Latest on Cyprus to North Africa?

[africa09]

First of all, if there is already a thread on this, my apologies. I've had a look and can't see anything very recent or that covers my ideal route. Feel free to shift me over to the right thread if there is one.

So I am currently in Cyprus (South). I plan to leave from here on a trans Africa down to Cape Town in Sept this year on my KTM 640 Adv.

The first part - ie getting off the island! - is so far proving to be the hardest. I'm doing the East Africa route more or less from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, etc.

I don't really fancy heading via Israel (even if that is possible at the moment which I am not sure of...), and I also would very much prefer not to ship my bike anywhere separately. Best case scenario would be to catch a ferry of some sort direct from Limassol, to Egypt, North Africa or somewhere from where I can make that onward connection, or else I would head over to Northern Cyprus, across to Turkey, on over to Rhodes, and onwards (somehow) to Egypt.

I've done a bit of research on the route out of Cyprus by ferry and the ONLY option that comes close to what I am looking for so far (quoted by http://www.cruisecyprus.com) is direct from Limassol to Salerno(!) by cargo freighter for approx 700 euros, and 7 days - me+bike. From their I have to make my own way to North Africa and overland east to Egypt.

The other option seems to be to cross into the North, get a ferry to Turkey, drive to Marmaris, ferry to Rhodes, and then onto the Greek routes.

So my questions: Does anyone know of any better options than these? And crucially, are there *any* departure ports for arriving as final destination in Egypt to arrive together with my bike? I mean from Rhodes I can easily get onwards to Greek ports, but nobody I've spoken to on this is sure whether you can even get from Piraeus to Egypt travelling with the bike.

Anyone else having the same problem at the moment?

[Antonis Vassiliou]

Hello,
unfortunately there is not an easy way to get to Egypt from Cyprus. Another option that you may consider is to ship the motorcycle on a groupage container and fly to egypt to collect the motorcycle. Its not the best solution but is another option.

Good luck, and let us know if you find a solution.
Some more travellers are coming to Cyprus and we are considering a small meeting...if you are interested please send a message.
Antonis

[africa09]

Thanks Antonis. I'm not keen on the freight and fly option. Any idea if you can get to Eqypt from Greece? I can get to Rhodes, Crete, Athens...