I am not sure there is a "safest" way to do this trip, you will often be using public transport and places like bus stations, train stations and taxi ranks tend to attract people on the lookout for an opportunity to exploit so you will have to be on your guard. But it will be an exciting adventure and you will have great opportunity to meet local people and yes being white you will stand out but this will attract the interest of many friendly people with good not just bad intentions, you will have to learn to tell the difference.
I have no experience of West Africa but travelling down East Africa will be as safe as it is going to get with a lot of English spoken, Sudan which you mention will be one of the safest and friendliest places en route. If you fly to Egypt I believe there is a train to Aswan, a ferry once a week to Wadi Halfa and a train from there to Khartoum, I am not sure after that but it is a start.
You can get worldwide train information including Africa here.
The Man in Seat Sixty-One - the train travel guide...
And a similar journey is discribed in this book which is a good read.
PaulTheroux.com {} NonFiction {} Dark Star Safari
|