Forward Planning for the route down.

[zedsdead]

Good afternoon everyone.

My trip to Africa is starting to take shape. I know I will be leaving next april and now I have got an idea of the way I would like things to go. I will be travelling alone by motorcycle. I am learning how unstable the world has become and this only adds to the challenge.

My ambition is to go Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan and onwards. So now is the time to do homework for this part of the trip.

I know Tunisia is not a problem.
I am after info or recommendations for Libya. I have read many things about the need for guides and using tour companies to get the required visa. Also I believe I believe I have read about a transit visa to follow the coast and get straight to Egypt.
I am not to sure about Egypt, I hope things will move on there. I intend to go down to Aswan and get the ferry into the Sudan, sorting the visa requirements as I go.
And lastly the Sudan, I have not decided where I will move onto from there.

Small steps one pace at a time. I am learning everyday and trying to absorb all the information to be as prepared as I can be.

Any comments and information will be invaluable.

Thanks .

[TwoTwins2Capetown]

Hi,
We are also planning our trip to Capetown.
Planning the trip keeps changing every week or so.
A few years ago we wanted to travel through Syria but that was cancelled quickly.
Then we decided to take the ferry from Turkey to
Egypt but we found out last month that this wasn't possible anymore.
Now we are planning to go from Italy to Tunisia, through Libya and into Egypt.
But we are leaving in october 2014 so a lot of things can change in a year :confused1:

[paul1962]

Same here - hoping to go Septemberish next year - but who knows if it will be possible or not - one minute you can't get through Libya BUT can get a ferry to Eygpt -the next you can't, and the next you can get back through Libyia again.
A pity you can't get through Syria would really like to have done an overland Kappe to Cape without using a boat too much! But who knows maybe that will change next year, and all will be peace and light in the Middle East and North Africa, and the new road to Sudan will be open for foriegners at a reasonable cost!
Being flexible is the thing is I have learnt is the key for getting through this region - but difficult if you have limited funds and a motorcycle/car. The West African route doesn't appeal somehow -but maybe the only option in the future. Sometimes I wonder is Africa really worth the hassle?

[TwoTwins2Capetown]

i know what you mean.
We just keep on following the news on how to get into Africa.
Just figuring out all the options and keep seeking for other options.
I must say that i really think it is worth the hassle. Cant wait to begin our journey

[Thimba]

Originally Posted by paul1962

Sometimes I wonder is Africa really worth the hassle?

Hi,

When all is said and done, an extensive road trip in Africa remains one of the last genuine and challenging overlanding adventures, and requires an open mind and a huge amount of flexibility and patience.
I'm not travelling through Africa for the hassle, but if African roads and border crossings were as comfortable and easy as the French péage and the Dutch-German border, I would start looking for another destination.

Cheers,

Gee

[dippy]

Hi folks,

We're also planning doing this route end of next year, it's going to be a convoy!

and hope to go Tunisia -> Libya -> Egypt -> Sudan etc. but recently have thought that maybe better to go Italy straight to Egypt on the 4 day ferry.

Libya seems in such termoil it may be a long long time until it's all sorted?

zedsdead - I understand that Sudan visa can only be sorted in your home country? I've heard that for the uk anyway, not sure where you from.

[TwoTwins2Capetown]

Italy to Egypt on a four day ferry?
Wich ferry is that?

[dippy]

It's this one although it may have been put on hold?

aferry.com/visemar-line.htm

read about it in this blog, it's how they got to Egypt

uk2za2010.blogspot.co.uk

but having just read this blog

matward.com

we'll probably stick with the original plan of Tunisia and Libya.

[achim-in-jordan]

Hi Dippy,

the Italy - Egypt ferry (through Tartous in Syria at the time) has not been running anymore since mid-2011!

There still seems to be a ferry from Iskenderun in South-Eastern Turkey to Egypt run by UnRoRo ferry but we are still waiting for the first experiences to come through on the HUBB.

Greetings,
Achim

[ongediertebestrijder]

Hey Guys,

This Saturday me (from Vilnius) and my friend (from Milan) will leave for our travel through Africa on our wr250r's. We are planning to ship our bikes, using the service from Unroro from Iskenderun to Damietta somewhere in the end of next week.

Shipping costs 100 USD (per bike, twice a week). Flying ourselves would costs 150 USD. We are planning to arrange all paperwork ourselves. We considered going through Libya but for us the costs of the Visas were way to high.

Does anyone have contacts of a fixer in Damietta?

Johan
https://www.facebook.com/waygoing

[dippy]

Hi Zedsdead,

Have you set off already? We're doing the East coast in october this year and are having trouble getting confirmation about visa's.

Ethiopia apparently would like one to get the visa from the home county, uk for me, but now only offers 3 month visa which doesnt leave long to get there and through.

Still worried about the Libya visa although Tidwa tours are apparently still providing.

would appreciate any further info

Thanks

[Florence124]

Your idea is very intresting.But traveeling in bike in such a country where temprature higher than 40 is very difficult.But all the best for your trip.

[Wazungu]

We got our Ethiopian visas in Cairo in October 2013 - it only took half an hour, but we had been the day before to get the visa application forms. We are UK citizens. They gave us three month multiple entry visas. Your post said you were doing the west coast route, but I think that must be a typo as Ethiopia is most certainly not on the West!

[dippy]

Wazunga thanks for the info and yes, Typo

[achim-in-jordan]

Hi Dippy,

To my knowledge, there has never been a problem with obtaining the Ethiopian visa on the way down (North - South). Usually, travellers would get it fast in Khartoum.

There is an issue if coming up from the South with the Ethiopian ambassador in Nairobi apparently being the last hope for overlanders if convinced of the long duration of the trip. In the end, it seems to work, though.

Safe trip!
Achim