Major city · Ethiopia
Melka Awashመልካ አዋሽና
Half-day stop from Addis Ababa for the Melka Kunture archaeological site: 1 hour south by car, see the museum and excavation pits, then return. Not an overnight destination.
Melka Awash is a small town 50 km south of Addis Ababa, best known for the Melka Kunture Paleolithic site, a UNESCO World Heritage cluster of six excavation areas with hominid remains up to two million years old. The main attraction is the Gombore Garaba museum and its surrounding pits. Most visitors come as a half-day trip from Addis, combining it with Tiya or Sodere.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, muddy paths)
- Airport
- ADD
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
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- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
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Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Melka Awash991 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Melka Awash, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); the rate was floated in July 2024 and has moved a lot since — check the current rate before you land.Ethiopia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEthio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.Ethiopia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Ethiopia-wide
- TippingLocal restaurant: Round up.Ethiopia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ethiopia-wide
- SafetySafe for day visitors; the main risk is the road from Addis (livestock, pedestrians, potholes).
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road.Ethiopia-wide
- Emergency numbers991 police · 907 ambulance · 939 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on all public holidays; many shops close on Orthodox feast days; Muslim businesses close for Friday prayers in Harar.Ethiopia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportADD Addis Ababa Bole International (About 1 h 15 min drive north; hire a car or join a tour from Addis.).
- Getting aroundThe six excavation sites are spread over a few kilometres; you need a car or a guide with a vehicle.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ADD Addis Ababa Bole International (About 1 h 15 min drive north; hire a car or join a tour from Addis.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Melka Awash: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The six excavation sites are spread over a few kilometres; you need a car or a guide with a vehicle. The Gombore Garaba museum is walkable from the main road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tiya
goDoor to door: 30 min
Continue south on the same highway, about 30 km (19 mi), 30 min by carContinue south on the same highway, about 19 mi (30 km), 30 min by car
UNESCO-listed stelae field; combine with Melka Awash for a full day.
Sodere
goDoor to door: 45 min
Drive east about 40 km (25 mi), 45 minDrive east about 25 mi (40 km), 45 min
Hot springs resort; good for a swim after the archaeological sites.
Door to door: 1 h
Drive north on the highway, 50 km (31 mi), about 1 hDrive north on the highway, 31 mi (50 km), about 1 h
Return to the capital for accommodation and nightlife.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Melka Awash town
Very limited options; most visitors stay in Addis Ababa or Adama and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ETB 1,500–3,000 excl. transport
- Mid
- ETB 3,000–6,000 excl. transport
- High
- ETB 6,000+ excl. transport
Trip budget
| Day trip (no overnight)2 × 1 night × ETB 0 | ETB 0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ETB 4,000 | ETB 8,000 |
| Car hire with driver from Addis (full day)1 × ETB 4,000 · check | ETB 4,000 |
| Melka Kunture entry fee2 × ETB 500 · check | ETB 1,000 |
| Guide fee (optional)1 × ETB 1,000 · check | ETB 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 1,400 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 7,700 per person per day, bed included | ETB 15,400 |
No accommodation needed; return to Addis in the evening.
2026 estimate in ETB; flights excluded. Day-trip from Addis.
Prices of common things
| Melka Kunture entry feeForeign adult, 2026 estimate | ETB 500 (check) |
| Guide (English-speaking, half day) | ETB 1,000–1,500 (check) |
| Car hire with driver, Addis round trip | ETB 3,000–5,000 (check) |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | ETB 30–50 |
| Simple lunch in Melka Awash town | ETB 200–400 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public transport directly to the sites; arrange a car or tour from Addis.
- The paths between excavation pits can be muddy and slippery after rain.
- No restaurants or shops near the museum; bring water and snacks.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
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Melka Awashመልካ አዋሽና
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ወደ መልካ ቁንጥሬ እባክህTo Melka Kunture, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Addis → Melka Awash by car: about ETB 2,000–3,000 one way (check)
- Melka Awash → Tiya by car: about ETB 1,000–1,500 (check)
Say or show
- ሰላም — Hello (sälam)
- አመሰግናለሁ — Thank you (amäsäggənalähu)
- ስንት ነው? — How much? (sənt näw?)
- ሙዚየሙ የት ነው? — Where is the museum? (muziyämu yät näw?)
Amharic is the main language; English is understood by guides and at the museum.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Melka Awash. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, muddy paths) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each excavation pit with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat page with last orders and menu prices.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the museum and parking area.
Sources
Ask about Melka Awash
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