Cost & Time UK/Trans Africa
 

I'm planning a trans-Africa rid (north/south) from the UK next year, possibly on an Africa Twin or Yam XT.
My head tells me the Yam - my heart the XRV750, but that's another story. The bike has been budgeted for, but what would be useful is if someone could give me a (very rough) idea of cost for the trip (budget is tight)and the time I would need to allow to complete it.

Arold has written a short list of his expenses for a 15month trans african. It might give you a rough idea. http://www.euronet.nl/users/arold/index.html

I travelled from Mombasa to Cape Town two up on an NTV650 between the begining of July and end of September 2000. This cost roughly US$2000 from Kenya to Botswana via Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This excludes paying a shipping agent in Mombasa and going on Safari in Tanzania. It cost about the same through Botswana and South Africa although Botswana was just a detour to overcome fuel shortages in Zim and we did spend 10 days with family in South Africa. Botswana is seriously expensive, petrol in Zambia costs more or less the same as in the UK but was cheaper elsewhere.

IMHO I would say then double the guy aboves figure - ie $4000 min and AT LEAST 3 months to have a good look around.
Africa may be seen as a poor continent but it aint cheap like Asia.
Go Alg to Niger too - 10 times better than the Atlantic route (see the Sahara book + there will be an up-to-date route description on my Sahara site by Xmas). Make the most north of the equator - for many it is the best (but also most demanding...) bit. In this part of the world you will be happy you rode a light and economical XT...

Chris S

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Author of the Adventure
Motorcycling Handbook. New edition November 2000 ($19.95/GBP12.99)
http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

I'm tentatively, thinking about the same sort of trip ( I've got a Transalp) and was thinking about 3/4 months and about £4000

Yep, I'm looking at about 3 months and around £5000. Having said that I've just read Dean Hussain's Sahara nightmare - so I might go to Skegness instead!

Only joking http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tony K