Moyale Travel Guide

There is no problem in travelling towards Nairobi. Simply cross the border do the immigration formalities (5 minutes) and then walk up to road for another 5 minutes. Opposite the police station, where the bank is, is the place where the trucks meet to leave for Isiolo or Nairobi. A place in the cab will cost 1200 Ksh (20 $) on the back its 800 Ksh. The trip takes two to three days depending on the road condition.

Show up early if you want a seat in the front or at least at 9 am if you don´t mind sitting on top of the truck. Usually the trucks leave at 9.30 am.

Occasionally there is a bus travelling between Moyale and Isiolo. I met on traveller who had been on that bus, but nobody knew about this mysterious bus in Moyale!

It is a beut shop ,in biashara street. Good ,fair price all cosmetics.

What to buy: We have cosmetic item:s body cream,body lotions.face cream ,scrub,facewash,bleachs,hair treatment,shampoo,hair oil.prefumes:mens prefum. femm prefum and deodrant spry and roll on

What to pay: Fair

Moyale is a typical border town, what means that many people especially when coming from Kenya, are new in Ethiopia and don`t know about exchange rates, prices, transport system etc. Of course somebody will be happy to make some money out of it:

Broker – A broker is a guys who will arrange a seat on a truck, pick up or bus for you. He also will change money or arrange accommodation or do some shopping for you. Of course he will get some commission for his service or cheat you. Use brokers as a source of information and check with other travellers but don`t deal with them!

Begging and Faranji Hysteria – Moyale, for me, was the worst place with people constantly asking me for money, presents, my water bottle or everything they desired, shouting Faranji and you, you, you all the time!

Overcharging – Nowhere else I was overcharge so heavily than in this village. I.e. Fasting biscuits cost only 0.50 Birr everywhere in Ethiopia, here they asked for 5 Birr! For an example a beer is 3,50 Birr, a coke 2,50 Birr, a haircut 4 Birr meals are about 5-10 Birr and not more! Ask before you order something or make use of a service!

Bradt Guide – Forget the Moyale chapter in this great book! Its a complete mess, even the map is wrong!

Border – the border opens only at 8 am.

Right next to the road about 2 km north of the village of Mega are the ruins of an Italian fort. Not really a highlight but if somebody is interested in military architecture and there is nothing else to do ...

Favorite thing: The border post is opened from 8 am to 6pm on the Ethiopian side. I was told that the Kenyan side is opened throughout the whole night which doesn`t make sense but anyway. If you need to cross the border early show up at the office and ask the watchman to allow you waiting inside the area. For me he asked the officer to come and stamp my passport so that I didn`t need to wait for one hour. The officers were extremely friendly and helpful.
If you are sure that you will not return to Ethiopia then its possible to walk across to the other side without getting the exit stamp.

On the Kenyan side you can buy a three month valid tourist visa for 50 $ without any problems.