It's all kickin off in Africa, init?
 

What with todays news regarding the forty plus hostages taken in Algeria, the crap going on in Mali, Northern Kenya, Sudan, Mauritania etc. Do you think all routes to Cape Town will be too risky in the near future. Am only asking because I was hoping to do the East route later this year. Naughty Islamist extremists.:nono:

I was almost ready fro the off in 2009.
And then I decided it was too risky.
If you want to go to Cape Town, which is a risky city any way, (but not as bad as Jo'burg) then KLM is your friend.
For a long overland trip, consider heading to Asia.

vette

I'd suggest that the whole concept of "risk" is so subjective that a question like "Do you think all routes to Cape Town will be too risky in the near future." cannot really be answered by anyone but yourself. Clearly, for some people it was already too risky before the current round of violence (c.f. #1). For others, not at all (see any of the ride reports, blogs or other correspondence from people who've traveled that route recently).

Personally, I'd be reluctant to venture far within Mali at the moment, but the route through Cote d'Ivoire looks increasingly safe....relatively speaking. But all that might change in the coming weeks, months or years--for better, or for far, far worse. None of us really knows.

And as for Capetown being a risky place: feh.

Mark

The risk in africa have been there some years.... You take some risk each day in your daily life, you can have an accident or or or...

But no one can help you with this decision to do a trip like this.

Actually i would still start the west route, replacing Mali with Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire. To bad, because Mali is nice for traveling. :( Being careful in Mauretania and staying on the coastline.

But you have to answer the question why you don't do another trip to yourself.. There are many destinations with allows a smother kind of traveling.

I did it, because i thought - that is maybe the last time where it is possible to do, because the situation gets worse.. I dont know if this reason is sufficient for others :innocent:

Surfy

What markharf said.

As far as the djhadists in Mali are concerned, the French Army will do a good job and give plenty of them a good killing.

i agree with mark and surfy, and if i had the opportunity i would ride Africa again today.

both east or west route. yes there are risks, but i see one of the biggest risks your are taking here is riding the bike itself. people drive crazy!

i would avoid mali and the sahara and anywhere near the somali or south sudan border.

africa will be (for our lifetimes) a continent of instability, things change places get better and places get worse. if you wait for the whole continent to become 'safe' you won't ever go. and you will miss IMHO the greatest continent we have on this earth full of the kindest people, amazing landscapes and phenomenal wildlife.

If you think Africa is dangerous then I suggest trying to live on a South London council estate or perhaps in The Bronx...all locations have their danger zones, the trick is to make sure you don't look like a victim, vulnerable or scared and know when an area doesn't look "right" so you avoid it.