with around 4 C-change. However, due to its altitude of, the diurnal temperature variation is high with around 14 C-change difference between day and night in average. It is often at lunchtime and  at night; always take a second layer with you during the evening.

Seasons
The dry winter season is from October to March. Nighttime lows can drop below +10°C, but daytime highs are comparable to the following summer months. The warm summer season around April and May is almost unnoticeable in Addis Ababa (more visible in other parts of Ethiopia), though the nights are warmer and the likelihood of rain increases.

The monsoon season is from June to September. Even if temperatures are similar to other months, July and August appear colder and less comfortable due to 80% relative humidity, few hours of sunshine and daily rains: tonsillitis and common cold are frequent. Rains also cause mud and make dirt-roads soapy. Floods happens on roads, creating traffic jams, notably at the beginning of the rainy season (end-June), when the water drainage pipes are corked by dust and wastes accumulated during 8 months of dry season.

Thunderstorms (short but with heavy rains) are frequent and isolated. For instance, it is not uncommon to go to another area of the city for a 2-hour lunch in Bole and discover wet roads when coming back to Arada. In August, it is also possible to experience some hail.

By plane

is the busiest airport in East Africa. It is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines, one of the most successful and reputable airlines in Africa. Ethiopian has several times more destinations than the other airlines combined, from African, European, Asian, North and South American destinations. If you travel nonstop from somewhere further away, you will fly on Ethiopian. Other than that, airlines from the Middle East, North and East Africa serve Addis Ababa from their home bases.

There are two terminals. Terminal 1 (the older, smaller one) is for all domestic flights and most flights to cities in neighbouring nations (Djibouti, Nairobi, Khartoum, etc.). Terminal 2 (the newer 2003 building) is for all other international flights of Ethiopian Airlines and most other companies (arrangements may change so check first). Terminal 2 is said to be the largest terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. There are ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard and forex services taking a wide range of currencies.

Access into the terminals is restricted, as of July 2019. Taxis and anyone who comes to meet you will be out in the carpark, though a dozen of the top hotels still have a booth inside the arrivals area. Similar rules apply at the other airports in the country, for both arrivals and departures. Many hotels will send a vehicle to pick up guests if you have arranged it. The Sheraton Addis, Dreamliner, Hilton Addis, most other hotels, and many popular guesthouses provide a regular shuttle service for guests. There is a public transport stop a bit outside, under the highway (Ring Road) bridge.

As of 2024, the airport is still more than from the closest Light Rail Transit Station, which makes it unconnected in practice. That's not much less than the distance to central Addis, so for most travellers there's little use to go to and from the airport using light rail. In the future, a new line is planned to connect Bole Airport to the rest of the Light Rail Transit network.

There are fixed taxi fee of 150-300 birr to get from the airport to practically any place in the city center, as of April 2024. Taxi drivers gather in a parking lot next to the airport. Most likely they will approach you shouting "Taxi!". Legit drivers should have their car marked in yellow/green color and place a license in a visible place.

Foreigners are often greeted by a throng of locals attempting to "help" load their luggage into cars. They're largely harmless and just looking for a tip, but it could be easy to lose a bag. An appropriate tip for a minor task like loading luggage into a car is 5 to 15 birr (ignore requests for more money just because you are a foreigner). If you have one person help you, twenty will ask for a tip. If you have a driver pick you up at the airport they will typically take care of any tips for you. Avoid walking alone around the airport, especially at night.

There are several Ethiopian ticket offices in Addis; including the main one at Churchill Road near the Ethiopian National Theatre and another one in the Hilton Hotel.

By car
Most of the major roads are in good condition:
 * From Asmara and Dese: Highway 1
 * From Axum and Bahir Dar: Highway 3
 * From Djibouti and Nazret (Adama): Highway 4
 * From Gambela National Park and Gambela: Highway 5
 * From Jimma and Giyon: Highway 6

Trans-African Highway 4 from Cairo and Bahir Dar passes through Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi and Cape Town.

By train

The railway line connecting Addis Ababa with the port city of Djibouti, via Dire Dawa opened in 2016/17. Journey time is about 6.5 hours to Dire Dawa, a mandatory overnight stay and another 12 hours to Addis and as of 2024 there is a train every second day. Tickets can be bought at the railway station or at a ticket office next to the old colonial Legehar station (a portmanteau of the French name for station, la gare) on Churchill Ave.

Get around
Very few streets have names and those that do may not be named correctly on a map; use landmarks to navigate the city.

By bus
Blue and white minibuses

Blue and white minibuses/taxis travel quite efficiently around town. Since they are full with people most of the time, it is very cheap too; usually between a few birr depending on how far you are going. To catch a minibus, stand on the side of the road and hail it. This can be done anywhere it is possible for the bus to stop. The conductor inside will call out the destination, and if that's where you want to go: get on. You pay the conductor when he signals to you that he wants money (which might take a few minutes). To get change. To get out say "woraj alle", or just "woraj". It is worth having an Ethiopian guide with you if it is your first time using these taxis, since it can be quite chaotic to find out what minibuses go where, and from what places.

Orange/yellow public buses

These buses connect the whole city for a fare of 0.5–3 birr (2016). There are no schedules or maps available, however if you wait on a major street where a crowd gathers you can ask other people or the cashier – which is always in a cabin at the back door – for your destination. Line 31 for example is a convenient line from Meskel Square to the National Museum or Trinity Church. The buses are often overcrowded, so watch your belongings

By taxi

Uber does not operate here yet, but there are a few alternatives. Zayrides is one that has worked, albeit somewhat more wonkily. It's often easier to find a cab on the street, unless you're somewhere inside a restaurant or hotel until the driver arrives. They will typically call you when they accept the ride to confirm your location and then again when they arrive. The car's location in the app will often not update.

Small blue Lada taxis

Small blue Lada taxis are more expensive. Negotiation is the norm and you often have to press quite hard to get a bargain as a foreigner. They can be contracted for a single trip, an hour, or a full day; just negotiate. Do not be surprised if the price of the taxi increases at night for the same trip. For example the trip Piazza-Bole Airport can be as low as 100 birr at day, but rises to 150 after dark (2016).

Yellow taxis

Yellow and green taxis usually hang around hotels like Sheraton. They are more expensive, but reliable. If you're willing to pay for peace of mind, slightly better drivers and a car that wasn't featured in the Flintstones, use these cars.

By light rail

The Chinese built a system of light rail lines (one of the first in sub-Saharan Africa) in the 2010s. There are two lines that cross near Meskel square: Cost is 2 birr for an 8-station trip and up to 6 birr to go everywhere. Development along light rail stations is going on at breakneck pace and many former slums have been replaced by relatively upscale housing businesses and retail.
 * West–East green line 1 is from Tor Hailoch station to Ayat.
 * North–South blue line 2 is from Kality station to Menelik II Square station (aka Piazza).

During peak hours the light rail is so crowded as to be almost dangerous. Pickpockets are common, and riders are not used to the concept of letting people off before they get on. As a result, you may need to physically shove passengers out of your way to get off the train – if not, it may be several stops until you can get off!

Talk
Amharic is spoken by the majority of the population, with other languages (namely Oromo and Gurange) spoken by a minority. For all intents and purposes, learning basic Amharic words and phrases will be enough for any trip, as it is unlikely you will encounter anyone who doesn't speak some Amharic.

Increasing numbers of young people can speak English, especially those who are more affluent. Be aware that Ethiopians usually speak English with a heavy accent, which can be difficult for an American or British person to understand. In the city centre, most people you encounter will speak English fluently. However, if you venture into residential neighborhoods, especially poor areas, you may find that hardly anyone can speak English well.

See
If you walk along the road from Meskel Square to Sidest Kilo, you'll probably find it quite entertaining and interesting. You'll see the Africa Hall, the palaces and the Parliament building, the Hilton Hotel, the marvellous architectural adventure of a building hosting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sheraton Hotel, the first modern school (which Emperor Menelik II built in the 1880s), the Trinity Orthodox cathedral, the National Museum, and the Addis Ababa University (which hosts a former palace and museum).

Arat Kilo Avenue is marked by a statue built in commemoration of the Ethiopian day of victory during the Second World War, while Sidest Kilo Avenue is marked by a statue commemorating some 39,000 residents of Addis Ababa killed by Italian fascist troops. Around Arat Kilo, you will find part of an old town known as Serategna Sefer (literally, the residential area of labourers).

If you go past Sidest Kilo, the road becomes steeper and many of the attractions will be on the right side of the road. The Entoto college (previously Teferi Mekonnen School) and the US Embassy are on this side of the street. After the Embassy there's an open market called Shiro Meda where traditional craftsmen sell their homemade fabrics, pots and other craftwork. The marketplace is at the foot of the Entoto Mountains, which rise up to 3,300 m (10,827 ft) above sea level.

You can take a taxi or a bus to the mountain unless you are of a mind to try it yourself. On the mountain, you will find the first churches of Addis Ababa, called Saint Mary and Saint Raguel, and a smaller palace of Menelik II. Walking the mountain, especially between the churches, is refreshing and gives the chance to see rural life, the city, forest and unbelievably beautiful landscape intersected by farmlands and farmers trails. It is from here that Menelik II and Queen Taitu conceived the establishment of Addis Ababa. You can get a sense of the city plan by viewing the city from here.

Do
Stop by at one of the small (5-7 people) coffee spots / rooms to taste local coffee with tenadam (rue) and have a conversation with locals who hang out there. You can find many of those along the main streets. Price should not be more than 5 birr. Oftentimes you can have local food there too.

Learn
Addis Ababa University is the largest and the oldest university in Ethiopia. It was originally named "University College of Addis Ababa" at its founding, then renamed for the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I in 1962, receiving its current name in 1975. Although the university has six of its seven campuses within Addis Ababa (the seventh is located in Bishoftu, about 45 kilometres away), it also maintains branches in many cities throughout Ethiopia, leading to the claim of being "the largest university in Africa."

The government assigns qualified students to these universities upon completion of secondary school. Students also attend other private colleges, such as Unity College. Addis Ababa University was founded in 1950 at the request of Haile Selassie by a Canadian Jesuit, Dr Lucien Matte as a two-year college, and began operations the next year. Over the following two years an affiliation with the University of London was developed.

There is also Theological College of the Holy Trinity, a theological school of higher education located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It provides religious and secular education to both clergy and lay members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as well seeking to be a centre of theological and ecclesiastical study for all Oriental Orthodox Churches as well.

Founded as a high school by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1942, the college division was added in 5 October 1960, and the elementary education section eliminated on 18 December 1961 and the college became one of the chartered units of this first National University of Ethiopia.

Work

 * There is a high demand for IT professionals.
 * Many start-up companies search for individuals with computer networking and consulting background.
 * Addis Ababa has the highest number of NGOs in Africa, and possibly in the entire Third World. They are well known for paying good salaries for their employees.
 * The unemployment rate in Addis is low according to the Nazret.com (8% of the population in Addis Abeba were unemployed in 2008).
 * Many expatriates work in NGOs and small start-up IT companies.
 * Compared to other African cities, Addis Ababa has a high number of big, medium and small computer training schools, governmental and private learning institutions. Many students who attend there hope to land an IT or consulting job in the city's very tight job market.

Buy

Get money
Ethiopia operates a cash economy. Domestic credit cards are non-existent, and international cards are accepted in very few locations (mostly those catering to expatriates).

ATMs/cash machines are found throughout Addis Ababa. Dashen Bank is a principal member of both VISA and MasterCard International and has ATMs. Some of the ATMs found at D.H. Geda Tower (next to Friendship City Center) accept Visa and MasterCard, Dembel City Centre (quite hidden, use the main entrance, than to the left, at the window), Edna Mall, in some hotels (Hilton, Sheraton, Intercontinental, Wabi Shebelle Hotel, Ethiopia Hotel, Semein Hotel, Harmony Hotel). Also near the National Museum (Lucy Gazebo Restaurant), ground floor of Getu Commercial centre just at the entrance and some branches of Dashen Bank. Not all cards are accepted everywhere, Dashen Bank ATMs accept Visa/MasterCard/Cirrus/Plus while Zemen bank ATMs do not accept MasterCard. Most ATM machines have a 4,000–6,000 birr limit per day, but most do not charge a local ATM fee (international or third-party ATM fees from your financial institution may apply).

Warning: Some ATM machines are targeted for "skimmer" scams, allowing thieves to steal your ATM card information. To protect yourself, the safest ATMs to use are the ones located at the Hilton (Dashen, Zemen, CBE); Radisson Blu (Dashen, Zemen, Wegagen); or Sheraton (Dashen) hotels.

There is an illegal black market where you can get a slightly better rate, especially if you bargain. Check your money very carefully before you leave and do not allow it to leave your hand after your final count. Most souvenir shops off Churchill Rd and Zambia St do it.

Eat
Food is generally cheap. Make sure you try the national dish injera at least once, since there is no other food like it. It is a yeast-risen flat bread with a unique, slightly spongy texture. It is traditionally made out of teff flour. In making injera, teff flour is mixed with water and allowed to ferment for several days, as with sourdough starter. As a result of this process, injera has a mildly sour taste. It's what the locals eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most ordinary Ethiopian restaurants have it, and a serving for 2 people with free refills can be as cheap as 15 birr.

Budget
Addis has hundreds of cake and coffee cafes. They sell various coffees, tea - black unless you ask for "machiatto" - and sometimes fruit juices. There are also juice beits. The cafes along Bole Road and around the Piassa area are of a high standard and relatively inexpensive. Most are very similar to each other.

Most cafes serve the common drink called 'sprice juice' (fruit pulp served in layers in a glass). There are usually three layers from a selection of avocado, mango, papaya, banana, guava etc. The juice is eaten with a spoon. It is colourful and tastes delicious. Single fruit juices are also great, such as orange, papaya, mango, and pineapple - beautifully fresh. 7 birr up to 25 birr in Hilton.

Restaurants that do not have an English menu are cheaper. Example: Connection between Bole Road and Tele-Bole, next to Bole roundabout, at NOC-Fuelstation, close to German Kantine. You can have lunch (local food, spaghetti) for less than 20 birr. If you don't have a translator, ordering is a lot of fun.

Drink
The national drink of Ethiopia is 'tej', which is brewed from honey. You can also try 'tela' which is similar to beer.

In addition to places listed below, some of the hotels in Sleep have a bar.

Budget
As of 2020, it is still possible to find "rooms" for 300-1000 birr, most of them have running hot water.

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

 * Addis is safer than most cities in Africa. Gang violence and similar serious activities are unusual. However, you may encounter some pick-pockets and con-artists around and inside Bole Airport, Mercato, Piazza and many other areas. Keep your belongings close, and pay attention to your surroundings. A common tactic is to show you a tray of things to buy with one hand and to try your pocket with the other. The good news is most of these pick-pockets are unarmed and young boys. If they know that you are aware of what they are up to, they may get intimidated and go away. However, some can be quite persistent and even involve older boys.
 * Watch out for the spitting scam which happens in Piazza area. Typically it involves someone "accidentally" spitting on you, offering a handkerchief / tissue to clean it up, trying your pockets while you are distracted by this "accident" and then jumping into a companion's car with your belongings.
 * Someone might also grab your arm and act crazy pretending to kick you as a distraction while his accomplice tries your pockets.
 * As most Ethiopians are very welcoming, there is an infamous scam where young locals "befriend" tourists and invite them over after a nice day together to celebrate a "special holiday". You will get fed a lot of khat leaves, a chewing drug, and have a good time with them, but in the end you will be asked for a tremendous amount of money for the khat as they claim it is a "special" quality. Be aware of too friendly locals and ask if there is a price to anything, even if they claim you are invited.
 * Be aware of your belongings on Line Taxis: They usually get very crowded – keep your wallet/phone/bag close to you.
 * The major and important roads and areas are patrolled by the 'Federal Police' or, as the city residents refer them Federal. They have a reputation of being merciless with suspected criminals. In contrast, the Addis-Ababa city police, who most of the time patrol the less important city streets, markets and neighborhoods are more tolerant and less respected police officers.
 * For all emergencies . In Addis, major streets are generally safe at night.
 * Unlike in other African cities, in Addis-Ababa, police officers never approach foreigners to ask them to present a passport, ID or "legal" papers. Once you show your passport at the airport, you are free to move around pretty much anywhere. The only time you need your passport or ID is for hotel reservation and other similar and few instances. However, it is important to have your ID with you at all times.

Cope
Watch what you drink or you can fall sick. It is important to remember to only drink bottled water. There are many brands to choose from; always check the plastic seal on all bottles before paying any vendor. Visitors are warned against eating vegetables such as those in salads that may have been washed in water. Try limiting fruits and vegetables to those you peel yourself such as oranges, mangos, etc.

Pollution. Addis Ababa is badly polluted because of badly maintained diesel vehicles and dust. If you have any sensitivity to this, it is worth wearing a dust mask as is popular in many Asian countries.

Be prepared for culture shock. If you take photos of the people, ask first and offer to show them their picture if you have a digital camera with a display screen. Children enjoy seeing their pictures a lot of the time.

Overwhelmed. Many first time visitors may feel overwhelmed if they have not experienced this type of culture difference before. Be polite but not intrusive. It is OK to ask questions of the locals, but you should be prepared to be hassled a lot of the time, especially if you are white. Additionally, for foreigners who are black, it may be possibly to "blend in", precautions are in order (depending where you are, in Addis on Bole road they are used to seeing foreigners compared to the countryside). If you prepare yourself before arrival, you will be better able to cope.

Embassies

 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * 🇰🇪 Kenya
 * 🇳🇿 New Zealand
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden
 * 🇷🇸 Serbia
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Telephone
The country code for calling Ethiopia is 251. The city code for Addis Ababa is 011 (or +251 11 from outside Ethiopia).

Mobile
Ethiopia uses a GSM network operated by Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation. There is decent coverage around big cities such as Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Bahir Dar, Debre Markos, Dese, Gonder, Harar, Mekele, and Nekemete. It is expanding into most small cities.

Roaming charges are very steep. your best option for mobile access is to buy a local SIM card.

An easy option is to buy a SIM card, at 30 birr (June 2019). Ask a cell phone retailer or better still an Ethiotel shop. Be prepared: you will need a passport-sized picture and a photocopy of your passport that the seller will keep. The SIM card has to be registered before it will work properly. The registration can take 24 hours to be completed by the network. The SIM card will need to be cut to size as they are supplied as mini SIM's. Cutting will cost 20 birr in a shop. The Ethiotel service is not 100% reliable. Monthly internet bundles are available - 1GB for 100 birr. Dial *999# and follow the prompts to subscribe. For internet access, the APN is etc.com

Internet
In Addis Ababa, especially in Bole Subcity, you can find quite a number of internet cafes. Some still use dial-up connections, but broadband is becoming more popular. Most of the high-end hotels have internet connections (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi), which are reasonably fast and often free for hotel guests.

A general problem with the Internet in Ethiopia is the unstable international high-speed connection. If it is not working, even broadband cafes only deliver dial-up speeds and less. The local definition of highspeed broadband is 128Kb! Another general problem is the shortage of electricity, forcing daytime blackouts of whole areas 1–2 days a week, so it is good to plan ahead where you are going for internet access.

Skype and VoIP service are legal in Ethiopia. According to local press, Ethiopia today has the fourth worst internet in the world.

 * Dembel City Center on Bole Rd has "Hut Internet Cafe" on the 2nd floor with over 30 Internet capable computers for use every day 10:00-19:00.
 * Arkies Business Center, Piazza, next to 'Taitu Hotels'
 * Broadband Internet in DH Geda Tower, next to Friendship City Center / Bole Rd. 128kbit/s, many seats, but mostly completely occupied. The good thing is that it is easy to find.
 * Nina Internetcafe, across from Baro Hotels, inside Wutema Hotels
 * TG Business Center, Bole, from Airport (big roundabout) to the right, junction with Cameroon Rd (locally known as "Bole-Tele") has broadband but only 3 seats. Most of the time it is not crowded, so a good connection can be expected.
 * DMG Internet Center, near Edna Mall next to Kaldi's Cafe just off Djibuti St (the road leading from Tele Bole towards 22), has broadband connection and 11 terminals. 2 MB speed Internet, which translates to pretty decent speed for the country. Open M–Sa 08:30–20:00.

Wireless internet
3G Internet services (known as WCDMA or UMTS) are available in many parts of Addis Ababa. A special SIM card and capable phone is needed. Price is 0.04 birr per 100 KB. CDMA is also available, which needs special devices (prices around 0.10 birr per minute, around 128 kbit/s). EV-DO requires a USB device and is faster than CDMA but requires monthly payment of 500 birr for 2 GB data plan. CDMA and EV-DO are also available in all regional and most zonal capitals in Ethiopia.

Go next

 * Adama and Sodere some 120 km to the southeast are popular weekend destinations for locals. The latter is famous for its hot springs. Adama is accessible by bus and train, from there minibuses go to Sodere.
 * Awash National Park, 200 km to the east by road, is a world heritage site where some of the earliest human remains have been found. It's also a good place to see hyenas, and another highlight is the Awash waterfalls.
 * Bahir Dar is 550 km to the north, Ethiopia's third largest city and accessible by bus, car or plane. It's next to Lake Tana, and famous for churches and monasteries on islands in the lake as well as the Blue Nile Falls. From there you can continue to other destinations in Northern Ethiopia such as Gondar and Lalibela.
 * Dire Dawa is an 11-hour train ride east along the new railway to Djibouti (you can fly here too). It's the only other chartered city in the country. A highlight here is Emperor Haile Selassie's Palace. Further 54 kms away from Dire Dawa is the world heritage listed ancient city of Harar, regarded as Islam's fourth holiest city.
 * Tiya, the "Stonehenge of Africa" is a world heritage listed ancient burial grounds, 90 km to the south. Accessible by car or bus.
 * Ziway, 162 km south is on the shore of an eponymous lake which is home to many species of birds. It's one of the Rift Valley lakes, and if you travel some 40 km further south, there are more lakes with birds in the Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park. Accessible by car or bus.

title: Addis Ababa


text:
Addison

Addison is a suburb of Dallas and is one of the area's most popular places. Addison's main attractions are based around restaurants, and has some of the most restaurants per square mile in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

By car
Addison is centered on the intersection of Belt Line Road and Dallas North Tollway. It is almost completely surrounded by North Dallas. The tolls from Downtown Dallas amount to less than 2 dollars.

By bus
Public transit via DART buses is found at the Addison Transit Station on Arapaho Rd, one block north of Belt Line Rd on Quorum Road. This is right next to Addison Circle Park, making it a convenient option if you are attending a festival or show at the WaterTower. The main dining strip is a 5- to 10-minute walk south to Belt Line.

By plane
Addison is served commercially by Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and Love Field, but also has its own airport for private planes and corporate aviation. Private jet service is available from multiple fixed base operators. International travelers can utilize the airport's 24-hour Customs port.

By car
Driving along Belt Line Road can be slow at the heaviest dining times, but usually not too bad. Weekday lunch time and weekend evenings have the worst traffic. If a festival is happening, especially KaboomTown, expect to sit in traffic much longer.

Be watchful for traffic cops as they are strict and tend to hide themselves well. Arapaho Road, Belt Line Road, Midway Road and Quorum Road are well patrolled.

By bus
Most placed in Addison are accessible by DART bus.

On foot and by bicycle
Most streets in Addison have sidewalks, and the city is working to make the city more accessible on foot or by bike. There are bicycle racks on the front of all DART buses serving Addison. The Les Lacs Linear Park is available in the southern part of Addison for a quiet and pleasant 2.7-mile paved trail.

Festivals
Addison holds some of the best festivals around. Addison believes in making every celebration as big as possible, and they follow through quite well. Each of these festivals are in Addison Circle Park (SW corner of Quorum Dr. and Addison Circle. DART Addison Transit Center).

Parks
Addison residents are proud of their parks and feature some of the best in the metroplex

Eat
When you get hungry, there are over 170 restaurants in the city's 4 square miles, enough to satisfy any taste. Most of Addison's restaurants are on Belt Line Rd, which is commonly called "Restaurant Row". DART Bus #400 runs along the entire length of Belt Line Rd in Addison, and connects with the Addison Transit Center. While you can find just about anything you want on Restaurant Row, there are many unique restaurants found on the connecting streets.

Stay safe
Addison is a safe place overall. As Addison caters to the more affluent crowd the city does not really have a lower income neighborhood. The only people that you have to watch out for are the drunks, and the Addison police (in case you're the one that's drunk). Don't yell at the police officers, and if they give you a command you should do what they say. The police can be strict, but they're still there to protect and serve.

Go next

 * Dallas
 * Plano
 * Carrollton

title: Addison


text:
Addo

Addo is a town in the Sundays River Valley in Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape. The Addo area is known as the valley of elephants and roses. The neighbouring areas are primarily citrus farms and when the trees are in full blossom, the smell of citrus permeates the air.

Understand
Addo is host to many delightful festivals throughout the year such as the Kirkwood Wildlife Festival in June, the annual Rose Festival in October and is also home to many exclusive game reserves including the Addo Elephant National Park. Visit the Addo area for an unforgettable African experience: the Big 7, guided walks, quad biking, and elephant rides.

By plane
There are two airports near Addo. The closest is the Port Elizabeth airport which is 47 km from Addo. The East London airport is 207 km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

By car
Addo is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (789 km), Durban (769 km), and East London (249 km). You could also drive in from Johannesburg (1014 km). The road conditions are fairly good if you are coming from any of these cities.

By bus
All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules to and from destinations like Addo.

Do
As diverse as oranges and elephants, so is the Greater Addo Route. One moment you will be paddling a canoe down the beautiful Sundays River and next you are on the back of a 4x4 experiencing the lion kill. Here you can experience the Addo area's diverse range of ecoactivities, bringing you close to nature and wildlife.

Wildlife

 * Addo Elephant National Park
 * Addo Elephant National Park
 * Addo Elephant National Park

Connect
For contact details for food and groceries, vehicles, home services, liquor, medical practitioners, nurseries & garden services, pharmacy, professional, cleaning, legal services, photography, security, timber decks, housing, health and beauty call the local or international telephone directory.

 * Local telephone directory: 1023
 * International telephone directory: 10903

Important numbers

 * Ambulance: +27 42 233-0358

The nearest hospital and doctor is in Kirkwood, 35 km from the park
 * Hospital: +27 42 230-0406
 * Doctor: +27 42 230-1082
 * Police: 10111

The nearest police station is in Addo, 15 km from the park
 * Police: Tel: +27 42 233-0314

Go next

 * Baviaans
 * Grahamstown
 * Jeffreys Bay
 * St Francis
 * Karoo Heartland
 * Sunshine Coast
 * Tsitsikamma

title: Addo


text:
Addo Elephant National Park

The Addo Elephant National Park (pronounced Ahh-Dow) is in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa and is one of the country's larger parks.

History
In the park's early years, during times of drought (and before the waterholes were artificially kept full) the park keepers fed the elephants on oranges from the local orange groves. Gradually the elephants became addicted to the taste of the fruit! This practice stopped along time ago, but the older elephants still remember the smell and have been known to reach into vehicles and get their favourite fruit!

Flora and fauna
The park has elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, lion and leopard on land. In the Marine reserve you will find dolphin, whales (southern right) and penguins.

Climate
Due to its terrain, Addo stays at a comfortable 27-30°C throughout the winter.

Get in
Addo NP is about 70 km north-east from Port Elizabeth. There is no public transport to or within the park so you need your own car (car rental is available in Port Elizabeth). Or book an organized tour but going on your own pace is really the best option. The park can be visited on a day-trip from Port Elizabeth.

On the road you might notice signs to the 'Addo Olifant Nasionale Park'. These signs are the old Afrikaans version of the more modern road signs.

The rangers will do a quick search of your car when you enter and leave the park to make sure no firearms or animals are brought in/out.

Fees
Valid to 31 October 2017:
 * South African citizens and residents (with ID): R62 per adult, R31 per child, per day
 * SADC nationals (with passport): R124 per adult, R62 per child, per day
 * Foreign visitors: R248 per adult, R124 per child, per day

Get around
The well-kept tar and dirt road within the park can be driven with any vehicle, 4x4 is not required. Be sure to fill up your car with gas before you enter: The park is big and there are no fuel stations inside.

Games drives are available starting from the main camp at R240 per person and two hour horse trails at R245.

See & do
The park is famous for its elephant population that has a special, brownish skin colour due to the red soil. Amongst the elephants other animals, like ostriches, different antelopes and warthogs can be seen. As part of the park's expansion, a group of lions and a group of spotted hyenas were introduced to the park in 2004.

A viewpoint and underground hide overlooking a watering hole is located in the main camp and can be used after vehicle access closing time to the game viewing area.

Eat & drink
There is a restaurant and shop at the main camp, near park's entrance.

A fenced off picnic area with undercover seating, barbecue grills, water and toilet facilities is located near Hapoor Dam. No refuse bins are provided at the picnic area; you are required to take out everything you bring into the area.

Inside the park

There are 3 camps in Addo, the Main Camp in the north east near the town of Addo, with an entrance to the R342, Spekboom hide & tented camp approximately 11 km south of the main camp and the much smaller Camp Matyholweni, in the south at the Colchester entrance to the park on the N2 between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. Main Camp boasts a restaurant, camping facilities and a number of chalets for overnight stays. Camp Matyholweniare has only chalets while Spekboom offers five secluded two-person tents with braai facilities.

Tent and caravan sites from R300, safari tents from R815, cabins from R930, rondavels and cottages from R1500 (2017).

Outside the park
There are over 70 listed places of accommodation in the area surrounding the Addo Elephant Park. These range in price from R50 for camping to R350 per room for basic backpackers accommodation, or self-catering to many exclusive game lodges and a great number of bed and breakfast establishments and guest houses. Prices go up to R5000 per person sharing at the more exclusive resorts, but there are many facilities priced in the R250-500 price range. For more information contact the reception at the park or the backpackers info centre at the Orange Elephant, who have a file containing telephone numbers and prices.

Stay safe
Stay in your car at all times, except where specifically permitted to leave your vehicle. At some of the unfenced lookout points one is allowed to exit your vehicle, but do so with care and only after ensuring that there are no animals around.

Do not carry any citrus fruit in your car, the elephants have developed an addiction for the fruit and will search it out!

Go next

 * Go to the Mountain Zebra National Park to spot some of the rare Mountain Zebras.
 * The old town of Graaff-Reinet is definitely worth a visit
 * Go to Port Elizabeth and from there on to the Garden Route and Cape Town.
 * Go north into the Karoo Heartland and the cities of Kimberley and Bloemfontein.

title: Addo Elephant National Park


text:
Addu

Addu (also Seenu) is the southernmost atoll in the Maldives. Hithadhoo, its capital, was the base of the short-lived United Suvadive Republic secessionist movement in 1959–1963.

Get around
The four islands of Gan, Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo are connected to each other by causeways. There is a bus service which runs daily every two hours (except on Friday morning) all the way from the Gan island up to the north of the Hithadhoo island and back. The bus is reliable but slow: the 15-km-long route takes almost an hour. On the Feydhoo island the bus passes the Feydhoo ferry terminal from where you can take a ferry to Meedhoo. On the Gan island the bus doesn't go directly to the airport but terminates about 500 m away from the airport (to get there walk out of the airport, turn left and walk for about 500 m along the Link Road until you see a building with the label "ASTRA" on the left side of the road, this is where the bus terminates).

See

 * Commonwealth War Grave (second world war) - Gan
 * Sunset Bridge (causeway connecting Gan and Feydhoo) - Gan
 * Equatorial Convention Centre - Hithadhoo: seventeenth SAARC summit was held here, the centre is being converted to a hospital.
 * Koattey - Hithadhoo: beautiful nature reserve on the very north of the Hithadhoo island, you can see many birds from the observation platforms.
 * Ranin hanaa fenganda - Hithadhoo
 * Aari Kilhi (fresh water body) - Hithadhoo
 * Eedhigali kilhi - Hithadhoo
 * Hukuru miskiy - Hithadhoo

Do
Scuba diving - one company which offers scuba-diving trips and PADI Diving Courses is Aquaventure Maldives, Located on Maradhoo. Aquaventure Maldives is a PADI 5Star Dive Center with a European & Maldivian Management.

Sleep
There are three hotels or resorts in the atoll and several local guesthouses.

title: Addu