Major city · Ethiopia
YabeloYabello
A half-day stop on the Addis–Moyale road: see the wildlife sanctuary, then move on. Not a base.
Yabelo is a small town on the Trans-African Highway 4, 570 km south of Addis Ababa. Most travellers pass through on the way to Kenya or the Omo Valley. The Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary is the main draw, but the town itself has basic services and a few places to eat and sleep.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Sep (heavy rain, roads can be difficult)
- Airport
- ADD
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Yabelo991 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Yabelo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); the rate was floated in July 2024 and has moved a lot since — check the current rate before you land.Ethiopia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEthio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.Ethiopia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Ethiopia-wide
- TippingLocal restaurant: Round up.Ethiopia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ethiopia-wide
- SafetyYabelo is generally safe for travellers, but petty theft can occur.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road.Ethiopia-wide
- Emergency numbers991 police · 907 ambulance · 939 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on all public holidays; many shops close on Orthodox feast days; Muslim businesses close for Friday prayers in Harar.Ethiopia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportADD Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (About 570 km (354 mi) north; the nearest airport with scheduled flights.ADD Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (About 354 mi (570 km) north; the nearest airport with scheduled flights.
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus Yabelo–MoyalecheckETB 300–500
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse single room, a night, per roomETB 400
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse single room, a night, per roomETB 600
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse single room, a night, per roomETB 1,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ETB 800 · Mid ETB 1,500 · High ETB 3,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ADD Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (About 570 km (354 mi) north; the nearest airport with scheduled flights. Fly to ADD, then take a bus or drive.)ADD Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (About 354 mi (570 km) north; the nearest airport with scheduled flights. Fly to ADD, then take a bus or drive.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yabelo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk. For the wildlife sanctuary, you need a private vehicle or a hired motorbike (bajaj).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Moyale (Kenya border)
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or private vehicle on the main road, about 2 h
Border crossing to Kenya; check visa requirements before you go.
Arba Minch
goDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Bus or private vehicle, about 3–4 h
Lake Chamo crocodiles and the Dorze highlands.
Konso
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or private vehicle, about 2 h
UNESCO terraced hillsides and walled villages.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few basic hotels and guesthouses near the main road; check for running water and electricity.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ETB 800–1,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ETB 1,500–3,000 excl. bed
- High
- ETB 3,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse single room1 × 1 night × ETB 400 | ETB 400 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ETB 800 | ETB 800 |
| Guide for wildlife sanctuary (half day)1 × ETB 500 · check | ETB 500 |
| Meal at a local restaurant1 × ETB 150 | ETB 150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 185 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 2,035 per person per day, bed included | ETB 2,035 |
2026 estimate in Ethiopian birr; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Injera with wat (local restaurant) | ETB 100–200 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | ETB 20–30 |
| Local bus Yabelo–Moyalecheck | ETB 300–500 |
| Guide for wildlife sanctuary (half day)check | ETB 500–1,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The wildlife sanctuary has no official entry gate or marked trails: ask at the local tourism office or a hotel for a guide.
- Fuel stations are limited; fill up in Yabelo before heading south to Moyale.
- Road conditions on the Addis–Moyale highway vary; check before travelling in the rainy season.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
YabeloYabello
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Teessoo kanaatti, maalooTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
Nearest embassy is in Addis Ababa. Check ethiopia visa requirements before you go.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Addis Ababa → Yabelo: about ETB 600–1,000, about 10 h (check)
- Bus Yabelo → Moyale: about ETB 300–500, about 2 h (check)
Say or show
- Asham — Hello (ah-sham)
- Galatoomi — Thank you (gah-lah-toh-mee)
- Meeqa? — How much? (mee-kah)
- Bareeda — Good (bah-reh-dah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Yabelo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Sep (heavy rain, roads can be difficult) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page for Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary with access details and guide contacts.
- Eat pages for the two or three reliable restaurants on the main road.
- Sleep pages for the guesthouses with verified water and electricity.
Sources
Ask about Yabelo
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