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West African Visas West African Visas
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  • 1 Post By martheijnens
  • 1 Post By reallybigtruck
  • 1 Post By Thimba
  • 1 Post By Titbird
  • 1 Post By Surfy
  • 1 Post By ta-rider

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  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2013
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West African Visas
Hi all,
I´m crossing Africa North>South starting next October, finishing by new years eve by bike.

Doing the next countries:
Morocco
Sahara Occ
Mauritania
Senegal
Mali
Burkina Faso
Benin
Nigeria
Cameroon
Congo
RDC
Angola
Namibia
Bostwana
South Africa

I need some advices about the visas, I heard that Angola´s visa is quite difficult to do, anyother one?

I thought that I should start with that one, and that there are a few visas that is not a problem to do them in the border. Is easier to plan the entry day.
Do you think there is a country that is cheaper to do it in the border that doing it in Madrid (Spain) on advance?

Thanks a lot!!
Borja

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  #2  
Old 3 Jul 2013
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Visa for west african countries.
You can get a visa for Angola in Abuja, Nigeria, but only transit visa. It is valid for two months and allows you 5 days in Angola. All other visa you can get in the capitals of neighbouring countries. I did the same trip in 2009.
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  #3  
Old 4 Jul 2013
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And if I want to stay more than 5 days?
Do someone know how many days/weeks aprox is to do it before the trip, I heard that a guy stood around a month in the border to do the visa, and I prefer to do it on advance.
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  #4  
Old 4 Jul 2013
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last I heard was they issue the visum maximum 2-3 months in advance, varying per country. They really want you to get it in your own country, some people are lucky and manage to get one elsewhere (or at least that's what they say). I haven't heard of anyone getting one for longer than 5 days...

But that's all hearsay....
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  #5  
Old 4 Jul 2013
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Hi Borja,

Have you considered a second passport? You can then send that to your home country (say, when you're in Cameroon) and have someone get the visa for you.
That's what I'm doing. I think a 5 day transit will see you rushing through a country that deserves more time. But then again, I see that your time is limited....
Enjoy all the preparations!

Travel safe,

Gee
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  #6  
Old 4 Jul 2013
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Last year we couldn't get the Angolan visa in Abuja. We tried for several days but only Nigerian residents can get it there. I know in the past it was possible but it seems the general rule is now you have to apply in your home country. Other country with this rule is DRC.
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  #7  
Old 10 Jul 2013
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Angola is beautiful - and is worth to stay longer

You have one month more than we had (2 months at 2012) - so the timeframe for sending the Passport back to your Homecountry and return - may be too short.

To leave a 2nd Passport at home, and optain the visa and send them when you need them - is a nice idea.. A 2nd Passport can also cause some discussions (http://www.4x4tripping.com/2013/04/d...h-pass_15.html)...

Another way seems to optain the Visa at late september (with multiple entry, valid for three months). This is expensive - but worth the money. I have read that it is possible to extend an valid visa - when neccessary (unfortunately this piece information may be outdated).

Surfy
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  #8  
Old 10 Jul 2013
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Hi,

Yes to get the Visa for Angola was a nightmare. It took me more then 3 months phoning the embassy in Berlin (my home country) every day and after i got told "tomorrow tomorrow" for two months personaly sitting at the embassy in Capetown many days finaly paying more then 160 Euro + Visa Agency + Invitation letter to get a 4 days transit visa for Angola. The people in Angola are friendly but the corrupt officials are basdards

http://afrikamotorrad.eu/?report=en_westkueste

To get the Visa for Nigeria was hard too but not so hard. Very unfriendly and corrupt people at the Embassy and in the country i got attacked and nearly robbed but otherwise Africa was great

Enjoy Africa, Tobi
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