Into the Highlands: Roads, Rain, and the Rhythm of Ethiopia - Yebello to Dilla
Day 6 began in Yebello, where the team regrouped after a late arrival the night before. Spirits were high, boosted by a simple breakfast and the excitement of pushing deeper into Ethiopia toward Dila. As the convoy rolled out, the journey quickly became a moving frame of Ethiopia’s visual richness, brightly dressed communities lining the roadside, beautifully-decorated huts, layered hills fading into mist, and the constant movement of life on the highway.
The road demanded attention: goats, cattle, motorbike riders, and sudden stops became part of the rhythm of the drive. The beauty of the landscape contrasted with the unpredictability of the journey. Bola Hora welcomed us with a choreographed traffic of people, three-wheelers and trucks, the skyline was punctuated by the minarate of a beautiful mosque. As altitude shifted, so did the weather. Rain set in, forcing the team to pause for visibility, especially for the motorbike riders traveling with us.
One of the unique realities of the Ethiopian journey came into focus: each region functions like a
mini-state, with its own checkpoint and customs-style control. Though pre-clearance from the Ethiopian government allowed the team to pass smoothly, the repeated stops highlighted how administrative borders can shape movement as much as physical ones. In a future where electric mobility connects cities across countries, harmonized policies will matter as much as charging stations.
As the journey progressed, children waved, people pointed at the foreign plates, and curiosity turned into conversation, especially with the Rwanda number plate and a Kenyan film crew. In Dila, the EEU (Ethiopian Electric Untility) was waiting for us, ready to assist with the charging next to the main square of the city.
We ended the day with a meal and our first early bedtime of the Ethiopian journey.
Credits
Thought Leader Africa
In collaboration with
