Cape town - Cairo (east africa)
 

Hi guys,


I'm a 19 year old brit (why does this feel like the start of a lonely hearts ad...) planning on buying a cheap bike (something like xt350) in Cape Town then riding it through East Africa.
I'm roughly going through Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, but my itinery is fairly open barring any visa needs (I'm British so only need to get one in advance for Ethiopia and Sudan). Along the way i hope to do some of the usual touristy stuff so i can tell my mother i've done something interesting, as well as visit some off the beaten track areas!

I'm hoping to leave some time in May 2012, and was just wondering if anyone else will be in Southern/Eastern Africa around this time and i can buy you a drink in return for letting me pick your brains about overland travel and the best places to stay/get repairs etc.!!!

I'd also be interested in meeting up with others to go over the tricker or more dangerous points (Kenya-Ethiopia from what i've read being quite a difficult road).

Cheers, hopefully see you guys out there!
Charlie

Chuck,

Sounds like you are already ahead of the curve in regards to planning great adventures, congrats.

Couple of small suggestions, if you read the trip planning threads here as well as the Africa threads you'll be able to get a sense of additional things to bring and places to consider. Also, read some of the travel blogs that other riders have written about their rides, you'll get a good sense of what others have done.

It's a pretty classic route and in general, most follow a similar path. In regards to meeting other riders for more remote areas, a good place to meet other overlanders for the northern Kenya portion is Jungle Junction in Nairobi. Most everyone stops there and you will get some good beta from people that have just come down and hopefully meet others about to head up.

One last thing (even though you didn't ask) is take your time getting used to your bike and riding in Africa. A loaded bike takes a while to adjust to and toss in the added chaos from African drivers and traffic, makes it a bit hectic out there for any rider.

Have a good trip and post your stories so others can follow you along.

Hi,

Im shure you will find many people at the nice campingplace Tivi Beach twiga Lodge just before Nairobi in Kenia to do the Marsabit road with :)

Transafrika - Motorbike travel tour through africa part 1

Greetings, Tobi

Hi,

Thank you both for your advice. Its been very usefull, one of the things i was a bit worried about was finding a places to stay each night and finding other overlanders to join up with.

Reading blogs has been my main form of research, they've been incredibly usefull and have provided tons of inspiration hopefully i'll be able to keep you guys updated via HUBB.
Cheers,
Charlie

Charlie,

I did this route (up to Nairobi) last year. SA, Namibia, Zim, Malawi,Tans, Kenya. If I can help in any way just send me a message. Most of what I did is on my blog, including lots of photos which might help.

Two tips:
Jungle Junction is a must before the difficult road up to Ethiopia.
Check Visas. Where is the best palce to get a visa for Ethiopia? Last year it wasn't Kenya it was Harare but that has, I believe, changed.

Thanks George, i'll get reading your blog as it sounds like you are doing the same places as me roughly. I'll send you a message as i have some questions - thanks!