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Best route Kenya to Ethopia Best route Kenya to Ethopia
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  #1  
Old 8 Nov 2008
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Best route Kenya to Ethopia
I'm in Tanzania and thinking about my route north, can anyone tell me the best route to take from Kenya to Ethopia... also can I get the Ethopian visa at the border? Thanks in advance -Mike
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Old 8 Nov 2008
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Re Route and visa
In 2005, we (Irish) had to get visas from Embassies in Sudan coming and Kenya going. I believe you may find it impossible at border. (Unless you pass through an unmanned border crossing).

If you want the fastest (african speed) route I would recommend the Moyale border crossing coming from Nairobi, Isiolo, marsabit.

If you want the scenic route (much slower but worth it in my opinion head up to Lake Turkana by going Nairobi, Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Maralal and on up to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia - sometimes you can "miss" the border this way. I met a few overlanders in the past who came into Kenya unchecked through this crossing and it was a small formality to go through immigration etc in Nairobi. I don't know if this is as easy in Addis Ababa. During the rainy season it can sometimes be quite difficult taking this route and as an alternative you could choose to cut across the Chalbi dessert from Lake Turkana to Marsabit which is the route we did in reverse.

Things may have changed a little since 2005 (a bit more tarmac) so I stand to be corrected.

R
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  #3  
Old 8 Nov 2008
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Masrabit/Moyale is stright forward. I don't think they will issue a vias on the boarder.
As for the Turkana route, in Ileret (the last kenyan village going to north) there is a police post, where our passports were checked. But there is no 'boarder' on the kenyan side. I imagine it would be very easy to ride throught the town with out being stopped, or even knowing it was there. There is a eithoipan border post, a tin shack, but the actual imigration stamping is done in Omorate. For your carnet/importation docs that you will have to go to customs in Addis.

The turkana route is not easy, but it defently proved it to be the most merorable part of my trip. A few pics below.
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  #4  
Old 10 Nov 2008
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Thumbs up Kenya to Ethiopia
In 2006 we "missed" the customs office at Omorate (detour from actual place of border crossing) on entering Ethiopia from Kenya via Turkana route. This route is awsome but remote. On bikes not advisable without 4x4 fuel back up. Also the Omo valley in Ethopia is very special with all the ancient tribes still living there.

Upon arrival in Addis we reported to immigration but they had no stamps to stamp our visa (issued in Nairobi) in our passports but they cleared that and our carnet de passage by sending a fax to border post of exit. The fax said that all was ok and that it was their mistake we had no visa because they did not have the stamp available. Naturally we were seriously concerned whether this would work and we were anticipating for the worst. But it worked like a charm, the fax was there and upon checking our PP, they actually said they were expecting us

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
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Old 18 Jan 2009
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vik
People still think about you here in NYC. Don't dismiss everybody. I just want to know if you are OK. I see now that you are still chasing your dream. Good luck. sincerely. vik
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Old 9 May 2009
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Bypassing Kenya
Hey everyone,

does anybody know about a possibility to bypass kenya, ie go through southern sudan or....?

Cheers,
robin
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  #7  
Old 13 May 2009
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bypass Kenya
Davor, from Croatia, went from Ethiopia through Juba, southern Sudan, and into northern Uganda. He got a special permit to enter the area from Addis, but it was possible. You might try contacting him on the forum. He is "KTM Davor" on the HUBB.

Marcus
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