Cairo to Nairobi and back in 3 weeks - possible?

[brettsyoung]

Hi all

Looking to ride alone (or drive with the whole clan if my wife gets her way) from Cairo to Nairobi and back. We need to do it in three weeks. Is this possible? I (we) would go at the best time of year in relation to weather/relig holidays etc, and have appropriate bike (1200 Multistrada) or car (5.7 hemi Jeep) for the trip. Really don't want to fly unless necessary. Any thoughts would be welcome. (Or anyone who would like to join me/us.)

Cheers, Brett

[ta-rider]

Hi,

I dont think it would be fun to ride all the way from Cairo to Nairobi in three weeks. Ride there and back in the same time is not possible. The Sudan Farry takes time and to organize the visa stuff as well.

Entering Egypt and Sudan are also one of the moast expensive and difficult countrys (you need arabien numberplates, register at the police etc) of africa to enter so i would recomend you to just ride around Kenya for a bit. There are nice coasts and animal parks to visit.

Transafrika - Motorbike travel tour through africa part 1

Enjoy it, Tobi

[brettsyoung]

I should have said I live in Egypt, with Egypt plates on my vehicles, and the admin stuff I can arrange in my own good time. I'm really asking about the condition of the roads etc. I'm more of a look-at-something-as-I-scream-past-it sort of guy than a sightseer. I know it would be far easier and cheaper to fly but I just like riding (far and fast).

[roamingyak]

Roads no problem, apart from Ethiopia is slow going (up, down, people and animals all over the roads, 200km a day is good going sometimes) and the northern part of Kenya is unsealed whichever way you go.

But the Aswan/WH ferry is not reliable at all at the moment, and getting a return visa for Sudan +could+ cause problems, so you should try to get a multiple entry before leaving Egypt etc.

Honestly though, don't bother, you will be driving most hours of the day for most your days, including through Ethiopia which is quite an annoying country to drive in, and I can't see if being much fun for anybody especially kids.

Just go to Sudan for 3 weeks, really nice people and plenty to do, or just fly to Nairobi and hire a car or something.

Africa needs less tourists in a hurry imho ;-p And you would always be in a hurry....

[MountainMan]

Hi Brett,

As you know, it's about 5,000 km to Nairobi so depending how long you want to drive each day you could make it there and back, but it would be a long slog taking into account traffic, border crossings, ferry, etc.

Roads are good, pretty much paved the whole way now that the Wadi Halfa to Dongola portion has been improved with the only unpaved rough portion part as yak points out being northern kenya. Not an issue if you are driving but if you are on your bike then it's a slow ride over a rocky route with deep depressions.

One thing to keep in mind though is that there aren't that many options to vary your route significantly on the way back so the return trip wouldn't likely be as much fun as it would be ground that you have already covered.

One option that you might want to consider would be to look into the possibility of doing a one way. In a perfect world you could find another overlander wanting to do the trip in reverse. Details like rego and carnet for the borders would have to be worked out, but a three week one way trip would be a great adventure. If you felt you had some extra days, there are a few classic places like the game parks that you could visit. Happy planning.

[brettsyoung]

Thanks all. Very useful stuff. After your collective advice I'm thinking a one-way trip and get the beast shipped back (or beg a few more weeks leave). I've heard there's a reasonable Mombasa-Suez option, but I'll check that more. Thanks again you lot!

cheers
Brett

[MountainMan]

Sounds like a good plan. One other thing, you have a lot more first hand experience than us with Egypt but with all the horror stories about clearing Egyptian customs at sea ports, you may want to look into Mombassa to see if that is more straightforward. If it is, shipping down and then picking it up there might be an option to consider.

And not to add any more destinations onto your trip, but if you do go in/out of Mombasa, you should really consider heading straight across to Arusha in Tanzania. Same approximate latitude as Mombassa so not a huge detour. The payoff is great views of Kili and you can easily squeeze in a visit to Ngorogoro Crater from Arusha for some wildlife viewing, certainly a highlight for the kids if you drag them along.

[roro]

Originally Posted by roamingyak.org

Roads no problem, apart from Ethiopia is slow going (up, down, people and animals all over the roads, 200km a day is good going sometimes) and the northern part of Kenya is unsealed whichever way you go.

But the Aswan/WH ferry is not reliable at all at the moment, and getting a return visa for Sudan +could+ cause problems, so you should try to get a multiple entry before leaving Egypt etc.

Honestly though, don't bother, you will be driving most hours of the day for most your days, including through Ethiopia which is quite an annoying country to drive in, and I can't see if being much fun for anybody especially kids.

Just go to Sudan for 3 weeks, really nice people and plenty to do, or just fly to Nairobi and hire a car or something.

Africa needs less tourists in a hurry imho ;-p And you would always be in a hurry....

About Sudan visa with 2 entries, do you mean there is some problem to get it in Europe before leaving?

RR.

[brettsyoung]

Both great ideas Mountain man. Thanks for that.

cheers Brett

[jamieT]

Hi,

Absolutely agree that it would be unlikely to manage it there and back in that time frame. Absolutely everything would have to work perfectly, including the vehicle, but more problematic and unreliable is the Lake Nasser ferry and Aswan customs on return.

Even getting the permission to take an Egyptian car out of the country can be a little painful. Of course it may be different if you have fancy green plates.

If you want even half a chance at seeing only the highlights en route, then one way is the option.

We managed the Nairobi-Cairo leg in our summer school holidays, about 6 weeks, and it felt like a rush.

[brettsyoung]

Thanks JT and everyone else.

JT is there a group of 4WD types in Cairo that go for drives occasionally that you know of? I don't mean anything as formal or organised as the Jeep club. Something a bit more relaxed and that involves .

cheers
Brett

[omar mansour]

Hi Brett
well lets say you will start from Cairo and you can mange to do it in one day to Aswan ,then you have to e there any Friday or Saturday really early ,
then paper work for the ferry and customs police traffic and then you car ot bike will be on the barge by Sunday ,you start to sail on Monday ,arrive and start from Halfa if you are lucky Wednesday afternoon,
so its almost 6 or even 7 days
and the same back !!
and then to drive 5000 km ,
best thing is just fly to Kenya hire a car go around ,and then fly back
of just go to Sudan ,very kind people and many places to go specially the virgin red sea shore
hopefully the road will be open soon then you can do it in 3 weeks
my last trip from South Africa to Egypt on motorbike solo ,took 6 months ,i was planning to do it in 3 months but then i decided to enjoy it to the max i can .
and it was the best trip i ever had in my life
regarding 4x4 activities ,there is lots of 4wheelers they go for weekends or even longer trips
you can mail me as i always like to be on the move
i do live in Alexandria

[jamieT]

Heh brett. Well yes, in fact your description sounds remarkably like us. Add good food, and motor bikes to the mix. Probably done for the summer, but might pop out one day early to pick up jerry cans from an earlier bikes only trip. Get in touch or get down to maadi for a . Where are you?

[roro]

Hi Omar,

" many places to go specially the virgin red sea shore"

Is it more beautiful than the Egyptian sea shore (on the other side of the border, not on Aqaba gulf), or almost the same?

RR.

[jamieT]

Jesus. I hadn't realised the site automatically did the funky icons. Clever.