East- or wescoast?

[ALoneRider]

Hi all

I'm aware that this is a very general question and the answer is very subjective, but maybe some of you can give me some inputs.

I am in the very early stages of planing my next road trip, which currently consits of nothing more then a big plan:
Start in Europe, go down to South Africa, ship / fly the motorcycle to South America and then go all the way north again. And maybe finde some work in between or even get stuck somewhere nice along the way

Anyway, this would leave me with only one way down in Africa so I have to decide east vs west. I would probably stay a bit longer in SA so I'm able to cover all neighbouring countries anyway.

So, the question is: What would you recommend? Go down the east- or westcoast?

I'm currently no further then "Egypt has the pyramids, Morocco has the Atlas-Mountains".
What I'm usually looking for on trips;
- "Fun" motorcycle roads (usually tarmac with lots and lots of twist and turns)
- Special landscapes to drive in
- Places with camping-spots
- Rather on the cheaper side

Both ways have countries which are not recommended to visit by my governent (Sudan or DRC), West seems to be the way most travelers go but also has more borders, which I assume means more $ for visas and the occaional fee to cross borders.

Which way would you go? And why?

[markharf]

East is easier and faster, with more tourist infrastructure; west is harder and slower. East has more animal-viewing options; west more semi-intact culture. West requires more alertness in planning around rainy seasons and civil unrest (c.f., Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon, etc.).

When you say "very early stages," it sounds like you mean it. Since you haven't been specific about your interests, experience, timeline, or budget, it'll be hard to give specific suggestions. Any ideas about: animals, urban culture, music, indigenous culture, historical sites, colonial relics, snorkeling or diving, beaches.....?

Personally, I'd go the eastern route if what I was really after was fast, twisty tarmac--not that you'll be doing a lot of canyon carving, but that might save you some dirt, gravel and mud. Either way, you'll see a lot of thousands of miles of flat, straight, mind-numbing roads.

I assume you know what you're talking about when it comes to working along the way....?

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[simon dippenhall]

For what it is worth, I rode down the west coast route arriving S Africa in March and loved it. About to start the trip north on East route and hoping it is as interesting!

[anydavenow]

I did the West around the same time as Simon (we met up!) and if you have the appetite for that sort of travel it's fantastic. There are some sections where the riding is a little bit challenging but in my case I went looking for it. If you allow for weather it's all doable for your average rider and there are always people around to help give you a push!

[baluchiman]

Originally Posted by simon dippenhall

For what it is worth, I rode down the west coast route arriving S Africa in March and loved it. About to start the trip north on East route and hoping it is as interesting!

Hi Simon

Did you cross the DRC? If so, what month did you cross it? What was you riding? Am planning the same trip but am worried about my lack of off road riding skills.

[CREER]

Originally Posted by simon dippenhall

For what it is worth, I rode down the west coast route arriving S Africa in March and loved it. About to start the trip north on East route and hoping it is as interesting!

West is Best but gutted I didn't meet Simon!

[simon dippenhall]

Thanks Baluchiman - and Chloe/Creer, sorry we didn't meet, too!

And apologies to OP for my thread hijack, hope you are getting the vibe that the West route whilst challenging is hugely rewarding. And very few travellers (at least, that I met) as many out off by the much (over?) publicised risks

[ALoneRider]

Thanks for the inputs. I'm tending now more towards the west as well and will start looking more into that road.

East for me somehow made the impression of the more unknown/adventures road, but if it's really consisting of "thousands of miles of flat, straight, mind-numbing roads". I know those types I think, probably similar to northern Kazakhstan? This was one of the more boring countries. So, if possible, I will definitively try to avoid thousands of miles of that

The only issue with west-side is probably the mentioned DRC, but will have to look into the visa-regulations anyway, so I will cross that bridge when I'm there

And PS: No, I have no idea about working abroad, but will look into it. But usually this part is well documented I think..

[simon dippenhall]

DRC very challenging especially with a heavy bike (Dave knows!)
So I Skipped DRC by putting GS on a pirogue in Cabinda (Angola) across the River Congo whilst I took a 15 minutes $40 plane hop over to Soyo, Angola.

More here
https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...g-in-the-Congo


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[baluchiman]

Thanks for replying Simon. Not purchased a bike for the trip yet. Was thinking of a 800GS. I know that common sense should tell me that a 250 or 400 would be more suitable for the trip, but common sense is something that I have always lacked!! Cheers anyway.

[baluchiman]

Wow Simon. On page 3 of your ride report on UKGSER. Fantastic so far. I appreciate your good humour.

[simon dippenhall]

Just remember you don't need to enter DRC if you do as I did. Good luck!


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[7800]

I heard that the main route through the DRC was now paved. I cant remember where from so could be wrong.

Why would you have a problem with visas for the DRC?

What are you riding?

[simon dippenhall]

Originally Posted by 7800

I heard that the main route through the DRC was now paved. I cant remember where from so could be wrong.



Why would you have a problem with visas for the DRC?



What are you riding?

It wasn't, earlier this year!


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[7800]

Originally Posted by simon dippenhall

It wasn't, earlier this year!


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I'm hoping not Simon, I'm going that way next year It was a comment on a thread I read somewhere, like I said I could be wrong