Amsterdam - Cape Town. Advice needed!
 

Hi people,

After contemplating and discussing the idea for a couple of years, a mate and I have finally decided to go for it: Amsterdam - Cape Town on two bikes! Would like to run some things by you guys:

1) We're not looking for the whole life changing experience: we're both 30, don't have a house or kids, but do have jobs we want to keep. Therefore a major question is planning - how much time do you realistically need? I've seen reports of people doing it in 6 weeks, others in 6 months. Considering we don't have heaps of cash and want to keep our current jobs, the 6 month option is not feasible. But we do want to enjoy the trip, visit sites along the way and have some spare time when stuff breaks down. Any ideas?


2) Our plan is to fix a leaving date which is between a year and max two years from now. What is the best season to leave Europe and thus avoid rainy seasons and mega muddy roads in Africa? Also read some trick about breaking up a fiscal year with your travels and thus pay less tax :innocent:. Can't remember exact details, anyone?

3) Budget. €50/day/per person all in seems to be what most people mention on here. Is this still an up-to-date estimate with current petrol prices?

4) Camping versus hotels - besides the obvious budget implications, is camping a faster way of travelling (sleep where your days driving ends) compared to driving to a specific town to find a hotel? How safe is this in the African bush?

Loads more things to consider, but lets start with these! Thanks in advance for your input!

Hey Guys,

Im just wondering which way down your heading in??

If its the east then 6 months would be fine... Im heading down the east coast now and im only half way but im taking it super easy.

My Dad visited for 6 weeks on Zanziabar Island, Ive been given a cottage to stay in on mainland Tanzania... Otherwise I would like to say I would almost be in South Africa by now...

A group of Australian Cyclist did it in under 4 months... so on a motorocycle it is possible.

As for the westside, Ive also heard its possible, but i havent experienced it.

Best of luck planning your trip.

BTW - its rainy season around the Equator now.... fun times for me!

Johannesburg to Amsterdam
 

Hi pauldelft,

We planning the trip from JHB to Amsterdam also planning the trip for 2014 the I can Help you from Keny to Jhb not further North any information you collect please forward it to me and I'll do the same

Thanks

hercules

Hi Hercules,
sounds like a good plan to exchange info. How long do guys estimate you'll need to cover the distance?
Paul

1. I'm 5 months on the road and only just at the equator, 3 months is doable but you have no time to realy relax I think

2. rainy season just started here, so with 3 months, leave around dec-jan. Downside is a cold ride in Europe

3. 50 euro per day is plenty, I now use about 20 per day.

4. We've been bushcamping through Mali,Nigeria , Cameroun and Gabon and so far very safe. Many times people find you, but they just want to say hello. Sometimes you need permission from the village chief, to avoid this, try and remain undetected.

Africa

Originally Posted by pauldelft http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s/viewpost.gif
Hi people,

After contemplating and discussing the idea for a couple of years, a mate and I have finally decided to go for it: Amsterdam - Cape Town on two bikes! Would like to run some things by you guys:

1) We're not looking for the whole life changing experience: we're both 30, don't have a house or kids, but do have jobs we want to keep. Therefore a major question is planning - how much time do you realistically need? I've seen reports of people doing it in 6 weeks, others in 6 months. Considering we don't have heaps of cash and want to keep our current jobs, the 6 month option is not feasible. But we do want to enjoy the trip, visit sites along the way and have some spare time when stuff breaks down. Any ideas?

On motorcycles, and by that I mean some thing of size and pace, ie, not a punny 100cc or 125cc, then you should do Amsterdam to Cape Town, in 3 months and 2 weeks.
providing you have no serious breakdowns, which you need to fly parts out from Europe.
Also must ensure your visas are in order.
Probably planning to take XT600's or something similar.
A good overhaul before the trip, take along a few spares and hope for the best!
Enough time between now and the trip to arrange visa's - still have to read up on this part (in what extent you can get all the visa's before you leave Europe etc)

2) Our plan is to fix a leaving date which is between a year and max two years from now. What is the best season to leave Europe and thus avoid rainy seasons and mega muddy roads in Africa? Also read some trick about breaking up a fiscal year with your travels and thus pay less tax :innocent:. Can't remember exact details, anyone?
So avoid being around the equator in may (calculate back when trip duration has been determined)

3) Budget. €50/day/per person all in seems to be what most people mention on here. Is this still an up-to-date estimate with current petrol prices?

50 Euro a day is OK for motorcycles, providing you have a "back up" for parts which may, and will probably break if you hit the rough stuff.
Was referring to 'living money', not emergency money. So we'll stick to €50/day

4) Camping versus hotels - besides the obvious budget implications, is camping a faster way of traveling (sleep where your days driving ends) compared to driving to a specific town to find a hotel? How safe is this in the African bush?

no need to "bush camp" every night, take a hotel, or guest house (of sorts) every 2 nights to get a good wash, good hot water, feel good again, shave and a good chill out with a few beers.
Bush camping on the ground, isn't the best idea in Africa, better on a 4x4 roof, if you get my drift.
Hotels appeal to me - less stuff to drag along on the bike, safer and more comfy. What about the time issue? Is it a hassle to find a guesthouse every night? Or does every decent size village have one?

Thanks for all the replies till now!

He Paul,

Have a look at the trip of the guys from www.20k.nl They did it in 120 days. It's a good (dutch) read too!

Greetings from Groningen

Cape Town to Shanghai...
 

My partner (Chinese woman) and I (British man) have just ridden two KTM 990 Adventure motorcycles from Cape Town and now in Europe ... so far 33,000 kms and a year on the road.

The diary (English) of our travel and pic .. including chapter on equipment, planning, bike maintenance etc.. ) is at Rupert & Fanny's Big Bike Trip | South Africa and the world on KTM 990 Adventures

have a great trip and just go for it.

R&F

:thumbup1:

We have just riden

I decided i wanted ride CT to London about 6 weeks ago but then went on holiday the next day for two weeks. So i've had about 4 weeks of planning and i'm leaving on monday .. My 'planning' stage is actually mostly just waiting for paperwork, visas and carnets, etc..

Some people love the planning process as much as the ride! but i just wanna get out there and take it as it comes.. i've got a rough route of highlights to see and pirate hangouts to avoid. and i bought a map and a gps, which i haven't quite figured out how to use yet..

Feel free to see how i get on Cape Town To Camden Town | A motorbike mission from South Africa to London

I'm hoping to be back in europe by christmas.. I'm sure i'll have some answers to some questions you've got by then! so just drop me a line if you want some info..

Get out there!

Hi Paul,

My wife and I are now in South Africa, and go north on two Africa Twins.

Two friends of ours drove NL-Cape Town a year ago, if you send me your email address I can forward that to them... they might contact you for advice, think they will love to help you out!

Groetjes,
Daan