Travel by night in Ethiopia

There are overnight private minivans running from Addis to Harar, but all the public buses are (still) not allowed to run at night. That's probably a reasonable regulation, considering the state of the roads and the condition of the buses.

It is a gov't regulation restricting the buses to travel in the day time only. And so they mostly get to depart at 6:00-6:30AM. As #1 mentioned, Minbuses cover the Adds - Harar/Dire Dawa - Addis route by night. Similar case is that of the minibuses from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, departing at about 3:30AM - 4:00AM, same to avoid transport control personnel.

Evans

thank you for your replies. Can you recommend one of those private companies to Harar ?

Normally you will be approached by many touts in Addis offering spots in these vans. If, by some miracle, the touts don't find you, your hotel will be able to arrange it. Be warned that the locals refer to these vans as "Al Qaedas" as in suicide vans because of the way they are driven and the number of accidents in which they are involved. Others posting here have used them, but if it were me, I'd shell out the cash for a plane ticket instead.

#4, it is actually the Isuzu freight trucks that are referred to as 'Al Qaedas' - pretty scary driving and unimaginable degree of accidents. But I also have to say the minibuses have no better safe driving records. May not be as much as the Al Qaedas but they do get involved in messy accidents.

As mentioned above, try asking around the reception of your hotel or so for arranging same.

Evans

I asked at the reception at Baro Hotel to arrange a minibus to pick us up. There were some commission but I can't remember how much. I didn't say at the hotel though, you probably don't need to pay anything if you stay there. I personally thought the minibus Addis Ababa to Harar was very fine. It was super fast though. I think it was just me and my friend who could sleep...that's because we just reached Addis Ababa that very same evening from Lalibela(2 days trip) so we were extremely tired.

Hello,

can someone advice on night minibuses from Addis to Harar ?

Where should we contact them ? Any phone number ?

Thanks,

Anthony