Cameroon-Congo-DRC-Angola-Namibia

[tifua]

We are in Togo headed for Cameroon and considering crossing through Congo and Angola into Namibia (Feb-March).
Any advice/experience on this route re roads, borders, police and military problems is much appreciated.

[Belgiantrip]

Originally posted by tifua:
We are in Togo headed for Cameroon and considering crossing through Congo and Angola into Namibia (Feb-March).
Any advice/experience on this route re roads, borders, police and military problems is much appreciated.

we just did holland-calabar(Nigeria) and back,
sound advice, stay out of Nigeria if you do not now the country, at least a police checkpoint every odd 20 km, a lot off hassle
and 20 Naira is the average price per checkpoint, the roads are in shambles, this is defenitely pothole country, also a lot of tribal, religious and political violence and elections coming up, not a time to go travel up there, check the Lonely planet warning
if you decide to go in anyway, then stay all the way up north, it is way better, muslim and sharia law do wonders, then try to get in Cameroun, in Cameroun there are no problems as for the occasional checkpoint, no money involved, they are polite,
the north of Cameroun has only one (1)tarmac road ,from Waza,Mora, Maroua, Garoua till N'gaoundere, from there it is track ( expect an average of 300 km a day) all the way to Foumban,(or take the car train to Yaounde from Ngaoundere) from here it is tarmac to Douala and Yaounde,
better to cross into Gabon (more friendly than others)
from Yaounde go on to Mbalmayo and Sangmelima
to the border with Gabon,
further I have no info

Johan

need more, mail me

[Jef Imans]

Hi Tifua,

I just spent 4 months for work in Congo-Brazaville, including a 4WD-trip (not for work ;-)). Currently the situation in Congo is pretty stable, and as long as you don't go too much in the inlands of Congo you shouldn't have too much trouble. Officials obviously always try to get some money out of you, but they don't insist too much. We only had trouble one time with local officials which ended up in us being chased away in the middle of the night, but apart from that no trouble at all.

Pointe Noire is a good place to stay, from there on the road to Cabinda is perfect. Apparently the road north of Pointe Noire coming from Gabon is being upgraded, but I've only seen the first 70km of the new road (which indeed is an almost perfect raod to African standards).
If you need some tips on Pointe Noire in Congo, I'll be glad to give you some info.

Good luck,

Jef

[sangling]

I'm in Cameroon and thinking of taking this route - did you make it or are you still on route. Any advice? Otherwise if anyone is thinking of this route and needs a travel partner (land Rover) let me know.

simon
simon@anglings.com

[tifua]

The Gabon/Congo border was closed following an Ebola Virus outbreak so we ended up shipping across to Kenya and continued from there.
Friends have recently crossed as far as Brazzaville without too much dificulty (lots of mud and extremely dense forest). No problem getting the Angolan visa (in Brazzaville I think).

[SandyM]

Hi Simon,

My wife and I are currently in Burkina in our Land Rover, intending to travel down to Angola, preferably including DRC (we have yet to decide on whether that particular war risk is one we are prepared to take).

Our email address is as per our profile here. michael(at)grovesfamily(dot)net. Our website, not updated recently is www.expeditionoverland.com. Maybe we might join up for a bit? - some felllow travellers are always appreciated!

Regards,

Michael & Sandy

[SandyM]

Still looking for current info regarding the west coast route to South Africa...

We changed our original plans somewhat and turned south from Burkina down into Ghana, then through Togo and Benin, purchasing those last 3 visas at the borders. We managed to get a 3-day transit visa for Nigeria in Cotonou (we were refused a visa when we applied in Accra).

We found Nigeria distinctly unpleasant to travel through - we encountered 65 check-points of various types between the Benin and Cameroon border posts! We didn't pay any money, and in fairness, only one or two were quite insistent. The scariest was close to the Camroon border where a bunch of civilians with Local Council ID cards (ahem!) stopped us and demanded 11,000 Naira (about $100) for some trumped up tax. We'd not have stopped, but theyhad the dreaded nail-planks out on the road. It was a slick operation - almost believable - but we enlisted the aid of the police at a nearby checkpoint, who had a quiet chat with the gang, and told them to leave the tourists alone.

We were in such a hurry to leave Nigeria that we took a chance on arriving in Camerroon without visas. After long discussions at the border, the boss man turned a blind eye to our making a dash for Douala without visas or entry stamps. Right now we are camped at Limbe while we try to get visas either in Douala or in Yaounde.

Our plan is to continue south into Gabon, and then Congo Brazzaville (we will get visas for both in Yaounde). We would avoid Brazza if we could, but we need Angolan visas. Does anyone have any idea of how long these take, how much they cost, any special requirements, etc?

Is it necessary to ship past DRC, and if so, how easy is it? (Land Rover Defender and Land Rover 6x6).

We wouldappreciate any up-to-date info on this part of the route, if at all possible!

Simon, I have received your email today and look forward to getting in touch with you. If you have a contact number in SA, I can phone you from here.

Regards to all,

Michael and Sandy

[gozell]

Hello,

Just came through Gabon/Congo/DRC/Angola, its not as difficult as its made out to be.

Did a visa run for Gabon/Congo/DRC in Yaounde and got the Angolan visa in Libreville for 60.000 CFA (!!) without any hassles.

Coming into Congo through Franceville and then heading further east until the tarmac going south into Brazzaville. The ferry into Kinshasha the next obstacle, unclear charges just keep your cool... Please note that we were three motorbikes so not sure how that all works with a car..

The Kinshasha side is not too bad, officials not really persisting with bribes. "You no pay?", NO, WE GO...

One word of ADVICE for coming into Angola from the north, AVOID - BANZA SOSSA -...

First of all its not really passable for 4*4 and more importantly its only a police post at the border no customs/immigrations...

Also we were told that this road leads through a minefield...

Nonetheless they let us through without a stamp and spend the next 3 days or so "camping" at the police station in Maquela.. Finally we got both an immigration stamp and carnet stamped in Uige...

SO, PLEASE TAKE MATADI

Once your in Angola its fine, the roads/petrol situation get better the further you go south. If you can avoid the police, please do so... Very time consuming!

Most bridges were blown up during the war but repaired in an challenging afrikan way...

As bushcamping in Angola is a but extreme we stayed at catholic missions all the way, which was great!

In total spend about 100US in about 2 weeks of Angola -did not go to Luanda-, the cheapest country so far...

Go for it... Its adventure stuff

Grtz
Meindert

[gozell]

Hello,

Just came through Gabon/Congo/DRC/Angola, its not as difficult as its made out to be.

Did a visa run for Gabon/Congo/DRC in Yaounde and got the Angolan visa in Libreville for 60.000 CFA (!!) without any hassles.

Coming into Congo through Franceville and then heading further east until the tarmac going south into Brazzaville. The ferry into Kinshasha the next obstacle, unclear charges just keep your cool... Please note that we were three motorbikes so not sure how that all works with a car..

The Kinshasha is not too bad, officials not really persisting with bribes. "You no pay?", NO, WE GO...

One word of ADVICE for coming into Angola from the north, AVOID - BANZA SOSSA -...

First of all its not really passable for 4*4 and more importantly its only a police post at the border no customs/immigrations... Also we were told that this road leads through a minefield...

Nonetheless they let us through without a stamp and spend the next 3 days or so "camping" at the police station in Maquela.. Finally we got both an immigration stamp and carnet stamped in Uige...

SO, PLEASE TAKE MATADI

Once your in Angola is fine, the roads/petrol situation get better the further you go south. Most bridges were blown up during the war but repaired in an challenging afrikan way...

I found Angola one of the most rewarding countries on my trip so far, others begin Guinea
As bushcamping in Angola is a but extreme we stayed at missions all the way, which was great!

In total spend 100US in about 2 weeks of Angola -did not go to Luanda-, the cheapest country so far...

Go for it..

Grtz
Meindert

[hed]

Hi All,

I recently crossed the DRC coming from Rwanda and ending up in Kinshasa, mostly by various river boats and canoes. I can assure that apart from Ituri province (northeastern corner of DRC) the DRC is totally safe to travel in, or let me rather say, the rivers are safe to travel on. There is lots of asking for bribes etc, but not more than, say in Nigeria. It is also an awesome adventure and experience. Therefore my response to you is, why don\t you do what Steven (www.contrast.cx) did about a year ago and go up to the river Bangui, in northern Congo Brazzaville, there load onto one of the logging barges transporting timber down to Brazza, and then take a few weeks, floating down the Ubangui and Congorivers. You need time and patience for this, but it will be a great adventure. Mail me directly if you need more info.

hed

[nobby]

hi all
just got a post card (30/06/2003)from karl just riden down from cameron thru congo and angola how in nambia had a fun time said it was a nice surprise

take care nobby

[sunjan]

Originally posted by tifua:
considering crossing through Congo and Angola into Namibia.
Any advice/experience on this route re roads, borders, police and military problems is much appreciated.

Here's a travel report from a recent (August 2003) rallye in SW Angola.
Although they came in from Namibia and went out the same way, there are some good suggestions where to go. Seems like they had no major problems!
Lot's of photos...

http://www.4x4ecochallenge.co.za/200...finals2003.htm

Jan

[Chasser]

We are thinking of travelling this route from Cameroon to Namibia. Does anyone know the correct route, what roads etc, the easiest way trhough Gabon,Congo, Angola??Thanks Chasser

[witt]

chasser -

our group of four in 2 land rovers may be taking the same route in about 6 weeks. We are currently in morocco. what is your schedule?

[RalEva]

Hi,

have a look at the Homepage of Rene + Sonja:

http://www.rsverlag.ch/index.htm

They travelled down at the westcoast of Africa last year with their "car", but the homepage is in German!!
They have a lot of informations!!!!

------------------
Best wishes - RalEva

http://www.Motorradnomaden.de

The homepage has a translation service!!

[This message has been edited by RalEva (edited 01 February 2004).]