travelling at the "wrong" times...
 

Hi guys, just to say that i've recently found and more recently worked out how this awesome site works,and I'm stoked. I was battling around in the dark for too long before.
So now I've found light will you be able to shed experience on the question of leaving the UK to cross Africa (to Cape Town) LEAVING IN MARCH.
Due to time constraints and obligations it looks like this is the only time to go. Will it be too manically hot in the sahara and too wet in central africa?

we did uk/capetown leaving uk in late april..it was hot but not unbearable..the beauty was we missd the rains except in ethiopia...if i can help e mail me or look on the web site www.gonewandering.co.uk have a great trip

Thank you for your help.What year did you do the trip? I do wondeer wether anyone out there has been the central african basin in april/may? on a bike?

I'm not convinced that there is a right or wrong time. The seasons may come early or late, they may be drier or wetter or hotter or colder than the year before etc. Last year, the short rains were longer than normal AND on time so we got very wet. so what? its Mother Africa - full of grace, charm and challenge! most of the people are nice most of the time and, whenever you go, you'll meet them and surprise yourself at what you chose to do and what you have no choice but to do with or without help. I expect others have been where you're thinking of going at the time you're thinking of and they'll have had their own challenges and triumphs.

prepare well and have a great trip. by preparation, I mean set up the bike, get your jabs etc and leave most of your kit at home. travel light and what mud you encounter (plenty) will be easier. eg take 2-3 T-shirts and buy secondhand ones along the way.

'buy second hand ones along the way'

In central Africa, you might want to stretch the budget and buy your t-shirts new!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

Sam.