Moyale Border Crossing

Important Note: A High-Risk and Volatile Border

The border region between Kenya and Ethiopia at Moyale is located in a remote, underdeveloped, and historically volatile area. The region is subject to frequent ethnic and clan-based conflicts, banditry, and the spillover from conflicts in both countries, including the recent war in northern Ethiopia and instability in the Oromia region. The road to the border, particularly on the Ethiopian side, can be insecure. This guide is for informational purposes about the main crossing between the two countries. You must seek up-to-date, on-the-ground security information and consult your government’s travel advisories, which often advise against all non-essential travel to this region.

The Moyale-Moyale Crossing: The Great North Road

The border crossing at the divided town of Moyale is the only official land gateway between Kenya and Ethiopia. This is the main border on the legendary “Cairo to Cape Town” overland route, the great north-south axis of the African continent. The town of Moyale is a single entity, bisected by the international border, with one half in Kenya and the other in Ethiopia. It is a dusty, remote, and chaotic frontier town, a melting pot of different cultures, including the Borana, Gabra, and Somali peoples. The crossing is a modern “One-Stop Border Post,” a massive new piece of infrastructure in a rugged and underdeveloped landscape. The atmosphere is a mix of a classic, rough-around-the-edges African border town and a formal, high-tech checkpoint. For the overland traveler, this is a major and challenging undertaking, a passage from the Horn of Africa into East Africa, a journey through a wild and beautiful, but often dangerous, frontier.

Before Crossing

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A History of a Contested Frontier

The history of this border is the history of the “Scramble for Africa.” The line was drawn by the British and the Ethiopian Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cutting through the traditional lands of the Oromo and Somali peoples. The town of Moyale was established as a colonial administrative post. The border has always been a porous and often contested frontier. The region is known for its complex clan politics and frequent conflicts over grazing land and water resources, which often spill across the international border. It has also been a major route for refugees and a sanctuary for rebel groups from both countries at various times. The recent construction of the massive One-Stop Border Post and the paving of the highway from Nairobi all the way to the border is a new development, part of a major initiative by both governments to formalize the border, boost trade, and bring development and security to this long-marginalized region.

The Border Crossing Procedure: The One-Stop Border Post

The border is open during daylight hours. The process is now consolidated into a large, modern One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), which has made the process much more efficient, though the security checks can be intense. You must have valid, pre-arranged visas for both countries.

The One-Stop Process: The new OSBP is a massive, modern complex. The key principle is that you only stop once to do all your paperwork.

Exiting Kenya and Entering Ethiopia: You will arrive at the OSBP. You will first go to the Kenyan immigration counter and get your passport stamped for exit. You will then walk to the Ethiopian immigration counter in the same hall. You must present your passport and your pre-arranged Ethiopian visa (or e-visa, but you must confirm its validity for this land border). Visas on arrival are not available. You will also need your yellow fever vaccination certificate. After getting your Ethiopian entry stamp, you will go through a single, thorough customs check for your luggage and vehicle.

Exiting Ethiopia and Entering Kenya: The process is the same in reverse. You will get your Ethiopian exit stamp and your Kenyan entry stamp (visa on arrival or e-visa is available for Kenya) in the same building. The officials on both sides are professional but operate in a high-security environment, so expect detailed checks.

Route, Onward Travel, and Major Security Caveats

This crossing is on the main A2 highway. On the Kenyan side, the road from Nairobi to Moyale is now a beautiful, smooth, paved highway, a journey of about 10-12 hours. However, the security situation in northern Kenya can be volatile, and it is essential to check for any issues before traveling. On the Ethiopian side, the road from Moyale leads north to Addis Ababa. This road passes through the Oromia and other regions of southern Ethiopia, which have been subject to significant political unrest and ethnic conflict. The security of this road is not guaranteed, and it is essential to get reliable, current, on-the-ground information before proceeding. For those without a car, there are daily buses from Nairobi to Moyale, and from the Ethiopian side of Moyale to Addis Ababa. This is a very long and arduous journey. There are no direct cross-border buses; you must change vehicles at the border.

Final Planning Advice for the Great North Road

The Moyale crossing is a major African overland adventure, a journey through a remote and challenging but beautiful part of the continent. The new road and the One-Stop Border Post have transformed the logistics of the journey, but the security risks remain very real. The key to a successful crossing is meticulous planning and a focus on security. You must have your Ethiopian visa in your passport before you arrive at the border. You must get the most up-to-date security information possible for the roads on both sides. This is not a journey to be undertaken lightly or on a whim. For the well-prepared and security-conscious overland traveler, it is a classic and unforgettable African journey, a true passage from the heart of East Africa into the ancient and fascinating world of the Horn.