Logistics Question
 

Hey guys/girls,

Hope you are well. I'm a travel writer/photographer from Canada. I have a fairly massive following on social media and own a travel magazine (Vagabundo Magazine).

I'm in Mali right now and just had an idea to do something a little bit crazy, and maybe a bit stupid but I'm not sure how it would work. The people here all cruise around on little power-k scooters, which only cost about $800. I'm considering buying one and trying to drive it all the way to Cape Town. I know what you're thinking "why I scooter!?!?!". Well, because everyone does the motorcycle thing for 1, and 2 because I don't have a big budget... I really have no budget.

Anyways, my questions are logistical.
1) Bike registration: can a foreigner get a Malian plate on the bike here and use it all the way until SA?
2) Licence: I just have a Canadian Driver's Licence. Is that going to be good enough??? Is it possible to get an international licence here if not?
3) Borders and insurance: what's the usual procedure? Do I need to pay some insurance or have some sort of proof that I'm not selling the bike in the country?
4) Anything else??

On another note, if anyone knows someone who would be willing to sponsor the initial investment on this project (about $1000), you'd get a tonne of exposure out of it. It looks like Samsung might be sponsoring it, but I'd rather a more travel related or grassroots sponsor. Basically, sponsors will get their name shot out to my 35,000 some followers on twitter, 6,000 fans on facebook, etc. etc... They'll also get ad space in my travel magazine and a couple posts on my travel blog (which receives about 1000 unique visitors each day).

Ok, I'm done now that this is the longest post ever.

Cheers in advance for the logistics answers :D

Brendan

Can't help you with your logistical Questions. But, I would reccomend that you not ride this route in the rainy season on a scooter. I've done my share of overlanding in Africa on a Classic Vespa, even in the Budapest to Bamako Rally, and can only urge you to do this trip. But the route you will be taking will be difficult enough under the best of conditions... I've not actually done the route you would be taking as I always have time constriants that would not allow me to ride this route on a scooter, but have allways wanted to. Please keep us updated...

Rainy Season...
 

Yeah, I travelled from Spain to Mali via Sierra Leone and Liberia through the rainy season. I was in public transport and even that was BRUTAL! I spent a lot of time riding on the back of moto taxis in the rainy season since it was really the only option due to bad roads.