Hi, I’ve been planning on an overland journey from London to SA by car I have a British and Yemeni passport.

So far I’ve gathered most the information needed to plan the trip and the costs etc... What I’m not sure of thought is the best route to take, and which route is the least expensive Carnet wise. I’ll be taking a defender 110 worth about 18k-20k GBP.

So far the biggest cost and hold up for me is the cost of the carnet, I read that Carnets can be issued at the border in most African and Middle Easter countries, with a deposited on entry and collection on exit.

Thanks,
Balzano

As Egypt requires the highest value carnet in the world you might consider the west route, something I personally have no experience of. There is a thread here about doing the trip to Kenya without one if you favoured the east route but I am not sure how feasable this is.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...possible-59030

Your carnet is going to be a minimum of 150% of your car based on "book price" not the "modified price" or its "actual value". Egypt is 800% so you will have to go west coast i'm afraid. Thats unless you have £160K to spare.

You can insure against the carnet but this is 10% so for th £160K its goign to cost you £16K real money that you don't get back !

Either way its going to be expensive for your car. This is why i got a £1500 car and spent £25k doing it up and prep. My carnet is £12K for anywhere and i get it all back at the end.

Balzano

We just did West Africa Route to Cape Town in 110 Defender - see Latest news / About us - Langebaan Sunset - Stonehenge UK to Cape Town SA - 2010/11

We have posted a stack of info: gps, way points, budget, etc..etc...happy to take any questions offline.

Regards Carnet - Egypt is 800%. West Africa Route uses 150% as the max so its cheaper for the Carnet security to avoid Egypt. Our Land Rover was 14 years old and had a second hand value of £3000. So our security for Carnet was £3000 x 1.5. we used Bank Gurantee from First Direct - simple, easy and they do it with minimal fuss. RAC Paul Gowan liasie with First Direct all the time - its a good service.

I would get the Carnet - depositing money at borders in West and Central Africa and hoping to get it back is NOT advisable (read our post about the Rosso crossing into Senegal). The Carnet is worthwhile getting as it is VERY useful when you get stopped at checkpoints (esp. Senegal, Nigeria).

I would suggest you go West Africa if you have time and want to go on the road less tarveled. There is less commercial overland traffic, North, West & Central Africa is amazing and people are great. Its also cheaper than East Africa. Southern Africa (Nam, Bots, SA) is expensive but there is also a lot to see. Read our site to get a feel for it.

If your pushed for time East Route will be quicker and still fun but you have to work out the Egypt deal..... Just avoid the big campsites frequented by the "tour bus" package deals that like to arrive late, party, and wake up at 5am to depart at 6am.... they are sadly spoiling it for everyone but that's mass tourism for you ;-)

HTH

Nick

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Langebaan Sunset - Africa Overland
http://langebaan-sunset.blogspot.co.za/