Hi, I am wondering if anyone could share their experience/recent information on crossing Ethiopia/northern Kenya using truck convoys or any other means of public transport.

Is it possible to arrange for this from Adis?

Thanks

Martin

Hi Martin - I am planning to cross over from the Kenyan side early Aug. so am starting to ask abt the security and it seems as if its getting worse - I'm going to do some more checking and will let you know - but I think its worth you finding out more

cheers

miles

As I rode north through Mozambique last september, there were rumours of convoys. when I arrived at Isiolo, I found touts and cops trying to persuade me to put the bike on a truck. in the end, there were no convoys and no aggro. well, no aggro if you ignore the locals driving their herds out into the road in front of you ...
2-3 days by car/truck or 6 hours of mayhem on bike.
it was worth the buckled rim!
of course ... it may all have changed by now
good luck and keep us posted as I may be back there in December
Rich

Hello,

I've done this route in late 2002 (I don't belive things have changed much from that time).
* First you need to reach the border at Moyale, which is very easy - bus from Addis (6 am of course) takes 1.5 day with overnight stop somewhere and arriving about early afternoon.
* In Moyale just walk from the bus-stop 200 m to the passport office (left side), another 200 m to the customs office (right side), 200 m to the border itself, 400 m to the nearest hotel.
* From Moyale central crossroads, there are cow-trucks departing 9 am daily. It's not neccesary to arrive earlier, although you could like to take good 'seat', so 8:30 is ok. Cost to Marsabit: 500 KSh. You can sit in the cabin for extra fee, but I guess it should be negotiated at least day ahead. On the top are only steel pipes to sit on and top of the cabin. I found most 'comfortable' place to be on a spare tyre in centre - be careful when passing under thorn-trees! Trucks are supposed to travel with armed guards, which they indeed do, but only till the nearest village, when they jump-off, the rest of the journey is unguarded.
* At Marsabit trucks stop overnight and continue c.a. 6 am to Isiolo. Fare is again 500 KSh (you can pay whole 1.000 KSh in Moyale). Journey from here is supposed to be guarded, but it's not.
* From Isiolo is tarmac, and easy to go anywhere.

Best regards,

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Janusz
www.yahodeville.com

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Janusz
www.yahodeville.com

Martin, the email address in your profile is bouncing, please correct. Thanks

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Martin,

when will you ride this way?
We will probably arrive at the border around the 12th August and arange things in Moyale.

Oerg.