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 16 May 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 1
Congo - Namibia advice needed

We are travelling through Congo, DRC and Angola in the next couple of weeks. The plan is to travel from Gabon to Point Noire, on to Brazzaville, Kinshasa to Matadi and then straight through Angola to the Namibian border. Can anyone recommend cheap but safe places to stay? Any advice in general? Anything we shouldnt miss?
Thanks Jo
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 May 2006
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
Try to get your visum for Angola in Libberville.

Cheap places I stayed was police check points that felt ok (If you feel it's allright it'll probably be allright, if you feel it's dodgy, better drive on cause you wan't sleep well anyway), a police driveway, and a mission in Pointe Noir. The missions in DRC where not cheap at all. In Angola I've been camping out in the bush all the time, which is secure as long as no one knows you're there. other places where in villages/communities, where people felt friendly. Asking around for a place to put you tent will generaly result in someone pointing out a suitable place, and something like 'social rules' will make sure you're ok.

Enjoy!

Rob
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 May 2006
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Bracknell, UK
Posts: 37
The route south...

Try get your Angolan visa in Libreville - that way you can request a multi entry visa and do the Cabinda route. Much easier than trying to get across to Brazzaville / Kinshasa.

As for places to stay, bush camping was the only real option for most of Angola. Its very safe with very few villages about - mainly due to the huge impact the war had.

Namibia will be Nirvana as you will cross the border and drive straight onto a paved road with proper shops, camp sites and huge costs!
__________________
www.bigsky-adventures.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 May 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South Molton, UK
Posts: 15
Question What about landmines?

Quote:
Originally Posted by solms

As for places to stay, bush camping was the only real option for most of Angola. Its very safe with very few villages about - mainly due to the huge impact the war had.
I'm gonna be travelling through Angola later in the year and one of my conserns has been having to bush camping and landmines. I guess you didn't get blown up as you've posted a message on here!!!

Do anyother people have conserns about the landmine issue in Angola when bushcamping?

Are areas marked as having landmines?

I really don't fancy getting blown up looking for a nice place to pitch camp!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 May 2006
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
Mines....

Yep.

I think chances of hitting a mine outside the indicated areas are slim.

When I was riding there I hoped that land mines don't see the difference between a land rover and a cow. So driving and camping where a hird of cows has passed, or where other vehicles drove before you is safe I think.

I never drove off completely in the bush.

;-)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 May 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Angola

Hi,

We have crossed Angola about 2 months ago. Roads South of Luanda are realy bad but the good thing that there are sufficient Katholic Mission along the way. If you do want to bushcamp (because of the mines) you can turn to the missions. We really enjoyed staying with them. In Tomboco and Lobito they were esppecialy friendly. And mostly for free ! But we choose to give donations (Euro 3,- per night) for the poor people who they ussually help out. In Luanda you can stay at the Club Navalle (first Marina on the Peninsula) Als in Point Noir you go to the local Yacht Club where you can stay on the beach but with military guards who watch the boats, and you, 24h/d. In DRC we also went tot the missions and they are not really cheap but if you take the Cabinda route (recommended) then you will only spent 2 nights in DRC (Muanda and maybe Matadi) Count on $10 per night. With all the missions it is not all that difficult but in Angola the missions are only in towns who are a bit bigger (with gas stations, on the map)

Cheers and good luck,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jun 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: where I lay my head is home
Posts: 39
Congo brazzavile to Angola via DRC

i will be hoping to do this drive in a month's time anyone done it recently rather than hearing via others who have not done it that it is unsafe?
regards
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 13 Jun 2006
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by wildbill
Do any other people have concerns about the landmine issue in Angola when bush-camping?
I lived in Angola for three years in the late 80s - early 90s. Landmines were a huge concern then. I don't think there has been much progress made clearing them from 'non-productive land' since then.

Many of the combatants in the 20+ year Angolan conflict used landmines to intimidate the local population, and to try and confine them to their villages. For this reason, mines were sown in forested areas where women went to collect wood, and especially around river crossings and river banks.

I have set off a few mines myself, though fortunately always whilst inside an aircraft or a truck. If you wind up stepping on one, you're really going to be screwed, because health care is not readily available in Angola. The normal procedure for treating mine injuries is to go up the leg to the point where there is no more trauma, and make the amputation there.

I would be very, very wary of 'bush camping' in Angola. Far better, I think, to stick to the populated regions - do your overnighting in a village where there are lots of other people, and where there are unlikely to be residual mines remaining undetected.
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
Advice needed UK - Cape Town Giles4060 Route Planning 15 16 Aug 2005 20:50
Advice needed on shipping from Ghana,Benin or Togo to Namibi vicky Route Planning 4 8 Aug 2003 17:21
110 advice needed pls Huey Equipping the Overland Vehicle 22 10 Apr 2003 21:10
shipping from congo or cabinda to namibia or s.africa esteban Trip Transport 1 11 May 2002 08:53
advice needed URGENT Goose Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 3 11 Sep 2001 19:50

 
 

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 19:37.