Moyale is a town in Eastern Kenya, at the main border crossing with Ethiopia. There are two towns with the name: Ethiopian Moyale (north of the border) and Kenyan Moyale (south of the border).
Moyale has little to offer. In the afternoon you could go for a walk or visit a cafeteria. Moyale (Ethiopia) has different kinds of offices and schools and a very nice atmosphere. The people are very friendly and there is also a boutique.
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. Only money exchangers (illegal but tolerated) will buy or sell birr for shillings – the rates are horrible. Try stores on the Kenyan side for exchange instead of street touts.
The Ethiopian food is very sweet.
Security in the area has improved. However, check to see if you need to worry before leaving south. Go to the office of the district commissioner for information, or go to the Red Cross branch, located above the KCB, and they can call the commissioner for you and give you their opinion. Each side of the border has a police station. Bandits or shiftas are an on and off problem in Northern Kenya, so best to keep advised of the current situation before heading off. However, for the most part they are uninterested in Westerners, as attacks on Westerners have a higher chance of initiating a response from the military police forces. Many people have used the Isiolo to Moyale route to enter Ethiopia. There is also some recent ethnic fighting between the Gabra and Borana, such as the Turbi massacre, and the situation remains tense between Moyale and Marsabit. Again this violence shouldn't be directed at foreigners, but it's good to inquire about the local situation, and to pay attention.
- Marsabit – in Kenya
- Yabelo – in Ethiopia, on the way to Hagere Maryam, Awasa and Addis Ababa