Moyale Getting Around

Getting Around

Probably the most important piece of info for Moyale as it has very little to offer as a destination in its self. As is the case for all public bus transportation in Ethiopia you must get to the station by 5:30 AM for the tpical 6-6:30 AM departures. Seats are on a first come first serve basis here and remember that any "bagage handlers" are usually freelancers, but 2-4 Birr will keep them happy. As for its sister city across the border in Kenya, for destinations south, its typically best to get over the day before and start asking around about trucks heading south. It is certainly much nicer of a ride to arrange a spot in the cab of a truck heading south. As of June '05 there is a bus running all the way to Nairobi taking over 24 hours. This is by far the best transport option so ask around as soon as you arrive in Moyale. Both the trucks and buses like to leave very early in the morning so remember to set your alarm clock! For a truck, in June '05 the going rate was 1500 Kenyan Shillings for a cab spot or 1000 Kenyan Shillings for an adventure in the truck bed. Sometimes this covers the cost to Isiolo (as was the rate in April '05 from Isiolo to Moyale) and if you are lucky it will cover the cost all the way to Nairobi (or anywhere along the main Isiolo to Nairobi highway that you want to be dropped off). Bandits or Shiftas are an on and off problem in Northern Kenya, so best to keep advised of the current situation before heading off. However, for the most part they are uninterested in Westerners, as attacks on Westerners have a higher chance of initiating a response from the military police forces. And many people have used the Moyale to Isiolo route to enter Ethipoia. There is also some recent ethnic fighting between the Gabra and Borana, such as the Turbi massacre, and the situation remains tense between Moyale and Marsabit. Again this violence shouldn't be directed at foreigners but it is good to inquire about the local situation and pay attention.