UK to South Africa March 2012

[Vleis]

We are planning an overland trip from UK to the South Africa at the end of March 2012. So far it looks like we are going to be 2 people in a 4x4. It was supposed to be a 3 month trip but I think we will have to settle for 2 months. The route is still open, but we will not be venturing too deep into the less travelled parts. Also the current situation in Libya and Syria makes for its own problems, but that’s why we have to be flexible.



Anybody else has such a trip planned more or less sat the same time that wants to compare notes or maybe hook up?


Cheers
Vleis

[Multi Adventurer]

Hi Vleis

I am planning this trip for round the same time...albeit on 2 wheels. Have you got a route mapped out? I'm thinking initially to ride down to Greece and cross to Alexandria if theres a ferry. Where abouts are you heading from?...

Les

[Vleis]

Hi Les

Exact route still needs to be decided on, but I think we will be mostly sticking to the eastern side. The big problem at the moment is getting the vehicle into Egypt. It looks like if the Venice/Alexandria ferry does not start again shipping from the UK to Alex is the only option if Libya and Syria are still no go areas. Or go West, but not sure if that is an option for me ...

Do you have any experience with shipping into Alex. It looks like this option you should only take as last resort option because of theft/bureaucracy/unofficial costs etc?

H

[Desert Driver]

have you considered the west route, did it last year and 2 months is feasable but if you have 3 then take them as in 2 months you won't get to spend much time looking around and what would be the point of doing the trip in the 1st place. there is some info on [url=http://www.across-africa.com]

[Vleis]

Yes I have, but my 2 months is probably the maximum time SWMBO will allow . Also I am still not that confident about the security around some of the sections on the Western side. Obviously I understand the risks associated with a trip like this, but don’t want to go and look for trouble.

How would a western route look like and what’s on offer if I may ask? I am just not familiar with that side since I have always been looking at the eastern route?


Cheers
h

[Vleis]

Thanks looked at your route on your site, so in general my concerns are around countries where security is a concern. Of the ones you went through were would you say is the hot spots?

[manray]

Originally Posted by Multi Adventurer

Hi Vleis

I am planning this trip for round the same time...albeit on 2 wheels. Have you got a route mapped out? I'm thinking initially to ride down to Greece and cross to Alexandria if theres a ferry. Where abouts are you heading from?...

Les

I'm planning the same ride. Undecided as to which route to take. Not under any time constraint but would like to hookup with someone for parts of the journey. Riding a Triumph Scrambler so will be limited to good roads and petrol. Shoot me a PM if you want to discuss.

[Vleis]

Email sent

cheers
h

[Desert Driver]

you can view the route I did on my website [url=http://www.across-africa.com]

[Desert Driver]

you can view the route I did on my website Across Africa - Route across africa. At no time throughout the trip did I feel there was a security to issue. We camped wild as much as we could and avoided towns, villages and set up in the bush. Nigeria ia the country everyone said was going to be a problem and they could not have been further from the truth. We were asked all the way down especially in the arab french speaking countries for gifts, but we just said we had nothing and were sent on our way. If you are polite and patient it works. In Nigeria which is meant to be notorious for bribes, and corruption police were super friendly and only 1 officer at the end of the trip near the cameroon board asked and got a bit shirty with us when we said we had nothing. I threatened to report him and started to write down his badge number and that soon enough made him change his tune.

Final words are " be a man and go west"

[Vleis]

I am still struggling to get a “reliable” shiupping option into Alex Old Port. From the UK it seems like everybody ships to Dekheila and now that Egypt is starting to become unsettled I am considering going west.

I have 2 months from early April 2012 and obviously I don’t want to rush this whole trip as it defeats the whole object of doing this trip. I am relocating to South Africa permanently and are not too concerned about not spending a lot of time in countries bordering SA as I can always visit there again. After some research I am also more comfortable with the possible security issues en route. Based on previous experience would anybody say 2 months to get from UK to SA via the western route is a bit farfetched? Will it just be a mad rush?

I have some flexibility so if there are delays (e.g breakdowns, weather related, etc) it is OK, but preferably I want to try and be in SA in June 2012. Also anybody else still doing the eastern route over this time – happy if you PM me if you want to share notes.

As always any advice appreciated

-H