Pretty Broad Question
 

Hey Yall

I just got back from an 8 month epic all over South America, and although it will be several years time, am starting to think about my next big trip. My question(or questions probably) is basically how difficult is it to do a large multiple month trip all over Africa. My idea is to start in Egypt perhaps, then head west, then south, and after a very long haul, end in Cape Town, South Africa. Now I know there are a million and one things I will need to know about various countries and borders etc etc etc. Thats not what I am asking for. What I basically want to know is how tough is it in Africa as a whole. How dangerous? How bad are the roads? How expensive ( or cheap is more likely) is it? I rode on some BAD roads in Bolivia, so i can handle myself, Im just trying to figure out if it is even feasible to do an epic trip all over Africa......

Anyone who has travelled across multiple countries in Africa who can give me a general overview about how it went, which countries are awesome, etc. That would be great. I can return the favor with info about South America if you are so inclined. Thanks guys, ride safe and smile wide.

Have a look at http://www.africa-overland.net/ - enough reading on there to last a few years and plenty of pictures of road conditions.

africa??
 

ive done the east and the west coast of africa, and all i can say is that ive never regretted anything!! great fun..now im thinking of patagonia to alaska now..id be interested in chatting

regards

jeff
Gone wandering

Africa versus South America
 

Having travelled extensively in both continents I can say that South America is much more dangerous than Africa, except maybe the big cities but they suck all over the world. In the rural area's Africa is totally safe (if you stay of the road by night and not counting C.A.R. and some other trouble area's) The number of people that get mugged in South America is infinitely higher than those who are mugged in Africa! The big difference is the social tribe structre which is still very much in place in Africa. The rural people live under strickt rules, particularly the muslin countries. You don't really have that anymore in South America. For me it was a big revelation to come to realize that in most places in Africa, you can pull your car of the road, drive a couple of 100 meters into the bush and camp! In South America I cannot imagine doing that, expcept maybe in some totally uninhabited area's. The big fuss in Africa is the Visa hassle. That really sucks compared to South America where you can get all visa at the borders. For Africa, you really need to plan ahead. Having said that, it is all possible and absolutely worth going there. South American landscape is more diverse with its glaciers, jungle, high mountains, deserts ets but Africa.... well its Africa and South America just is'nt !!

Cheers,

Noel
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