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 27 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 32
update Gabon Congo DRC Angola roads

I drove through Gabon,Congo,DRC, Angola in June-July with a fully loaded bike 1150GSA - here's a brief summary of the roads - this information refers to the Michelin 746 map. Hope this is helpful to other travelers. -Mike

Gabon Petrol 595/Liter Diesel 470/liter
Liberille->Lope Rough Piste but o.k
Lope -> Lastourville Piste much smoother o.k dry could be slippy in rain.
Latourville -> Moanda: smooth piste logging road.
Moanda -> Fanceville: smooth tar good.
Franceville -> Lekoni: smooth tard good.
Congo: Pterol ??
Lekoni -> Akou -> Edjoua: sand tough going on bike o.k with 4wd jeep.
Edjoua -> Okyo -> Boundji -> Obouya: sand very tough going easy with 4 w.d.
Obouya -> Oyo -> Olombo -> Gamboma -> Brazzaville: Good Tar road
DRC: Petrol 850/liter
Kinshasa -> Matadi: good tar road
Angola: Petrol 40 cents (US) /Liter Diesel 30 cents (U.S) /Liter
Crossed into Angola at Kwhlounhgongo (easy crossing 50KM before Matadi) Piste o.k
Kwhlounhgongo -> M'Basa Congo: good piste
M'Basa Congo -> Cumbi -> Xamindele -> Tomboco: Rough Piste slow going
Tomboco -> N'Zeto : rough piste corrugations broke tar
N'Zeto -> Mussera -> Ambriz -> Caxito: rough broken tar slow going
Caxito -> Cacuaco -> Luanda: Good tar
Luanda -> Porto Ambioim -> Sumbe -> Lobito -> Benguela: very good tar costal road nice.
Benguela -> Catengue: 1st 50 miles good new tar road.
Catengue -> Chongori -> Quilengues -> Cacula: rough piste corrugations, road construction ongoing.
Cacula -> Hoque -> Toco -> Lubango: rough piste corrugations,broke tar, road construction ongoing.
50 miles before Lubango: new tar road great.
Lubango -> Namibe: very good tar road.
Lubango -> Chibia -> Quihita -> Chibemba -> Chama -> Humbe -> Xangongo -> Ondjiva:
Rough piste, broken tar , corrugations, some 10 mile stretches new tar, road construction ongoing.

Ondjiva -> Oshikango Nice new tar road.
Namibia: Petrol 9.82 Rand / Liter Diesel 11.38 / Liter
good tar roads , good gravel roads very very easy!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Thumbs up update

Michaelo,

Great info. Seems it has improved only slightly since I was there in 2006.

Thanks!

Cheers,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 32
Noel, I think very soon the roads in Angola will be much improved, based on the furious pace of road building that was going on when I passed thru there, it seems that a lot of the road building in going on in the south of the country, the north is still pretty much untouched, although I met a quiet a few Chinese engineers up north looking at damaged bridges. Donºt be surprized if in one more year the all major Angolan roads will be paved and then it will not be fun anymore! Mike
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
road works

Mike,

I am surprised that they made so little progress because when we crossed Angola in March 2006, there were more than half a million Chinese working on the roads, particularly in the south as you say, Chinese everywhere. That is over 2 1/2 years ago!!!!

Cheers,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Sep 2008
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Monaco
Posts: 336
Hi Noel,

I made the same experience as Michaelo this year.

Still a lot of work to do for the Angolans...

But imagine how much time roadworks take back home in Europe. In Germany it basically takes forever to finish 5.000 m of road repair ;-)

In Angola they face 5.000 km.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: prague, cz
Posts: 10
Hi all,
does anyone know anything about a ferry from Cabinda to Soyo??
thanks
Milan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Oct 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Aarhus
Posts: 1
Hi Michaelo
I'm Peter from Denmark.
Hope you had a pleasant trip to Africa.
I'm planning to do the same route in the summer of 2010. How much time do you think I need to spend on the roads, before hitting Namibia (starting in Libreville). I want to do this part as quickly as possible.
What about security - I read about DRC and northern part of Angola being tough on the nerves.

Regards Peter

Quote:
Originally Posted by michaelo View Post
I drove through Gabon,Congo,DRC, Angola in June-July with a fully loaded bike 1150GSA - here's a brief summary of the roads - this information refers to the Michelin 746 map. Hope this is helpful to other travelers. -Mike

Gabon Petrol 595/Liter Diesel 470/liter
Liberille->Lope Rough Piste but o.k
Lope -> Lastourville Piste much smoother o.k dry could be slippy in rain.
Latourville -> Moanda: smooth piste logging road.
Moanda -> Fanceville: smooth tar good.
Franceville -> Lekoni: smooth tard good.
Congo: Pterol ??
Lekoni -> Akou -> Edjoua: sand tough going on bike o.k with 4wd jeep.
Edjoua -> Okyo -> Boundji -> Obouya: sand very tough going easy with 4 w.d.
Obouya -> Oyo -> Olombo -> Gamboma -> Brazzaville: Good Tar road
DRC: Petrol 850/liter
Kinshasa -> Matadi: good tar road
Angola: Petrol 40 cents (US) /Liter Diesel 30 cents (U.S) /Liter
Crossed into Angola at Kwhlounhgongo (easy crossing 50KM before Matadi) Piste o.k
Kwhlounhgongo -> M'Basa Congo: good piste
M'Basa Congo -> Cumbi -> Xamindele -> Tomboco: Rough Piste slow going
Tomboco -> N'Zeto : rough piste corrugations broke tar
N'Zeto -> Mussera -> Ambriz -> Caxito: rough broken tar slow going
Caxito -> Cacuaco -> Luanda: Good tar
Luanda -> Porto Ambioim -> Sumbe -> Lobito -> Benguela: very good tar costal road nice.
Benguela -> Catengue: 1st 50 miles good new tar road.
Catengue -> Chongori -> Quilengues -> Cacula: rough piste corrugations, road construction ongoing.
Cacula -> Hoque -> Toco -> Lubango: rough piste corrugations,broke tar, road construction ongoing.
50 miles before Lubango: new tar road great.
Lubango -> Namibe: very good tar road.
Lubango -> Chibia -> Quihita -> Chibemba -> Chama -> Humbe -> Xangongo -> Ondjiva:
Rough piste, broken tar , corrugations, some 10 mile stretches new tar, road construction ongoing.

Ondjiva -> Oshikango Nice new tar road.
Namibia: Petrol 9.82 Rand / Liter Diesel 11.38 / Liter
good tar roads , good gravel roads very very easy!
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
DRC, Congo and Gabon universaltourist Route Planning 6 30 Dec 2007 03:30
how to get from Gabon to Angola kozisyn sub-Saharan Africa 19 24 Feb 2007 10:13
Gabon-Congo-Cabinda-DRC-Angola hschout Travellers Seeking Travellers 2 1 Dec 2004 21:38
Angola, Congo, Gabon Beat Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 3 Oct 2003 20:06
Gabon/congo/DRC/angola??????? bosvenson sub-Saharan Africa 7 1 Oct 2003 15:12

 
 

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 08:39.