A British overlander who has driven across much of Africa is issuing a stark warning to travelers after Ethiopian federal police opened fire on his vehicle for taking a wrong turn, forcing him to flee through the desert with a bullet already lodged in his foot.
Charles Wright, known online as charlesworldtravel, detailed the harrowing incident near the Awash/Djibouti junction while heading back toward Addis Ababa for medical treatment. Days earlier, armed militants had shot him in the foot. With an AK-47 round still in his body and a fractured foot, Wright said he mistakenly drove down a road lacking any “No Entry” or customs warning signs.
“Instead of stopping me safely, armed federal police ran from the bushes and opened fire on my vehicle,” Wright recounted in a video shared widely on social media. Footage from his dashcam and phone captures the chaotic aftermath, including his desperate flight and later encounters.
Wright abandoned his disabled car and limped through the desert to survive. After officers caught him, he claims they forced him to continue running on the injured foot while laughing at him. Property was allegedly stolen from the back of his vehicle while it was in police custody. He said he was then held under police guard at a hotel for six days, which he believes was an attempt to pressure him into paying a bribe for an earlier release.
“This experience completely changed my view of traveling in Ethiopia,” Wright said. “No tourist should have to fear being shot because of missing road signs.”The video, which shows desert terrain, the interior of his vehicle, and Wright speaking directly about the ordeal, has drawn significant attention online. Wright, who documents solo overland journeys across dozens of countries, later received medical care and crossed into Kenya, where he reported being safe.
The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Ethiopia, where travelers have faced risks from armed groups and inconsistent enforcement. Wright’s account has prompted online discussion about the wisdom of independent travel in the region, with many questioning why tourists would risk such areas when safer destinations exist.
Wright’s story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone considering travel through remote Ethiopian routes.
