Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1
Africa - South to North - How many days?

Just starting to do some research and am a bit concerend on the Africa section of an around the world trip. Time is a factor and we plan to really push it on our trip. Does any one have an opinion on how many days(months)it would take for 3 guys to ride the easiest route from Cape Town to Tangier on 650 motorcycles minimizing time spent for siteseeing?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Aug 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Your route:
South Africa - Namibia - Angola - Congo (Brazzaville) - Gabon - Cameroon - Nigeria - Niger - Burkina Faso - Mali - Mauritania - Morocco. You can do it in six to eight weeks, weather permitting. Get most of your visas in Johannesburg to save time.
Enjoy!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Aug 2003
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
Would the route up the eastern side of Africa (Capetown-Cairo via Kenya, Ethiopia, etc.) be approximately the same duration?

Dave
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Aug 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Hi Dave,
I took both routes in 2000-2001, going south from Tangier on the west coast, going up from Cape Town to Cairo on the east coast. The east coast route took a bit longer, simply because I lingered to visit Vic. Falls, Zanzibar, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. And note: you'll end up in Cairo, not in Tangier. Going east from Cairo to Tangier is impossible (visa for Lybia impossible to get in Cairo; Algeria-Morocco border closed.
You may want to look at the book section of this site where you'll find my book about this trip with an F 650. Title, "Africa Against the Clock on a Motorcycle."
Werner.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Aug 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Sorry,
That should be "...going west from Cairo to Tangier..."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Aug 2003
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
Thanks Werner.

I would most likely be interested in seeing some of the attractions you mentioned also, would you say 3 months would be a sufficent amount of time for the eastern route?

I am trying to figure out if I can ride from Capetown to Cairo and then east through Asia to Sydney in a year. But while I don't want to linger in one place for too long, I am not planning on rushing through either.

How many miles per day could one typically do along the eastern route (on a dual-sport bike)?

Thanks again for the help...

Dave
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Aug 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
Hi Dave,
It took me three months and six days to make it back to Canada from Cape Town. Canada - Perth can be done easily in three months, similarly Cape Town - Perth - Sydney. A good way to go would be from Port Sudan by ferry to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, then across to the United Emirates, from where you could take another ferry to Iran, and then overland etc. etc. Saudi visas are difficult, but not impossible. Another route would be Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, etc. I don't think that Iraq will be ready for tourists in the near future. But you can try. Just watch the landmines.
Planning is half the fun. Enjoy!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Aug 2003
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
Werner, that sounds like encourging news. My preliminary plan would be 4 months through eastern Africa, 6-7 months through Asia (via Jordan, Turkey, Iran and hopefully Indonesia) and 1-2 months in Australia. One year total.

I now just need to figure out when to start!

Dave
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Aug 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally posted by Werner:
South Africa - Namibia - Angola - Congo (Brazzaville) - Gabon - Cameroon - Nigeria - Niger - Burkina Faso - Mali - Mauritania - Morocco.
Sounds fantastic. I'm planning a similar trip. Really want to check out the Skeleton Coast of namibia. Did you go? But there are things on the East Coast that fascinate meet too. What about leaving Cape Town and crisscrossing to take in the best of namibia then coming back to Malik, Mauritania, Senegal and Morocco? I've not really dug deep into Africa. My trip leaves August 2004 (from Southern California) so I'm just finishing my research, reading and prelim planning on South America.

__________________
2001 BMW F650GSA | Contact Me | Blog
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26 Aug 2003
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
You are not allowed to go with a bike to Skeleten coast park.
I tried both the gates, the NWR-office in Windhoek and some "tourist-government" in Windhoek but the rules where strict: No bikes in a NP.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Aug 2003
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wakefield, QC, Canada
Posts: 273
When planning your departure you have two things to worry about 1) Summer heat in the Sahara, very dangerous on a bike. (2) Rainy season in Congo, roads impassable.
So, plan your itinerary around these two parameters.
I crossed the Mauritanian Sahara end of October, and Congo end of November. No problems. Ethiopia and Sudan in February was also OK. Egypt in March hot, but bearable. To answer a previous question: Distance covered in one day: From 600 plus km in Namibia and South Africa to 50 or so in Congo, depending on the state of road maintenance. So, hang loose and be flexible, and bring some money to invite the locals to a few s, and you'll have the time of your life, and no longer give a hoot about the weather or the road.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 29 Aug 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 19
>>]You are not allowed to go with a bike to Skeleten coast park. I tried both the gates, the NWR-office in Windhoek and some "tourist-government" in Windhoek but the rules where strict: No bikes in a NP<<

wow. that's a bummer. seems like a glorious coast. Is the entire coast a national park. did you go elsewhere in namibia? and what was YOUR African route/itinerary/timeframe. thanks
__________________
2001 BMW F650GSA | Contact Me | Blog
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 29 Aug 2003
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
The NP starts at Angolan Border in the north and continues to 100 kms after Tora Bay.

Namibia is still a highlight in Africa and I drove more then 6000 kms there. Kaokoland is wonderfull.

My route was: Tunis-Algeria-Niger-Chad-Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania-Zambia-Botzwana-Namibia-South Africa-Lesotho-South Africa-Swaziland-Mozambique-Malawi-Tanzania-Kenya-Ethiopia-Sudan-Egypt-Jordan....

I didn't have a timeframe and used one year. Tight planning doesn't work in Africa, things happen.... Personally I think four months from south to north would be pushing it very hard.
Good luck!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 30 Aug 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 19
>>My route was: Tunis-Algeria-Niger-Chad-Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania-Zambia-Botzwana-Namibia-South Africa-Lesotho-South Africa-Swaziland-Mozambique-Malawi-Tanzania-Kenya-Ethiopia-Sudan-Egypt-Jordan.... I didn't have a timeframe and used one year. Tight planning doesn't work in Africa, things happen.... Personally I think four months from south to north would be pushing it very hard<<

Great info AliBaba. Much thanks. 4 months pushing it, huh? One year you took. Very cool. I might have to trim back some "highlights" but Namibia is definately something I'm excited about. But I won't over plan. But weather is a factor. Any thoughts on the best time to start in SA and head north. I was thinking of arriving in Jan/Feb timeframe.

__________________
2001 BMW F650GSA | Contact Me | Blog
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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


 
 

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!

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 14:51.