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  1. #1
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    Default East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted



    Unfortunately, the issues already outlined on the eastern route of Africa, more precisely when entering Ethiopia, have been confirmed. The carnet will not be accepted and no tip will be issued. A substantial deposit must be deposited upon entry.


    Over $82,000 was required for a rather aged pickup with a cabin. You can find more prices on my german blog

    https://www.4x4tripping.com/2022/11/...schfunk-3.html

    I will translate soon I can - google translate will help so far

    A refund on departure can be questioned, a "copycat" is known. How the payment will be made in the future - and in which currency, is now unclear even days later.

    trippin
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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by 4x4tripping View Post


    Unfortunately, the issues already outlined on the eastern route of Africa, more precisely when entering Ethiopia, have been confirmed. The carnet will not be accepted and no tip will be issued. A substantial deposit must be deposited upon entry.


    Over $82,000 was required for a rather aged pickup with a cabin. You can find more prices on my german blog

    https://www.4x4tripping.com/2022/11/...schfunk-3.html

    I will translate soon I can - google translate will help so far

    A refund on departure can be questioned, a "copycat" is known. How the payment will be made in the future - and in which currency, is now unclear even days later.

    trippin
    Thanks for posting, it confirms other reports I've seen of deposits' being required, at a cost of 3 x the value of the vehicle (determined by whom?). I haven't seen any news of anyone who has successfully recovered the deposit...
    Last edited by alannymarce; 2022/12/05 at 06:47 PM.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    The Ethiopian government have demanded deposits many times over many years. And then they rescind it. However, I don’t think Ethiopia is a country to travel through at the moment with the ongoing civil war. Please see my thread about some travellers only posting on Instagram. https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...d-social-media

    We are fortunate enough to have driven through Ethiopia twice - and visited it once flying in. It is an extraordinarily beautiful and diverse country. However, it is an intense country to drive oneself through even in the best of times. Currently, it is not the best of times.

    And if anyone even thinks about routing through Somalia… all I can say is they need their heads examined….

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Is there any other option?

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by ATTAARIQ View Post
    Is there any other option?
    Shipping in to Mombasa.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    There is an interesting FB post on this recently. Someone may have found a workaround to the import issue. Post is quoted here:

    Ethiopia UPDATE 1: Hello everyone. For the last month and some change I've been trying to get my vehicle from Sudan through Ethiopia to Kenya. As many of you are well aware, the Ethiopian border officials are requesting a temporary payment prior to passing through. In my case it's nearly $100,000 USD. For awhile I protested this large sum using various justifications but in the end my words fell on deaf ears. Right when I was about to head back North, the ministry of Tourism mentioned that if I was to work with a local tour operator, there might be chance of entry. I found a local tour operator and worked with the president of Ethiopian Tour Guides to gather permission from regional authorities. As I would be passing the Oromia and Amahra regions, I met with the Tourism Directors. Yesterday we gathered a letter from both directors. Today we got a green light from the ministry of Tourism. So if everything works out well, I'll take the letters granting passage to pass through each region to the customs and tell them my local tour operator will be responsible for the vehicle; thus waiving the payment.

    I don't want to jump the gun by any means, but so far progress is good and the chances are high that everything will work out. If it does that means an option exists to pass through Ethiopia.
    Paying a tour guide to follow me around Ethiopia isn't the optimal outcome I wished for. I think getting rid of the import tax on tourists and restoring to Temporary Import Permit or honoring the CDP should be the direction the ECC (Ethiopian Customs Commission) should be going. I've made my thoughts known to the ECC during my various visits with them.

    Anyhow, regardless of the eventual outcome I'll post another message. My goal here is to let those stuck in Kenya or Sudan know some hope does exist and so far things look good. All the best.
    Blog of our African travels: stuckinlowgear.com

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Thanks, Caldriver. Please update on this forum for those of us not on Facebook.

    That FB poster sounds like someone who is geopolitically aware and has the gumption to tackle ministries. He doesn’t say if he has been stuck in no-man’s land between the borders for that considerable amount of time. But I’m sure his vehicle has been, but maybe not him/her/they personally - bus to Addis and back?

    But, as I said before, Ethiopia has frequently, over the years, requested deposits rather then TIPs or carnets. In the past there had been numerous reports of overlanders stuck in no-man’s land at borders. However, the issue still remains of travelling through a country in a state of civil war.
    Last edited by Wazungu Wawili; 2022/12/04 at 01:51 AM.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Regarding my previous post. I think this person on FB is still in Sudan awaiting clarification on entry into Ethiopia.

    I read about another couple who, just before the world was locking-down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, basically had to abandon their Land Rover in Khartoum because they said they couldn’t afford to ship it out of Port Sudan to Mombasa. I do wonder if they have ever been able to retrieve their Land Rover. However, they did manage to afford to fly to South Africa and hire a vehicle to drive around South Africa and Namibia.
    Last edited by Wazungu Wawili; 2022/12/04 at 02:11 AM.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by Wazungu Wawili View Post
    Regarding my previous post. I think this person on FB is still in Sudan awaiting clarification on entry into Ethiopia.

    I read about another couple who, just before the world was locking-down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, basically had to abandon their Land Rover in Khartoum because they said they couldn’t afford to ship it out of Port Sudan to Mombasa. I do wonder if they have ever been able to retrieve their Land Rover. However, they did manage to afford to fly to South Africa and hire a vehicle to drive around South Africa and Namibia.
    I think you're right about them being in Sudan. I also found the blog of the couple that got stuck in Khartoum. I believe they did manage to ship their vehicle back to Europe, but I can't remember where I saw that. Instagram?

    Minor update from the FB orignal poster when asked by someone about cost:
    That depends on where you go and what you barter. For the guide (I have extra seats so he'll be in my truck) I pay per day. I pay $40 for the guide. I had two days to find the guide. After 20+ calls I from $150 to $40. After the contract was made I had offers in the $30 range. Anyhow the big bill is the $60 per day I pay the the tour agency for taking responsibility of the car. At the moment I want to see Afar region where a volcano is and then head south towards the omo valley. Who knows though.. anything can change. So I'm looking at 12-15 days. So around $1200-1500. If you are in this sort of predicament feel free to message me and I'll explain the best way to go about payment options conversion rates and what not. Obviously this assuming the ECC accepts the letters and what not. I think it's completely possible to find a cheaper option and high tail it south to save funds. At the moment just trying to open that door


    Interesting that Ethiopia has done similar deposit requirements in the past, I didn't know that. If I found myself at the Ethiopian border now I would, if at all, hightail it from one border to the other, not stop to look around as the FB poster is considering. But I find it interesting and further evidence that often in Africa it is possible to find a way forward when at first it seems there is none.
    Blog of our African travels: stuckinlowgear.com

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    I found the blog of the people who left their Land Rover in Khartoum in 2021. It doesn’t sound as if they have been to retrieve it. https://www.living-unsettled.com/sudan

    And here is a link to when the Ethiopians did a similar thing in 2011 and overlanders were stuck in no-man’s land. https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...t-enough-53466
    Last edited by Wazungu Wawili; 2022/12/04 at 06:25 PM.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by CalDriver View Post
    I think you're right about them being in Sudan. I also found the blog of the couple that got stuck in Khartoum. I believe they did manage to ship their vehicle back to Europe, but I can't remember where I saw that. Instagram?

    Minor update from the FB orignal poster when asked by someone about cost:
    That depends on where you go and what you barter. For the guide (I have extra seats so he'll be in my truck) I pay per day. I pay $40 for the guide. I had two days to find the guide. After 20+ calls I from $150 to $40. After the contract was made I had offers in the $30 range. Anyhow the big bill is the $60 per day I pay the the tour agency for taking responsibility of the car. At the moment I want to see Afar region where a volcano is and then head south towards the omo valley. Who knows though.. anything can change. So I'm looking at 12-15 days. So around $1200-1500. If you are in this sort of predicament feel free to message me and I'll explain the best way to go about payment options conversion rates and what not. Obviously this assuming the ECC accepts the letters and what not. I think it's completely possible to find a cheaper option and high tail it south to save funds. At the moment just trying to open that door


    Interesting that Ethiopia has done similar deposit requirements in the past, I didn't know that. If I found myself at the Ethiopian border now I would, if at all, hightail it from one border to the other, not stop to look around as the FB poster is considering. But I find it interesting and further evidence that often in Africa it is possible to find a way forward when at first it seems there is none.
    I retract my comment about this person on Facebook being geopolitically aware.

    If he/she/they had any geographical knowledge or had done any research they would know that entry to the Afar region is through Mekelle which is the capital of Tigray which has been out-of-bounds for a number of years and is the epicentre of a brutal civil war.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by Wazungu Wawili View Post
    I retract my comment about this person on Facebook being geopolitically aware.

    If he/she/they had any geographical knowledge or had done any research they would know that entry to the Afar region is through Mekelle which is the capital of Tigray which has been out-of-bounds for a number of years and is the epicentre of a brutal civil war.
    The update on this is..no luck. From FB group:
    Ethiopia Border Deposit Update
    My petition to enter Ethiopia without paying the deposit is over. The Ethiopian Customs Commission will not allow any exceptions.
    Enacting a law which requires tourist to temporarily deposit nearly $100,000 is absurd and impractical to the point it makes me question the leadership decision-making process of the ECC.
    Yesterday at exactly 5:46 pm my guide messaged me writing,
    "We have finished the process of Tourism Minster and I went to the customs office, they told me that you have to pay tax and deposit money and the Money will Return back at Moyale."
    Though this outcome is unfortunate, I’m confident that we have done our part in letting the ECC know that this law hinders Overlanders.
    I’m thankful to the Overlander community for showing an outstanding amount of support. As the saying goes, "Better to try and fail, than to never try at all."
    I’m thankful for the letters written by the ministry of Tourism and the Oromia Tourism board. They were kind in their words and are a light in a difficult place.
    Though this wont be resolved any time soon, I was told that the Minister of Tourism has expressed that she will continue to seek a swift resolution to this problem. The man helping our case (Ashunafee) will continue communicating with authorities about this harmful policy. I’m grateful for them and for so many other people who translated, advised, and assisted in so many ways.
    Though this door remains closed, I will continue my trip. Perhaps not in the direction I most wanted, but in the direction I most needed. In parting, I leave you with a quote by Elie Wiesel:
    "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest."
    All the best and stay safe. —
    Blog of our African travels: stuckinlowgear.com

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    On the overland Africa WhatsApp group a couple traveling Cairo>Cape Town has just successfully crossed into Chad to get around the Ethiopia problem. Their post:

    So, People! Greetings from Chad. We drove through Darfur and entered Chad.A week in Darfur was the most pleasant experience out of whole Sudan.

    We needed a permit which we arranged in Khartoum. No fees for that. No escorts also
    The hardest was to leave Khartoum area. People on checkpoints around Khartoum were rude and ignorant..
    Once we passed El Obeid (North Kordofan) checkpoints became easy.


    They are instagram as @kkdoo_pl but they have posted no details re: Chad yet.
    Blog of our African travels: stuckinlowgear.com

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by CalDriver View Post
    On the overland Africa WhatsApp group a couple traveling Cairo>Cape Town has just successfully crossed into Chad to get around the Ethiopia problem. Their post:

    So, People! Greetings from Chad. We drove through Darfur and entered Chad.A week in Darfur was the most pleasant experience out of whole Sudan.

    We needed a permit which we arranged in Khartoum. No fees for that. No escorts also
    The hardest was to leave Khartoum area. People on checkpoints around Khartoum were rude and ignorant..
    Once we passed El Obeid (North Kordofan) checkpoints became easy.


    They are instagram as @kkdoo_pl but they have posted no details re: Chad yet.

    Thank you, Caldriver. I wonder if this Polish/Belarusian couple are mad, naïve or insanely adventurous? I do hope we don’t next hear about them in the international press…

    I know, if I had been in the same situation, I would have shipped out of Port Sudan. It would be cheaper - and so much less dangerous than what they are now embarking on.
    Last edited by Wazungu Wawili; 2022/12/23 at 01:53 AM.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Yes!
    Ethiopia resume to welcome Overlanders.
    Past few month It was difficult to pass overlanders through Ethiopian unless depose too much money at Border customs.
    Throgh continuous approach i was able to meet her Excellency Nacisae Chalae Minister of Tourism Minster, Explain the issue and draw rules to allow overlanders throgh Ethiopia. Her Excellency team spoke with Customs authority and now Ethiopia welcomes overlanders with following requirements.
    1. Need to use legal accredited tour or travel agent as travel partner to facilitate paper work and be responsible to your stay
    2. it is a must to have professional guide whom to escort from you cross in until and finish out of Border.
    3. Need to show bank transfer of payments for the service.
    The Above are over all summarized requirements needed.
    In the mean time overlanders need to have passport, car or other equipments list specification and legal papers to send in advance.
    I and my company will be happy to assist with warm welcome.
    Use
    [email protected] for contact.
    Yes
    kept promisse to get access to overlanders as posted on my previous FB.
    Once again welcome to Ethiopia and
    C U in Ethiopia's Border.

    Ashenafi kassa
    President of Ethiopian Tourist guide professiinal association,
    And senior travel agent.

    source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1654...02273193137001
    private group


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  28. #16
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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted



    Thank you for sharing and collection the current Informations! Above some official looking documents out of Social Media.

    trippin
    Last edited by 4x4tripping; 2022/12/23 at 04:40 PM.
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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Are Overlanders seen as a threat to the country, in that they need to be escorted for their stay and to be seen out of the country?

    If you fly in and rent a car is that different in that you can drive where you want without escort?

    Seems like a strange setup, or the tourism industry high jacking a sad situation for financial gain.

  30. #18
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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    A little off topic, but this fellow traveled from Cameroon to CAR to northern DRC to S Sudan and onwards all on public transport and bodas. Quite a journey. I haven't read them all, but pretty interesting. I think he is lucky and also this would be undoable in your own vehicle, but it goes to show you that people are always finding a way! https://pacodelaindia.substack.com/p...n-with-bitcoin

    I couldn't figure out how to go to the next post other than to just change the number in the URL to the next number (i.e. change 355 to 356, and so on).
    Blog of our African travels: stuckinlowgear.com

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  32. #19
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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by CalDriver View Post
    A little off topic, but this fellow traveled from Cameroon to CAR to northern DRC to S Sudan and onwards all on public transport and bodas. Quite a journey. I haven't read them all, but pretty interesting. I think he is lucky and also this would be undoable in your own vehicle, but it goes to show you that people are always finding a way! https://pacodelaindia.substack.com/p...n-with-bitcoin

    I couldn't figure out how to go to the next post other than to just change the number in the URL to the next number (i.e. change 355 to 356, and so on).
    It beggars belief!

    This fellow was trying to interest people in Cameroon, CAR, DRC, and South Sudan about Bitcoin while travelling on motorbike taxis on tracks only passable by motorbikes (bodas). Also, if he is a Bitcoiner and crowdfunding, it seems rather extraordinary that he didn’t have the technical ability or wish to do a blog. He does, however, mention doing vlogs. It is not very clear what year he was doing this madcap journey.

    It was also very interesting that he met fellow Indians in many of those countries, but none of them invited him to stay - including a cousin in Kampala. I think they all thought he was either “mad, bad or dangerous to know”.

    Intrepid, naive or foolhardy? But he somehow made it safely through northeast DRC into South Sudan which is quite something considering what is happening in that area.

    Bonkers.
    Last edited by Wazungu Wawili; 2022/12/24 at 02:45 AM.

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    Default Re: East Route of Africa in trouble: Ethopia: Carnet / TIP not accepted

    Quote Originally Posted by Wazungu Wawili View Post
    It beggars belief!

    This fellow was trying to interest people in Cameroon, CAR, DRC, and South Sudan about Bitcoin while travelling on motorbike taxis on tracks only passable by motorbikes (bodas). Also, if he is a Bitcoiner and crowdfunding, it seems rather extraordinary that he didn’t have the technical ability or wish to do a blog. He does, however, mention doing vlogs. It is not very clear what year he was doing this madcap journey.

    It was also very interesting that he met fellow Indians in many of those countries, but none of them invited him to stay - including a cousin in Kampala. I think they all thought he was either “mad, bad or dangerous to know”.

    Intrepid, naive or foolhardy? But he somehow made it safely through northeast DRC into South Sudan which is quite something considering what is happening in that area.

    Bonkers.
    His substack is less than a year old, so I think all those posts are from 2022. Yes, quite an odd thing to go through Africa proselytizing on Bitcoin, but I suppose it takes all kinds.
    Blog of our African travels: stuckinlowgear.com

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