Accommodation recommendations in Addis and Khartoum

[PhilP]

Hello,

I am busy planning an overland trip from SA thru East Africa to Egypt for either next year, or more likely 2022 when one considers the latest Covid-19 news.

I have found a lot of useful information on this forum and other sources (i.e. iOverlander) from many well known overlanders, but I'm running into a brick wall with regards to decent/affordable places for overlanders to stay (either in RTT or hotel) in Addis and Khartoum.

In Addis, the more recent feedback on Wim's Holland House is not good. In Khartoum, the German House seems to have closed down.

If anyone has any good/safe/clean recommendations that are fairly recent, please respond with your valuable insights because I am sure that there are quite a few people planning trips that are running into a similar lack of current info.

Thanks,

Phil

[Wetkit]

Hi Phil,

I have some friends in Addis.
How long would you like to stay for?
How much space would you need for your vehicle? Does it need to be under roof?
Do you also need separate room to sleep?
Cooking and cleaning?

[Jens78]

Do what the Voetspore guys do; camp in the grounds of a mission station and leave a donation.

[GunRunner]

Hi PhilP,

I am currently living in Khartoum - let me know what you are looking for and I will get you some places. I'll help where I can, I also have some contacts at farms/resorts outside of Khartoum.

[Wazungu Wawili]

You will find that, on a long overland trip, your standards will drop with regard to accommodation. The iconic overlander places to stay/camp are where you will meet other overlanders.

Wim’s Holland House in Addis has always been rather unconventional and the facilities not particularly good. When we camped there in 2013, we were squashed in between the inspection pit, bits of old vehicles, and other overlanders. But the bar and restaurant were good, the ambiance excellent and we had a great time. But we didn’t mind cold showers or no water and using a bucket and scoop to wash (having come down from Egypt and Sudan). I know that Wim has since died and I had heard that his Ethiopian wife was continuing the business. There are plenty of hotels in Addis and the Bradt guide to Ethiopia is one of the best ever guidebooks to any country.

In Khartoum, the iconic overlander place to camp was the Blue Nile Sailing Club. We camped there in 2013. It was just for one night. It’s hay-day was over, but it’s position on the Blue Nile is wonderful and it was a relatively cool place to camp. Don’t expect western standard toilets or a shower. The staff and members were very friendly and welcoming.

I hope you saw my reply to you on a post in the Kenya section.

[PhilP]

Thanks WW for the information. I fully realize the "standards issue" so no problem there... The more recent reviews on Wims are not great, regardless of standards, but maybe that is where I'll end up as it is close to the Sudanese consulate...

I've got a bit of time so hopefully I'll find a gem


I will check the other post for your response - thank you!!

[PhilP]

Hi Phil,

I have some friends in Addis.
How long would you like to stay for?
How much space would you need for your vehicle? Does it need to be under roof?
Do you also need separate room to sleep?
Cooking and cleaning?

Hi Wetkit,

Thanks for the info and offer. I will come back to you closer to the time should I need assistance but it is nice to know that there are people who can assist - much appreciated!!

Thanks,

Phil

[PhilP]

Hi PhilP,

I am currently living in Khartoum - let me know what you are looking for and I will get you some places. I'll help where I can, I also have some contacts at farms/resorts outside of Khartoum.

Hi Riaan,

Brilliant - thank you!! We still have a lot of time (unfortunately) as I'm in planning stages - of route and vehicle mods.

I'm very interested in whatever suggestions you have. I will probably be by myself in a Toyota Fortuner with a RTT. Planning probably a few nights in Khartoum plus a few stops enroute towards Egypt. Not planning to go to Port Sudan at this stage...

Appreciate your quick response and offer!

Phil

[GunRunner]

Hi Riaan,

Brilliant - thank you!! We still have a lot of time (unfortunately) as I'm in planning stages - of route and vehicle mods.

I'm very interested in whatever suggestions you have. I will probably be by myself in a Toyota Fortuner with a RTT. Planning probably a few nights in Khartoum plus a few stops enroute towards Egypt. Not planning to go to Port Sudan at this stage...

Appreciate your quick response and offer!

Phil

Phil,

You are more than welcome - I'm always happy to help. WW is correct - overlanders normally stay over at the Sailing Club and you can always book a sunset boat ride with full dinner there - definitely worth it. It's on Nile road so you can easily also get to the White Nile, confluence and Tutti Island. I'll try and confirm for you re the facilities etc.

Alternatively, there is a resort at Jabal al-Awliya called Escape that is about 90minutes north of Khartoum as an alternative to "city camping".

Closer to the time you can contact me via PM and I will assist with directions etc.

Good luck with the planning !

[Wazungu Wawili]

Here is an excerpt from our blog (albeit in October 2013).

Back on the busy main road from Port Sudan to Khartoum, we dodged trucks and suicidal buses; eventually we arrived safely at the Blue Nile Sailing Club in central Khartoum. Have no illusions that it reciprocates with the Army and Navy Club or has Royal Yacht Club status – its colonial heyday peaked in the late 1960s – but we liked its location right on the Blue Nile with a grassy terrace and tables and chairs. In the middle of the compound lies one of Kitchener’s gunboats now used as the club office. The camping offered was in the carpark, and so we went to have a look at the ‘National Camping Residence’ which some Sudanese had recommended as being vastly superior. This, when we found it, had the air of a refugee camp, and is clearly used by Sudanese on the way to/from the Hajj or villagers called in to participate in national parades. So back we went to the Blue Nile Sailing Club, via an abortive attempt to find an expat area with a recommended supermarket.

Here is the link to what we posted on the forum about Egypt and Sudan. https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...d-October-2013

And here is the link to what we posted on the forum about Ethiopia.
https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...-November-2013