No Carnet for Africa
 

So, it is in fact true. The only country you really need a carnet for in the whole of Africa is South Africa. Everywhere else can be done on a passavant. Egypt has its own temporary importation document so no need for a carnet and senegal will allow you in without a carnet everywhere except for the Northern border (although you can get in there for 80-100 euros!)

Sadly I intend to go through S.Africa. Does anyone know of any other way of getting into and out of South Africa without a carnet de passage, probably coming in via Namibia?

Because this is just plain unfair to make it all that way without one and have to spend the same amount of money getting one for SA as it would cost for the rest of Africa (except for Kenya and Egypt)

I wouldn't be so sure you don't need a carnet for Namibia. Last year the border guards asked for our carnet when crossing the NAM border. So did the Botswana guys.

Hans

Why are you so sure you don't need a carnet?
 

As much research as I do, I still get mixed information - how did you come to this conclusion?

Indeed, you don't need a carnet (4 years ago) except for Namibië and South Africa.
Namibië does have the same custom-rules like SA
Arthur

What about Egypt -- if you don't have Carnet, do you need to deposit money on border? From Carnet documents I got impression that you need to pay something like 400% of your vehicle value as deposit when crossing without Carnet?

No need for Carnet in SA
 

I actually got my motorbike into South Africa without a Carnet around July 06 along with two other guys that got in a separate occassions.

I think it depends who you get at the borders as most of them do ask for carnets but you show them your previous passavants or lesser passer and tell them adamantly you do not have a carnet. It also helped that we went through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbawe and got some sort of permit that covers the southern areas ( that's what the border post officials told us - so keep all your passavant documents from other countries )

Good luck... Africa is definitely doable WITHOUT a carnet.... A good friend travelled the west coast from Spain to South Africa and my other half has just made it from South Africa up the east coast with No carnet!!

Amy

I heard that SA and Namibia both require carnets. But I am not quite there yet to give first hand accounts on that. However.....

....in my experience through Africa so far (Westcoast down, currently stuck in Congo/Brazza) the carnet has saved me a truckload of hassle that I am happy to be without. Theres enough as it is. Apart from my passport, Ive come to regard my carnet as the most usefull piece of paper in my possesion. Can it be done without? Im sure it can (pending SA and Namib). Im just asking; why would you want to? Consider all the borders you will be crossing and having to pay for a LP. Add them all up and Im sure you will find the carnet the cheaper solution. And easier! But if you limit your travels to west Africa and 4 to 5 countries, then I dont see the need for a carnet either.

Best regards

Torsten