Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Aug 2007
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 16
Visas for the West coast

Hi Guys,

Myself and two friends are biking up the West coast from Cape Town to Europe starting Dec 1. We both have South African and European passports.

One of the issues we have is Visas. We contacted a local company to organise all the neccessary visas, but got a huge quote - R12,000!!!

So, i want to know if it's possible to do the following:
We orgainse visas for Angola, Congo, DRC & Cameroon before the trip from Cape Town,

then
could we get visas in Cameroons capital (Yaunda??) for Nigeria, Togo, Ghana…
that only leaves the Ivory Coast ,Mali and Mauritania. Where would you suggest we get these visas?
We don't need visas for Gabon, Namiba and Morrocco.


Our trip is scheduled for 2.5 months, so not much time left for sorting out visas.



Any informaiton will be much appreciated.:confused1:



Luke
Capetown
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Aug 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
YOu can usally get visas for the next country in the capita=ol of the country you are than in.. if you follow.

It may not be the cheapest/quickest way. In some countries you can get visas on the boarder (or close to it).

The Angola vist tends to be a transit visa .. a few days ... way too quick.

Ivory Coast is just coming out of strife .. not certain I'd go there? See as you get closer.. From Nigeria you can do Niger Mali etc.. skips a few boarders.. might be quicker..
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Aug 2007
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Limoux, France
Posts: 352
Just sorting out my own Cote D'Ivoire visa, bit of a nightmare to do it in Europe & particularly in France.

Essentially the main 'pain' is a letter of invitation and trying to get one ... I'm very close to writing my own letter on fake paper and seeing if it'll get past the 'powers' that be in Marseille!

Cote D'Ivoire is calming down, the IRIN NEWS claimed that war is finally over. The south is OK, the north is rebel held; crossing between the two is a 'no-no' ..

As for the other visas, I'm with the above comment, get them as you go!

Kira
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Aug 2007
orrin's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Worcester Park
Posts: 174
Dodgy Green Mamba passport!

Always best to get the visa for the next country, in the bordering country you are travelling in. sometimes it is cheaper and you will have a very good idea when you will be entering the country! But it is a day lost, sometimes more! I will be heading down from november.(london-sa) It would be good to meet half way and share good up to date info.
Orrin
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Aug 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
Sweet route...can't wait to read up when you post!

As others have noted, its probably more beneficial to pick up the visas a couple countries ahead of time as your schedule will shift. Thats the nature of these trips...

Although getting visas are not the sexy part of your trip, none of our trips are devoid of administrative necessities such as this...
__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Aug 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spain, Cameroon
Posts: 81
Get a Visa Touristique Entente (suggest the Cote d'Ivoire embassy in Yaounde), it is valid for Benin, Togo, BF, Niger and Cd'I, saves time and money.

For Nigeria the consulate in Buea, Cameroon is easy and friendly.

Ghana - get it in Lomé.

For Mali, in Yaoundé.

For Mauritania, in Bamako.

Did I miss any?

The situation with the border region Cd'I to Mali is still to be regarded as tense pending a few reports to the contrary - keep an eye on developements. If there is no positive news when you get closer I'd suggest heading Ghana-BF-Mali instead.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Aug 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
Does the Visa Touristique Entente actually exist?

I've heard people recommend this but do we know actually anyone that has gotten it?
__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Aug 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spain, Cameroon
Posts: 81
I got mine 18 months ago at the Cd'I consulate in Bamako. They were very polite and accomodating. I've heard similar reports from Togo consulates in the region, yoo.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Aug 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
Nice!

But then why don't they offer it at the consulates outside of the zone?

How did you get into Mali before acquiring the Visa Touristique Entente?

I guess I'm just bitter I didn't get it at the Mali/Niger consulates in Rabat back in November 2006

Ahh...the nonsense of visas continue to make West Africa more interesting!
__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 5 Aug 2007
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Limoux, France
Posts: 352
Quote:
Originally Posted by wilco View Post
I got mine 18 months ago at the Cd'I consulate in Bamako. They were very polite and accomodating. I've heard similar reports from Togo consulates in the region, yoo.

Dave
It's also very cheap (or cheaper than Bamako) in Ouaga ... in a warehouse type building 1km from the centre of town as you're heading in from the west

As far as Cote d'Ivoire goes, don't attempt to go from the north down to Abidjan; I have a feeling the 'zone' across the middle of the country will take a bit longer to calm down!

Kira
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 5 Aug 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spain, Cameroon
Posts: 81
Edde, the VTE isn't valid for Mali, only Niger, Togo, Benin, BF and Cd'I. Many consulates don't offer it to we rich folk from the West as they want us to pay for each country - you can't blame them. They may pretend it doesn't exist too, but will often change their tune if you politely explain that your friend/brother/neighbour etc obtained one only last month. It's all part of the game in Africa.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6 Aug 2007
ozhanu's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
Which embassies issuing Touristique Entente Visa in North of Africa? Can I get it in Morocco, Senegal or in Mali in the embassies of Niger, Togo, Benin, BF or Cd'I?

It will really help to save some time and meaningless embassy paper works.
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 6 Aug 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spain, Cameroon
Posts: 81
I got it at the Cd'I consulate in Bamako. If you're heading there from Senegal try Dakar first.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 7 Aug 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by wilco View Post
Edde, the VTE isn't valid for Mali, only Niger, Togo, Benin, BF and Cd'I. Many consulates don't offer it to we rich folk from the West as they want us to pay for each country - you can't blame them. They may pretend it doesn't exist too, but will often change their tune if you politely explain that your friend/brother/neighbour etc obtained one only last month. It's all part of the game in Africa.

Dave
You slick bastard!!!!! Damn, if I had known...I woulda picked it up in Dakar...thanks for posting this great lead for future travellers....
__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 13 Aug 2007
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 16
Thanks for all the valueable information guys. That Touristique Entente Visa sounds like it will save us loads of work.

Check out our blogg site african west coast adventure
Cheers
Luke
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kms per day on the West coast of America Latina mrtree SOUTH AMERICA 8 6 Jul 2007 21:37
Best time for Cape Town to europe west coast. bikerfromsark sub-Saharan Africa 0 6 Jun 2007 11:18
East or West Coast ozhanu sub-Saharan Africa 1 6 Feb 2007 10:26
Africa - West Coast or East Coast? Vesa Launiainen Route Planning 3 30 Dec 2004 03:40
Colombia to Argentina. East coast or west coast? mattpope Route Planning 1 19 Aug 2004 02:10

 
 

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 18:21.