Lay over in Addis Ababa

[tusker]

I am starting to plan next years trip to Namibia. We are flying with Ethiopian. On the return light we have a 12 hour lay over. has any one done this route? How did it all work ?
There is an option for a Hotel or we could just hang around in the airport as there is a nice lounge, thinking , having a meal a few drinks and find a seat for a snooze.
thanks, tusker

 

[Stalker62]

On the return light we have a 12 hour lay over. Has any one done this route? How did it all work ?

You say "12 hours..."

 

[Griffon]

Ethiopian are not too bad to fly with in business - Addis airport is a bit special, I spent 12 hours there last year on way to DAR and would not do it again - the Business lounge is tolerable for an hour or so after that there is nothing absolutely nothing to do - and heaving with people early morning through to midnight - if you have a chance of an hotel take it

Best wishes

G

 

[Dama]

Airport is a bit like a train station at rush hour.
Ethiopian provides a hotel to stay in, but no obvious transport to get there.
Big hotel that was probably last decorated in the early seventies.
Meal was OK.
Couldn't find my key card on checking out and was fined $10...

 

[Tim.243]

I am starting to plan next years trip to Namibia. We are flying with Ethiopian. On the return light we have a 12 hour lay over. has any one done this route? How did it all work ?
There is an option for a Hotel or we could just hang around in the airport as there is a nice lounge, thinking , having a meal a few drinks and find a seat for a snooze.
thanks, tusker

I remember handing over my passport for a piece of board with a number to get outside and have a walk around...
2002 so they might have improved lol

 

[jimbo586]

There is an air side hotel, not been open long you can book rooms on a hourly basis, I travel through adidas regularl. My advice book the hotel for 8 hours then go into the lounge , beware a Burger King meal is $25 the airport is not cheap, enjoy your trip.

 

[Safari Hunter]

Are you sure it's 12 hours as mine was 5 went I went to Namibia. Lounge is ok, they will let you in for free for food and drinks while you wait for the firearm to be cleared. They take their time on the way back as no rush for the plane.

 

[tusker]

Are you sure it's 12 hours as mine was 5 went I went to Namibia. Lounge is ok, they will let you in for free for food and drinks while you wait for the firearm to be cleared. They take their time on the way back as no rush for the plane.

It is the return that is 12 hours, When did you travel please.
Tusker

 

[Heym SR20]

Rather than doing 12 hour layover, why not stay a few days. Addis Abbiba and Ethiopia are a fascinating place to visit.

 

[tusker]

Rather than doing 12 hour layover, why not stay a few days. Addis Abbiba and Ethiopia are a fascinating place to visit.

Unfortunately most of us going are self employed and will need to get back to work but not a bad idea.
Tusker

 

[Heym SR20]

Also have a look at Eurowings. They fly to Windhoek from Frankfurt with plenty of connecting flights from UK.

I flew with them back in 2018 and they were really good. And there were a number of hunters on the flight.

 

[zambezi]

I am starting to plan next years trip to Namibia. We are flying with Ethiopian. On the return light we have a 12 hour lay over. has any one done this route? How did it all work ?
There is an option for a Hotel or we could just hang around in the airport as there is a nice lounge, thinking , having a meal a few drinks and find a seat for a snooze.
thanks, tusker

Sounds similar to my experience in '21. The airport is busy. The tannoy announcements all but indecypherable.

The issue at Addis is that even though firearms are in transit, you have to produce all documents they require before it is ferried from your inbound flight to your outbound flight. They are supposed to call you down to the secure baggaging area under the terminal to complete this with gun case opened and security rubber stamps poised.

Outbound they called me. On my return, they did not. If I had not been persistent in demanding access to that secure area, I know I would have arrived back in Blighty sans firearm.

Travelling to Namibia - Ethiopian Airways: a qualified endorsement

I have just returned from Namibia: 10 days cull stalking in the Grootfontein area east of Etosha, 11th - 23rd November 2021. I flew with Ethiopian Airways ex Heathrow via Addis Ababa. The good part: All planes seemed to be newish Airbus models, flights were fine, food good. In-flight service...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Tazz]

I am starting to plan next years trip to Namibia. We are flying with Ethiopian. On the return light we have a 12 hour lay over. has any one done this route? How did it all work ?
There is an option for a Hotel or we could just hang around in the airport as there is a nice lounge, thinking , having a meal a few drinks and find a seat for a snooze.
thanks, tusker

Check your travel insurance has “Kidnap Negotiator” included ( Otherwise it’s difficult to arrange while you are living in a cave in the desert tied to a rock surrounded by blokes smoking/chewing weed and carrying AK47, normally without moderators and no DSC1/2)

 

[Safari Hunter]

It is the return that is 12 hours, When did you travel please.
Tusker

I went last year mate, return was 5 hours, going there was 1.5 hours lay over. A bit rushed on the way out but all went smoothly.