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 4 Nov 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 13
Chad and Sudan

Does anyone have have any information about Chad and Sudan? We are currently in Ghana wanting to travel through Togo, Benin, Niger, onto Chad and Sudan. Is it possible to get a visa for Sudan, if so where and how long will it take. Any information would be great, many thanks www.popadd.com/ksv2africa
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Nov 2003
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Tallinn
Posts: 403
The Chad - Sudan border is closed for practical purposes (though as far as I know not officially), the Darfur area is sealed off to foreigners due to the ongoing rebellion. Chad - Libya border is also closed northbound, heading out east is not an option for the time being.

------------------
Happy Travels,
Andras

FJ Expeditions
__________________
Happy Travels, András
http://www.fjexpeditions.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Nov 2003
hed hed is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Now in Cape Town
Posts: 128
Hello Vicky,

I agree with Andraz, forget the Sudan way. Even if you managed to get through the border (highly unlikley) I think you would not be secure in Darfur region. I was there in February and things were already not 100% kosher. There was lots of military activity and tanks guarding entrances and exits to towns, various machine gun emplacements along minor roads and also lots of technicals (Landcruiser pickups with mounted machine guns) cruising around. As recently as 4 days ago the government was supposedly doing aerial bombardments in Darfur.

If you are keen on getting through though and not too skittish you could go to Chad (no problems, get the visa in Abuja in one day, while there enquire about Sudan at the very professional Sudanese embassy in Abuja) and then you head south from Ndjamena to Kome and then on into CAR. I think this should be quiet now, they had a coup a few months ago. From there you could then either load onto a ferry straight in Bangui onto the river Bangui (may have to wait for a week or two), or alternatively keep driving south into DRC, past Gbadolite and head for Bumba or Lisala. With a one or two week wait over there you will be able to get a ferry to take you all the way to Kinshasa, or alternatively east, to Kisangani, and from there you should be able to drive east to Bukavu/Rwandan border. Sounds scary, but is feasible. I did it recently, the other way, coming from Rwanda and then to Kisangani and from there by ferry to Kinshasa. Everything north of Bumba, i.e the stretch from CAR down to the river Congo is controlled by the MLC who I have found a reasonably disciplined bunch. I think if you have some African travelling experience and you speak some french you will be OK.

Regards and let me know how it goes,

hed
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Nov 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Holland
Posts: 11
Another alternative route seems to be CAR-South Sudan - Uganda - Kenya. You will travel through SPLA-controlled territory in Sudan. I read a story from a German couple that travelled this route lately.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Nov 2003
Ed Ed is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Chester,England
Posts: 4
Vicky,i travelled C.A.R. South Sudan,Uganda in Jan/Feb 2002 on BMW 650.Both areas notoriosly unstable.The only way to know how safe it is is to gather info as you travel and follow your feelings.Don't go to South Sudan with an official Sudanese visa.It won't be recognised by the S.P.L.A. and may hinder your progress.Use Catholic Missions and N.G.O.'s for refuge,good luck,Ed.
Quote:
Originally posted by vicky:
Does anyone have have any information about Chad and Sudan? We are currently in Ghana wanting to travel through Togo, Benin, Niger, onto Chad and Sudan. Is it possible to get a visa for Sudan, if so where and how long will it take. Any information would be great, many thanks www.popadd.com/ksv2africa
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Nov 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 81
Hi

We (the German couple) travelled 10 days after Ed through CAR and into New Sudan. We would not really recommend this trip. Even we had the impression that South of Sudan is quite calm it is still a war zone and situation can change quickly. The real problem is CAR. Crossing CAR is more a matter of luck than solid planning. The officials are a pain, coupes and Coupeur de Route are frequent and over wide stretches (especially the Northeast) you find just pure anarchy. East of Bangui fuel is rare and extremely expensive (when asking around up to five US/l where demanded – but we never really bargained because we had enough) More facts you can find on our website at www.afritracks.net (Englisch) or www.afritracks.de (German).

@Ed
Hope you are well, haven’t heard news for a long time

@Vicky
A while ago I mailed you some thoughts about your initially planned route on your website account. Just mail if you didn’t get it.

Regards
Bernd


------------------
www.afritracks.net
__________________
www.afritracks.net
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Nov 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
How about going down the west coast. There have been several expeditions going through in the last year and seems to be relatively stable. Possibly more stable than the CAR / Southern Sudan route being mentioned.
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 15:19.