Stick with companies that make cameras if you want a good quality camera. Canon, Nikon, and Olympus all make excellent digital cameras. Optical zoom, as was stated above, is the way to go. "Digital zoom" is sales hype and does not mean anything.
You should probably get at least a 5MP camera. That will enable you to make some enlargements that are good quality. Don't scrimp on the camera for a big trip like that.
The only question I have is: Why would anybody want to go to Ethiopia for ANYthing?

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles