Travelling from Addis in Bonga by road in May
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Apr 18, 2012 5:38 PM Last Post By: Antares1
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Travelling from Addis in Bonga by road in May
HiI am visitng Ethiopia for the first time in May and have to travel from Addis to Bonga by road. I have no idea what to expect and am a bit concerned about the rainy weather and roads etc. Could anyone give me some tips and advice. Such as is it right that when you hire a 4WD you have a mandatory driver? Any recommendations of services to use? How long does the drive to Bonga take (I know it is about 450kms)? Where should we stop on the way? What is the road like? There will be someone else with me, but I am a bit nervous about it all (but hoping to be really pleasantly surprised by the journey). Many thanks.
1
I haven't been west of Jima for a while and Bonga for even longer but I was in Jima a couple of years ago. The drive to Jima took 8h on a good, new tar road. The Jima-Bonga road was dirt but may be tarred by now. May is the main rainy season in the west but it will not rain all the time though it can feel a bit chilly if it does - I once spent a whole, wet, cold, miserable day in Bonga many years ago - bring a fleece and rain jacket.Yes you will need a driver with you. It may be possible to get to Bonga in a day but I would recommend stopping in Jima for a night and Woliso or Welkite for lunch since there are fewer options west of the Gibe gorge. It's a lovely scenic trip.
5
You don't necessarily need a 4WD to get to Bonga, you can take a direct public bus all the way from Autobus Terra in Addis. It's about 10 Addis-Bonga.When I was there in Feb they were in the process of paving the road Jimma-Bonga. They were about half way but doing it in odd sections. After heavy rain parts may be impassible. Best bet would be to inquire in Jimma, it's an interesting place to stop for a day anyway.
