Moyale

Moyale is a town straddling the border between Ethiopia and Kenya. Ethiopian Moyale (north of the border) and Kenyan Moyale (south of the border).

Moyale is a border town in southern Ethiopia, on the international frontier with Kenya. The town is divided by the border, with an Ethiopian settlement on the northern side and a Kenyan settlement on the southern side. Moyale is an important transport and trading centre on the main route connecting Addis Ababa with Nairobi and northern Kenya.

Moyale lies in a dry, semi-arid part of the Horn of Africa. The surrounding landscape consists mainly of open scrubland, grassland and low hills, with vegetation adapted to limited rainfall.

The town's location on an international border gives it an important role in cross-border trade. Livestock, agricultural products, consumer goods and other commodities are traded in the wider Moyale area.

The population is culturally diverse, with Oromo and Somali communities among those living in the surrounding region. Oromo, Somali and other local languages are spoken, while Amharic is widely used on the Ethiopian side.

Buses from Addis Ababa to Moyale runs daily. Companies Selam bus (3900 birr) or Africa bus (3800 birr), as of May 2026, can be bought in their ticket office shacks at St. Estifanos Church (9°00'44.9"N 38°45'47.6"E, up the stairs in front of the church, turn left, look for corrugated iron shacks!), cards not accepted, cash/QR only.

Bajaj three-wheelers, taxis and minibuses are common within the town. Walking is practical in central areas.

Moyale is a major border crossing between Ethiopia and Kenya. There is a One Stop Border Point (OSBP) where travelers can process paperwork for exit of one country into entrance of the other country all within one building.

There are banks on both the Kenyan and the Ethiopian side. The KCB on the Kenyan side has an ATM. Equity Bank is also available on the Kenyan side, Equity ATM charges US$5 per withdrawal. On either side of the border there are money changers, their rate is at least 10% worse than official rate.

Each side has cheap hotels. Hotels on the Kenyan side are of higher quality.

• 3.544539.04831 Ebise Koket Borena Hotel. Probably the best you're going to get on the Ethiopian side. The delicious food might be worth the lack of hot water. When Koket is full their reception may direct you to the restaurant adjacent to them, which has rooms, beware those rooms on ground level (not within the building), offered for 800ETB/night, are of extremely poor condition with no internet, no water tap, shower, flushing toilet and extensive bedbug and mosquitoes. You are highly advised to seek other places if only offered those cheap rooms.  (updated May 2026)
• Girar Hotel
• Hoyjiifka Fekadu Hotel

• 3.521239.05222 The Haven Luxury Guest House. Pleasant, if small, rooms and a decent restaurant serving Kenyan cuisine. Ksh 1500 singles (Ksh 2300 with breakfast).  (updated Nov 2025)

Security in the area has improved. There is occasional ethnic fighting between the Gabra and Borana, such as the 2005 Turbi massacre. This violence shouldn't be directed at foreigners, but it's good to check the news and inquire about the local situation before departing to Moyale.

• Marsabit – in Kenya, on the way to Isiolo and Nairobi
• Yabelo – in Ethiopia, on the way to Hawassa and Addis Ababa
• Addis Ababa — Ethiopia's capital, connected to Moyale by the main highway.
• Nairobi — Kenya's capital, south of Moyale.
• Kenya — Moyale provides one of the principal overland crossings between Ethiopia and Kenya.