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Address
Phone: +251 988 111 222
Need help or have a question?
Contact us at: info@driveethiopia.com
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
About us
About Drive Ethiopia: Your Local Tour Operator in Addis Ababa
Drive Ethiopia is an Addis Ababa based tour operator offering private, tailor made tours across Ethiopia, from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to the Simien Mountains, the Omo Valley and the Danakil Depression. We also provide car rental with driver, self-drive and airport transfers for travelers, businesses and organizations.
Drive Ethiopia at a glance
Who is Drive Ethiopia?
We are a local Ethiopian travel company that plans and runs private tours, group departures and transport for visitors from all over the world. Every trip is handled by our own team in Addis Ababa, with our own vehicles and experienced driver guides, so you deal with one company from the first message to the last day.
Based inAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
Experience10+ years in Ethiopian travel
SpecialtyPrivate, tailor made Ethiopia tours
Fleet4×4 Land Cruisers, SUVs, minibuses, EVs
Reply timeDetailed quote within 2 hours
HotelsBudget to 5 star, all regions
Our story
Built by people who know every road in Ethiopia
Drive Ethiopia was founded by a travel professional with more than a decade of experience in Ethiopian tourism: ticketing, tour operations, visa processing for tourists and business travelers, and working with the Ministry of Tourism, embassies and partners on behalf of clients.
That work meant travelling to around 90% of Ethiopia’s main cities and towns, plus remote villages and attractions most visitors never hear about. Drive Ethiopia was created to share that knowledge directly with travelers, with honest advice, fair prices and trips designed around real road conditions and flight routes.
Today our team plans everything from a half day layover tour of Addis Ababa to three week expeditions across the north, south and east of the country.
Discover Ethiopia with us
What we do
Ethiopia tours, travel services and car rental
Tours are at the heart of what we do. Our vehicles and drivers are the same ones that run our tours, which is why travelers, companies and NGOs also trust us for transport in and around Addis Ababa.
Private tailor made tours
Historic Route, Omo Valley, Danakil, Simien and Bale treks, coffee and birding tours, built around your dates, interests and budget.
Ethiopia toursFixed group departures
Addis Ababa city tour daily, Wenchi every Friday and Saturday, Danakil (4 days) and Omo Valley (7 days) monthly from August to April.
See departuresFestival tours
Genna, Timket, Meskel, Fasika and Irreecha. We recommend booking 6 to 12 months ahead for the best hotels and flights.
Festival toursCar rental with driver
Private drivers for tourists, executives, journalists, NGOs and conference delegates, with fuel included on chauffeured rentals.
Car with driverSelf-drive rental
Well maintained cars for confident drivers, with insurance included and a simple full-to-full fuel policy.
Self-driveAirport transfers
Meet and greet with a name board at Bole International Airport, 24/7, plus layover tours from 4 hours.
Airport transfers
Local and independent
Real local knowledge, not a call centre
When you write to Drive Ethiopia, you talk to the people who plan your route, book your hotels and drive you there. We monitor road and regional conditions every day and adjust plans or switch to domestic flights when needed.
How it works
Booking with Drive Ethiopia, step by step
Tell us your plans
Send your dates, group size and interests through our form, email or WhatsApp.
Get a detailed quote
We reply within 2 hours with a day by day itinerary and a clear, all inclusive price.
Confirm with a deposit
Secure your trip by bank transfer or card. Deposits are refundable in line with our cancellation policy.
Travel with confidence
Your driver guide meets you on arrival and our Addis Ababa office supports you throughout the trip.
Our fleet
Reliable vehicles for every route
From rough tracks in the Omo Valley to business meetings in Addis Ababa, we match the vehicle to the road, the group and the purpose of your trip.
Tours · 4×4
Land Cruiser hardtop
The classic expedition vehicle for the Omo Valley, Danakil and mountain routes.
VIP · Executive
Luxury SUVs
Land Cruiser 300 and premium SUVs for executives, delegations and VIP guests.
Groups
Toyota HiAce minibus
Comfortable transport for families, groups, conferences and airport shuttles.
City · Electric
Electric cars
Quiet, low emission EVs for city transfers and business travel in Addis Ababa.
Who we work with
Trusted by travelers, businesses and organizations
International travelers
Private drivers and guides for visitors from the USA, UK, Europe and beyond, whether it is your first trip to Africa or your fifth to Ethiopia.
Diaspora visitors
Flexible car hire and family trips for Ethiopians living abroad, including long distance travel to home regions.
Business and executives
Dedicated chauffeurs, meet and greet service, invoices with TIN and monthly corporate accounts.
NGOs, media and conferences
Reliable transport for NGO field work, journalists and delegates attending events at the African Union and UNECA.
Our values
Responsible travel that benefits local communities
- Local people first: we work with local guides, community lodges, family run restaurants and Ethiopian owned hotels.
- Respectful visits: we brief every traveler on etiquette and photography, especially in the Omo Valley and at religious sites.
- Honest advice: we tell you what is realistic for your time and budget, including when a route or season is not the right choice.
- Safety: experienced drivers, well maintained vehicles, insurance on every rental and daily monitoring of regional conditions.
- Lower impact: electric cars in the city and itineraries that spend more time in fewer places.
Reviews
What our travelers say
We are proud of the feedback our guests leave after their trips. Read verified reviews from real travelers on Google and Tripadvisor.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Drive Ethiopia
About the company
Who is Drive Ethiopia?
Drive Ethiopia is a local tour operator and travel company based in Addis Ababa. We plan and run private tailor made tours, fixed group departures and festival tours across Ethiopia, and provide car rental with driver, self-drive rental and airport transfers.
Where is Drive Ethiopia located?
Our office is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Most trips start and end in Addis Ababa, where our team meets you at Bole International Airport or your hotel.
How experienced is the Drive Ethiopia team?
Our founder has more than ten years of experience in Ethiopian tourism, including tour operations, ticketing and visa processing, and has travelled to around 90% of Ethiopia’s main cities and towns. Our driver guides know the routes, the history and the local cultures first hand.
Where can I read Drive Ethiopia reviews?
You can read reviews from our travelers on Google and on Tripadvisor. Links to both are in the reviews section of this page.
Booking and payment
How quickly will I get a quote?
We usually reply within 2 hours with a detailed, day by day itinerary and a clear price. Send your dates, number of travelers and interests through our contact form, email or WhatsApp.
How do I pay, and is a deposit required?
A deposit of 0 to 30% confirms your booking, with the balance due between 45 and 0 days before travel, depending on the tour size, travel date and tour type. You can pay by bank transfer or card. Car rentals and airport transfers also need a deposit.
Is my deposit refundable?
Yes. Deposits are 100% refundable when a booking is cancelled in line with our cancellation policy. Ask us for the full terms before you book.
How far in advance should I book?
For most tours, 1 to 3 months ahead is ideal. For festival tours such as Genna, Timket, Meskel and Fasika, book 6 to 12 months ahead, as hotels and flights fill up and prices rise.
Do you offer discounts for children?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 12 get up to 60% off, and children under 2 travel free. The minimum age for the Danakil Depression tour is 15.
Tours and services
Do you offer private tours or group tours?
Both. Most of our tours are private and tailor made. We also run fixed group departures: the Addis Ababa city tour daily from 9 am to 5 pm, Wenchi Crater Lake every Friday and Saturday, a 4 day Danakil Depression tour on the first Friday of each month and a 7 day Omo Valley tour from the 1st to the 7th of each month, from August to April.
Can you provide a private driver for American, UK or European tourists?
Yes. We provide private, English speaking drivers and driver guides for international visitors, for a single day, a city transfer or a full tour of Ethiopia.
Do you provide chauffeurs for executives, journalists and conferences?
Yes. We offer dedicated chauffeurs, VIP vehicles, meet and greet service with a name board, invoices with TIN and monthly corporate accounts for companies, NGOs, media teams and conference delegates.
Which hotels do you use?
We book hotels at every level, from budget guesthouses to 5 star hotels, and recommend the best options in each region based on your budget and preferences.
Can you help with my Ethiopian visa?
We give practical visa advice, but we do not apply for visas on your behalf. Most travelers apply for the official eVisa at evisa.gov.et before they fly.
Do you offer layover tours from Bole Airport?
Yes. With a layover of at least 4 hours and a valid visa, we can pick you up at the airport, show you the highlights of Addis Ababa and bring you back in time for your flight.
How much should I tip my guide and driver?
Tipping is appreciated but always optional. As a guideline, many travelers give around 20 to 25 USD per day to a guide and 10 to 15 USD per day to a driver.
Let’s plan your Ethiopia trip
Tell us your dates and interests and we will send a detailed, tailor made proposal within 2 hours.