It takes the delegation thirty-three days to travel from Djibouti to Addis Ababa (8th January – 12th February 1905). Fifty-two days are required for the journey from Addis Ababa to Asmara (18th March – 8th May 1905). The delegation has already been notified about the severe drought between Harrar and East Shoa. Shortage of water is part and parcel of the first lap of the journey. Neither is the second half without its shortages. The German delegation carries its own provisions, but servants and mule drivers are dependent on food from the villages en route. The food is occasionally delivered with reluctance or not at all.

Travelling requires logistics. The pledged logistic support from Arnold Holtz appears to be useless. In Dire Dawa the travellers are forced to look for their own pack animals (mules, oxen, camels). 30 mules instead of the anticipated 15 are required for the transport of 30.000 Maria-Theresia dollars – cash to pay for the journey. From Harrar onwards, 190 armed mule drivers accompany the delegation. The caravan boasts up to 300 members.

Germans, Armenians (from Egypt), Amhara, Oromo, Somali, Christians, Muslims, and diverse others form the caravan. The “just” distribution of food is instrumental to the social organisation of the caravan. When the German travellers leave the main part of the caravan for a while in the Semen mountains, problems arise between the “Abessinians” and the Somali.

The travel accounts of the members of the delegation reflect Ethiopia’s ambiguous position between “Africa” and the “Orient”. Medical officer Hans Vollbrecht adores the colonial power pose. As an experienced Middle East traveller, Friedrich Rosen is more cautious. He remarks that “contrary to many travellers in Africa” he himself interdicts corporal punishment.