The lower southwest region of Ethiopia exhibits much the same fauna and flora as the bushveld in South Africa. Lush thorn trees overgrown bush runs kilometers over hills and through valleys.
Its home to the Omo tribes and Hummer people. We decided against visiting them, tourism have long time ago turned this into a play act as Linda described in her post.
This after all the excitement, we were relaxing sipping on fresh squeezed lemon and mango fruit juice on the veranda of the hotel overlooking Arba Minch, lake Abya and Lake Chamo.
Hotel rates in Ethiopia are so low we can stay for less than camp, its on average R100 for a room. In any case, we had to book into a hotel to wash our clothes. Still full of mud and sand from crossing into Ethiopia and by now the sand stuck in our pants were busy rubbing the skin off our kneecaps.
Arba Minch hotel view
Fruit juice are fresh here, not the water downed stuff we get in South Africa. Fruits are freshly squeeze, nothing else added, you can even get an Avocado drink, well you have to eat it, as it is not drinkable.
We had to stay over another day in Arba Minch due to the fuel shortage while the friendly WesternUnion bank official drove around trying to beg some petrol for us at black market vendors and filling stations. All the small Tuk-Tuk taxi’s use petrol and since there is a shortage tourist are ripped for all they have.
Container bridge
We got a sms from Martijn and Wibien with their 1972 VW they made it to Addis, and also StGeorge offer us his blessings for cold beers. It was wonderful news to know they made it to Addis with the VW. While we went the Turkana route, they had to follow the same route as Harold and Linda and do the 280km Marsabit dirt road.
This was a serious concern for the two with the old VW. I tried to convince Martijn to go for it, just take it slow, other non 4×4 vehicles have been traveling that road and made it without damage. Going slow with a car is the way to get to the other side.
In Isiolo in Kenya he commandeered a truck to take the VW to Marsabit. Not 5min on the road and Martijn and Wibien ordered the man to turn around and offload the VW. The truck operators tied the car on the back of the truck with thin nylon rope and in such a way that would have damaged the VW without doubt.
They soldiered on and got to Marsabit late the afternoon, VW in one piece and their nerves shot, but they made it!
Did you also find that the avocados in that part of Africa tasted very different to what we know in SA. I’ve had avo’s in Tanzania which had a distinctly citrus taste. Very odd amd extremely tasty. Can understand why they can make a ‘juice’.
Hi Michnus,
Just love your reporting style, clearly the Mlungu’s have to keep their wits and wallets well managed !
Thanks for your posting…. really makes a day a the office better!
Hey it is great to have you on the road again.
I envy you but know I could never cope with the Africans the way you do.
These avo’s also had a citrus taste to them, and not as much fiber, more of a smooth texture to them.
Nice read Michnus,
The attractive features of the Ethiopian woman are a definite throwback to the Italians and before them the Egyptians.
When are you guys going back to complete the trip?
Waiting in anticipation for more!
WoW! cant wait to climb on my bike and follow these tracks! awesome stuff! lekker lekker lekker!
Sheez – nog `n awesome stuk ride report. Die eerste foto hierbo getiteld “Ethiopia powder dust roads” is rerig stunning!
En shame on you om die arme ou petrolverkopertjie so te verneuk!!
Groot pret in Afirka. Nou so lus vir stof pad ry en gaan rol sommer buite in die modder rond.
Hi ,
Its seems that yoh having fun !!
If you kindly give us from your experience.
My wife and me are planing overland trip to Africa with our 4X4 vehicle, Arriving to Ethiopia . Planning to stay in Ethiopia for 10-15 days. and than pass to Sudan, travel there for 10 days and return to Ethiopia.
we would like to assist your knowledge about travel with our car in Ethiopia . Do you know if it’s possible to travel with European car in Ethiopia? Can we drive alone? Does it safe traveling with car? How is the roads quality? Do you have some information about the process we need to do in order to pass the board to Sudan? Are there any required papers or documents that I need to bring with me?
Many thanks in advance, Waiting for your replay.