Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
London to Cape Town in 3/4 months? London to Cape Town in 3/4 months?
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 31 Jan 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Unhappy London to Cape Town in 3/4 months?
Hiya all, havent logged on here for a while, in fact not since i returned from a london to Sidney overland trip in 2002/03.... that was 18 months and a lot of fun!

I am now getting that 'work/life/house/london trapped' feeling again and want to do something vaguely interesting, and always said Cape Town would be my next trip.... problem is, i only have 3/4 months this time.

So, is this long enough for this trip if i accept it is merely a blast through taster of this amazing continent? Starting say Oct 08 till Xmas/Jan 09?

Yours thoughts/experiences would be appreciated.

Many thanks. William
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Hi William,
There have been one or two similar questions in recent past, including one thread on the lines of "is it better to take 10 weeks or 10 months".

I think these may be in "trip planning" or "route selection" (this website gets bigger by the day!), but a search around will bring them up.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Feb 2008
ozhanu's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
i know two Dutch guys (who are also HU members) try to do from the Nederlands to SA via east coast in 4 months and ship the bikes back by sea. They stayed in my house in Turkiye. haven't hear since then. but i guess if you follow the east coast and ship the bike back by air 4 month is doable from the UK to SA.

good luck
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
Its certainly doable - I think the long way down lot did it in under 2 1/2 months. There is the usual stuff that you already refer to about taster versus seeing more of the place but if you only have 3 - 4 months then you might as well make the most of it and its still a reasonable time. You'll probably have an easier run in the timescales if you are looking at the East coast as apposed to West Africa and the west coast. Also you might want to line up more visas in advance etc so that you reduce the time sitting round waiting for documentation. However some visas such as Sudan can be achieved in 24 hours in neighbouring countries seems to involve a lot of effort in gaining from the UK so there is probably a balance there, particularly if you don't have a multi million pound budget, a warehouse in london and a team of staff to sort all your paperwork.

Have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Feb 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Thanks for your replys... have found the thread to similar questions in 'route planning' which was useful if a little mixed in its conclusion. Have also just bought the updated version of Chris Scotts AMH and in that he reckon two months is the minimum needed, so that sounds promising at least!

Since i am now getting a little excited about being away again... well theres a surprise..! i think i will plan for the trip but on the understanding if the time is not going to be enough to really enjoy the trip then i will just use the time i have to get as far as i can and then find another port on the West coast to ship/fly back from.

Therefore no stress or time pressures and just que sera sera! Thanks
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Thumbs up in legs
Hi,

You could consider doing the trip down in legs. First leg to Nairobi (asuming the unrest will have settled by October). Three or four months for London to Nairoby is pretty relaxed. There is a very good place to leave your bike in Nairobi, Jungle Junction. Maybe you heard of it, German bloke with motorbike work shop. Big enclosed area where lots of overlanders stay. He can take care of the bike, store it, run it regularly etc all for a very small fee. Friend of mine did it with his Landcruiser. Was there for a year and then he picked it up again to continue the trip.This way you would enjoy it as much you'd expect !

Cheers,

Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London,UK
Posts: 40
hi there
Me and 2 other friends finished doing the london - cape town last week in 3 months with ktm's.We went down the west coast,morocco-mauritania-mali-burkina faso-ghana-togo-benin-nigeria-cameroon-gabon-congo-drc-angola-namibie-south africa.

It all depends on what you whant to do.
If you just whant to go from north so south then the trip can be done in 40 days but if you whant to see africa then no less than 5 months is needed.
We did it in 3 months and will do it quicker next time but that is because we live in South Africa and can easily go and travel to these countries again.
Others travellers we met along the way said that they thing 3-4 monts is enough cause you tend to get frustrated and tired if it is any longer,that is if you are on a bike.

Up to you eventually,3-4 months is doable
regards
mj
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Posts: 126
remember me?
Heey MJ, how many tyre's did you end up fixing??
I'm in Nairobi right now, waiting for a new front rim, well still looking for it actually.

Did the trip go all right, no problems what so ever?

-Steven, (we met in Windhoek)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Feb 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Noel and MJ, thanks for the additinal suggestions and comments... both are very interstesting and useful. Will
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: from Portugal, living in Germany
Posts: 119
Hi,

These guys (who have posted here btw) made Brighton-Cape Town in 4 months:

Dan and Ed's Motorcycle Adventure - Brighton2capetown.googlepages.com (document.title= "Dan and Ed's Motorcycle Adventure - Brighton2c

Best Regards,
Luís CaBRita
__________________
Luis Cabrita, Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin '97 & Honda CBR 600 F4 '99
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148874658@N08/albums
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 158
Time
We did London Ct in 6 months. 5 4x4's. We stopped all over the place and even had a 2 week holiday in between. i am 100% sure you could do it on bikes.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
Cape Town to London via the east coast took me 14 months. Of that, if you take out a months prep in SA and 5 months hanging out in Egypt, then I would think 6 to 8 months would be ideal. As from other posters, it can certainly be done in a shorter timeframe, but that will mean compromising on something. I think the record is somewhere around 20 days or so at the moment, but that tends to be transiting countries, rather than really immersing yourself in their culture.

It also means being far more prepared and ensuring that you are far more self reliant for parts etc. I had to have a KTM part shipped from Austria to Kenya and that alone took 3 weeks. Therefore you dont have much time to fall back upon if things go wrong.

I think Noels idea about storing the vehicle halfway en route and coming back to do it in pieces is a good one.

Either way, it is better to do it in 3 months then not at all, so take what you can!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 26 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaBRita View Post
Hi,

These guys (who have posted here btw) made Brighton-Cape Town in 4 months:

Dan and Ed's Motorcycle Adventure - Brighton2capetown.googlepages.com (document.title= "Dan and Ed's Motorcycle Adventure - Brighton2c

Best Regards,
Luís CaBRita
We did indeed... And our site will get another update when I get home in a few weeks time, with more waypoints and info. 3-4 months is fine, we could have gone faster and seen less and we could have taken longer and seen more. From your other trip you'll already know that you'll enjoy whatever you do in however long you take over it...
__________________
brighton2expeditions
'02 Africa Twin (sold), GSX-R 1000 K5 (sold), '97 TL1000S, '08 DRZ400 SM/S, '92 CRM250
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 26 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjp.xrl View Post
hi there
Me and 2 other friends finished doing the london - cape town last week in 3 months with ktm's.We went down the west coast,morocco-mauritania-mali-burkina faso-ghana-togo-benin-nigeria-cameroon-gabon-congo-drc-angola-namibie-south africa.
mj


Hey MJ, didn't see you there
__________________
brighton2expeditions
'02 Africa Twin (sold), GSX-R 1000 K5 (sold), '97 TL1000S, '08 DRZ400 SM/S, '92 CRM250
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 27 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 158
Pizzas
They drove pizzas on Vespas from RSA to London in 28 days and a BMW..cant remeber which bike though.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

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
London to Cape Town March/April 2007 - fellow overland novice wanted StroppyJoe Travellers Seeking Travellers 26 29 Jan 2007 23:27
London - Cape town: How Much? edorr Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 25 Dec 2006 17:16
London to Cape Town - Charity Motorbike Ride mkirby Make a Difference 2 3 Oct 2006 12:58
SHIPPING,FLYING, BANANA BOAT, CAPE TOWN LONDON OR THEREABOUT freddy Trip Transport 2 17 Mar 2003 19:30
Help with London to Cape Town on Bikes Pdevink North Africa 8 8 Feb 2002 14:18

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 03:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top