Traveling around Africa planed for 2001

**yakes** · #1 18 Dec 1999

Hi
My name is Johan and I stay in South Africa. Two friends and I are planning a trip around Africa, departing from Cape Town in mid-year, 2001.We planed to travel to Morroco and into Spain, through Europe and back into Africa via Saudi-Arabia to Cape Town. We will defenately avoid Angola, Congo, Algeria, Libia and Somalia, as these countries are in war.
I ride a BMW F650, the other 2 rides a Yamaha 1.1 and a BMW 100RT. Anybody want to join us? Anybody want to give us some tips, please contact me at yakes@mweb.co.za
Grant, I have read you had a road tire on your bike, I think that is a good idea, more milage. I have traveled 28 000km on a Avon Eland back tire on my Kawasaki Z1100. I will put an Avon on my BMW for this trip.
Thanx for a nice site!

**yakes** · #2 27 Dec 1999

Hi, me again.
I read that Egypt is a pain to get in and out and are very expensive. What are the chances to go from Sudan or Djibouti with a boat to Saudi Arabia and overland to Jordan and Syria into Europe. If it is posable, why do so little people use this route?

We are planing to do a testrun in June/July through Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. We wil be doing this trip to prepare us and our bikes for the big one the following year.

**Grant Johnson** · #3 28 Dec 1999

Hi Yakes,

The route via Saudi Arabia used to be good, but lately not possible.

Only one pair has gotten through for at least a couple of years, (and it won't be possible to duplicate their method - it's been tried!)

Sudan north through to Egypt is currently impossible. The only reliable route is by air from Nairobi (recommended) or Addis Ababa to Cairo or possibly to Israel or Syria.

If anybody hears otherwise please let me know!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 28 December 1999).]

**peter theuwissen** · #4 10 Jan 2000

Hi Yakes,
There is a alternative route to east Afrika, coming from the north (Europe/Azia). Ship in IRAN from Bandar Abbas to UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, drive 250 km. to OMAN, 3000 km (1500 off road) to JEMEN, 2300 km (400 off road) to harbour Al Mukha, ship to DJIBOUTI in Afrika.
To get the visa when travelling southbound is no problem, I dont know about travelling north,
Good Luck, Peter

[This message has been edited by peter theuwissen (edited 10 January 2000).]

[This message has been edited by peter theuwissen (edited 10 January 2000).]

**yakes** · #5 24 Mar 2000

Hi
I think I am going to sel the F650 and rather go with an old bike. Then I do not have to ship the bike back home, just scrap it or sel it. I have got a Suzuki GS425, mabe it can do the job. What do you think? I heard of people doing Africa on 125's.
How does a carnet work? How much do you pay for a carnet for a bike valued at R5000, or 500 pounds?

**Grant Johnson** · #6 24 Mar 2000

Hi,

Your GS425 should be fine, DEPENDING on your route. It's possible to do virtually all the way on pavement, and the GS should be ok as long as the roads aren't too bad and you haven't overloaded it.

If you want you get into all sorts of odd places on out of the way tracks, I wouldn't recommend it. A dual purpose bike would be better for the really bad going. You can't always sell the bike in every country, see how the carnet works for more info on that.

The carnet is dependent on the requirements of the countries you are travelling through. Contact the Automobile Association in South Africa, and ask them. Also ask them about selling the bike en route - do you have to bring the bike back to South Africa to get your deposit back?

For more info, see the FAQ page (from our home page) and other posts here on the board re how the carnet works.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Krid** · #7 18 Apr 2000

Hi there,

the way through Sudan is possible. I am currently in Sudan and came down from Egypt by ferry. The cost of the ferry is 88 Egyptian Pounds for the passenger and another 140 for the bike. The ferry leaves Wadi Halfa every Wednesday and can take up to four bikes (inshallah). You just put the bike in the gangway.

Travelling in Sudan is not the big problem, I would now try to go along the train route to Halfa, since the road north from Dongola to Wadi Halfa is really bad and broke my cockpit.

Take care, take only the necessary and most robust stuff with you, and GO!! DO IT.

Ciao,
Krid