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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Feb 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Is going From Ethiopia/Sudan to Morocco possible??

Hey everyone,

I should be getting into South Africa late 2018/early 2019 and plan on riding up the eastern coast of Africa to Ethiopia. What I would like to do, but am unsure if it’s possible, is to get to Morocco so I can then make the hop into Spain. This idea is proving to be particularly complicated.

Is there any route that has been traveled by travelers in recent years east to west(or vice versa) across Northern Africa? Seems as though if I go up into Egypt there’s no foreigners allowed into Libya/Algeria. From what I read no foreigners have been allowed to travel across Chad/Niger? What about heading through Sudan to Central African Republic to Cameroon? Or do I need to go even further south through Uganda and the DRC?

Would it be possible to freight my bike on a truck through any of the northern countries(Libya, Chad, Niger, etc) and travel independently? I don’t like that idea but am trying to weigh my options. Would it be possible to fly my bike and myself over to west Africa?

Or have I already answered my own question and should plan on heading north through Egypt to the Mediterranean/Europe?

Hoping this is possible but not surprised if it isn’t.

Thanks,

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Feb 2018
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Geneva
Posts: 198
No. Do you actually have an idea of the size of the African continent? Do yourself a favour, spend time in Southern Africa, explore SA, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and, time allowing, the natural beauties of Mozambique... as much as you can, and then when you’ll feel you’ll have seen it all, just head North-East through Zambia into Tanzania and Kenya, and if you still have guts and money, venture into Ethiopia or Uganda. Enjoy a Tusker and live the moment. Save yourself headaches and unnecessary complications otherwise. Good luck with your planning.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23 Feb 2018
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Montreal
Posts: 251
You may want to contact Jacopo_92.

He was in the Central African Republic last october. We have not heard from him since that time. Did he go to South Sudan or DRC? Or is he still there?

Assess your own risk no matter the others feedbacks,
Patrick
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Feb 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Squire View Post
No. Do you actually have an idea of the size of the African continent? Do yourself a favour, spend time in Southern Africa, explore SA, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi and, time allowing, the natural beauties of Mozambique... as much as you can, and then when you’ll feel you’ll have seen it all, just head North-East through Zambia into Tanzania and Kenya, and if you still have guts and money, venture into Ethiopia or Uganda. Enjoy a Tusker and live the moment. Save yourself headaches and unnecessary complications otherwise. Good luck with your planning.
Thank you for your semi-condescending advice. Hahahaha. Duly noted!

But honestly I do appreciate your feedback. Thanks for taking the time to give me your advice.

Chris

Last edited by Wanderlost Moto; 23 Feb 2018 at 21:28. Reason: Clarification
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Feb 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by PatOnTrip View Post
You may want to contact Jacopo_92.

He was in the Central African Republic last october. We have not heard from him since that time. Did he go to South Sudan or DRC? Or is he still there?

Assess your own risk no matter the others feedbacks,
Patrick
Thanks Pat! I’ll send him a message and see if he has any tips.

Appreciate the feedback!

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Feb 2018
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,814
One way is getting to Khartoum, then flying bike to Al Junaynah on the other side of Darfur (or of course anywhere in West Af). From there cross Chad and, to avoid what's left of Boko territory, you might want to go via Cameroon for Nigeria then Benin > Burkina > Mali and so on.

Last I heard CAR was well worth avoiding.

Or do as most do: fly it out of Egypt or ferry out of Tel Aviv.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Feb 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2
I crossed eastern CAR last year - it is well worth avoiding from a security perspective, at least with your own bike. A few places along the route had to be avoided last minute because we were notified that rebels had advanced into XYZ village/town and had burned it all down. Probably easier to fly over Darfur then Chad/Cameroon etc. Easier still, doing it as far south as Zambia.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Feb 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Alternatively you could do a circular tour of Southern Africa then head up the west route which I believe is still possible and you will end up in Morocco, if you have the time and money perhaps travel some way up the east then double back first.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Feb 2018
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Tallinn
Posts: 403
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
One way is getting to Khartoum, then flying bike to Al Junaynah
I would not rely on this option, it is rather a hit or miss. The flights are irregular, and the process of getting the permission to take it (not to mention taking the bike with you) is not for the faint hearted. The bigger problem is that once in Chad, you do not really have anywhere to go but down to the coast in Cameroon, to follow the Western route up along the coast (Chad-Niger border is a no go, and Northern Burkina/Mali also best left avoided). With CAR a full mess and the Eastern parts of Congo also rather dodgy, the last reasonably safe and straight-forward E-W crossing of the continent Northbound is from Zambia to Angola.
__________________
Happy Travels, András
http://www.fjexpeditions.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 24 Feb 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrasz View Post
The bigger problem is that once in Chad, you do not really have anywhere to go but down to the coast in Cameroon, to follow the Western route up along the coast (Chad-Niger border is a no go, and Northern Burkina/Mali also best left avoided). With CAR a full mess and the Eastern parts of Congo also rather dodgy, the last reasonably safe and straight-forward E-W crossing of the continent Northbound is from Zambia to Angola.
This seems to me to be a reality check on developments within Africa.

The EU is about to bring their own increased efforts to this party which can only stir the pot to achieve an increase in the geopolitical temperature.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...-idUSKCN1G70J7
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 1 Mar 2018
schenkel's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
Posts: 161
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanderlost Moto View Post
Hey everyone,

I should be getting into South Africa late 2018/early 2019 and plan on riding up the eastern coast of Africa to Ethiopia. What I would like to do, but am unsure if it’s possible, is to get to Morocco so I can then make the hop into Spain. This idea is proving to be particularly complicated.

Is there any route that has been traveled by travelers in recent years east to west(or vice versa) across Northern Africa? Seems as though if I go up into Egypt there’s no foreigners allowed into Libya/Algeria. From what I read no foreigners have been allowed to travel across Chad/Niger? What about heading through Sudan to Central African Republic to Cameroon? Or do I need to go even further south through Uganda and the DRC?

Would it be possible to freight my bike on a truck through any of the northern countries(Libya, Chad, Niger, etc) and travel independently? I don’t like that idea but am trying to weigh my options. Would it be possible to fly my bike and myself over to west Africa?

Or have I already answered my own question and should plan on heading north through Egypt to the Mediterranean/Europe?

Hoping this is possible but not surprised if it isn’t.

Thanks,

Chris
I travelled this route back in 2013/14 but the opposite direction.
I think you can still fly your bike from Khartoum to Aljunaynah. Ride from there to adre, Abeche and all the way to Ndjamena. Head south to Mondou and cross the border to Cameroon. Ride all the way to Mamfe and cross the border to Nigeria. Ride through Nigeria and into Benin and enter Togo. head up north in Togo to Dapaong and enter Burkina. Find your way through Burkina and enter Mali through Koro and through Bankas to Mopti. Now you are in the Dogon Land (Nice to spend time there walking through the mountains). Ride from there to Bamako. go up north and enter Mauri and head west all the way to Nouakchott and the rest is easy all the way up to Morocco. this route was very safe back then and I don't know how it is like now (If you go it please, please update!). Hope you have a safe and wonderful ride.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 1 Mar 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
One way is getting to Khartoum, then flying bike to Al Junaynah on the other side of Darfur (or of course anywhere in West Af). From there cross Chad and, to avoid what's left of Boko territory, you might want to go via Cameroon for Nigeria then Benin > Burkina > Mali and so on.

Last I heard CAR was well worth avoiding.

Or do as most do: fly it out of Egypt or ferry out of Tel Aviv.
Chris,

Thanks you! I really appreciate your advice and expertise. This is sounding like a great option. Obviously this is a ways away so things/plans can change but this is really helpful for wrapping my head around what options I have.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 1 Mar 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by topossa34 View Post
I crossed eastern CAR last year - it is well worth avoiding from a security perspective, at least with your own bike. A few places along the route had to be avoided last minute because we were notified that rebels had advanced into XYZ village/town and had burned it all down. Probably easier to fly over Darfur then Chad/Cameroon etc. Easier still, doing it as far south as Zambia.
Yeah, I think I'll most likely avoid CAR. Might be a bit too adventurous for me. When planning a rough route though this area it's important for to remember that I'm not Indiana Jones. Haha.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 1 Mar 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
Alternatively you could do a circular tour of Southern Africa then head up the west route which I believe is still possible and you will end up in Morocco, if you have the time and money perhaps travel some way up the east then double back first.
This is definitely a possibility. I'm really just trying to figure out my options right now and whats possible. I'll have to feel things out as I'm get closer.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 1 Mar 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Richmond, CA
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrasz View Post
I would not rely on this option, it is rather a hit or miss. The flights are irregular, and the process of getting the permission to take it (not to mention taking the bike with you) is not for the faint hearted. The bigger problem is that once in Chad, you do not really have anywhere to go but down to the coast in Cameroon, to follow the Western route up along the coast (Chad-Niger border is a no go, and Northern Burkina/Mali also best left avoided). With CAR a full mess and the Eastern parts of Congo also rather dodgy, the last reasonably safe and straight-forward E-W crossing of the continent Northbound is from Zambia to Angola.
Ahhhh good to note. Thank you for the heads up Andrasz. I figure if I end up going the eastern route up Africa and things get too complicated trying to head west in Sudan I can always continue north to Egypt or if time/budget permit I can make my way back down south.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
chad, desert, niger, north africa, sahara


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

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
Suggestions please for a week in Morocco... MarchHare Morocco 13 13 Aug 2017 20:43
Morocco Via Ferry to Tangier Med schmidtle Morocco 3 19 Apr 2016 19:16
Morocco: slave labour camps, fossils and wild desert flowers Tim Cullis Morocco 28 22 Apr 2015 11:44
Which bike to bring to Morocco 3-4K budget Thomas Kissane Which Bike? 11 7 Feb 2014 16:48
morocco, morocco, morocco !! freddy Morocco 0 22 Feb 2012 19:32

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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 21:33.