Shortcut from Cameroon to Ethiopia?
 

Hi, I'm currently in Yaounde and trying to get to Ethiopa. I'm under a bit of pressure for time so was wondering what the quickest possible route is (driving a motorbike). I was hoping to go to Congo-Brazza to DRC then take the boat from Kinshasa to Kisangani and drive on to Uganda but this takes a few weeks (apparently even longer if you try driving all the way).

My other option was to go to CAR to DRC to Uganda but some sites show the CAR/DRC border is closed and others that it is open? If it's open it looks like it could be a better option - could drive from Bangui to Lisala and if the roads are real bad I can boat the Congo River the rest of the way to Kisangani. Anyone got info on the roads in these parts?

Also looked into Chad to Sudan but that border is also closed from what I've been reading. If not I'd be glad to hear about it.

Any other suggestions? Much thanks! - Dave

I read in the news last week that Chad and Sudan have mended their diffs and kissed etc.
Try the Chad/Sudan embassy in Yaounde, may have info on border crossing status etc.

Am working in crossing West to East early 2011 so interested in your route.

Made it to the CAR and DRC embassies today and they both said that their borders were open with all their neighbours. There was a bit of 'of course, no problem' (words you don't want to hear in Africa) so I'm going to get a French-speaking friend to ring them and double check tomorrow. They also told me visas were only available from the embassy and not at the border. Sounds good tho, will save me going all the way to Kinshasa from here and back up again. Don't think I'll need the Chad option now but will check their embassy tomorrow also.
So it looks like CAR to DRC to Uganda will be the route. Do people recommend driving more in CAR or DRC - taking into consideration the state of the roads and prospects of trouble from cops/rebels/bandits?

did you make it? would the roads/boats have been suitable for a 4wd? It would be a good way of crossing Africa West to East