Ethiopia Travel Forum

We plan to hire a 4x4 to drive from Gonder to Lalibela.

We were told that a new road has opened so would take 4-6 hours.

When we tried to book this, we were told 12-14 hours, and that it may be impassible in July.

Can anyone confirm which is correct?

July is the rainy season.

I am looking into this further for you.

All the best,

DAO

Thanks.

We always have the option to fly from Gondor to Lalibela, but a. I hate flying, b. I want to see real Norhtenr Ethiopia.

I had to compromise and we are flying to Gondor form Addis and back to Addis from Lalibela!!!

Four weeks ago I was told by fellow travelers who took that road that there was still construction and lots of accidents. Everyone advised me not to take the road by bus (1,5 days, so about a day (12 hours) in a 4x4) - I flew instead. Even of traverlers with their own transport I never heard of a good road between Lalibela and Gondar.
But maybe the construction is ready until July?...??
Good luck.

The road from Addis to Bahr Dar and then Gonder is paved and all weather. There are buses (forget that really) and shared taxis. The short one between Bahr Dar was advertised at 4 hours and was more like 5 1/2. Buses are much slower and shared taxis are only slighlty more expensive, but still outrageously cheap.

Road safety is optional throuout the country. Ethiopia is certainly not alone in that regard.

As DAO said road safety is "optional" in ET at best. I rode from Lake Tana to Gonder and saw no accidents while on a shared taxi but when went with a friend from Addis to Awasa in a private car and saw no less that 4 accidents. Flying may stink but it beats beats sitting upside down or being ejected from a Hiace after it has been t-boned by some kid on a QAT buzz.

Lalibela optional safety pictures here:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/30b4a/1eccd1/8/#1673244