|
Africa Anyone??
Still at the early stages of planning at the moment, but does anyone fancy doing a round trip of Africa?
Itll go something like, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, DRC, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and out through Egypt, all depending on visas and things. Its very likely to take more than a year :) Im pretty new to the whole bike travel thing and just gonna throw myself in at the deep end, so if anyone fancies doing the same........ |
Hi Paul, when are you planning to go? I left Canada on June 1 and am doing a RTW for a few years. Currently in Mexico ready to hit Belize next week. Africa is on my list once done South America. Thinking about a year here........I will be riding Africa South to North thinking the East Coast exiting in Tunisia. Maybe we will be able to ride part way together.
|
Hi Roameo, The way things are shaping up at the moment I would say theres an excellent chance we will be in South Africa around the same time, you never know, there could be loads of us by then, would be great to meet up :)
|
hi Paul.
I'm planning to do the east coast - Dublin to Capetown; though will also consider the option of starting from capetown and riding back, but def want to do east coast as, not having done africa before, everything I've read suggests its the most doable I ride a BMW 1200 GSA and am a reasonably experienced long distance rider - did South America about 6 months ago Let me know as your plans develop and we might be able to hook up |
I'm planning on riding Africa South to North beginning sometime in the late spring, I think. Planning is not my forte.
Rode from Canada to TDF last winter and left my DR650 at a friends place in Buenos Aires to be picked up late October. We're going to ride around some more in SA including Brazil and then I want to ship my bike to Capetown. Subscribed to this thread and will be looking out for developements. Cheers! |
Quote:
when are you planning on africa? I want to leave this November, east coast, 6 months max, also on a 1200 GS how to get to the continent from Italy (where i live but i'm american) is not obvious. ride to Turkey, or better yet Tunisia and Libya to Egypt. |
Also looking to travel Africa east or west routes with others. Up or down. December or a bit later. klr65O with some good intercontinental exericences. I'm going to keep an eye out because i need somewhere to travel this winter.{escape Canadian cold}
|
Think Im gona do a quick dip into Morocco this year in October and get a taster for the Western Sahara aswell, should be easy enough as no carnets are required for that bit. Its looking like the big trip will be late next year now because of work commitments. I plan to do Europe for about a month first, end of August/Sept and end up in Morocco on Sat 5th October 2013 to start Africa all the way round. Later than I had hoped, but does allow plenty of time for planning and financing. As far as I can tell, October is probably about the best time to leave to catch good weather on the way down. If anyone knows better, please let me know :)
|
Hi,
I am planning to go from EU to Cape Town, taking west route, starting in mid november. planning to arrive in 3 months contact me on PM if you think we can meet/do some part of the road together. With kind regards, Pajk |
Edges of Africa - I'm in!
Hi Paul,
I was excited when I saw your post since I have a very similar plan and looking for compadres, but I believe that you've now said that you won't be leaving until October 2013? I'm planning on leaving end of December 2012 from London, and blaze south quickly to get to morocco as soon as possible (cuz its gonna be coooold!), down the West Coast and up the East. Like you mentioned, maybe take a year going around the entire continent.. This is my intended route more or less: Edges of Africa | bugsonmyboard If anyone else see this and is keen for company - get in touch!! Gary |
Africa
Quote:
Hi Brian! We're planning a trip to Capetown from Bristol in our Land Rover starting next January! It will be something like... France-Italy-Greece-Turkey-Egypt-Sudan-Ethiopia-Kenya-Tanzania-Mozambique-South Africa... We're currently very unsure about getting on a ferry with our vehicle from anywhere in Europe to Egypt... Do you know anything about this!? Apparently there are no ferries at all from Greece or Turkey now? Syria seems not an option, as does Tunisia-Libya-Egypt... are there ferries to Cyprus then on to Alexandria? Any comments would be muchly appreciated! Anneka |
Hi Paul!
I was considering a very similar trip at approximately the same time and it would be great to plan and do it with someone rather than alone! Could you send me a PM with some more info as to where you are based and any plans you might had made so far for the trip? Hope the riding is going well! Cheers Tony |
hi Paul..Paul here...could get confusing!!
I am booked on ferry from Portsmouth to Santander on Thurs 3rd Jan 2013. then intend to spend week b4 crossing to Marocco. Then plan to see Ardra region of Mauritania then attend several music festivals in the deserts of Mali an Burkino Faso. afterwards through Niger and on to Northern Cameroon. I want to enjoy the trip and not rush. Have been through west africa b4 On a yamaha xt 600 Paul |
There are many on their way, mostly over the east route, starting from europe or south africa. And some do also the west route.
Therefore i start also the west route in 9 days i just have collect all travel blogs from this route - who actually do it, or have finished in 2012. You find them here: Trans-Africa: Gerade Unterwegs... And many other - but not all - you find here: The Africa Overland Network The Africa Overland Network When you study the listed blogs - and look what travelers they meet - and watch too their blogs - you get a good idea about how many are on the way. And in what conditions the roads are and much more :thumbup1: Actual there are not many on their way, who want to do the full round - mostly they seems to do the half. Surfy |
Hi Paul
I've been planning the same thing for a while, but, like yourself, things keep getting in the way. However, things should be set up for next year. I'll be on a bike too...hopefully a euro trip in spring 2013 then afrika late 2013. Just feel I gotta do it!...like its now or never give me a bell if you wish to compare notes... les |
Hey Les and Paul,
I'm 90% that my trip round Africa is now delayed 9 months to October 2013. Realize that this is a slippery slope. Move that we keep this thread going to keep us all on track to put our motos where our mouths are... Gar |
Definitely on for Oct 2013!
GaryUnguided, send me an email so I can reply to you, cant send you a PM, havent got enough posts yet. Doh! Cheers Paul |
Anyone got any ideas how to get round the 800% carnet charge for Egypt? Apart from not going there of course!! :)
|
We are about to start our overland trip from Egypt end of this week.
What about you? |
Quote:
|
it took us 7 days to release the car at Alexandria port with a lot of money spent and some connections.
So plan extra time if you ship the car to Egypt. |
Howdy Paul and anyone else listening in. Just a post-holidays check-in - any folks still on track for October this year? I'm still getting to know my DR650 pretty well and saving cash. Should be sorted to land in London Mid-September...
|
Hello, Paul
I'm Jeroen, 21 years old, living in the Netherlands, and planning a trip through west Africa, and you seem to have just as much experience as I do, so maybe we can work something out. One problem: I have a job, and like to keep it that way, so 3 months off gonna be maximum. So maybe I can drive along with you guys/guy, for the first 3 months. And I don't know how you are thinking about Mali these days, but maybe bypass through Guinea? I can do some off-road, here in my hometown I ride my Transalp on dunes, beaches and in the forests. Here's my advertisement. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-africa-68393 Oke thank you, Kind regards, Jeroen. |
Hi Jeroen, The more the merrier as far as Im concerned, would be great to have you along.
I think Mali is out of the question for the moment, but theres plenty of other options. I read your other post, my brother is coming along with us in a Landrover and luckily for us, he speaks really good French. I too am pretty good with most things mechanical/electrical and speak a little French, enough to get by anyway. How much have you planned so far? |
Africa
If you are still planning for 10-2013, then I am interested in joining the party. I am returning to the US from another South America trip, currently in Colombia. I was planning on shipping to South Africa from Rio or Buenos Aires, but extra expensives have gotten in the way. I would have to ship to Europe or Morocco, but am thinking about doing eastern Europe and ending up in Spain this summer.
One question is how much off road do you plan to do? I have trouble doing much of this, even though I will probably take my DR, because I do not have one foot, which makes it hard to stand up much. I am an old fart of 66, pretty mechanical, understand a fair bit of French and have done a fair bit of motorcycle travel; about 160,000+ kms in past three years, and have no time limits. I would hope that the group is not too large as it makes it harder to meet local folks. |
I'm still paying attention as well. October '13 is a possibility for me. Like Motomon, I'm still in South America (Brazil). My thoughts of shipping to South Africa were dashed too, mostly because planning is not my forte, and the cost is much higher than expected. So, I'll begin riding my DR back to Canada from Belo Horizonte taking the scenic route of north eastern Brazil and then some Amazon. From there I've not decided.
For the record Motomon, 66 isn't old, from where I'm sitting. I too understand some French, can change a tire but have no mechanical skills inside a motor. Have done some bigger bike trips and don't have a timeline. |
66
You are right, 66 is just experienced! Having been to 72 countries ... so far, I guess that qualifies me as experienced.
Also, my son told me I am not bald, I am just taller than my hair. |
Hello, Paul,
Sounds pretty good, all the mechanic people and stuff. XD. My planning till so far: Not much, I've been reading a lot about Western-Africa, but haven't really planned anything as long I haven't anyone to travel with, I'm also chatting with Thomas a guy from Germany, how want to drive to Cape Town, along the East coast. That is something totally different as I planned till now, so I'm counting my chances. Some questions: How many traveler company do you already have? And how experienced are those people? (some guys of 66 years old are pretty experienced I noticed XD) How much do you have planned so far, and am can I still keep up with you guys? October still departure date? Maybe insert Ghana in your list? I think its more easy to leave you guys and return home there, cause it's an English spoken country and it's not my best language, but still a lot better than French.XD. Kind regards, Jeroen |
Hey guys,
Glad to hear some chatter on this thread again. I just bought my one way ticket to London arriving September 29, 2013. Wondering about potential time frames for motomon and SprintST? BevOr's schedule of 3 months is a little quick for me - I'm thinking probably 6 months London to Capetown down the west coast. Cool that some of us are on DR650s I've traveled backpacking in Africa some but never on a moto. Limited motorcycle travel so far. I have some mechanical facility - rebuild a carb, adjust valves, etc., but have never opened up an engine. 0 French! Gary |
Africa
I've just gotten to Panama and will continue north tomorrow. I want to ship from the east coast of the US or Canada in May or June and then take the ferry to Morocco in October.
|
our schedules may converge crossing to morocco motomon. I'll be shipping from CA to London end of July.
|
Hi Gary,
No I didn't mean to drive to Cape Town in 3 (maybe 4) month's, but I only have 3 month's to escape my work and girl XD. So I was planning of leaving you guys early somewhere in Ghana (Ghana is best because its an English spoken country I guess). Kind Regards, Jeroen. |
Hi Joren,
Ahh...got it. That might work out fine then! Check I'll check in as the fall approaches and we're all getting geared up to go! Gary |
Adding myself to this thread as well - I plan on riding both sides, ideally down the west, and up the east, but i could go the other way. Starting in Aug/Sep, and finishing sometime in 2014. I'm fairly flexible.
Drop me a line if you will be there at the same time. |
welcome to the party NY - just sent you a PM.
|
Has anyone figured the best time of year to leave for Africa (assuming 12 months to go around it all), and then which order: east/west and up/down?
My best guess is that its Sept ish in Morocco, arriving in South Africa for January/Feb, and then up the east arriving in Sept again. That avoids the heat of the Sahara, give you good game viewing in East Africa in Mar/April, and tries to avoid the rains in the middle, but doesnt do that perfectly. Anyone have better timing/route info? |
ALL on Schedule
All on schedule for October:)
Got everything apart from the carnet, ready to go now, just got a few more months to finish up at work and we're off. Wahey! |
Hi all,
Sorry, I'm new here and don't quite know the posting etiquette. I am definitely going on a trip from Mozambique (where I currently live) to Madrid (where I will be starting school) from August - November 2013 via west coast. Sounds like I may at least cross paths with some of you? Ideally looking for travel mates. |
i am there soon
i arrive jo burg ,2nd of may and will be heading ,lesotho ,durban ,cape town ,namibia ,botswana ,zimbabwe ,then wiggling north,not rushing
dave |
Have been exploring getting a carnet, but Egypt seems ridiculous with 800 percent duty! How do we get around that?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 |
carnet fun
hey motomon,
Yeah, that really sucks about Egypt. Riding across Saudi Arabia doesn't seem to be an option for US citizen either. Seems to be no way around it so I plan on putting up the 5K indemnity bond with the Canadian Automobile Association (our Carnet issuer), which will also hopefully serve as post-trip survival cash.. Gar |
Hi guys
I'll be following this VERY CLOSELY , i'm planning on doing as much of the WEST COAST from the north as possibly (evil money) in spring 2014. I been to Maroc twice on my 96 DR650 (mainly hard core off road) but bought a XTZ 660 TENERE (2010) for the Africa trip but to be honest i think the DR knocks the socks of the Yam .....we'll see !!! If things change i wouldn't mind following your tracks in October. By the way i'm English but lived in SW France for the last 9 years Phil |
$5k Indemnity Bond
I don't really understand the "Ïndemnity Bond," business, but I do know that I don't have $5k to spare to put up. I'm trying to sell my Wee Strom that I just returned from South America on and put 21k miles/32k+ k on. Probably won't get much for it, but I really want to do this trip.
Guess I'll write to CA to get clarification. It seems like I have to pay $950 + $3-4k (if Egypt included) for the indemnity which will be about $4-5k, which is a lot of money for me. I already checked with my IRA account about getting an irrevocable letter of credit and they don't do that. Chris Quote:
|
CAA carnet
The bond option for me is more expensive upfront, but much cheaper as long as I'm able to get my bond back. I had the same trouble with my bank not knowing what on earth i was talking about for a letter of credit. I wrote Suzanne Dennis at CAA who was very helpful - here is her reply:
Once we receive your application and we figure out how much of a financial guarantee you will require we make up the draft letter of credit for you to take to your bank along with a letter of information in order for them to understand what we are talking about. Please wait until that is done before going to your bank again. We have dealt with almost every bank in the US. If you choose the Indemnity option and you will be travelling longer than 1 year, you will have to pay the carnet fee and the bond amount every year. If you use the letter of credit or put up the cash you would only do that once and it is good for 5 years however you would still have to pay the carnet fee every year no matter what. |
Anyone thought about doing Africa without a Carnet? I was going to pay up, but then i read this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...0-tenere-64769 I'd rather be greasing the locals palms this way, than having an expensive document, and likely having to pay bribes on top of things. |
Quote:
Thanks for posting this. Very encouraging for trying it without the Carnet racket. |
Without Carnet
It would sure make it easier for me! What about the 800% duty in Egypt?
|
Hi Paul
If you find yourself traveling through Lusaka, Zambia and need spot for the night give me a shout. I would be glad to help in any way. Good luck wit the planning. Cheers John |
Quote:
|
Hi Everyone,
We were planning on getting the carnet but leaving Egypt off as it seems you can pay on the border, 2000 euros, which you get back when you exit the country. However, I too am very tempted to do the whole route without one after reading the link. We are planning on leaving the UK around the 6th September and taking a slow ride through Europe with a bit of sightseeing, and catching the ferry accross from Spain to Morocco on Sat 5th October. |
The only thing I don't like about leaving Egypt off the Carnet is the prospect of leaving 2K at one border in the hope of getting it returned on the other side. Wondering if others have heard more reports of risks or success doing this..
|
Help! Someone?
Hi, Guys.
I noticed you will leave England in August, I thought that would be October, but I guess that would be the date of arriving in Morocco. That would bring two small problems for me: First that it'll cost me one month unpayed leave more than I planned, now fortunately that's not your problem ;) But secondly that leaves a very small window for me, for someone who only had his first vaccine for hepatitis A+B, and nothing else. (like me). My only experience with over-landing is my last year trip to Norway, with a mate of mine, I was leaving with 90% of the trip planned. (how much planning would you need for just a 2 week trip to Norway). So I think I need some help and if possible someone to meet, and talk things through. So if anyone in this thread is in England, Belgium, France, Germany or Luxembourg and is wanting to meet and plan things through, I would be glad. (Maybe Paul as I assumed your in England and have all your planning done, {or of course someone ells how is willing to} so I hope to learn a lot from you, I can come over for a weekend). And another question: how old are you guys? I already know that Monton is above 60 (I really like it that retired people (forgive me ;) ) are still doing these kind of things). But the no off-road thing is a little bothering me, because I love off-road (not saying I'm great at it) and I guess it will take you to a lot more beautiful places than the tarmac does, so maybe we can work some easy piste somewhere. And the fact that I am only 22 on date of departure, I do like getting along with older people a lot,(no offense) but maybe, someone who is a little more closer to my age, maybe is more willing to go little off-road tracks and stuff like that? Kind regards, Jeroen |
details
Hi Jeroen,
I hope to leave London heading across France Sept 29 or 30. I'm 37, living in California. I ride offroad but I'm crap at it and fall off lots. Hardly have anything planned other than pointing the bike south and trying not to fall off. Gary |
Hi, Gary.
Sorry, I mean'd September in stead of August. Great! I thought Paul said leaving the beginning of September, but a month from England to Southern Spain, seems a little long to me. ty kind regards. Jeroen |
I'm riding my bike across Russia/Asia first, starting in Vladivostok, and will probably get to Europe at the end of August. However, I'm not in a hurry and can certainly spend another few weeks in the Stan's, Turkey and so on.
I'm 34, and like Gary am often staring down at my bike having dropped it in a puddle or pile of sand. That said, I prefer the dirt to the Tarmac and should have 10k plus miles of offroad experience by the time I show up. My current plan: fret about carnets for another few months, debate malaria tablet choices and then just rock up in Morocco looking haggard from the past 25k miles. South seems good. |
Hello at all,
i´ll start end of september from germany with my new tenere, will to reach maroc one week later and then drive down up to capetown. i have time for 4 month and i´m also 37 years old. in the year 2009, i drove over asia down the eastcoast to capetown once before ... so long thomas Startseite - Transafrika per Motorrad |
Carnet, age, off road
I am will probably go sans carnet.
I will be 67 soon. Even though I probably have the dubious distinction of the most off road (25+ times in 1 day!), I much prefer pavement. I can't stand up on the balls of my feet because I'm missing a foot and, while I was a sanctioned road racer, I unfortunately didn't start off road. I agree that beautiful, unspoiled things await off road. If it's not too radical, and y'all will at least wait up for me periodically, then I'm in. Anyone have medical training ;-) Anyone have an idea of how much off road we have no choice about taking? If the majority want to do a lot of off road, then I need to know if anyone will join me on a mostly-pavement route. I've ridden 160k in last 4 years; 95% solo, but I won't do West Africa alone. If everything comes together for me, I fly to Lithuania inn June and expect to be in Morocco in early October. |
Hi Motomon
I think we can find out on the way if we can take some easy piste, we can first discus this, and as long as you can stay seated on your bike, and don't have to stand up...? If really necessary we can split up for a day-ride or something, but riding to much off-road is also boring (and especially trying). I guess we can work it out on the way. Kind regards, Jeroen. |
@bevor and motomon : lets try us, to go together the main part ... :scooter::scooter::scooter:
i´m a little bit flexible for the start time and i also dont want go alone ... the age can´t be a important criterion - example : in my last trip in the year 2010 over the afrcia east route, we meet some guys the also were 65+ and the are a bit tougher than a lot of young guys ... and experience is also very important fact. cheers from dresden thomas |
I can stand, but it's more tiring without the shock absorber of a forefoot. I'm lucky to have a heel, which I use to shift. I wish I could change my DR to GP shifting, as is easily done with sport bikes.
So, sounds like several (3 DRs?) are planning on a rendezvous in Tangier around the first week in October. Paul, since you started this, have you researched a possible route? I need to start learning more about the regions/countries/cultures. First for me though is eastern & southern Europe this summer. My only preference is to minimize exposure to large urban areas. Chris, potential member of “Moto Afrique" Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 |
Paul,
Sorry that I hadn't remembered that you had proposed a route last year. Chris Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 |
Quote:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f...0.27.15+AM.png |
ride needed
Hi guys,
Bumped into this site while searching for info and tips about going on road around africa and I just read your thread. I'm planning to leave sweden in sept and travel to tanzania. For once I don't have a time frame and have decided not to fly. I am not the kind of person who makes a lot of plans. What I like is bumping into adventures and interesting people in places I didn't even know of. My plan is hitch hike as much as possible and use buses and trains when I have to. This might be a crazy question..anyone of you fancy giving me a ride? I am not saying you have to take me with you troughout the whole route. I'm thinking a few good memories and adventures, a couple of days, weeks or whatever we decide. I don't have a lot to offer...no mechanical or plenty language skills (swedish, english and a bit of swahili is what i know) but I'll pay for gas and will always have a big smile on my lips! Fatima :thumbup1: |
hy, Fatima,
I'll try to leave some space open on the second seat, you can ride along till Spain at least, (that's a lot of highway and boring) and for the rest it depends a little on how much off-road we are going to do in Africa. cause that's a little hard with two-up. Also a question for the rest of you guys, is there already a plan for which visa's to buy in advantage? So I can do does too, and I have been thinking about the route, I don't know if there are some of you how definitely want's to ride Sierra-Leone and Liberia, those are relatively small country's witch have pretty expensive visa's. So maybe riding from Guinea strait to Côte-d'Ivoire is saving 2 visa's and 4 border-post controls. I'm only driving to Accra, Ghana. I'm busy fixing a box for motorcycle flying transport there. Think about it, let me know. Kind regards, Jeroen |
Jeroen - I think that I'll be trying to hit Liberia and Sierra Leone..I'd like to get the Angola visa ahead of time, but it just doesn't seem possible since they said that it will only be good for 3 months after the date of issue - so I wouldn't make it in time.
Fatima - wow - now that's the spirit! Keep in touch - I'll stop if I see yer thumb out on the road ! |
Hy, Guys.
Today I'm selling my GSF Bandit 1200 en swamp it for a Ténéré 660 :clap: where I will be driving on, in Africa. Another question: when and where are we all leaving? Gary I suppose your flying straight up to Marokko, or do you do a Europe tour either? For the rest of you guys, which is living in Europe, when do you leave? because we have some Britons to, I think meeting in Calais would be good? When do you all leave, My employee really needs to know now. Kind regards, Jeroen. |
Hello Bevor, the Tenere is a good choice !! I also use the same bike without any problem all the time ...
I come from germany and leave germany in the end of september / beginn october. cheers thomas |
I land in Lithuania in later June ride down through eastern Europe n across southern Europe to northern Spain, then down Spain or Portugal to ferry to Tangier in early October to meet Paul and Gary and whoever else shows up to ride around Africa. I'm on a DR650 and plan to go sans Carnet, but may have to skip Egypt coming back north.
Chris Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 |
Quote:
That would be awesome =) Just keep me updated on whether there will be a seat avaliable for me or not. If there is I'll make my way to Netherlands and go with you for some time. When are you planning to start your trip? |
Hi, Guys.
Pretty much my Ténéré is set now, crash bars are fitted, aluminium panniers are on the way, I order'd Touratech Zega Pro. Good choice? What do you think? (I already ordered them so it's to late anyway, but like to hear your opinion, XD). I have a International Driving Permit, and a passport. Is anyone of you getting visa's in advantage? And is everybody driving without an Carnet? Cause it costs: 300 Euro, for the book itself only, and because I'm only driving to Accra (Ghana) I don't even really need one. So if everyone of you is riding without, I don't even think about buying one. Who is coming from England, entering Europe at Calais cause if you will give me a date of arriving, I'll be there waiting for you, Thomas: maybe you wanna come to Calais eighter, or is it to long around? Fatima: I'm sorry but I tried to ride with just a little luggage and a friend of mine on the back, but it's just to heavy and I suppose you have some luggage to, so I just discovered it isn't possible. REALLY SORRY. Kind regards, Jeroen. |
still trying to decide about the Carnet - either none or excluding Egypt for me.
I've had no luck getting letters of invitation for Congo or Angola, which sound like two of the problematic visas, so looks like I will just be getting them on the way.. I fly into London Sept 29, Hopefully in Gibraltar by Oct 5. Gary |
Africa Trip
Hi All, I'm also planning a trip around Africa. I was planning on heading out on my own but having just spent 2 weeks in Morocco on my own I think it would be better going with someone else. I'm doing my trip in aid of Charity and I love photography.
I have my own route planned but that is not set in stone and I'd be happy to organise a meet up over a pub lunch so we can get our heads together and discuss options. Oh I forget to mention that I have also made few contacts already for places to stay and visit. My boss is from Senegal and his wife from Sierra Leone. And I have contacts in Zambia, Nigeria and a few other places. :clap::clap: |
@Jeroen, So you bought a tenere, good choice and like I told you, you are still welcome to come over and chat about Africa and tenere's.:mchappy:
@Gary, watch out with the visa for Angola and DRC on the road, Angola was imposible for us and DRC only in Pointe Noire, but the new rules state you have to aplly in your home country. This could cost you a lot of time and hassle. See my blog:Africa: DRC I myself will be going down to West Africa again this year starting in November, but this time in a VW transporter 4x4 van as to do more volunteering work and I will probably spend some time in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Good luck to all you guys and maybe we'll meet on the road:thumbup1: |
angola visa
Try this company. If you book at one of their fishing camps they will send you a letter of invitation.It is not necessary to pay as you can say you will pay when you are there.They have camping and chalets.
Liezle Combrink at info@angolangetaways.com |
@MikeAtkins - good to hear of more potential company!
@Titbird - thanks for the warning, perhaps I should try a little harder @Atlas - thanks for the company - I will try them. The other problem with Angola is that the visa is only valid for 3 months after issue and I won't make it in time. If I manage to get one, I suppose showing up with an expired visa is better than none at all... |
Quote:
All other countries between South Africa and the Ethiopian border will issue a Temporary Import Permit and you don't need a Carnet when on a motorbike. Other travelers we met came from Spain all through West Africa, South Africa and into Kenya without having a Carnet. However, they had to DHL one in from Spain in order to be allowed into Ethiopia. |
Quote:
good to know - thanks for the info Marco... |
Oops...so much for obtaining an Angola Visa while still at home unless I want to go for a little drive to Houston from California:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q...-no/angola.jpg |
West Africa from Sep 2013
So much information. Thanks all. I am looking for some companions to do the Morocco - Mauritania - BF - Cameroon route. Don't have any transportation, but can contribute to the fuel costs. I will be in London mid September, heading to Casablanca later in the month. All the information on visas in great. I am getting the first few here in Washington, DC. They seem to want them from the country of origin.
PM are perfectly acceptable if meeting or skype is required. David |
Hello,
First of all: I'm going to Cyprus this Saturday (15-06-13) for 10 days (so that makes: till Tuesday 25-06-13) with my girlfriend, of course I'll rent a motorbike there and ride a trans-Cyprus-trail XD most likely to take a day, if anyone is on Cyprus in that period of time reading this? Please response, we can do this together maybe. Second: I still have some questions. First: Carnet de Passage, I don't really need one, I'm only riding up to Accra, Ghana with you guys, and I saw on a website that it is recommended but not required. ADAC Reise & Freizeit - Carnet de Passages - Englisch So that will be no carnet for me. What do we do with tire's? I have falling in love with “Continental TKC 80's” but the are burned out with something like 3000 km. Are there any plans yet for driving to Southern Spain is it like speeding on the highway or will we do some fun-tracks also? I'll adjust my first set of tire’s. How many km will a normal tire do on the 3000 km from Calais to Algeciras? I guess it will be a good idea to by a new rear tire in Spain or Marokko, as it seems hard to get one in real Africa itself. OK that’s enough for now I guess. When I'll come back from Cyprus and my other holiday planned the week after I'll send you guys a packing list I am taking, so you can correct me on: “take this to” and “leave it, you won't need it”. Kind regards, Jeroen. |
Hi All,
We are using Continental TCK80s, but not putting them on till we get down to spain as they do wear out pretty quick on tarmac. Taking a spare set aswell, in the Landrover. Not bothering with carnets, Id rather pay on the borders, but leaving copies of documents with someone at home just in case we do run into problems and have to get them DHL'd out to us. The potential savings seem well worth the risk in my mind. The main problem countries for carnets seem to be Ethiopia and Egypt, and we had always planned on leaving Egypt off anyway because of the 800 percent premium. It should be possible to pay on the border for Egypt anyway as they have their own import system where you leave a deposit of 2000 Euros which you allegedly get back when you leave. Even if we dont get it back its still cheaper than paying for a carnet. If anyone else fancies doing just the Europe part for a leisurely sightseeing ride, we are leaving from Dover on 4th Sept and just taking it easy for a month with no particular route planned, as long as we end up at the tip of Spain on Oct 5th :) |
Oh yeah, Visas, we arent getting any in advance, I like the idea of the challenge of getting them along the way, and it gives us points to head to in each country for embassies :)
|
Has anyone else got comms gear on their bikes? We are using Autocom radios which are PMR466 Mhz. Ive got spare radios for use in cars but cant connect headsets to them for using on bikes as they are only cheap ones.
Radios we have on the bikes are Kenwood UBZ units. |
Paul-I don't have comms, but like the idea. Can I buy something at reasonble cost somewhere in Europe as I leave in 3 days? After I get my shipped bike in Lithuania in July, I will ride down eastern Europe, across Italy, southern France & northern Spain, down Portugal, then across to Algeciras for the ferry to Tangier.
Chris:) |
Hi Chris, I think you should be able to pick up comms gear easy enough, Autocoms are widely used or equivalent radios on the same frequency at least, and theres a lot of 2nd hand stuff about. Theyre all pretty simple to fit. Ill keep an eye on ebay for anything suitable and try and get a few spare bike to bike units to bring with us.
|
Hey all -
Checking in to let you all know that I'm still up for this, and riding towards Africa now. I rode across the US, and into Canada, and then have shipped the bike to S Korea, and will get to Vladivostok this Saturday. Should be in europe for late August, and after relaxing, ready to tackle Africa. I havent started on any visas/carnets yet, but am following this thread closely. I've been so busy figuring out this leg of the trip, i havent thought that far ahead, but did manage to get 2 british passports, so i can be processing 1, while on the road with the other. NY-Lon |
Wow, I was thinking about heading into Asia, but this fits nicely into my schedule. Could you cope with an of road rookie staying their RTW journey joining you? :what:
|
t
drivelandy: of course - I think that we'll all keep close watch on this thread as the end of Sept approaches to try to meet up.
Tires: I'm going to run mefo explorers since they are reported to have decent dirt/gravel transaction and pretty long life - some report up to 10K miles on a single rear. I'll carry the rear until morocco or Senegal or so and then install. |
Tires:
I've run D606s off-road, but they wear far too quickly. I get maybe 4k miles out of them. TKCs I can get 5-8k, and so now I'm trying the 50/50 on/off road K60s, which I also think I can get close to 10k miles out of. I havent ridden these before, so will see if they are good enough off road. |
Thanks for getting in touch Paul,
I'm excited now. I get made redundant on the 5th July and have no plans after that. This will be the start of my RTW trip. I need to start the program of inoculations ASAP. I'll refit my radio to the bike for comms. My plan was to have K60 tyres fitted. Steve |
Hi, Guy's.
I've got some more questions. (again) Gary: Have you already booked your plane tickets for the 29th of Sept.? If you did, assuming you have to put the bike together and all; do you also take the train (or boat) that same day or another? If you do, which line/what time? You do arrive in Calais, don't you? If so, I can meet you there. Paul: If you are driving up to Spain from the 4th of Sept. you arrive in Calais the 4th or 5th, now the question: Because the most pain in the ass to take with you are tires I suppose, so I was thinking if you have a big Land-Rover with you, can I throw some tires in? I won't be driving along till Spain, as I ride together with Gary for the race to southern Spain, because that saves me a whole lot of days-off at work (they are limited :wink2:). So if its ok I'll ride up to Calais, then when your are, meet each other, drink some coffee and let me throw some tires in. For the rest I don't want to use the truck as much as possible. (I like the idea of doing it all on my own together with my beloved friend Mr. X.T. Ténéré. XD) Also a question about the intercom you told about, that's a radio? So if I buy a radio with a range of 1 km, I can log on to your frequency? Any specific type you can recommend? Another thing is: Maps. I have downloaded the “T4A” (Tracks-4-Africa a map which is put together by people that have already been there, and logged their tracks). A mate of mine will put it on my Garmin Montana 600, which is the device I will take along. Also I do have some paper maps, proper ones for Marocco and Senegal/The Gambia, and West-Africa on a 1 : 2.200.000 scale which makes it practically useless for motorcycling. Hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards. Jeroen |
Hi everyone....
I will be in Spain for September (On business) and have decided to ship my XR650L with me. I will ride Barcelona, to Irun then to Madrid.....(all about the business).....after I am done in Madrid (20th) I would like to ride around the south of Spain....maybe going to Portugal and then heading for Morocco too for a month or so.....my plans were too ship the bike to Thailand and ride S.E. Asia for the winter after the Morocco.......Love to ride Africa though too........hmmmm.... I will follow this thread and see what comes from everybody's plans....Hope we can all converge on Morocco around the same time...:) Gee |
Gee I'm planning on riding across northern Spain, then down through Portugal in late September. I was also thinking about taking the ferry from Algeciras to Ceuta, instead of straight to Tangier. Then I/we could ride across northern Morocco to see more of it. Anybody interested in any part of this?
|
Hi All,
Jeroen, we will arrive in Calais on the 4th Sept, hopefully about Midday, you can put tyres and anything else bulky and awkward to carry in the Landrover, theres quite a lot of room in there and we have the full length roof rack aswell. Radios, any 466Mhz radio with about 8 channels should work reasonably well, I went with the Kenwood ones as they are small, I will try and find out exactly what frequency each channel is on so you can get one that matches exactly. Ill send you all my phone number too when Ive decided which phone to take, and the sat phone number when Ive activated it. |
Hello from Russia. I'm still riding through siberia. Its big...
Still planning on getting to Southern Europe mid Sept, and then be comfortably into Africa by the end of Sept. Seems like some of this thread are earlier in Sept, and some later. I'll keep you posted as i get closer. Ps. I still havent done any visa/carnet work, but do realize that i need to get on that soon! Ay tips welcome. |
Paul - If you can spare LR space, then I'd like to put 2 tires in ... or on. Guess I'll get them somewhere in Spain or Portugal for my DR. And I still want a radio:)
|
Will you be needing support/drivers for the LR? I am very interested in your trip, though I don't ride a bike, but find the idea of being a support person highly intriguing. I am a 61 yo American and will be in London, heading for Morocco and then the rest of West Africa a little later than you all. I am planning on flying to Fez, since it is cheap on RyanAir, around Sept 20th. I was planning on the overland route and paying my own way, but with this team, it looks really cool.
Need the help? David |
Hi Paul,
When do you guys think you'll reach Sierra Leone? CJ. |
Freetown
Hi Cam,
We should be in Freetown around the end of October/ early November i reckon |
Ok, im still here but will be out for while until just about the time you will arrive. You still bringing your board?
|
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:26. |