Edinburgh to Cape Town Via East Africa on KTM 990s
 

Two of us crossed from Genoa to Tunis on the 28th September 2013. We're heading to Cape Town via the east on two 2007 KTM 990s. Mat's a New Zealander living in Scotland. Jaap's Dutch and based in Switzerland.

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Mat in the French Alps on his way to meet Jaap in Nice:
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Ferry to Tunis:
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Tunisia:
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A big obstacle to the trip was the lack of suitable ferries to Egypt, and the difficulty in obtaining a Libyan visa. We ended up obtaining Libyan business visas through Libyan-based Tidwa Travel and Tours (www.tidwa.com). We dealt with Sem, a Dutch guy who acts as Tidwa's representative in Europe. A three month multiple entry visa cost us 375 Euro, and 75 Swiss Francs at the Embassy in Bern for the stamp. I can't say enough about how professional and helpful Tidwa have been. Absolutely brilliant. There was a hiccup at the Libyan embassy in Switzerland in that they would only provide entry approval to Tripoli or Benghazi airports. To ensure that things went smoothly, Mr Masoud from Tidwa travelled from Tripoli to the Ras Ajdir border at no expense and sorted everything for us (including customs, plates, Libyan Carnet, and insurance - all up costs about US$100). He's a lovely guy, with excellent English. He even brought us lunch and then set up a meeting with the Classic Motorbike Club in Tripoli. Once we arrived into the outskirts of Tripoli five guys on Harley Davidsons escorted us into town for coffee, and then a massive feed of jarred baby camel at a restaurant under Roman ruins. We were then put up for free by Abdul of the club in a mint guest-house. Probably the most generous and friendly people I have ever met. An amazing first day in Libya.

We will post here about the trip, particularly motorbike relevant and admin type stuff, but because we're keeping our friends and family updated about the trip on Facebook, there may be more updates/pics on our page "Edinburgh to Cape Town" - www.facebook.com/edi2ct.

Here is a video of the start of the trip: Edinburgh to Cape Part 1 on Vimeo

Mat

G'day guy's just watched your first couple of vid's ,nice work.going to enjoy reading /watching your stuff .Noel

Have a safe journey guys!

Great video and music :clap:

Good luck and take care with that guns on fb :thumbup1:

[QUOTE=KiwiMat;438702]Two of us crossed from Genoa to Tunis on the 28th September 2013. We're heading to Cape Town via the east on two 2007 KTM 990s. Mat's a New Zealander living in Scotland. Jaap's Dutch and based in Switzerland.

Hi Jaap

I live in swiss and also going to do the same route as you are doing now. How expensive was the Carnet for the KTM? because i do own the same as yours.

I wish you a very safe and enjoyable ride.
If you have plans to go to Rwanda, Uganda. I have few good friends, whom I met during my trip in East africa. I could give their contacts.

Prem

Hi Prem,

I got a swiss carnet. Paid 30 percent of what the bike is worth.
I was told its worth 4000 so I paid 1300 franks. I get all of that back when I return the carnet.

Libya and Egypt do not accept that carnet. So, so far it has not been much use. We got through the borders by paying for a carnet organised at their border. We paid about US$100 at the Libyan border, and around 600 dollars at the Egyptian (for everything - including carnet).

Supreme Tourism helped us at the Egyptian border, and I can recommend their services. www.supremetourism.com Get in touch with Tamer.

It's a lot of money to cross borders, but Libya was unforgettable. Hook up with the local bike scene and you will be safe and have a great time.

Jaap

We had an incredible time in Libya. Everyone without exception was friendly and welcoming, and for much of the trip we did not pay for anything - food, petrol, accommodation, coffee. We were really sorry we needed to leave. The photos may give you an idea:

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Lots more on Facebook and video.
Mat
www.matward.com

4 Minute video edit from our amazing week in Libya.
Edinburgh to Cape Town Part 3: Libya on Vimeo

Lydia
 

Hi guys just watched the bikes in Lybia had the same expiriance in Iran and they were just as crazy .pulling wheelies up and down the Main Street through the traffic good times good luck with the trip dave

Greetings from New Zealand

My wife and I are planning a similar trip to Cape Town, we had not realised that Libya was "open".

We will be two up on my 990, your thoughts on safety for Leanne (blond western woman) in Libya?

Will be following your report with a lot of interest :-)

Kiwi Mike

Hi Mike,

It's hard for me to say really. It would take a while for a foreigner to get their head around the actual risks. We loved it, felt safe, everyone was very welcoming, but I suppose that doesn't mean the ride was safe. It seems that the road between Misrata and Benghazi is of most concern. Not exactly sure why, but maybe a result of "too much freedom" in the area, as the Libyans euphemistically put it.

Regarding Leanne, the country is strongly patriarchal, as you would expect. You don't see many women out and about. As two males we can not really comment on how a woman would be treated. My guess is pretty well in most areas, but a few stares or mutterings in others.

My week in Libya was probably one of the best of my life, but I'd make a few contacts before you head through. PM me if you get your visa and want me to pass on some contacts. Make sure you get in touch with Masoud at Tidwa about the visa.

:)
Mat

Thanks Mat we appreciate your reply. Leanne is used to standing out, we were in Bangladesh last year and have been to Syria, Lebanon etc. Obviously no where is safe but we don't want to go looking for trouble.

We plan to be on the road in the middle of next year.

Safe travels

Kiwi Mike

Nice, love the videos! Looks like you guys are having a ton of fun. What's your general timeframe for getting down to Cape Town?

We plan to be in Cape Town early Jan.
:)
Mat

Just watched the vids.Wow! You guys look as if you are having a blast! Brilliant!

Charlie:thumbup1: