Budget check. Forgetting anything?
 

Hi all,
I’m almost finished planning an Africa north to south trip for this January and am in the process of just double checking I still have the money to do it.
Equipment and kit aside, I have budgeted for the following,
Petrol
£10 a day living expenses
Visas
Travel and Health insurance
3rd party / yellow card insurance
Vaccinations
Carnet
Flights including shipping the bike and myself.

I just wanted to double check if i am forgetting anything important being inexperienced with big trips.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks
Callum.

money for border crossings? Emergency money? I know there is a big debate about whether to pay bribes etc, and some people have such lovely smiles that they don't get asked for them, but better to plan for all eventualities.

I like the idea of sitting it out til they get bored of you, but I don't know what your time limits are!

Also, do you have a reserve to pay for medical bills etc, because sometimes you have to pay up front and then claim back through insurance.

Enjoy your trip!!

Most people would have a great deal of trouble traveling on 10 quid per day. Personally, I'd triple it and add for repairs, parts replacement, activities, admission fees, entertainment, plus a slush fund just in case. There's always a "just in case" at some point on a long trip. Depending on where you go there are also ferries, local transport, and internal flights hither and yon.

Be aware that some of those countries are far from cheap.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Thanks for your help. Il try save a bit extra. Cant plan for too much though as im skint already.

I came up the other way four years ago and was surprised by the cost of living in Africa, I am not sure what your £10 per day covers but it might be more if you include camping/cheap hotels, food, drink, the odd beer and unexpected expenses.
My suggestion for raising money would be look around at what you have but don't need and ebay it, I have been doing this for a couple of months and am amazed at how much I have made. Even things like magazines, CD/DVDs bicycle parts as well as motorcycle parts have all been sold.

Hi,

If your "per day" money will be enouth or not depends on how fast you travel and if you are going to use hotels or do wildcamping.

Dont pay any bribes. If you do people will get use to this and traveling will become a little harder for the next person after you. I got all the way around with no bribes but as someone above wrote sometimes you need a little more time for this but to travel africa with no time is something you should not do anyway...

If you want to save money get rid of your insurances. Insurance is when the bank wins and africa is dangerous anyawy ;)

Have fun, Tobi
Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3