Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your vehicle's fuel consumption will be 25% higher in highland Ethiopia than at sea level
because of the increased altitudes.
»While there are helpful garages throughout the country (ask your hotel to recommend
one), spare parts are not abundant outside Addis Ababa. It's wise to take stock while in
Addis and acquire all that you may need for the journey ahead. Thanks to Toyota Land
Cruisers being the choice of most tour operators, their parts are more plentiful and less ex-
pensive than those for Landrovers.
Hire
Most people hire a 4WD. Recent road improvements mean this isn't always necessary, but
since all tour companies only offer 4WD it's something of an academic point!
»Despite competition between the numerous tour agents in Addis Ababa that hire 4WDs,
prices are steep and range from US$160 per day for older vehicles to US$180 for luxuri-
ous newer models. Most companies include unlimited kilometres, a driver, driver allow-
ance (for their food and accommodation), fuel, third-party insurance, a collision damage
waiver and government taxes in their rates; check all these details, and ask if service
charges will be added afterwards and if there are set driver's hours. Some companies al-
low you to pay for fuel separately. This is almost always cheaper than paying an all-in-
clusive rate.
»Know that prices are always negotiable and vary greatly depending on the period of rent-
al and the season. Despite the hassle, you'll always pay much less organising things your-
self in Ethiopia rather than hiring an agency at home to arrange it.
»Drivers are mandatory - currently no agency offers self-drive 4WD outside Addis. These
drivers can be very useful as guides-cum-interpreters-cum-mechanics. Although tips are
expected afterwards (see the boxed text on
Click here
f
or tipping guidelines), a nice ges-
ture during the trip is to share food together (which costs very little).
»Though expensive, the chief advantage of 4WD hire over bus travel is the time that can
be saved. Trip durations are at least halved and there's no waiting around in remote re-
gions for infrequent and erratic buses. Note also that some national parks can only be
entered with a 4WD.
»Some Addis Ababa-based agencies have branch offices in towns on the Historical Route
and can rent 4WDs, but only by prearrangement. Increasingly, private individuals rent to
tourists. Be aware of the risks, particularly regarding insurance and the condition of the
car.
»Self-drive cars are only hired for use in and around Addis. If you're still interested in hir-
ing one to toot around the capital (and it's hard to see what you'd gain from doing this
