Eastern Africa Trip Advice Needed :)
 

Hi All,

I'm wrapping up things in Asia and looking to make the hop over to Africa to do much of the east coast for my Dice Travels project (dicetravels)

Current plan involves: Tanzania (shipping bike in), Congo (possibly), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola (possibly) and South Africa.

I've heard that it's possible to get into Kenya without a Carnet, just by paying for a TIP, so that's also a possibility, as Ethiopia would be wonderful.

This is my first big solo trip and first time in this part of Africa.

All advice is helpful. However, looking for details about spare parts, mechanical issues I should worry about and logistics to make sure I don't arrive in Tanzania and get bounced and/or unable to keep moving.

Riding a Thai-registered Honda CB500X, so not sure what it's going to look like for spare parts. At the moment just have cabales, spark plugs and filter.

Thanks for all the :helpsmilie:

Kenya and Ethiopia insist on a Carnet de Passage. And I have heard Tanzania too. Whatever, it will make border crossings so much easier. We travelled throughout north, east and southern Africa with a CDP.

Congo? Are you serious?...

Not super serious about Congo. Was going to feel that out once I landed. I'm running into an issue with finances, so not able to secure a CDP, which is why I'm looking to skip Kenya and Ethiopia.

I've heard there is no need for the CDP for Tanzania, but I'll look into it more.

Any major issues with tracking down welders/mechanics and spare parts during your trip in the east and south? Thanks :)

Congo is no problem. I loved it but to get the Visa for Angola was a 3 months fight: http://afrikamotorrad.eu/?report=en_westkueste

Every little village has a "fundi". Africans are amazingly resourceful. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia - and even to a certain extent Mozambique - are not the "Heart of Darkness". That is the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

I don't know about spare parts for a motorbike, but we carried our own spares for our Land Rover Defender, but didn't really have to use them. - and we went on the roads very much less travelled. But we serviced it and had some minor repairs done. Also, technically speaking, you can drive from the Cape to Cairo on Tarmac roads (of varying quality of course).
Chinese motorbikes are all over Africa.

Riding buddy entered Kenya from Uganda without a carnet January 2016, via the excellent Mount Elgon route.

It took custom officials at the border a while to figure it out; meanwhile they served us tea. Some sort of paperwork was prepared and he was in (and out more than a month later) with no problem.

From Kenya he entered Ethiopia also without a carnet, but I wasn't with him for that crossing. I had a carnet myself...

As for parts for a CB500X, I would bring the likely suspects or source them in South Africa. Outside of South Africa and Namibia (Windhoek), parts for Honda, Suzuki etc. can be very hard to find. DHL shipping from South Africa or elsewhere is always an option, though expensive.

Hi,

I've currently entered 28 African countries without a carnet. Arranging a TIP at the borders is not a problem (with one exception, Ghana, but it is not on your route). Most of the time you pay a small sum for it. I'm heading for Kenya and Ethiopia soon and expect no trouble there either.

I've collected my travel information including the TIP's on this web page:

Beyond Borders

Regarding spare parts I agree with the above. Only expect to find parts in South Africa or possibly Namibia.

www.voodoochile.se/
 

@Anders
Thanks for sharing your website!
I am planning a road trip as of February next year from Tanzania to SA and back.
Great information, especially on documents required at border crossings! Very sorry that I did not run in to you in Mwanza.
Just to be sure, you mention that a visa can be obtained from Mozambique border as well, that for sure?

Yes, Mozambique visas are issued at the border, at least coming from South Africa and Swaziland but I would guess that they have the same rules at all borders. I talked to several South Africans (and other foreigners) that frequently travelled to Moz and got their visas at the border.

Beware though about road security in Mozambique north of Vilanculos. See this post:

Untitled Document

Huge mistake to leave out Uganda, especially if you need to appease your animal activist friends after your ostrich riding. ;-) You can ride IN the game parks in Uganda...