Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»The northern, Ethiopian, version of Moyale is well connected to the north and Addis
Ababa by bus, along a pretty good, but often potholed, section of sealed road (transport
details are found on
Click here
)
. Though security is normally not a problem along the
main north-south route and in and around Moyale, there had, at the time of writing, been
some serious tribal fighting in the area and tensions were running high.
»Getting solid info on what the situation is like at the moment you want to cross can be a
little tricky. Tour companies and government travel-advice websites will know when there
has been serious and sustained fighting in the area (which is rare; although at the time of
writing that was indeed the case), but for the everyday sort of clashes probably the best
source of information is other travellers as well as Lonely Planet's online Thorn Tree for-
um, which generally has very up-to-date info on this crossing.
»The southern, Kenyan, side of Moyale is truly in the middle of nowhere: some 400km
north of the nearest sealed road (although Chinese road crews are busy reducing this dis-
tance) and around 800km north of Nairobi. That said, a daily bus connects Moyale with
Marsabit (KSh1000, 8½ hours) from where transport is available onto Isiolo and then on-
ward to Nairobi. Trucks servicing the same destinations pick up passengers near the main
intersection.
»For those of you in your own vehicles, the road between Moyale and Marsabit is long
and hard (on you and your 4WD - bring at least two spare tyres). Thankfully the banditry
problems of the past seem to be largely under control, although outbreaks of tribal fight-
ing and banditry do still occur. While this normally takes place well away from the main
Marsabit-Moyale road, throughout late 2011 and on into 2012 serious tribal fighting oc-
curred almost to the gates of Moyale, and at one point fighting took place within the town
itself. Armed convoys are sometimes used along this route; although only in times of ex-
treme tension. The Wajir route south is still not considered safe. Either way, be sure to
check the security section before setting out from Moyale. Also make sure you fill up be-
fore leaving Ethiopia as the petrol is half the price.
»The Ethiopian and Kenyan borders at Moyale are open daily. Kenyan three-month visas
are painlessly produced at
Kenyan immigration
( 6.30am-6pm)
for the grand sum of
US$50. It's payable in US dollars (some have managed to pay in euros), but not Ethiopian
birr. Transit visas cost US$20 (valid for seven days).
Ethiopian immigration
( 8am-
noon & 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 9-11am & 3-5pm Sat & Sun)
cannot issue Ethiopian visas; these
must be obtained at an Ethiopian embassy prior to arrival at the border.
»If you're heading south and have a serious 4WD, it's possible to cross the border near
Omorate alongside Lake Turkana. Currently the main (a relative term since it's rarely
travelled) route for overlanders is a vague sandy track branching off the Turmi road about
15km outside of Omorate. Drivers must come fully prepared for a tough trip with few fa-
