Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Ethiopia warning - Carnet is not enough Ethiopia warning - Carnet is not enough
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 1 of 4 1 234
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Oct 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Ethiopia warning - Carnet is not enough
We are stuck at the Ethiopian border at gallabat.

They wont except our carnets without an additional letter from our Embassy in Addis to say they guarantee our bikes.

Our carnets have ethiopia on them.....

Email your embassy and get this letter with all your bike details on it. Kind of like a letter of invition.

British email: gelilawit.damena@fco.gov
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 73
That is most bizzare indeed!?! I've never had a problem at that crossing before. I've always done it in a 4x4 mind, but it is still ludicrous!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Oct 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
Official?
Is this definitely not a ruse to get some cash out of you?
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Oct 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Its official... Only came in two weeks ago. I've just contacted a few other overlanders ahead of us.

This needs to be made a sticky.. ADMIN ??? People are getting stuck here for a couple of days. There is NO FAX machine here and just one guy with a laptop and a 3g card.

CONTACT YOUR EMBASSYS IN ADVANCE..

GET THE LETTER

ITS OFFICIAL


We are currently forging a letter for the New Zealanders in our group as no embassy in Addis wants to touch them
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Oct 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
I have tried the FCO / Home Office et al. The current "line" is that they are unaware of the issues and are unprepared to issue anything from the UK. ie as usual very helpful!

Looks like it will have to be done "locally"

Ted, keep us up to date and thanks for the warning.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Oct 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Interesting this comes up so soon after getting an Ethiopian visa outside your home country becomes almost impossible.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Oct 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
The contact suggested:

gelilawit.damena@fco.gov.uk

(I have added the UK)

has been very been very helpful in the paperwork.

Where is the best place to get the visa now? I have Harare, Zim as the best place?!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Oct 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
We got through... Took us about four hours to get a pdf letter sent to us and printed. Totally relying on a guy with a laptop though. Otherwise its a 40km taxi ride to the next town and a 1-2 day stop over in NOWHERE !!

We ended up forging our letter for the kiwis but they got caught out and had to pay $50 usd each to let it slip.

They have NO WAY to check forgeries as long as they are good. Check your dates and details, they're not stupid... You shouldnt/wouldnt get into trouble for trying though. its only a small office with customs officials collecting A LOT of tourist bribed..

Our Brit friends got their letter in advance and sailed through with no issues or bribes this morning. Very fast and official..

Get the letter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Oct 2010
m0ng00se's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 9
Hey Ed ... Andre here on the F800 .... strange, we got through those customs, think 5 bikes and 1 land rover no problems quite late in the evening. It almost seemed like they wanted to go home and just quickly did all our stuff to let us go.

Glad you guys are through now, we are still in Kenya .. probably in Uganda early next week. Hope you guys catch up with us at some point .. ride safe, see you have had your fair share of problems already. Good luck on the Moyale road, my favourite part of the trip so far
__________________
--
London to Cape Town 2010 - http://bit.ly/uk2za
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 1 Nov 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 16
Hi there, we will be there in a few weeks. I am a British national, living in Australia, bought my bike in SA and has the carnet issued there. Am I supposed to be contacting the SA authorities or the British embassy in Nairobi? The email address mentioned above, the person is out of the office, not sure if on leve or not.

Thanks in advance all.

Maestro
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2 Nov 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Quote:
Originally Posted by maestropc View Post
Hi there, we will be there in a few weeks. I am a British national, living in Australia, bought my bike in SA and has the carnet issued there. Am I supposed to be contacting the SA authorities or the British embassy in Nairobi? The email address mentioned above, the person is out of the office, not sure if on leve or not.

Thanks in advance all.

Maestro
If you're British or NZ (maybe other) contact the British Embassy in Addis !!

Email OR +251 11 661 2354


I now have a PDF copy of the said letter if anyone wants it emailed to them for "Editing"

Ted
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2 Nov 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 16
Hi Ted, I made contact with the British embassy already today and hopefully they are sending me the letter electronically. Would you be so kind as to send me a copy of yours so that I can compare information contained therein please? Similarly, I would be more than happy to send mine (if I get it!) on to anyone as well.

Many thanks

Maestro
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2 Nov 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
Clearly, this seems to be the norm and they are sorted providing this info

After a couple of emails I received an email containing a pdf with appropriate seals

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 3 Nov 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 16
Greetings, I just got mine as well so clearly this is indeed the norm. Best of luck and see you all some time soon.

Maestro
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 3 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post

I now have a PDF copy of the said letter if anyone wants it emailed to them for "Editing"

Ted
Hi Ted - Can you send me a copy pls? enzo at africa4x4cafe dot com

Thanks
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 4 1 234

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
In Ethiopia - with expiring rego and carnet - options? Jandel Trip Paperwork 1 22 Feb 2010 09:25
Have Carnet for Eastern African Route, Forgot to Add Ethiopia... Remy Trip Paperwork 5 24 Oct 2009 05:10
klr 250 warning kiwiron Kawasaki Tech 1 20 Sep 2007 09:37
Carnet for Ethiopia - Soudan - Egypt Elapsio sub-Saharan Africa 7 2 Feb 2007 08:00
Ethiopia to Kenya: Marsabit Highway Warning pierresas sub-Saharan Africa 15 13 Jun 2006 00:46

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:52.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top