Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Africa - East vs West Africa - East vs West
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London
Posts: 35
Africa - East vs West
Hi All,

Is anybody out there that has travelled through Africa on both the East-and West sides. If so, which would be the best route to take leaving from the UK?

T-Rex
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: In Ireland and loving it !
Posts: 191
Well I did the east route going up and its fine , interesting , relatively safe and exciting.

I know another Irish guy who did the west route going down, his name is Hugh Bergin and i think his web site is Kilkenny to Cape Town

if I have have the wrong address you can google it and find it.

Gary
__________________
Life is for Living - so Live
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London
Posts: 35
Thank you for your reply Gary, I want to weigh up the pros and cons of both routes to make the most of the trip. Were there any highlights or problems on your trip worth mentioning?



Tyrone
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Dec 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
west route, then along to Chad and a flight (with bike) to Ethiopia, then south. Erm, f*ing expensive flight. Also f*ing expensive having a 'crate' made for the motos, but what can you do...? it was into rainy season. Sudan?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London
Posts: 35
Also, I would like to hear of your thoughts regarding Carnet costs. As I understand it, going down the west side of Africa, the highest duty paid is 150%, making the insurance premium for it a few hundred £££'s, or even affordable to tie the cash up in the bank if need be, and going down the east side it's 800% in Egypt, which pushes the insurance premium for the Carnet into thousands £££'s, which is alot of travel money I think!!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Dec 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 15
east or west
Why not do both.

We did it index in 2003 to 2005 .

Depends what you want. East is easier and if you want to see wild animals then this is the side. plus more overlanders here

If you want real africa, mud, rain forest, desert and lots and lots of fun then West.

Its impossible to answer which is best........both are excellent and both togther will blow you away. cheers DuKs
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17 Dec 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 15
carnet
Sorry one more thing. If you are british then use the insurance indemnity through Davis Insurers (ask RAC ) 2 years in Africa cost us in total 600 pounds of which we got 500 back i.e. 250 for the returned carnet and 50% of the premium each year

Ciao
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 17 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: coventry uk
Posts: 150
east v west
ive done both and they are different totally depends on what turns you on...have a read of the website and ask any questions you want

regrads

jeff watts

Gone wandering
__________________
jeff watts
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 17 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Talking east / west
Hi T,

We did both sides, going down on the west, going up in the east. Both are interesting from totally different angles. Going down the west has more the pioneering feeling about it. If you read the foreign offices reports about the Congo's and Angola about Ebola, Rebels, lack of infrastructure etc, nobody in their right mind would go there but its not like that normally

As a matter of fact, people on the West side were not different from those on the East side. They were equally friendly and curious. Police was ok everywhere (except for Cameroon) and in Congo even downright helpfull!! On the west there are no campings, few hotels and hardly any touristy stuff except maybe Gabon but lots and lots of atmosphere!! You can stay at Missions which adds to the atmosphere too. For me this part of our journey has the most intense memories. And even now, if I think about this part of the trip a big smile apears on my face! If you are not scared about the prospect of going down the west, do it. If you have the chance, do both!

If you want to have a look at both sides, take a look at my website and the DVD I sell which shows you both routes!

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Last edited by noel di pietro; 17 Dec 2007 at 19:52.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London
Posts: 35
Hi Everyone,

First of all, thanks to you who have taken time to read and respond to this thread. It would be fantastic to be able to experience the whole Africa on both sides, but unfortunately, job, time, money, etc, bla-bla-bla all place their limitations on my travels. Maybe later though, 'Inshalah'
I have been thinking about this trip down Africa for some time now, and always planned it going down the east route, but a few things have made me consider the west recently, e.g, more travel through desert areas, it seems more lively and colourful, cheaper carnet costs, cheaper ferry into morocco, don't need guides like in Libya, don't have to deal with the hassels of getting into/ out of Egypt. I'm sure the west route also has it's niggles, but for some reason I think it has more to offer. Not that I'm one to judge as I've never experienced either yet, which is why I'm on this wonderful site, trying to pick everyones brains!!! So please, keep your ideas, advice, thoughts and everything else you feel like saying, coming to this thread.

Many thanks

Tyrone

Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23 Dec 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London
Posts: 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by duksjourney View Post
Sorry one more thing. If you are british then use the insurance indemnity through Davis Insurers (ask RAC ) 2 years in Africa cost us in total 600 pounds of which we got 500 back i.e. 250 for the returned carnet and 50% of the premium each year

Ciao
Hey there, what you're saying sounds extremely interesting....do you think it's available for non-British European citizens (in my case Italian)? Also, what vehicle was it for?


cheers,


Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 5 Jan 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 1
Smile Mozambique in 2008
Hi all
We would like to visit Mozambique, two up on 1200 GS. Need info on when to go, leave Cape Town with bike on the train, get there rested, where to go from there? What to take? Who wants to come? Vixen
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Jan 2008
pockey's Avatar
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ashford kent
Posts: 16
Hi T
when are you planning on going, and what bike
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 16 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London
Posts: 35
Hi Pockey,

If all goes well, I'll leave around Christmas time, and if it doesn't, I'll leave October '09. I'm on a '05 650GS Dakar.

Tyrone
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Trans Africa the newbie way: east or west? bijsterbosch sub-Saharan Africa 16 11 Apr 2007 14:11
what route from West to East africa?????? driving africa Route Planning 3 30 Jul 2006 11:08
What route from West to East africa!?!?!?!?!!? driving africa Equipping the Overland Vehicle 2 2 May 2006 23:01
What route from West to East africa!?!?!?!?!!? driving africa Equipping the Overland Vehicle 1 24 Mar 2006 15:41
africa nov 2002 down west, up east coast gozell Travellers Seeking Travellers 13 14 Nov 2003 19:34

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:49.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top