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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

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



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  #1  
Old 10 Jun 2016
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Hello Bikergirl,

I am a security advisor to humanitarian NGO's that work all over Africa, so would like to think I have a decent handle on what is safe and doable and where to avoid. I will actually be giving a talk on security planning for overlanders at HUBB UK next week. As Mark says, it depends where you want to go. The countries/areas to avoid at the moment are Libya, southern and eastern Algeria, eastern Mauritania, northern Mali, eastern or southern Chad, Western Sudan, all of South Sudan, Ethiopia near the Somalia border, the same with Kenya (Somalia border), Central African Republic, north-east Nigeria, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (the Kivu areas) and Burundi. So, despite a log and rather sad list, there are still massive areas to travel through...and some of the best really.
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Old 10 Jun 2016
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Originally Posted by Tembo View Post
Hello Bikergirl,



I am a security advisor to humanitarian NGO's that work all over Africa, so would like to think I have a decent handle on what is safe and doable and where to avoid. I will actually be giving a talk on security planning for overlanders at HUBB UK next week. As Mark says, it depends where you want to go. The countries/areas to avoid at the moment are Libya, southern and eastern Algeria, eastern Mauritania, northern Mali, eastern or southern Chad, Western Sudan, all of South Sudan, Ethiopia near the Somalia border, the same with Kenya (Somalia border), Central African Republic, north-east Nigeria, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (the Kivu areas) and Burundi. So, despite a log and rather sad list, there are still massive areas to travel through...and some of the best really.


Ok great so this is the kind of advice I've been looking for!

Well we were thinking about riding down the west coast and back up the east. So I guess if we sort of stay around the coast without venturing too far inland then we should be ok?

Damn! Can you record your talk for the rest of us to listen to? It sounds really interesting.
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  #3  
Old 10 Jun 2016
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Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
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I wander around West Africa as a sole female several times a year, with & without transport ... have absolutely no problem. I find I'm treated with a lot of respect on the whole & never had anything to worry about apart from mad drivers!
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  #4  
Old 10 Jun 2016
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I am not sure if anything gets recorded but I can certainly send you my presentation.

As for the coastal route, yes, it is doable. Lots of little borders to cross in West Africa. Your biggest challenge will be weather. You want to avoid the rainy season in west and central Africa as the mud can get pretty bad if you end up off the tar in any sections.

On the east side you will have to work out a ferry across the Med because you can no longer do the land route back through Jordan/Lebanon/Syria into Turkey and onwards to Europe.

Keep an eye on DR Congo as well. Quite safe in coastal areas but they have a possible election coming up at the end of the year that may be controversial.
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  #5  
Old 17 Sep 2016
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Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tembo View Post
Hello Bikergirl,

I am a security advisor to humanitarian NGO's that work all over Africa, so would like to think I have a decent handle on what is safe and doable and where to avoid. I will actually be giving a talk on security planning for overlanders at HUBB UK next week. As Mark says, it depends where you want to go. The countries/areas to avoid at the moment are Libya, southern and eastern Algeria, eastern Mauritania, northern Mali, eastern or southern Chad, Western Sudan, all of South Sudan, Ethiopia near the Somalia border, the same with Kenya (Somalia border), Central African Republic, north-east Nigeria, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (the Kivu areas) and Burundi. So, despite a log and rather sad list, there are still massive areas to travel through...and some of the best really.
Is the security problem in eastern Chad new?
Back in January 2014 I traveled from Ndjamena to Adre right at the border with western Sudan and the whole route was safe and secure. People were super nice and helpful as well as the army. The route is actually safe all the way to AlJunaynah in western Sudan and there is a joint force between the Sudanese and the Chadians to secure those parts.
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