Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Dallas,TX
Posts: 41
Africa Route Advice Needed

Hello Folks,

We are laying out the groundwork for a trip from Egypt to South Africa (actually starting Germany).I have read up and researched but still have a 2 main questions/concerns:

a) How much of off-road/unpaved segment are unavoidable on this route. I know that road conditions of even paved stuff will vary - but want to avoid most of the extreme stuff. traveling with my wife and mechanical skills are limited

It seems like south of Nairobi, one can manage to stay on mostly paved roads?

b) if we want to pace at 200-300km/day, can we expect to come across decent accommodation every day... i don't mean luxury - but something more than a campsite. Or is camping gear a must. rough price ranges in various countries?

All help is appreciated
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 66
Just done the route with several detours but

It is all tarmac except for deviations which vary from ok to terrible but only for a kilometre or two. Niarobi, Arusha, Dar route across to Iringa through the game park, Mbeya, into Zambia, Lusaka, Livingstone, Kazangula ferry to Francistown and into South Africa. Only problem with accomodation was between Arusha and Dar where I found nothing until Dar, probably because I was not looking until 6 at night when it got dark.

Can give several good stopovers but they vary, some may object but beds were clean and food available. Message me or reply here but may be a while as on the road.
__________________
julian
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Dallas,TX
Posts: 41
thanks for the feedback. please post more info as you come by it.

jquinton - i will b in touch
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Dallas,TX
Posts: 41
Also need info on:

range of rates for acceptably clean accommodation

prices to see animals in various countries - and which experiences are recommended

feedback on living situations for above experiences


information on availability of gasoline

rates for food and other travel expenses so we can develop a budget
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Nov 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 11
when do you plan to start your trip? I am planning the same route starting spring 2014 from zurich, switzerland and looking for travel buddies. I am travelling on 4 wheels with a landcruiser.

some budget information based on my recent travel experiences:

ethiopia:
double rooms: 15 EUR for Basic up to 60 EUR for luxury. meal around 1.50 up to 4 EUR, 70 Cents. in Addis add 100%

tanzania / kenya: same as posted above unless you sleep inside the borders of a national park where you should add 500% to the above

A good and little bit less developed and hence less pricey alternative for game viewing is Uganda...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 66
Petrol, had no problems, max distance was 300km only because I went past a station. Locals all need petrol so never went more than that and mostly even less. Tanzania into Zambia is the only time I used my spare fuel becuase it got down to empty and a petrol station appeared 10 km later. Water was more of a problem I found. Check bottles have not been refilled.
__________________
julian
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Nov 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Dallas,TX
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by loertle View Post
when do you plan to start your trip? I am planning the same route starting spring 2014 from zurich, switzerland and looking for travel buddies. I am travelling on 4 wheels with a landcruiser.

some budget information based on my recent travel experiences:

ethiopia:
double rooms: 15 EUR for Basic up to 60 EUR for luxury. meal around 1.50 up to 4 EUR, 70 Cents. in Addis add 100%

tanzania / kenya: same as posted above unless you sleep inside the borders of a national park where you should add 500% to the above

A good and little bit less developed and hence less pricey alternative for game viewing is Uganda...
how recent are these prices.

we will starting in germany but dates are not fixed yet.
probably head to turkey first.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 17 Nov 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by teizms View Post
how recent are these prices.
Ethio Prices from September 2013... the others from 2011.

Which route will you take for driving into Egypt?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Dec 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Norway
Posts: 9
Africa

Hello teisum,
i am also going to africa but not until september/October to avoid the heat. I have planned the west coast of africa to cape town, up the est to cairo, boat to turkey, maybe we cross paths, i am starting from Norway.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26 Dec 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
Fuel prices

Hi teizms,

we are currently on that trip but started from Cape Town. Until now we had nearly only tarmac (in Tanzania you can actually now take the western route via Singida, about 50km tracks and detours, rest tarmac). Last thing we heard about the part Marsabit-Moyale was that it is still in very poor condition. Anyone travelled recently?
Fuel prices until now are about €1,10 to 1,50 per liter, with an average of about €1,30.
Accomodationwise it depends on what you want. Camping is about €5-10 (average €7), budget but okay hotel rooms (double) about €12-50 with an average of €30. I would take camping gear with you, and if it is "just in case". We didn't plan on camping much but it saves a lot of money.
Places to accomodate you are definitely enough on the road (at least so far). Take the Tracks for Africa on you GPS, it is quite helpful
Good luck!
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
Advice needed for Imilchil-Cascades d'Ouzoud route CaBRita Morocco 8 4 Feb 2014 18:28
Advice needed on timeframe for Southern Africa route ddziewan sub-Saharan Africa 6 26 Jul 2013 10:43
From zero to Zambia: A learner about Africa Riders for Health Ride Tales 0 22 Mar 2013 14:13
Route advice for Indonesia/Malaysia Panny West and South Asia 15 4 Nov 2012 01:58
RTW trip - route planning advice needed electro Route Planning 3 26 Sep 2012 14:13

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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 16:57.