Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
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 14 Feb 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: hull, england
Posts: 32
Sudan

hi,

a frien of mine adn I are planning an overland trip to south afric from the uk this summer on scooters. Mainly want to know if teh south of Sudan is really as prohibited as I have heard and seen on the maps, and what are the best crossing points, in southern sudan, and sudan - ethiopia (the more likely route!)

cheers

mark anderson
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: germany
Posts: 2
Hi,
we did the same exactly 1 year ago, on XT500. Khartoum-Gedaref-Gondar(in ethiopia) is probably the most common route, had no problems at all. Methema border, very friendly and funny on both sides. Those days you wouldn't get permission as a normal tourist for the south of sudan. Besides, not willing to appear arrogant, but don't you think, you will encounter enough sand in northern sudan? Take some good nobbly tires with you and put them on in Wadi Halfa. Consider an RD250 engine or something:-) People are great in northern sudan, a bit more difficult in ethiopia, but still no problem, and the country is great. Florian and Iris

Quote:
Originally posted by hi2msa:
hi,

a frien of mine adn I are planning an overland trip to south afric from the uk this summer on scooters. Mainly want to know if teh south of Sudan is really as prohibited as I have heard and seen on the maps, and what are the best crossing points, in southern sudan, and sudan - ethiopia (the more likely route!)

cheers

mark anderson
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Mar 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
Sudanese people are really friendly, some of the best that you will meet in Africa. The three challening factors are the war in the south (which the route to Ethiopia avoids), the conflict in western sudan, a more recent development which you will avoid completely if you are coming down from Egypt or Saudi. The third is just that the country is very large with desert to the north and west which you will end up having to cross. However this is all part of the adventure. Definitely worth going to Sudan.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Vienna, Austria
Posts: 51
South of Sudan is extremely dangerous as the preliminary peace agreement is

a) not yet in force
b) at the moment endangered as the two parties cannot agree on the regions included

The Darfur conflict is hot and the region towards the Etiopian/Eritrean border lawless. Stay north of Khartoum and plan your transit to Ethiopia (route mentioned above) carefully.

Regards,
Peter
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 635
when an area is prohibited, as the south was last November, it can be tempting to assume its just bureaucracy and Sudan is certainly bureaucratic. I did, however, meet a southerner in Khartoum who warned me that the southern locals would view me as fair game and not so much rob me as murder me and split the winnings. you can never tell, but he seemed genuinely concerned that this white boy would be a dead boy if I took my pale face into the south.

the northern locals are just the nicest guys, but I had a tougher time with the Ethiopians than Florian and Iris imply. I'd been warned of stones, sticks, begging, mugging etc and, sadly, found that many Ethiopians lived down to this reputation. its a beautiful country, though, but it'll be gruelling on scooters.

as for scooters in the sand ...? I've never noticed them in the desert before, but maybe you'll get through. its years since I rode one and maybe they've changed and will be doing the Dakar soon. on the eastern route from Wadi Halfa, there's 300+km of soft sand till the first fuel and then similar to Atbara and the road. maybe the western (Nile) route would be easier, but I haven't done it myself.

[This message has been edited by RichLees (edited 04 April 2004).]

[This message has been edited by RichLees (edited 04 April 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Jul 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Mafinga, Tanzania
Posts: 36
Florian and Iris,

This december I'm heading north from ethiopia through the sudan and into egypt. Were there any problems putting your bike on the ferry across the lake? What was the cost? Any idea of the schedule?

Thanks for the help,

Brian


Quote:
Originally posted by Florian:
Hi,
we did the same exactly 1 year ago, on XT500. Khartoum-Gedaref-Gondar(in ethiopia) is probably the most common route, had no problems at all. Methema border, very friendly and funny on both sides. Those days you wouldn't get permission as a normal tourist for the south of sudan. Besides, not willing to appear arrogant, but don't you think, you will encounter enough sand in northern sudan? Take some good nobbly tires with you and put them on in Wadi Halfa. Consider an RD250 engine or something:-) People are great in northern sudan, a bit more difficult in ethiopia, but still no problem, and the country is great. Florian and Iris

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR><font face="" size="2">Originally posted by hi2msa:
hi,

a frien of mine adn I are planning an overland trip to south afric from the uk this summer on scooters. Mainly want to know if teh south of Sudan is really as prohibited as I have heard and seen on the maps, and what are the best crossing points, in southern sudan, and sudan - ethiopia (the more likely route!)

cheers

mark anderson


</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

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


 
 

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 14:30.