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Getting offroad/off tarmac in Africa Getting offroad/off tarmac in Africa
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #16  
Old 22 Apr 2013
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The nice thing with Africa is taht the "main route" down the east coast is paved virtually the entire way. THere is a patch in Kenya that is terrible, and some spots in Tanzania, but SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi...all great roads. Kenya for the most part is also good (aside from Moyale to about halfway between Marsabit and Isiolo). Ethiopia has decent roads, but with scattered potholes. It is the people and livestock on the road which causes the largest issues. Sudan's roads are very good and newly paved with Chinese labor and money. Egypt's roads are about 75% speed bumps, but other than that, easy to drive.

Don't worry, it hasn't gotten too tame and there will be multiple opportunities for flat tires, and destroyed suspension!

So if you have gone a couple of days and are yearning for offroading, any of the secondary roads should suffice. If THAT isn't enough, some of the parks in various countries allow for driving off of the paths, so that should be even better.
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  #17  
Old 23 Apr 2013
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I'm also trying to plan a 95% off road trip through Africa. Besides the added adventure I'm also trying to avoid the drunk/high/asleep truck drivers using the main roads.

My method is using google earth. I'm constantly amazed about how much detail is available on their aerial imagery. I use similar techniques finding new trails for local trail riding.

I wouldn't take a heavily laden 650 though. We're planning it on 2x WR250R's with a giantloop on the back and a few other items hung on. With properly adjusted suspension it should be fine. I figure if they can handle the trail riding around here why not the B/ farm roads in Africa.
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  #18  
Old 23 Apr 2013
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good luck with it. My advice would be to create a loose plan and sort of tweak it as you go based on the people that you talk to. As I'm sure you're aware there are a lot of overlander hubs across Africa and they are great places to meet people and swap stories. We changed/diverted our route several times based on information that we picked up at those places. There were a lot of bikers there that would team up for a couple of weeks to go to the next destination taking on some killer back roads and trails.

Many of them told us that they had never planned to be that adventurous as they were going it alone, but meeting up with 4 other folks, they felt more confident going more off the beaten path. We'd meet up with some of these folks later and hear their great stories.
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  #19  
Old 6 May 2013
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You're right, the planning can be out of the window on day 1. But I find it nice to have a reference to share from. On other trips it was difficult to stay off the main routes/roads. Either because of rough planning, poor maps, private land, etc which lead to some frustration.

Digital maps, camera's and go pro's make sharing of info much easier. But without any reference of it can be difficult to compare.

Which forums did you find the most useful?
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  #20  
Old 6 May 2013
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I suggest to work with Satellite-Images from bing or google, there are ways to make them available offline.

Surfy
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  #21  
Old 6 May 2013
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If you haven't already done so I suggest you have a look at T4a web site and maps both digital and on paper.
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  #22  
Old 6 May 2013
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yup. +1 on the tracks4africa site. The maps on there are fantastic and offer a lot more info than just a gas station marker. We were able to get info about things like side roads, detours, etc.

I think you'll find that and talking with people en route will be the best in regards to trying to stay off of main roads and have a relatively safe adventure.

When I was bored and planning our Africa trip I'd browse flickr and if I saw something interesting in Africa photos I'd check the geotag and see where it was or shoot a message to someone and ask where it was. That was sort of how I planned a couple of the more offbeat places we went, such as the livestock market in Hargeisa.
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  #23  
Old 6 May 2013
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and the guys and girls at T4a are always willing to give advice etc. Bessie and her father Wouter who started the whole thing travel regularly on their bikes in southern Africa. Don't be frightened to message them for help and advice.
margaret
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  #24  
Old 7 May 2013
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In my experience of Chinese road building in Africa, the surface will last just long enough for their trucks to get all the local timber/minerals out to the ports, then a couple of wet seasons will eat into the cracked surface and wash out the poorly laid substrata. Hey presto - back to dirt roads. Cynical, bitter, pessimistic? Yes, hands up to all of them:-)
My advice is wait a couple of years, get those knobblies on and ride safe,
Simon.
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  #25  
Old 8 May 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mossproof View Post
....Cynical, bitter, pessimistic?....
The correct answer is REAListic. ;-)

It is no secret why the Chinese are building the roads. It isn't because they are a freaking charity!
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