Hi,
I have checked most of the threads here but still need to know more.
1) how accessible is internet througout Ethiopia and if there is a possibility to burn CD? - I have sad experience in loosing my pictures so now I tried to make as many duplicates (in as many ways) as possible.
2) which precauction of malaria really works? - A few years ago I cought malaria in Ghana although I used Lariam and after that I was told that is known Lariam is not effective at all there.
3) If and where is possible to do some really indepedent treks without guides. We are used to trek on our own with own camping gear. We don´t mind to carry all our stuff. Can we sleep in the tent also in other places (not in mountains)?
4) Did anybody try to hitchhike?
Thanks all
Ivana
Internet is horrible, there are not many possibilities at all, most of the time internet is extremely slow. Best place should be Addis Abeba anyway. Most important thing: do not rely on internet, if so you might be terribly lost at most places outside Addis, even places where maybe two huts offer internet service. I would not rely on any CD burning in Ethiopia either. Better to take care of your CF and also bring enough CF. Lariam should work, but best protection is, you know, not getting bitten.
Would be interesting to hear of a possibility to do independent treks in Ethiopia. It looks more like Ethiopians wouldn't let you allow one step without trying to charge and to follow you. There were hitchhikers, but you have to be aware to maybe wait and ask a lot. And they were not standing at the street, but asking around for hours and days. First you are dependent on very few cars. Those cars must be not filled. Ethiopians (who do have a car at all) hardly will take a hitchhiker without asking for money. Tourist cars must be not filled, as written before, and also insurance could be an issue for professional agencies.
I've only been to the north...
1) Internet is horrible but in the cities in the north (Bahir Dar, Gonder, Aksum, Mekele) I always managed to get to my mails (though it might take an hour or so). CD burnig must be possible in Addis, I had it done in Aksum, ask at your hotel or in Photo Shops, or one of the plenty of young men who want to organise things for you/be your guide, if you can't find a place, they must know the possibilities.
3) some hotels might offer you to camp in their coutyard (if they have one) and you pay something for using their facilities, but camping is not common I'd say, in small villages you probably find sb who lets you camp next to their house
4) Hitchhike is possible, but is easier if organised by some local middlemen (guide, petrol station owner). Not many cars/trucks on those who take you want money for it. You might easily wait half a day till you get a lift, when you do it on your own.
1) You can find internet in most major towns but as the others have said, it is very slow. But for burning CDs you might be ok. Perhaps take some blank CDs along with you.
2) There is not so much Malaria in Ethiopia because most of the country is at a high altitude where mosquitos can't survive. So, although it would be good to take anti-malarials, the chances of you actually getting malaria is very slim.
3) I don't think independent trekking is really possible. I only know that in the Simien Mountains it is compulsory to take a guide and an armed scout.
4) Hitchiking is possible in that you can get lifts in vehicles that aren't buses. However, you will almost certainly still be expected to pay something. As uersii said it is easier to arrange a lift through a local middleman.
Have a great trip
Thank you all. It is not only about saving money I just like this way of travelling:-) So I will hope and see...
Wish all addicted travellers great experiences wherever you go!:-)
If you are burning your photos on CD, I would just take care of all the viruses on the computers. This will be your biggest nightmare, and your camera/memorystick/whatever you use WILL get infected with viruses, and you will spend a lot of time trying to get rid of these viruses. BEWARE!!!!
Finally I decided to buy some data bank not to be dependent on local facilities... Anyway I am paranoic about my pictures after my experience in Australia when I lost all pictures from my two months travelling in the best parts. I had copies of my friend´s photos and she had mine but we both were robbed...infuriating!
1.) internet was acceptable in addis awassa and mekele, terrible elsewhere.
2.) I was taking Doxycycline this time and it was fine, I'd travelled up from Zambia and had to take the pills for four weeks after leaving a malarial zone, when I visted just Ethiopia I didn't take them. If you are going to Gambella or the far south I believe that you should take them.
3.)I think that it's compulsary to take a guide in Bale or the Simiens, the Arsi highlands around Asela north of Doldola look like they'd offer good independent hiking if you get hold of a good map.
4.) Tried hitching from Shire to Axum to no Avail gave up after a couple of hours, if you manage to get a lift you'll generally be expected to pay for it.
Jeraboa
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