OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- Africa
- Eritrea
Eritrea
Geographically Eritrea has two faces, dissected as it is almost
in half by the Great Rift Valley. The western 'half' is fertile
land while the east is a desert descending to the coastline.
Eritrea sits squarely over the Danakil Depression of Eritrea, where
three tectonic plates tug away from one another. And if the ground
pulling apart underneath you wasn't enough to worry your movements
on this land, getting around in Eritrea once there, is tricky. It
has the world's most expensive fuel and even if you could afford a
taxi or rental vehicle, many of the country's roads are defunct or
closed. Instead, the only way to navigate the interior is by
rail.
Still, Eritrea is not without its charm. With the Red Sea
serving as its coastline, diving to see coral and majestic sea life
is a rewarding experience and Eritrea's most popular tourist
activity. The capital of Asmara hosts some of the most intact
colonial (Italian) architecture in Africa, while to the south of
Asmara there pre-Aksumite civilisation sites such as Qohaito's
Ruins, the ongoing excavation of which is constantly revealing new
mysteries.
Unfortunately the wonder of Eritrea will probably remain buried
until conflict with neighbouring Ethiopia is resolved. The current
government stringently controls all travel, media, business and
other enterprise, earning Eritrea the dubious accolade of being
dubbed the 'North Korea of Africa'.
Information & Facts
Customs
In Eritrea, local customs and social etiquette are heavily
influenced by the religious convictions of its population. Whether
Orthodox Christians or followers of Islam, Eritreans value respect
of their elders, conservative dress and behaviour (although casual
dress is accepted), and strict observance of fasting periods. It is
also considered rude to show the soles of your feet or shoes, and
to touch or move objects with your feet. Visitors should avoid
using their left hand when greeting others, or when eating, as it
is considered 'haram' (impure). Also note that homosexuality is
illegal in Eritrea, and is punishable by imprisonment.
Duty Free
Visitors to Eritrea may import the following goods: 200
cigarettes/50 cigars/250g of tobacco, and one litre of alcohol.
Passport Visa
Foreign passengers to Eritrea need a passport valid for at least
one month beyond their intended period of stay. All visitors should
hold return or onward tickets, and the necessary travel
documentation for their next destination. Tourist visas, valid for
a stay of up to one month (renewable for two more months), can be
obtained on arrival in Eritrea, provided that they have been
requested by a local sponsor at the Eritrean Immigration Authority,
48 hours before the passenger's arrival. Note that boarding should
not take place until confirmation of this request has been
received. One passport-sized photo is required to issue the
on-arrival visa. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required
to enter Eritrea, if the visitor is arriving within six days of
leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly
recommended that your passport has at least six months validity
remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel
destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to
those stated by travel agents and official sources.