Ethiopia/Eritrea/Somaliland

igiveup2

I am planning a trip to Somaliland and either Eritrea or Ethiopia in the near future (second half of 2015 or beginning of 2016) and I would be interested in hearing from like-minded people. I am well aware that these destinations are an acquired taste, but I am hoping to get in touch with someone that like me appreciates that sort of primal beauty. Cheers!

Browney7

igiveup2 wrote: »

I am planning a trip to Somaliland and either Eritrea or Ethiopia in the near future (second half of 2015 or beginning of 2016) and I would be interested in hearing from like-minded people. I am well aware that these destinations are an acquired taste, but I am hoping to get in touch with someone that like me appreciates that sort of primal beauty. Cheers!

Is this a windup?

Meathlass

Browney7 wrote: »

Is this a windup?

Why would it be a wind up?

OP I'm considering Ethopia for my next trip (particularly with the new direct flight from Dublin) so would be interested in hearing how you got on.

igiveup2

Why would it be a wind up?

I am still collecting information Meathlass, I am thinking of doing a trekking in the Simien mountains, which look amazing and have been highly recommended to me. However the downside of that would be that you're not really getting a feeling of the whole country.

Help!!!!

Do you realise these countries are not exactly the safest for westerners at the moment? Are you an experienced traveller or is this your first trip into this sort of situation?

igiveup2

Help!!!! wrote: »

Do you realise these countries are not exactly the safest for westerners at the moment? Are you an experienced traveller or is this your first trip into this sort of situation?

I have some experience travelling to less developed countries. May I ask what sort of information you have to say these countries are not safe, as my research indicates the opposite.

Help!!!!

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

##within 10 km of the border with Eritrea, with the exception of the main road through Axum and Adigrat, and tourist sites close to the road (e.g. Debre Damo and Yeha)


##areas off the principal roads/towns within 10 km of the borders with Sudan and Kenya


##within 10km of the border with South Sudan


##the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder) zones of the Somali region.


##within 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in the Afder and Liben zones of Ethiopia’s Somali region


##the Danakil desert area: north of the Mille-Djibouti and Mille-Chifra roads, and east of the towns of Bere-Ale, Shehet, Didigsala and Chifra


##the four woredas (districts) (Akobo, Wantawo, Jikawo and Lare) of the Nuer zone and the Jore woreda of the Agnuak zone of the Gambella region

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to

##Jijiga town


##Three woredas of the Agnuak zone of the Gambella region that border on South Sudan (Dima, Goge, and Etang) and the Gambella Wildlife Reserve (taking into account the advice against all travel to within 10km of the border with South Sudan)


There is also ISIL

Meathlass

It's common for FCO to err on the side of caution and the Irish department follows the same advice.

I've been to many countries listed as unsafe by FCO and never had any problems. Yes, there may be certain areas where it's not advisable to go but that's common all over the world. It doesn't mean a whole country is out of bounds.

Ethopia in particular has a growing eco tourism industry.

igiveup2

I am not sure what country you are referring to, by the sound of it it's probably a mix of Eritrea and Somalia. Many sources have confirmed that Eritrea is safe, with the exception of the border with Ethiopia. Movement within Eritrea is restricted, you can't get permits to dangerous areas anyway. In relation to Somalia, that is not the same thing as Somaliland. Somaliland is supposed to be quite safe also.

bleg

Also hoping to go to Ethiopia in October. What are you planning to see there? Do you know of any good tour operators?

Browney7

Meathlass wrote: »

It's common for FCO to err on the side of caution and the Irish department follows the same advice.

I've been to many countries listed as unsafe by FCO and never had any problems. Yes, there may be certain areas where it's not advisable to go but that's common all over the world. It doesn't mean a whole country is out of bounds.

Ethopia in particular has a growing eco tourism industry.

I'd say Ethiopia is fine but would be wary of Eritrea and Somaliland (part of Somalia is it not?) simply because I doubt very much its tourist friendly and the horn of Africa is just a clusterf**k of problems. If its listed as do not travel zone pretty sure you void your travel insurance.

All well and good seeing exotic, not very much travelled places but why take a risk as an independent traveller when there are hundreds of places to go not as dodgy. I'd rank Somalia not too far behind Iraq and Syria on the dodgy scale for a tourist.

filbert the fox

bleg wrote: »

Also hoping to go to Ethiopia in October. What are you planning to see there? Do you know of any good tour operators?

Ethiopia is a beautiful country from the mountainous north to the tribes in the south.
You will meet friendly locals and marvel at the archaic way of life in the countryside.

However, the infrastructure is in transition and basic facilities are spartan in the mountains. Beware of promises made by local tour operators and don't pay european prices for Ethiopian service.

You will be told that you need a guide, a cook and a scout on your mountain adventure. Tipping is a national norm.

Food: Injera is a fermented basic staple served with a mix of sauces contining vegetables and "meat". It is not like anything else in Europe imo.
If I was going back I would revise my "getting into the local way of life" by staying away from this stuff. Frankly, I didn't rate it and neither did my stomach.

Overall there is a great experience to be had in Ethiopia so go for it. Good luck.:cool:

Meathlass

Browney7 wrote: »

If its listed as do not travel zone pretty sure you void your travel insurance

No, not necessarily. There are companies who specialise in travel to 'at risk' countries so you can get insurance. They won't cover you for whatever the perceived issue is in a country though.

For example, when I was in Iran my travel insurance wouldn't cover a 'terrorist incident' but if I was knocked down crossing the road (a much more likely proposition) I would have been fully covered. Luckily neither happened and I had one of my best holidays so far.

bleg

filbert the fox wrote: »

Ethiopia is a beautiful country from the mountainous north to the tribes in the south.
You will meet friendly locals and marvel at the archaic way of life in the countryside.

However, the infrastructure is in transition and basic facilities are spartan in the mountains. Beware of promises made by local tour operators and don't pay european prices for Ethiopian service.

You will be told that you need a guide, a cook and a scout on your mountain adventure. Tipping is a national norm.

Food: Injera is a fermented basic staple served with a mix of sauces contining vegetables and "meat". It is not like anything else in Europe imo.
If I was going back I would revise my "getting into the local way of life" by staying away from this stuff. Frankly, I didn't rate it and neither did my stomach.

Overall there is a great experience to be had in Ethiopia so go for it. Good luck.:cool:

Great. Would you recommend just flying to Gondar and winging it or booking with a european crowd before I go?

filbert the fox

bleg wrote: »

Great. Would you recommend just flying to Gondar and winging it or booking with a european crowd before I go?

I was there nearly 5 years ago. Maybe check out the net to get a handle on current status.

bleg

filbert the fox wrote: »

I was there nearly 5 years ago. Maybe check out the net to get a handle on current status.

Thanks dude! Much appreciated. EDIT: Just checked wikitravel and it says if you have your wits about you it is cheaper and you should be fine.

What was your "must see"? I'm only going for ~2 weeks. What would you recommend?

Thanks again!:D

KevinK

I'm in Somaliland right now and loving it. I spent two weeks in Ethiopia and couldn't wait to leave to be. honest. I went to the south rather than the north which may have been a mistake but I was worried about the rainy seaon in the north.

Arrived in Hargeisa two days ago and it is literally one of the friendliest places I have been, everybody just wants to stop and chat, but unlike Ethiopia it actaully feels like a friendly conversation and now a business transaction.

I got a couple of buses here from eastern Ethiopia and it was a pretty easy journey.

KevinK

I'm in Somaliland right now and loving it. I spent two weeks in Ethiopia and couldn't wait to leave to be. honest. I went to the south rather than the north which may have been a mistake but I was worried about the rainy seaon in the north.

Arrived in Hargeisa two days ago and it is literally one of the friendliest places I have been, everybody just wants to stop and chat, but unlike Ethiopia it actaully feels like a friendly conversation and now a business transaction.

I got a couple of buses here from eastern Ethiopia and it was a pretty easy journey.

bleg

KevinK wrote: »

I'm in Somaliland right now and loving it. I spent two weeks in Ethiopia and couldn't wait to leave to be. honest. I went to the south rather than the north which may have been a mistake but I was worried about the rainy seaon in the north.

Arrived in Hargeisa two days ago and it is literally one of the friendliest places I have been, everybody just wants to stop and chat, but unlike Ethiopia it actaully feels like a friendly conversation and now a business transaction.

I got a couple of buses here from eastern Ethiopia and it was a pretty easy journey.

What did you do in Ethiopia? What are you doing in Somaliland?

KevinK

bleg wrote: »

What did you do in Ethiopia? What are you doing in Somaliland?

I went to see the tribes in the Omo valley, which was really interesting if a bit human zoo like. l then spent a few days in Arba Minch where I went on a boat trip to see some crocdiles and hippos. After that I went to Awassa which was probably my favourite place in Ethippia, its a really nice chilled out town on the lake. I spent three days in Harar where the highlight was probably the hyena feeding and one day in Jijiga which I actaully liked despite the fact there is nothing there.

Havent done much in Hargeisa yet- just walked around the city for a few hours but feel really comfortable and welcome here. Hoping to go to Berbera if time permits - had ruled it out becuse of the expense of hiring a car but everyone here reckons I can just hop on the local bus for 6 dollars

Civilian_Target

Africa's not easy, but it can be a very memorable trip. The art, music and warmth of the people can be quite exceptional.
Generally, I think you're likely to have more fun if you avoid the cities and stick to towns and country-side. The noise, crowding and smell of the bigger cities can be quite overwhelming.

Personally, the best advice I can give you when you decide to ignore foreign office advice and go somewhere anyway is, when an unusual situation confronts you, take a second to imagine you are telling the story to your friends or family back home. Are you going to be the idiot in this story?