Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Practicable overland routes in DRC Practicable overland routes in DRC
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!



Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree13Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Dec 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 108
I just bumped into a guy who did it two years ago in a 4x4.


He said the Lumbashi to Kinshasa run is totally doable in a 4x4. Seriously nasty mud and sand, and expect vehicle damage, etc. etc. but actually doable.
The last 600 or 800 kms coming into Kinshasa are paved highway.


He said the bit from Goma down to Lumbashi was seriously, seriously, seriously F***ed. They had water up to the bottom of the steering wheel multiple times, got held up at gunpoint on day 1, etc. etc. They were stuck in the mud for days, absolutely impossible to get through on their own steam - they had to wait for massive trucks to come and pull them out. Said it was wild.


They bought a Defender 110 for 4000 euros before the DRC, and when it got to Namibia nobody would give them a cent for it. The route totally destroyed it.



I also know a guy that just rode a motorbike Nigeria->CAR>DRC->Goma.


His photos and stories made it extremely clear any vehicle with 4 or more wheels would not get through. Trucks blocking the roads that have been there for years, monster trees blocking the way, etc. etc. He was *just* able to squeeze by on his africa twin.


All in all, sounds like a riot, and a lot more fun than my crossing from Congo to Angola through Dolice, Londela Kays, Lwozi


-Dan
__________________
Around Africa: The Road Chose Me
WikiOverland.org - Travel Overland across a country, continent or the world.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Dec 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 76
And then there is this truly remarkable read...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...kinshasa-53285
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Dec 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 985
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grecy View Post
I just bumped into a guy who did it two years ago in a 4x4.


He said the Lumbashi to Kinshasa run is totally doable in a 4x4. Seriously nasty mud and sand, and expect vehicle damage, etc. etc. but actually doable.
The last 600 or 800 kms coming into Kinshasa are paved highway.


He said the bit from Goma down to Lumbashi was seriously, seriously, seriously F***ed. They had water up to the bottom of the steering wheel multiple times, got held up at gunpoint on day 1, etc. etc. They were stuck in the mud for days, absolutely impossible to get through on their own steam - they had to wait for massive trucks to come and pull them out. Said it was wild.


They bought a Defender 110 for 4000 euros before the DRC, and when it got to Namibia nobody would give them a cent for it. The route totally destroyed it.



I also know a guy that just rode a motorbike Nigeria->CAR>DRC->Goma.


His photos and stories made it extremely clear any vehicle with 4 or more wheels would not get through. Trucks blocking the roads that have been there for years, monster trees blocking the way, etc. etc. He was *just* able to squeeze by on his africa twin.


All in all, sounds like a riot, and a lot more fun than my crossing from Congo to Angola through Dolice, Londela Kays, Lwozi


-Dan
Great information, thanks (does this guy have a website?). Sounds like some adventure, though I'm not sure I want to damage my beloved Hilux...

I think I know the guy you mention who did the Zongo - Bukavu route on a motorcycle last year, awesome, inspirational trip.

However, I'm going off the idea of trying to cross the country on four wheels... I'm thinking cycling might be a better idea. From research most of the country's infrastructure has deteriorated to bike / footpaths. Also, from reading a few accounts I can see that the reception people get on a bicycle is quite different (much friendlier) than in a car. Ultimately, I want to go to experience the country and meet the people, so everything is pointing to doing it on a bike. It's probably not much slower either, given the terrain. It has also been a bucket-list dream of mine to take a ferry / barge up the Congo River from Kinshasa to Kisangani, a la Heart of Darkness.

So, probably makes sense to leave the truck in a neighbouring country and spend a few months exploring DRC on the rivers and by bike; as the locals do when they travel.

Here are a couple of decent cycle blogs on DRC:

https://petergostelow.com/thebigafri...ournal-part-1/

Guide to travelling through the Congo – The first 500km

Cheers

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Dec 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 76
Peter Gostelow’s account - which I read a few years ago - is truly awe-inspiring. I am not so sure that his account of the weeks he spent on Congo river barges (with raging diarrhoea) isn’t enough to make most westerners realise that the DRC is really, still, the “Heart of Darkness” and such a trip requires more than just physical robustness.

Hats off to Peter Gostelow, Radio Baobab, and the intrepid Martin/Baker/Hatch-Barnwell trio. All, of course, on slightly different routes through the DRC, but all incredibly tough.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jan 2019
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
I bumped into a woman in Zambia who had just cycled across the DRC from Kinshasa back in 2010. She didn't seem to have any major problems, I was quite surprised how it all seemed easy and unremarkable according to her descriptions.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Jan 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 985
Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingyak View Post
I bumped into a woman in Zambia who had just cycled across the DRC from Kinshasa back in 2010. She didn't seem to have any major problems, I was quite surprised how it all seemed easy and unremarkable according to her descriptions.
Perhaps it was Helen, whose blog I linked above?: Guide to travelling through the Congo – The first 500km
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jan 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Montreal
Posts: 245
Things were different in 2010. The Kasai region was peaceful. The crossing from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi was safe. It is not the case now.

Patrick
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Jan 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 76
I have just come upon this excellent blog of a motorbike crossing from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa in 2015. As said above, they went through Kasai province which is not now safe.

DRC: The Route | Earths-Ends
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
Route across DRC in the rainy season mrg2k8 sub-Saharan Africa 6 8 Mar 2018 00:09
DRC Goma border tips for 4wd Vehicle volcano sub-Saharan Africa 0 25 Mar 2015 15:17
Into the World - 2Up Romanian adventure through Africa and beyond mrwhite Ride Tales 112 27 Feb 2013 10:41
DRC - invitation letter Anacondor sub-Saharan Africa 8 23 Nov 2012 07:03
Need info about DRC TurAfrika Route Planning 2 10 Dec 2011 13:49

 
 

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
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 22:13.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top