Tunisia - Two Week Bike Trip - Help! Guidance needed from those with experience.
 

HiFolks,

Me and a mate are off through Europe (France - Switzerland - Italy/Sicily) to spend two weeks running around Tunisia later this month, heading off on the 25th.

I'm based in King's Lynn, Norfolk and the furthest I've travelled by motorbike has been to Wales and back and can't wait to go back and explore more of the place.

I've sorted the following so far:
IDP.
EHIC formerly E111.
Passport.
Updated my Driving Licence photo.
Bike re-built the bike a Kawasaki ER-5 500cc (Range 150).
Mate has a Honda CBR 600.
Green Card - The insurance (AA) are reluctant to give me this saying "oh you wont need it" but I have been advised from some that the Swiss like to see this form so will keep badgering them to get it.
Tent etc, sorted plus brolly so I don't get to burnt.
Spares - Break levers, has new break and tyre so should be OK, me thinks.

I admit I'm currently inexperience though I have been riding on/off for 6 years and a little nervous of this trip but really exited and cant wait to get started but to settle the nerves a little I would love to hear from people who have done Tunisia before.

What questions I have are:

Insurance? - I understand I can buy this either on the Ferry or at customs? Is this accurate? What's the process and how was your experience of this?

Moneys - What's the best way to obtain local currency? How do you go about this.

Breakdown insurance? - I can get this for Europe through the AA but what about Tunisia, I'm not sure if I need this or not or where to get it if I do?

Fuel - Should I take and extra 5Ltr plastic can with me or save weight and not. My range is 150 but that's travelling at 60+, I expect to be travelling 50-55mph mostly.

Water - I have a camel pack 3ltr would it be advisable to carry more, temp will be 33C.

Food/grub - I'm considering taking a colman petrol stove, but could do without the bulk of it to be honest, whilst my mate will be sporting a small metal jerry can, home made grill setup. Is it worth bothering with cooking equipment or can you find stalls most places?

Camping - Will be camping most of the time, but will be needing a shower now and again and would appreciate any suggested places to stay and if you have coordinates all the better.

There's probably a 101 things you guys could suggest so please feel free, thank you.

I can PM you my number if a natter is easier than tapping away on a keyboard.

If there's areas of the HUBB, that I've missed, answering my queries please could you give me a link to these, though I have had a good rummage there might be threads I've missed.

Lastly if there's anyone who would like to hook up with us on the way feel free. Should be in Tunis on the 02/09/12.

Thanks guy's n' gal's, really appreciate any help given.

Regards

Conan

Hi Conan, here are my tips for your first big adventure.

probably not needed - I've never shown it there but no harm having one

probably a good idea for your first ride abroad

Either they issue them or they don't.
AFAIK your UK insurance = basic 3rd party cover in all EU but as you say, Switz is not in EU and anyway Green cards are free extensions on regular insurance, no? Maybe needs to be fully comp?
Also, GC ought to (can) include Tuni (you usually pay for it - but see below).

good idea - or try your insurers if not AA

I have not done it since the revolution but I suspect nothing much changed. On arrival at Tunis port after immigration and customs there is a booth ('assurance') - buy it there. Works out a couple of euros a day.

Banks/Bureau de change at the port. Know how much you're buying and count it back in front of them. Or use ATMs just down the road, iirc. Do the money change first - then buy assurance with your dinars. there's a fuel station just out of the port.
Go down the causeway and at the end (flyover) turn left for the motorway out of town towards hamammet (if you want to get out of Tunis).
Unknown road to Hammamet, Tunisia - Google Maps

AFAIK, not available to Brits/in UK at normal prices. At worst, all you have to do is truck dead moto back to Tunis port and not get ripped off doing so. Knowing French will help greatly.

if you mean 150 miles then no need for a can.

It may get hotter than 33 inland or down south. Buy a pair of 1.5L bottles as back up or a 5L water bag. I don't think 3L will even last you a day - especially if you're hoping ti be wild camping.
Also, see this post.

I would not bother with stoves and all the paraphernalia required, thought if you're wild camping it may be useful. Plenty of roadside grub. Look out for hanging sheepskins - sign for a freshly chopped up sheep which gets grilled cooked in front of you. Eating and meeting the locals is part of the fun.

Campsites will have showers. Wild camping is not so easy to pull off in the populated non-desert areas and the desert is now restricted last I heard (see link below). You might like to visit Ksar Ghilane - many do - but it will be hot down there in Sept.
Ksar Ghilane, Douz, Kebili, Tunisia - Google Maps

If you've only ever ridden to Wales I might suggest that Tuni is a bit of a reach on your first foreign ride. if you're anything like me then the learning curve will be rather steep. Maybe it sounds boring but you could have such a great time moto-camping and bombing around southern France and the Alps. Years ago there was some bloke here on the HUBB with an XR650L. Planned and planned his big ride for ages then went to Tuni in June and I recall it did not end well at all.

You may find this page useful
Sahara Overland ~ Tunisia travel information

And this
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...709#post248090

Also, if it's not too late, consider Morocco - but also going to either place (T or M) a month later. With road bikes you'll be fairly limited in Tunisia and isn't that Med ferry expensive?
Great road riding in southern Morocco and lots of other HUBBers tooling around (have a look at
Morocco - The HUBB or this).

Otherwise, send us all an update from Tuni. Very few Brits go there. IMO because the miles/expense v excitement factor does not quite add up.

Chris S

Hi Chris, thanks for your quick reply and my apologies for mine. The reason being the same day I posted my friend who I was going with has had to bail due to strong work commitments unfortunately so will be putting this on hold for a year.

I however am still keen for a trip and to that end will go discover Ireland and have a ride around the Scottish island's for a few weeks starting at Lands End of course.

Thank you again for your advice.

Regards

Conan Easson

Conan,
I live in Norwich, so not far from you. I am also planning a trip to Tunisia and looking to go Aug 2013. Mode of transport will be Land Rover, but maybe we can share ideas and info?
I have been to Morocco twice, and you can see my pictures here-
Home - Global Adventures

Just returned from the Alps last month.

Scott.