Clothing for Africa
 

Hi!
I wanted to know what kind of clothing should I take to cross, by motorbike, the Sahara desert in December and January (I mean, besides the regular motorcycling outfit)? Is it very cold at night and too hot at daytime? What about rain conditions from Kenya to SA in January thru March?
Thanks for the help.
Cheers,
JP

From my experience in the eastern parts of the Sahara, mainly Egypt, It only gets really hot mid day in Dec and Jan but you will be fine with the regular moto outfit on a t-shirt. Early morning and late after noon, you might wanna put on an extra layer under your jacket. At night, it's cold and windy. A good wool sweater and a windbreaker are a must.

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A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com

In the Algerian desert, in December and January, it's normal to have frost and sub-freezing temperatures overnight. It's damn cold in the mornings, and does not warm up at all until very late in the morning. The daily high temperature in January and February is only in the mid-teens (ºC). In other words - it's winter!

Gloves, hat, and a warm jacket are needed for any prolonged outdoor activity - and that does not consider riding on a motorcycle.

What about the trans atlantic route, and the area around timboctou and lake chad?

Hi,

I've done the Atlantic route twice. Both times Morroco was quite cool, even cold, until I got south of the ATlas mountians. (Crossing the Atlas we even had snow for a day!)
Southern Morocco (Western Sahara) was very humid and foggy at night and morning, but quite nice by day. But still used wintergloves!
In Mauretania the first time it was hot, dry and sunny (and 25-30 degrees celcius). I used over 10 liter water a day and even by night it was nice temperature.
The second time it was very windy and clouded almost all the time. Didn't have to drink more water then any other day and the temperature wasnt higher then about 15 degrees celcius at midday and freezing at night.
So be prepared for everything. Extra clothing isnt that heavy and you can always make somebody happy with it later in West Africa when you really dont need it anymore.

Peter