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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopia With Kids: Which Destinations Actually Work for Family Travel
Ethiopia with kids: the three regions that work for families now, altitude, malaria and drive times by destination, health notes and where to avoid.
Three parts of Ethiopia work best with children right now: Addis Ababa with the crater lakes at Bishoftu, the Rift Valley lakes from Hawassa south to Arba Minch, and Harar with Dire Dawa in the east. They combine short travel days, moderate altitude, and no UK government advice against travel to the places you would stay. The famous northern circuit of Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar is the route most family guides recommend, but as of 30 October 2026 the UK government advises against all travel to Amhara region, where all three are. Our minimum age for any trip is 2.
The three things that decide whether a destination works for a family are the length of the travel days, the altitude, and the heat. Malaria matters too, because almost everywhere outside Addis Ababa that suits small children sits below the 2,000 metre line where the risk begins.
Destinations at a glance
| Destination | Getting there from Addis Ababa | Altitude | Malaria risk | Notes for families |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addis Ababa | You start here | About 2,400 m | None | Breathless on stairs for the first day or two |
| Bishoftu crater lakes | About 45 to 50 km by road, around an hour | Up to about 1,850 m | Yes | Easy day trip or one night |
| Hawassa | About 280 km by road, three and a half hours or more | About 1,700 m | Yes | Lakeside town, a good overnight stop |
| Arba Minch | A flight, or a full day's drive | About 1,285 m | Yes | Boat trips on Lake Chamo, hot |
| Harar | A flight to Dire Dawa, then about 50 km by road | About 1,885 m | Yes | Walkable old town, evening hyena feeding |
| Bale Mountains | A long day's drive | Above 4,000 m on the Sanetti Plateau | None above 2,000 m | Older children only, ascend slowly |
| Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Simien | Flights or long drives | 1,800 to 3,600 m | Varies | UK advises against all travel to Amhara |
| Danakil Depression | Long drives in 4×4 convoys | Below sea level | Yes | Not suitable for children |
Road times are our measurements on OpenStreetMap with clear roads, and real journeys take longer. Altitudes are from the UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) figures in our health guide and from the towns' published elevations. The malaria column follows NaTHNaC's line: high risk below 2,000 metres, none in Addis Ababa or above 2,000 metres.
Addis Ababa and Bishoftu
Addis Ababa is the easiest place in the country to be with children. You have the widest choice of hotels and food, the best private hospitals, and no malaria. Most visitors feel the altitude as breathlessness on stairs and a poor first night's sleep, so plan a gentle first day.
The crater lakes at Bishoftu are the obvious first trip out. They are about an hour from the capital on the expressway, and the town is inside the corridor that the UK advice excludes from its warning for East Shewa zone. At Lake Hora you can go out by boat or walk by the water. Our guide to the Bishoftu crater lakes covers which lake to see first and where to stay.
The Rift Valley lakes: Hawassa to Arba Minch
South of Addis Ababa, the A7 road runs down the Rift Valley past a chain of lakes to Hawassa. The UK advice excludes the A7 itself, from the expressway junction down to Hawassa, from its East Shewa warning. Some lakeside lodges sit off the road, so check where you are staying against the advice before you book.
Hawassa, about three and a half hours from the capital on a clear road, makes a comfortable base. It sits on its lake at about 1,700 metres, higher and so cooler than Arba Minch further south.
Arba Minch is a full day's drive from Addis Ababa, so with children it is usually better to fly. Ethiopian Airlines flies to Arba Minch Airport, about 5 kilometres from the town. The boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles and hippos is what most children enjoy most, and Nechisar National Park has zebras on the plains. It is hot, and it is in the malaria zone. Our Arba Minch guide has the detail, and our Rift Valley lakes guide covers the lakes in between.
Harar and Dire Dawa
Harar works well for families because you can fly most of the way. Dire Dawa has the airport, and Harar is about 50 kilometres up the road, around an hour by car. The old walled town is compact enough to walk around with children, and the evening hyena feeding outside the walls is the part most of them remember. The hyenas are wild animals, so keep small children back from them.
Harar sits at about 1,885 metres and Dire Dawa at about 1,276, so both are in the malaria zone, and Dire Dawa is hot. Our Harar guide covers the old town, and our Harar and Dire Dawa tour is built around the flight.
Where to think twice
The Bale Mountains suit older children who are happy outdoors. The road across the Sanetti Plateau climbs above 4,000 metres quickly, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that children are as susceptible to the effects of high altitude as adults. Young children who can't yet talk may show only vague signs, such as poor appetite, irritability or changes in sleep, so plan a slow ascent.
The Omo Valley means long driving days on rough roads, which is hard going with small children.
The Danakil Depression is not a place for children. It is extreme heat, with daytime temperatures passing 50°C in the hot months, very basic camping, and long drives. The UK advises against all but essential travel to most of Afar, and foreign nationals currently can't fly into Afar's airports.
Health notes for children
See a travel health clinic at least eight weeks before you go, with your actual route and your children's ages and weights. These points come from the CDC's guidance on travelling with children, updated in December 2025:
- Malaria tablets for children are dosed by weight, and the options depend on age. Atovaquone-proguanil can be given to children of 5 kg and over, and doxycycline only to those over 8.
- DEET insect repellent can be used on children, at the lowest effective strength, but don't put it on the hands of children under 2. Use nets over beds and infant carriers.
- Children dehydrate faster than adults when they have diarrhoea. Pack oral rehydration salts and make them up with boiled or bottled water.
- Rabies is more common in children than adults worldwide, because they approach animals and are bitten on the head and neck. Teach them to keep away from dogs and other animals, and to tell you about any bite or scratch.
- Babies under 6 months should stay in the shade, and severe sunburn in a young infant is a medical emergency. The sun is strong at Ethiopia's altitude.
The UK government advises drinking only boiled or bottled water and avoiding ice. Our Ethiopia travel health guide covers vaccinations, altitude and malaria by region.
On the road
The CDC advises children to travel in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt suited to their age and size, and says families often need to bring a car seat from home because approved seats may not be available abroad. Children of 12 and under are safest in the back. Ask us about seats for your dates when you enquire, and bring your own if you can.
Keep driving days short and break longer drives with stops. That is why the routes above lean on day trips and flights. A car with a driver also means you can sit in the back with the children rather than concentrate on the road.
Food
Ethiopian food is built around injera, a soft sourdough flatbread, served with stews that range from mild to very spicy. Learn one word: alicha. Any dish described as alicha is made with turmeric instead of chilli, so it is mild. On Wednesdays and Fridays and during the fasting seasons, many restaurants serve mainly fasting food, which is plant-based. Hotels in Addis Ababa and the larger towns also serve international food. Our Ethiopian food guide explains the dishes.
FAQ
Is Ethiopia good for a family holiday?
It can be, with the right route. Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, the Rift Valley lakes from Hawassa to Arba Minch, and Harar with Dire Dawa combine short travel days with no UK advice against travel. Check the current advice before you plan anything further north.
What is the minimum age for a trip with Drive Ethiopia?
Two years old. Beyond that, we plan the route around your children's ages, keeping travel days short and altitude gains gradual.
Is the Danakil Depression suitable for children?
No. Daytime temperatures pass 50°C in the hot months, the camping is very basic and the drives are long. The UK also advises against all but essential travel to most of Afar.
Do children need malaria tablets in Ethiopia?
For most family routes outside Addis Ababa, probably yes, because they sit below 2,000 metres, where NaTHNaC reports a high malaria risk. Antimalarials for children are dosed by weight, so ask a travel clinic.
Can we visit Lalibela with children?
As of 30 October 2026, the UK government advises against all travel to Amhara region, which includes Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar. Check your own government's advice and your insurance before planning it.
Should we bring a child car seat?
Yes, if you can. The CDC notes that approved car seats are often unavailable abroad. Tell us your children's ages when you enquire.
Plan a family trip with us
Tell us your dates and your children's ages, and we will suggest a route with short travel days and the right vehicle. You will have a reply within two hours and a detailed itinerary with a quote within 24 hours.
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