Ethiopion Visa in Nairobi

[Oldblue]

I need to leave on our 5 month East African trip, all the preperations are done, but one hiccup, the visa applications are taking forever. Does anyone out there know if I can apply for a visa to visit Ethiopia at the Embassy in Nairobi (I'm a SA citizen) or is it better to just stick it out here (I live in Wellington in the Cape) and wait for the the visa to come through? What's another few days waiting! Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

[Mafika]

Some countries only issue visa only in your home country or country of residence at that point if it is different from your home country. For example, you cannot apply and be issued with for a shengen when already in the UK if wishing to travel to the continent.
Unless the Ethiopian embassy categorically states that you can apply and be issued with a visa in a 3rd country - Nairobi embassy in this case, you are advised to wait it out here at home.

[Tony Weaver]

I don't know what the situation is now, but in 1994 we got our Ethiopian visas in Nairobi (also SA passport).

[Oldblue]

Thanks for your input, guys. I've just heard today that I have been given a visa, Yay!!!! What a drama, it seems they want iteneries these days with confirmed booking, something which is impossible when one is driving 10 000 kms to get there! Anyway, here we go, a week late but at least with the visa. Here's to the next 5 months travelling.

[MikeAG]

Keep us posted, Oldblue, and enjoy your trip. Do you have a blog or website?

Look out for Dawie & Catt DuPlessis, just a little ahead of you on the same journey.

Mike

[freeflyd]

FYI, No more Ethiopian Visa in Nairobi or Kampala. We just had to DHL our passports to SA to get visas done.

[Gwily]

You are brave!! I hope you see your passports again.
What a pain to have to do this.

[freeflyd]

I hear you, but there is really no choice unless you want tobrave Southern sudan and pay $100 a night to camp... thanks NGO's!

[Kinnie]

If you fly in, you can buy 30 day visitor visa at Bole Airport for 50 USD.

[freeflyd]

Yip, single entry. Doesn't really help when your trusty 80 series is still in Nairobi. Trust me guys, this has been the topic of discussion and frustration for every single overloander in or on their way to East Africa since March. There is no way around it. DHL in Nairobi is making a killing on sending passports all over the world!

[Oldblue]

Keep us posted, Oldblue, and enjoy your trip. Do you have a blog or website?

Look out for Dawie & Catt DuPlessis, just a little ahead of you on the same journey.

Mike

Back in dear old SA, 21500kms later, no problems. was a great adventure with hard times and great times. Catch the trip on:
www.africameander.posterous.com

[Optimus]

Hi Guys im currently stuck in Nairobi,The Ethopian visa,have tried the airport way,they only issue single entry visa,have spoken to Sa embassy,no luck.
How do a person mannage to get a visa,Dhl way well if your passport vanish a scary thought.
Do Dhl take yr passport in SA for the visa how does it work.

In a SA passport holder tried to make it up via South Sudan ,well got as far as Juba,locals told me not to go on.

My trusted Defender was nearly confescated at the border,when i left Sudan had the same problem,huge amout of money is ask to leave ,border post.They are run my rebels.

So please any one entering ,be warned not a walk in the park

If anyone now of a way to get a visa for Ethiopia in Nairobi please let me now,The Last Robbery at the sout Sudan border post has depleted my Funds so has to get out.

Regards

[MikeAG]

From Dawie's blog I understand that you send your passport to SA (via DHL) and so are left with no passport for a while (make sure you have a photocopy, and maybe a scan on a memory stick).

I've bounced this to the top of the pile even though I am no great help.......maybe you could consider starting a new thread and giving a complete picture of the help you need. Whereabouts in Nairobi are you? If not at Jungle Junction, why not head there and ask for advice? Lots of travellers there will know the form. Where are you trying to get to?

Mike

[Optimus]

Hi Mike,
Im at Jungle Junction,was trying to go tru south Sudan to get to Kairo,but at the moment not a a option.At the moment no Sa passport holders here..

I need to get a Ethopian visa,DHL is a option but then you need someone to take yr passport to the Ethopian embassy,any idea who in Pretoria do this ?

They requier on the web that you apply in person for a visa...??

As all the places are closed at the moment trying to get all the info so i can send my passport via Dhl on monday.

I have tried Airport to speak to Ethopian immmigration..no luck
Spoke to Sa Embassy no luck
Spoke to guard of the Ethopian Embassy..some reason they did not want to answer my questions.allso have tried in Kampala..same Embassy dont answer questions ..stuck on "no!!"

So if some one has answers or advice please will be appreciated

[MikeAG]

Slayor,

I'm no help as I'm 4000 miles north of you. How about an email to Dawie.....photographersaATgmail.com .........obviously replace AT with @. He'll tell you the procedure, as he has just done it in the last 3 or 4 weeks.

Mike

[Optimus]

Thanks Mike,
Are you allso overlanding?

All you need is 4x4 forum,2 stroke oil...and a Defender.

Kind
Regards

[Optimus]

Hi Guys
Well it is getting darker
To send a passport to South Africa for Ephopian visa is no longer done by DHL..so Any other ideas??
Still stuck in JJ Nirobi?

[freeflyd]

Stupid question, I know, but you have you asked Chris or Duncan?

We sent passports via UPS on the second floor of the NAkumat Junction Centre. It was cheaper than DHL. I had a friend's mom in Pretoria do the application for me, so can't really help you there. If you have relatives or friends in South Africa, ask them to phone the embassy, or phone them of skype.

We're in Khartoum at the moment and trust me: You do not want to brave Southern Sudan right now!!!!

Send me an email and I'll send you my visa contact. It's a nice lady who lives a block away from the embassy, but she does NOT do this for a living, so you need to ad the cost of a huge bunch of flowers to the cost.

Also, start reading Horrizons Unlimited (Google it or ask anyone on two wheels at JJ's) There is some very important and up to date info on there.

[freeflyd]

I assume you managed a sollution then, seeing as you never emailed me and you have not asnwered the post again?

[afrifaan]

I know I am late, got my visa for Ethiopia in Nairobi within 3 hours August 2013
greetings
fanie