africa on the cheap

[Todd & Christina]

any dirtbags out there who know the best-bang-for-your-buck countries in Africa?
i know south africa, namib and bots aren't incredibly cheap, but hoping we'll run into some places where fuel (biggest expense) is cheapest and food as well. our budget is pretty minimal ($30 US/day) for two people/two bikes, so hoping this is a possibility.

sweet, thanks!
T&T

[amybaja]

Hey guys!!
Most countries through West Africa you'd likely pay approx 1 euro/litre for fuel... (except Nigeria and Angola which is much cheaper but it averages out as you can pay more on the black market when you can't get to a furl station... or there is no fuel!)

Overall, Guinea and Guinea Bissau is pretty cheap re: food and accomodation. But we saved alot of money by camping in the bush and pumping most of our water. We managed to travel overland through Africa on average $46 Australian/a day, two people, two bikes...including everything. visa, maintenance etc etc

I think most of West Africa is relatively cheap compared to the southern countries are there are less touristy things to do, less hotels/places to stay, no steaks or biltong.

Good luck guys!
Amy

[smarty]

yip im a South African dirt bag....spent 2.5 months going up Mozambique & Malawi in May/June/July 2007.
Mozambique(south) is more expensive camping propably averaging about 9 USD/night or cheaper at some places. Northern MOZ is generally cheaper. Fuel can be expensive in Moz though.

South africa is about the same as Mozambique however you do get alot more luxuries for your money. Most campsites are well setup with facilities etc. Fuel is also cheaper....just under 1USD/L

Malawi however is very cheap....About 1USD - 3USD to camp. Beer is also cheap although not the best, but does the job, about 0.5USD or 1USD if bought from a Bar. Cooldrinks are cheap 0.25USD, generally most things are cheap. Fuel is about 1.15 USD/L. Id recommend Malawi if ur on a budget.

just a tip..Buy food(i.e veg/fruit eggs etc) from locals and you will save a lot of money....buying from the rare supermarkets can be expensive. And you will be benefiting the local people rather than some super rich dude with a huge pad in Camps Bay in Cape Town.

I have heard the more north you go the cheaper it gets....
The east is generally more touristy, but you can get away with having a good time on a budget, I did.

Cheers
Warren

[thecanoeguy]

maybe you could manage that if your riding a bicycle,how far do you intend travelling each day about 5 km, you need more like minimum $20 per day just for fuel per bike ,let alone anything important things like tyres,chains repairs ,accomm,food ,

[Robboxrv]

Amy is right, well of course she is I was with her, I think we did it as cheap as anyone could, camping alot, maybe 75% of the time so that saves alot and not buying water!! Africa aint cheap guys, visa's are the killers and fuel, you can eat cheaply most of the time but then Africa is not known for its delicious food so when you do have the oppurtunity to get a decent steak or meal you spend up and go for it. If you can raise you budget up to atleast 40 US a day I think its mangeable and of course which bike you have, mine was thirsty!!

Cheers
Robbo

[Todd & Christina]

hey thanks guys....yeah i guess different part of the world, different prices. we travelleed through the americas on 30-35 US/day but petrol was pretty cheap relatively.
whatever, we'll just take it as it comes. we camp almost all the time, unless it ain't safe, then we try and stay with locals. small bike, better mileage, slow speed, blah, blah, blah.
thakns for all the input!

peace,
T&T

[thanksdanny]

Originally Posted by amybaja

Hey guys!!
Most countries through West Africa you'd likely pay approx 1 euro/litre for fuel...

Amy, is that for petrol or diesel (dunno if there are bikes that run on diesel but needed to ask...)?
Also, how long time ago was it?

Ta,

[Martynbiker]

Originally Posted by thanksdanny

Amy, is that for petrol or diesel (dunno if there are bikes that run on diesel but needed to ask...)?
Also, how long time ago was it?

Ta,

Enfield diesel for one........INCREDIBLY slow, but 200mpg...... and rarer than Kylie Minogues phone number!

[palace15]

Originally Posted by Martynbiker

Enfield diesel for one........INCREDIBLY slow, but 200mpg...... and rarer than Kylie Minogues phone number!

Incredibly slow? you would not like to ride it off the top of Beachy head, that would not be slow

[thats me]

In the usual cap to cape thing is Egypt, Ethiophia and Tanzania cheapest. (Atleast western Tan) Egypt quite cheap but if you have your motorbike...? I guess the Sudan-Egypt ferry will be much more expensive then it was for me (bicycle).

Ethiopia is one of the cheapest countries I´ve been to. 0.70 E for a hotelroom in Addis Zemen, 3-4 s for a Euro and so on...

Sudan for an exemple is little bit more expensive, but very easy to camp in the wild there..

[amybaja]

Originally Posted by thanksdanny

Amy, is that for petrol or diesel (dunno if there are bikes that run on diesel but needed to ask...)?
Also, how long time ago was it?

Ta,

Hi Danny,
THat was for unleaded and leaded. We started our trip in sept 2006 up until Oct 07.. Hope this helps, sorry for the delayed reply!
Amy