Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By ursula
  • 1 Post By ursula

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 287
Smile Egypt - the Western Desert Reopens !

Hi
heard today from Cairo:

"The Western Desert Reopens!

- White Desert
- Desert Lake District of Nuweimisa & Bahrain
- Great Sand Sea to the Ammonite Mountain
- Roman fortress of Umm Dabadib & Labaka"

Ursula
Ammonite Scarp / Great Sandsea
https://up.picr.de/44524493xx.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Oct 2022
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 38
Great news for some, but 20 months too late for me.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Nov 2022
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 25
Is Gilf Kebir/Cave of the Swimmers still off-limits to tourists?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Nov 2022
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,800
According to Ursula's list, far from it.
And that is the most interesting region.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Apr 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 287
Western Desert Travel Conditions 2023

Mail from Baharia 25.3.2023

"Travel in the Western Desert is officially allowed again, but with permission. Doesn't sound bad, but this statement is misleading!

Overnight stays, no matter where, are not permitted. You can stay in state-licensed hotels and do day trips from there. You can only drive in special 'government' approved cars that are equipped with GPS tracking and otherwise meet other requirements.

Some tour operators have already organized tours, but the granted approval is no guarantee that the tour can also be carried out as planned. One group, despite permission, was forbidden to travel from Siwa to Baharia and had to travel back to Cairo and from there to Baharia.

In the worst case, the police (yes, the police, not the tourist police or the army!) will accompany you with permission. At best, only occasionally...
Some places (e.g. Magic Spring in the White Desert) may not be approached.

The costs for a permit are manageable in themselves, but the travel agency tours have a disproportionate additional effort, which costs accordingly. If the permit is denied, the money is gone! (By the way, this is now also common when extending visas. In the past, payment was made upon collection, now upon application, but the application can be rejected and the money is gone!)
It seems that desert tourism is undesirable!

All tours conducted locally are officially illegal and will be prosecuted if drivers are caught!"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Apr 2023
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 25
Hmm. I didn't know the White Desert was restricted. I guess I must have done an illegal tour when I visited in November 2021. I just asked around in Farafra and negotiated a half-day excursion with a driver. I was given the option to camp there but opted not to to save money. We had tea and dates at sunset in the desert and drove back to Farafra.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Egypt - Western Desert - Siwa - Bahariya and then the other Oasis jordanrtw North Africa 4 10 Apr 2018 07:20
Egypts Western Desert oasis circuit Styrbjorn North Africa 0 23 Oct 2016 15:39
RTW on CRF250L - Amsterdam to....Anywhere! -Leonie- Ride Tales 63 13 Jul 2016 05:42
Egypt - Western Desert in September ursula North Africa 22 29 Jul 2014 07:22
Egyptian Western Desert and Aswan - Wadi Halfa May 2013 bazyr North Africa 1 26 Apr 2013 19:32

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:10.