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17 Sep 2016
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 894
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Africa
Hi Bikergirl,
you got good information here to your question. Tembos advise is very good. I am sure I would do some of the areas he lists, but I would take extra care. We (my ex-girlfriend and I) did Burundi in 2004 and it was not safe, but doable.
Be aware that the situation can change in any African country very quickly. We were stuck in a civil war in Togo for five day in 2005, because we ignored the warnings of upcoming elections. Make sure you carry a small world receiver radio, because in 2005 this was for us the only way to get outside information in Togo. Internet, cellphone networks, local radio and tv stations did not work and the borders were closed. Try always to be up to date about the news coming out of the place you are in or you are going to. And as Tembo said, dont underestimate elections like I did.
As somebody said, Africa overland is never easy, but it rewards you with a lot of nice people and you learn a lot.
Enjoy your journey
mika
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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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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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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...
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