Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Jun 2005
T T is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
Libya - Niger - Nigeria - Cameroon

Hi,
we just came back from our recent transsahara trip. We (3 people, Landrover 110) took the route Libya - Tumu - Madama -Dirkou - Agadez - Diffa - Maiduguri - Mora - Ngaoundere - Yaounde. As we were on a pretty tight time schedule we needed all in all from Europe 16 days to Yaounde, except for the extreme heat which is normal in May, we did not have any big difficulties.

Regards
Tobias

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
Toby,

As of Australia??!!

Sam.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Jun 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Leamington, warks, UK
Posts: 5
Could you give more details on your trip, particularlyy, the toughness of the route and paperwork/guides in Libya and Niger?

I'm planning on doing this route next year and want to book a guide for Libya ASAP, any recommendations?

Thanks

Nathan
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 287
hi Nathan
there is a very helpful story from Camiel on the net
http://www.amsterdam2capetown.com/Trip%20to%20Libya
Ursula
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Jun 2005
T T is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally posted by T:
Hi,
we just came back from our recent transsahara trip. We (3 people, Landrover 110) took the route Libya - Tumu - Madama -Dirkou - Agadez - Diffa - Maiduguri - Mora - Ngaoundere - Yaounde. As we were on a pretty tight time schedule we needed all in all from Europe 16 days to Yaounde, except for the extreme heat which is normal in May, we did not have any big difficulties.

Regards
Tobias

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Jun 2005
T T is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
Hi Nathan,

we got the invitation, guide and visa through a german tour operator (libyen-tours, is on the web). Finally we got a guide from Ghadames Agency which was ok, we needed 4 hours in Ras Ajdir and the guide accompanied us to Al Katrun (2 days), Mohamed Tahar from the italian fort helped us quickly and efficiently for the exit formalities in Al Katrun. I

n Niger we organized a guide from Bou Bakar (mayor of Dirkou) as we intended to go through the Erg the Bilma to Nguigmi, however we had to turn back from around Zoo Baba as our half shaft in the rear axle broke, so we decided to go via Agadez.

The pistes (Al-Katrun-Madama-Dirkou-Agadez)were in parts sandy, the main difficulty are the deep truck tracks which you should avoid.

Concerning paperwork we got from the niger embassy in germany together with our visa a paper called "authorisation de passage" which was rather often asked for and checked.

Regard
Tobias
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Jun 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 52
Tobias,

I read in your OP that you were 3 people in a single vehicle. Did you do the complete route in a lone vehicle? Or did you join other vehicles for certain sections?
Crossing the grand erg de Bilma in a lone vehicle sounds quite adventurous to me, to put it mildly.
__________________
Cheers!
Michiel.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Jun 2005
T T is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
Hi,
yes we travelled with one vehicle, as all pistes are used by local trucks rather frequently, this is ok.

Concerning the Erg de Bilma we hired a local guide (with us in the car) and we had a satellite phone with us (for the worst case).

Regards
Tobias
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 9 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cologne, Germany
Posts: 29
Hi Tobias
1.Can the route you took be done in a 2 wheel drive.
2. How much of a problem was it entering Nigeria
3. And what is an estimated total cost for the guides or is one allowed to go without a guide.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 9 Aug 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
Sam, different Tobias, I'm still under Toby2 although would be nice to free up the time to go trans sahara again. Currently in Egypt but only for a week.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11 Aug 2005
T T is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
Hi,

the route from Libya via Tummo to Dirkou and onwards to Agadez is a rough truck piste where you cannot stay in the tracks with a normal car, even we had to leave the piste with the LR Defender very often.

I mean I read from people who did this route with old Peugeot´s, so it is doable, but bear in mind that it will be very tough with probably numerous repairs and a certain risk to loose the car.

In Libya you need a guide from the border to Al Katrun, our experience was that if do not reserve this beforehand you simply won´t get into the country. So we arranged guide (for 3 days), Visa and invitation together via a german agency. The total costs for 3 people were around 750 Euros.

Hope that helps you.

Regards
Tobias
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11 Aug 2005
T T is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
Hi again,

sorry forgot your question concerning Nigeria, it was a matter of one hour to do the formalities. Make sure you have a valid visa and a carnet de passage for the vehicle, that´s it. We crossed from Diffa to Maiduguri.

Regards
Tobias
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 7 Oct 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 1
kind request

Ursula has written:
hi Nathan
there is a very helpful story from Camiel on the net
http://www.amsterdam2capetown.com/Trip%20to%20Libya
Ursula

But this net address does not work. Can I have this story in some other way?
Thanks, Jan
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 7 Oct 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 20
Cost of journey

For the whole trip, how much have you spent on;

1. Guides
2. Fuel

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 8 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
things change

Libyan southern borders have been 'closed' for a year or so now - you might want to check this before going too far with your planning.

Sam.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:40.