A day layover in Addis Ababa

[Pheroze]

Hi all

I am heading back to South Africa. The best deal is a flight with Ethiopian Airlines to JBH. However, there is a layover on the return flight from 6am to 11pm in Addis Ababa. I am trying to figure out whether this will be a bad idea or a great chance to experience Addis Ababa.

The next best is Emerites with an overnight in Dubai.

I am traveling alome, with a firearm and using Travel Express.

Thoughts?

 

[Tanks]

Take Emirates if you can. Better plane for the Dubai to US/Canda leg. Nice restaurants, hotels etc. as well at Dubai.

One other thing. If you love steaks then I'd recommend Prime68 at Dubai. One of the best in the World, definitely a steak bucket list place.

Dubai Steakhouse Prime68 | JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai | Marriott BonVoy - Home page

Located high on the 68th floor, Prime68 presents a new generation of steakhouse, where supreme quality ingredients are served in elegant, yet modern style. Panoramic views of Dubai's breathtaking skyline make Prime68 an experience to remember.

portal.marriott.com

 

[mdwest]

There are some cool things to see in Addis.. and the local food is AWESOME...

Stay in Addis.. there is an active civil war going on in the Tigray region in the north.. My understanding is its limited/controlled... and there is no indication of any troubles at all inside Addis.. but.. keep your head on a swivel and stay conscious of your environment.. you never know when some pissed off Tigray guy is going to come into the city and do something to make your trip a bit more eventful than you planned..

The National Museum of Ethiopia is worth seeing.. they have the oldest known remains of a human there..

Sholla Market is also a pretty cool place to visit if youre into local markets.. the fresh foods, spices, coffee, etc is excellent... lots of local crafts, etc are sold there as well..

Yod Abyssinia restaurant is my favorite place to get a local meal.. Kategna also serves wonderful ethipoian traditional food..

while youre there definitely drink lots of ethipian coffee and do the whole coffee ceremony thing..

and buy some fresh beans.. theyre cheap.. I think I paid about $2 USD per kilo for freshly roasted beans right out of the field the last time I was there.. they were exquisite.. I brought 3 KG back with me..

St. Georges beer (local) is only OK to me.. but theres plenty of it available.. and its cheap..

 

[375Fox]

What would the procedure be with a firearm for that kind of layover and you leaving airport into Ethiopia? I flew Ethiopian last year (with a short layover), no real complaints, but I would think Emirates would have travel with firearms in better order.

 

[Pheroze]

What would the procedure be with a firearm for that kind of layover and you leaving airport into Ethiopia? I flew Ethiopian last year (with a short layover), no real complaints, but I would think Emirates would have travel with firearms in better order.

I am told by Jennifer at Travel Express that I would be shuttled to verify my gun as normal. She suggested doing it first and then make time before boarding to check with the boarding agent all was in order. That way the day would be clear. I am drawn to this one as it seems to be a good way to see another city.

The layover in Dubai with Emirates would be a layover that leaves at 4am. I was briefly in Dubai a long time ago. I think this airline and route would be more upscale.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi all

I am heading back to South Africa. The best deal is a flight with Ethiopian Airlines to JBH. However, there is a layover on the return flight from 6am to 11pm in Addis Ababa. I am trying to figure out whether this will be a bad idea or a great chance to experience Addis Ababa.

The next best is Emerites with an overnight in Dubai.

I am traveling alome, with a firearm and using Travel Express.

Thoughts?

My thought is that you need to keep shopping for a better flight. Have you looked at Qatar? No overnight needed. They have the best connections for my flights to JNB, HRE, & JRO for this year.
where is JBH? Did you mean JNB?

 

[Pheroze]

where is JBH? Did you mean JNB?

Yep, I got their letters wrong

My thought is that you need to keep shopping for a better flight. Have you looked at Qatar? No overnight needed. They have the best connections for my flights to JNB, HRE, & JRO for this year.

These two flights were about 2k USD cheaper than the next tier. I am stretching it for business but, honestly, the joy of a hunt in Africa was somewhat diminished buy the flights. I want to have an enjoyable, challenging hunt and try to have a more relaxing trip.

 

[mdwest]

The layover in Dubai with Emirates would be a layover that leaves at 4am. I was briefly in Dubai a long time ago. I think this airline and route would be more upscale.

It absolutely would be more upscale.

the airport in Addis leaves A LOT to be desired...

the airport in Dubai is one of the best in the world...

 

[MarkB]

I see that your location is Ont, are you leaving from Toronto (TO)?

I left TO last July on Ethiopian, was cheaper flight than all others by an extra trophy fee amount, plus no gun baggage fees and most easiest "direct" flights, No USA BS, No Europe BS, Covid BS was equal for all but depart times fit with pre exit test times better than going US/Europe route and maybe needing a second test. We had the same planned long layover in Addis as you stated, as soon as you land do the gun clearance in the basement room. Really very easy process, they take you in van and return you to same pick up place. Ethiopian kept all guns and baggage, we never saw. Ethiopian got us a room for the 20 hrs, (not normal as flight was delayed due to weather), we grabbed showers then a cab and explored close areas. Had meal, took pics and had a dam good time, never felt threatened, worried or harassed. You will need an exit Visa before leaving airport, but its simple and purchased right at Customs.

We travelled cattle class. Only bad is the planes are old, no individual seat ventilation, plane was like a cooker. Dam hot, and I left BC with 42 degree historic records. Food was OK, we could not figure out meals, we had many.

I have done US and Europe routes and will NOT do again if possible. I will do Ethiopian and this route again.

PM me if you want.

MB

 

[Pheroze]

I see that your location is Ont, are you leaving from Toronto (TO)?

I left TO last July on Ethiopian, was cheaper flight than all others by an extra trophy fee amount, plus no gun baggage fees and most easiest "direct" flights, No USA BS, No Europe BS, Covid BS was equal for all but depart times fit with pre exit test times better than going US/Europe route and maybe needing a second test. We had the same planned long layover in Addis as you stated, as soon as you land do the gun clearance in the basement room. Really very easy process, they take you in van and return you to same pick up place. Ethiopian kept all guns and baggage, we never saw. Ethiopian got us a room for the 20 hrs, (not normal as flight was delayed due to weather), we grabbed showers then a cab and explored close areas. Had meal, took pics and had a dam good time, never felt threatened, worried or harassed. You will need an exit Visa before leaving airport, but its simple and purchased right at Customs.

We travelled cattle class. Only bad is the planes are old, no individual seat ventilation, plane was like a cooker. Dam hot, and I left BC with 42 degree historic records. Food was OK, we could not figure out meals, we had many.

I have done US and Europe routes and will NOT do again if possible. I will do Ethiopian and this route again.

PM me if you want.

MB

I appreciate the offer and will definitely reach out if I have any further questions. I am flying out of Toronto. I have high hopes for this route. Let's hope it lives up to the billing!

 

[MarkB]

All worked for us, as others on here state, find a nice looking lady in a green suite and all is good. I suggest taking a copy or two, three of Ethiopian's gun rules, in Joberg on way home they had SAA clerks checking passengers in for Ethiopian, they were useless, tried getting many extra charges for BS things. Every time they asked for my CC for a fee I would show them Ethiopians stated rules. Finally they got the idea, but without paper copy of current rules I would have paid $200 needlessly.

Other point if still in force is the mask wearing, they enforced fully. On way over I had disposable blue/white with behind ear straps, after 20 hrs back of ears were sore, way home I cut strings and tied extra on so strap went behind head. Much nicer. Lets hope Trudope comes in line with world science and relaxes some rules.

MB

 

[Pheroze]

Every time they asked for my CC for a fee I would show them Ethiopians stated rules. Finally they got the idea, but without paper copy of current rules I would have paid $200 needlessly.

That's great advice, thanks.

 

[Philip Glass]

Yep, I got their letters wrong


These two flights were about 2k USD cheaper than the next tier. I am stretching it for business but, honestly, the joy of a hunt in Africa was somewhat diminished buy the flights. I want to have an enjoyable, challenging hunt and try to have a more relaxing trip.

Why didn’t you say you were shopping business class? Now I understand and I agree with your line of thinking. I would personally not mind a layover most anywhere as long as it didn’t complicate the firearms handling. Especially if it was to fly business. however now I am often organizing a group and have to think of everyone, especially those in coach.
most of my flights this year are on Qatar and have such great connections I won’t hardly get to go to the lounge. I think on the way back from Tanzania I have a 6 hour layover.
Philip

 

[Hunt anything]

If I remember my route maps from a trip back in 2021 some of those routes flown from North America by Qatar airlines were awfully close to Eastern Europe, have they changed these routes to stay away from the current hotspots?

 

[Philip Glass]

If I remember my route maps from a trip back in 2021 some of those routes flown from North America by Qatar airlines were awfully close to Eastern Europe, have they changed these routes to stay away from the current hotspots?

They will now!