Africa fall 2008: Morocco to Cape Town & beyond
 

Any adventure riders up for Africa in fall 2008 into winter 2009?

We’re two guys heading into Morocco in about mid-October 2008. From there it’s south via westerly route to Cape Town and from there points to be determined. Option A is shipping from South Africa to India and riding north into the Himalayas and Nepal -- the Timbuktu to Kathmandu option :) ... then around the 'Stans and into Mongolia. Option B is to ride north via Africa’s east side up to Egypt.

We’re experienced mid-40s riders based in San Francisco on DR 650s. Thinking a smallish team of three or four or five riders would be ideal. If you’re interested, or planning a similar Africa ride, let’s talk.

Hi will be in Morocco after 2nd october heading south. Meet up for a couple of beers on the road or share a few days riding together.

Just sent you an e-mail with some details of my route if it coincides be glad to have a natter.

Cheers. Darren

Morroco in October 2008
 

Hi Darren
Myself & my brother in law are planning to be in Morroco in early October for a couple of weeks to celebrate our 50th birthdays!. Plan is to get the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao & then travel down thro' Spaint to Tangiers & go to Marrakech, Fez & the mountains, hopefully we might see you on the road for a beer & a natter. I believe Ramadan doesn't finish until the 8th October, I don't know if that makes much difference to travelling?

Hi Speedmaster.

Yup sounds good mate,how long you planning on staying in moroc for? I'll be riding down to Algeciras ( stopping in portugal for a bit visiting a mate) then over to ceuta im leaving scotland around the 18th september so if your in spain round about that time and fancy a few days in portugal sampling the local vino i'll ask my friend if it's ok for a couple of other sleeping bags to be flung on his floor.

Ive done a quick search RE: ramadan 2008. When is Ramadan in 2008? - When-Is.com

Cheers. Darren

Plan to be in Morroco for a least 2 weeks, thanks for the info on Ramadan & the offer. Are you riding down thro' France via the tunnell or getting ferry to Spain? If you are going via Folkstone or Dover you are welcome to crash at our house as we are only 30 mins away from tunnell, an hour from Dover. I will let you know the exact dates we are leaving as we still need to book the ferry & my brother in law needs to buy a bike!!!!

Cheers Martyn

Africa Fall 2008
 

Ride Far, I dropped you an e mail, let me know if you did not get it.

Patrick

Let's join up for the trip down!
 

Ride Far...

We're doing a very similar trip, and are looking for travel buddies too! Our proposed route sounds exactly the same as yours (at least from Morocco down the west coast of Africa to South Africa), after this we're looking to return back up the Great Rift Valley through Eastern and Central Africa, and finally on to Egypt.

Our departure date is the same too - we're aiming to leave London around October 2008. Time-wise we're looking at roughly 12 months, although many people have said this is too short. I'm sure it'll take as long as it needs to take - we're definitely not keen to rush anything, and I'm sure the pace will set itself.

So far there are 4 of us - 2 on motorbike and 2 in a 4x4 overland campervan truck. 3 of us in our early 30's, and 1 in his 40's.

Ostensibly this trip is about having fun, exploring off the beaten track and experiencing the culture and beauty of Africa. However, we are also hoping that at the same time we can raise more awareness around the AIDS pandemic that is systematically destroying the African way of life. To this end we have teamed up with two charities, HOPEHIV and HandzUp. During our expedition we hope to visit some of the projects these charities run in Africa to see the great work they are doing.

Have a look at our website - www.overafrica.org - and get in touch!

Excellent! Thanks to all for all the replies. This is shaping up like a real expedition. If my math is correct (ahem, I was an English major) that makes eight adventurers so far with interest expressed.

kakpraat, good stuff with the AIDS charity work. As we're in no particular hurry I hope to be able to support your effort as well. Especially if you'll carry our gear in your 4x4! :)

All kidding aside, let's keep posting as plans mature. One of my next steps is to figure out bike shipping from the eastern U.S. or perhaps Toronto to whichever European city is least expensive (give or take) -- Paris, Madrid -- and within striking distance of Morocco. I'll be rooting thru the "Shipping the bike" section in the HUBB left column but if anyone has good info please drop a note. Til later ~~

Mark

Hi Mark,

looks like we will be on the same road in the same direction, leaving South Africa in a month's time! :clap:

Jean, I checked your Web site ... good looking route! Best of luck en route from South Africa to Egypt / Tunisia and hope to see you in Morocco in October ...

via Algeria
 

Maybe anyone here think about start the trip from (via) Algeria? I am alone with my Africa Twin and an Algerian guide is too expensive for me. If we could go together...
I plan to start my trip in the end of October `08.

Alex

s'gonna be busy..!
 

Hey guys,
Bloody hell, it's gonna be busy in October. 'Dave L' and I will be setting off in October to the Cape from Londinium then RTW on a couple of XT600's (no rush). I was getting a touch worried that there'd be no-one else to bump into. Obviously wrong there then!
Anyone fancy making it a bigger grouping for the african part or beyond?

Hey guys. I’m planning to fly into Lisbon on September 28 and meet up there with Darren (posted on this thread).

From there it should be into Morocco in early October. Some Morocco exploring, then down to Mauritania and east to Timbuktu … then south towards Cape Town.

Geoffshing, when do you guys plan to enter Morocco?

Alex, if you enter Africa in late October -- ride fast & catch up! :)

Mark

Mid Oct
 

Ridefar,
Hey mate, we plan for mid (ish) October and are wanting to go to Timbuktu etc but the earlier the better.

The day of my entering Africa is not fixed. It depends on weather in Russia in october. Maybe I will ride out sooner.

P.S.
The Algerian question is still open for me. I want to find someone here who join me for riding via Algeria.

Alex

mee too
 

Hallo everyone,

I am planning a similar journey in roughly the same time and am currently looking for travel companions.
Following this thread, this seems to be a good place to find someone.
I am 32, living in Berlin, being german, riding a 950 adventure, planing to leave within Oktober this year for cape town.
In contrary to most of the posts I want to take the eastern route down. Why? Much less countries means less stress at borders and during preperation. The security announcements of the german foreign ministry suggest not to enter countries like mauretania or nigeria, so eastern route seems safer. And I dont speak french. This is not a major problem, but eases things a bit. Experinecewise both routes will be great I suppose.
But I still can be convinced change to my mind and frankly I belive traveling in a group the western way might be better than alone the eastern way.

Anyway if any of you is interested in sharing this experience, my ear is wide open for anyone.

have a nice day,
migo

email written
 

@ride far:
wrote you an email, please drop me line in case you didnt receive it.

Most countries officialdom err on the side of caution, the British FCO like many others DOES NOT recommend half of Africa, but hey, as long as you go there with you eyes open, stay out of the dodgy areas and don't piss people off then why not?
As for the French......... "ou est le petrol station/pub/toilet, pal?" and louder!! Only joking! A few phrases will help you out, the willingness to learn and a little phrasebook helps enormously. I'm worried about the Portugese in Angola, now that should be tricky. but fun to learn nontheless

Ride far I've Pm'd you buddy, look forward to hearing from you.

security
 

I suppose you are right about the official security announcements. But when as roughly deciding about the route as in terms of east or west and considering that both routes are an equally great experience, why not take these information into account?
Anyhow, I already got in contact with ride far and have expressed my wish to join in. As I here from him you are as well considering to do so. So maybe we will meet each other in october too.

Meeting in Africa
 

Hey guys. I gave up an idea to ride via Algeria. Noone want to join me. I plan to be in Morocco at the end of October. If the everything will be alright I will obtain a EU visa from Oct, 15 till Nov, 15. What do you think, how many weeks will it take you to reach SA?
I need in SAR visa. I want to obtain it in Moscow. But I don`t know how long I will be riding...?
Hope to meet you somewhere in Gabon or Congo.

Alex

We leave UK 7th October
 

Hi all

My girlfriend and I leave the UK on the 7th of October. We will be in Morocco around mid-October, spending a couple of weeks there and then heading down into Mauri and beyond.

Look out for our massive blue truck called Songololo! It's got a bunch of African flags around the top and Songololo over the top of the windscreen. Come say hi and let's have a beer! The beauty of driving a truck is the availability of cold beers! :thumbup1:

Our route is here (subject to change at the slightest whim, naturally!) We are seriously considering going south from Senegal through Guinea into Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast. I've heard it's safe to do so, and the beauty of the countries is unsurpassed. What actually happens remains to be seen.

We anticipate getting to South Africa some time around mid April 2009.

Hope to see you en-route.

Cheers
Steve
www.overafrica.org

caravan
 

It looks like we will be traveling in a caravan if we continue to gather more travellers starting to cross africa in october.
Cold beer and a truck sounds very good as well. Hope to see you on the road Steve.
Have a good journey til then..

migo

It looks like there will be a real danger of a pile-up. :oops2:

My own plans now seem to be developing along the lines of a late September departure on the ferry from UK to Spain and then across to Spain to Algeciras and ferry to Ceuta or Tangier. Gentle bimble through Morocco picking up a Mauritanian visa in Rabat (Thanks Bart). On to Mauritania (hope it's safe after coup!) and Nouakchott (pick up visa for Mali).

Probably back up to Atar (though might do this on the way back) and then back to Nouakchott and Djema crossing to Senegal and St. Louis. Hopefully Dakar to Bamako and Mopti (anybody know what the road is like?) and then back west to Guinea (hope it's safe by then) to explore (any knowledge on roads there?). After that I head back north through Senegal and the Gambia and home.

Will keep in touch through this thread. It'd be good to meet up and/or have company.

Enjoy yourselves:thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Some of the things to look forward to:clap:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451...7600750420190/

Algeria in october
 

:thumbdown:Might be a little late by i just came across this thread today.

We are 2 danish guys on xt660z's leaving from Copenhagen to Spain and then Algeria Niger Nigeria.....

We plan to arrive in Algeria around the 14th of October and then croos it to Niger as fast as possible as the mandatory guide is 150 euros a day :thumbdown:

if anyone wants to join us around that date we could share the const of the guide and maybe even spend a little extra time..

If that fails at least it looks like there is going to be a lot of us heading down the west coast in October-November.

I speak fluent portuguese so if we do happen to meet some of you just before Angola i'll be happy to help.

Gunnar Krohn

Algeria
 

Hi, unfortunately I can not be in Algeria so early. My EU visa will be opened from Oct, 15. That means I can reach Algeria by the late October. Do you have an Algerian visa? How did you get it? What`s about guide? Did you find a travel agency in Algeria? Who told you this price for the guide? Is this price for each person or for the whole group? So, If I will be starting Oct, 10, it will take me a couple of weeks to reach Algeria...

You can write me by e-mail: rubtsov_alexATmail.ru

Alex

Jealous
 

Hi All,

I am so jealous, My Husband and myself traveled through West Africa last year but we were thwarted in Brazzaville due to issues with access to DRC in Feb 2008 and had to return home.
I will be following your progress this year I hope if you make it to Angola you can call in, we are now living in Luanda, although we can't really help with the visa issues we would be happy to help with a hot shower, obviously a cold beer and any route info!

Good luck to you all

Linz
:thumbup1:

Luanda
 

Hi Linz. You may arrange your contact information in Community. We will be able to see your location, e-mail address etc for contact with you.

Alex

Hi Linz,

I followed your ride at Going Somewhere -- great stuff. And Dan gave me some valuable feedback on the DRZ 400s you guys rode when I was deciding between the DRZ and DR650. (I went with the 650).

So thanks for the offer, hope to see you in Luanda. If you have any ideas on anyone or any outfit that can supply the “Letter of Invitation” supposedly needed for an Angola visa, please post. I’ve written like a dozen places and still don’t have one.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else on the road ~~ :thumbup1:

Mark

Hi People,

Looks like I will be taking the ferry to Spain on 5th October and in Morocco by 8th. Apart from getting Mauri/Mali visas in Rabat I'll be flexible about route south after that.

Given the number of people heading generally in the same direction at the same time does anyone want to suggest a particular place/date to meet up and swap information etc? For me, apart from the 2/3 days in Rabat, anywhere between 8th and 15th would be fine.

meet up
 

Hi petcul,

I roughly decided to leave Berlin/Germany around 1./2. of october traveling to southern spain and eventually morocco. So I should be around somewhere near once you hit spain. Lets check back here to figure out where we are then and see whether we can have a chat and a beer or share a couple of miles on our way :) .

I wish you a good ride till then!

migo

Hi Migo,

Good idea. I've pm'd you.

Peter

jealous
 

Dear Linz,
I'd be glad to meet you in Luanda (to make you even more jealous).
But of course not intentionally.:cool4:
I will leave Germany (Frankfurt) by November 27th and plan to depart approx. 1st December from Libreville (Gabon) via the Congos,
Point-Noire, Cabinda to meet you in Luanda. Hopefully entering in
Soyo with a double entry visa in my Passport.

I still don't have company, all the guys seem to leave later than me.:(
Cheers
Michael

Finally booked Portsmouth to Bilbao 01 Oct so on my way next week. Looking forward to seeing some/all of you on the road.

Safe biking.

Africa on very little money or prep
 

Hey guys,

just saw this thread today - soooo wish I'd picked up on it ages ago, got back from a Namibia trip a few months ago, and thinking that if I can manage to pay for the carnet for my old xt, get all the shots, buy the ferry tickets across into Morocco - I would then be surviving on very little plus the kindness of strangers.... soooo, was just wondering if anyone has done this sort of thing - that is - flying by the seat of your pants with very little prep or money? Or is this not to be recommended? I reckon, by the time I get all of the above sorted, I'll probably be good to go december / january - any other late stragglers out there who can join me (and are possibly better prepared)? Bonus for me would be if you're good with bike mechanics (not my strong point), I'll be over the moon!!!

J :scooter:

jupiter?
 

Hi Jupiter,

I suppose your are not Ted and above seventy? Why Jupìter?
Anyway sounds a bit short on notiz your wish to accomany us :). I am quite sure there will be others doing the same next year or some other time. Why not start a thread yourself :).

good travels,
migo

Hey Migo
 

Nope sorry - not Ted or over 70 (although some days it feels like it!)

Yes, I think starting a thread of my own will be a good idea, but might help if I at least get the Carnet sorted first!!

If you're off soon - have an awesome trip, and I'll keep an eye on this thread for the rest of you.

J :scooter:

For those that have just started travelling. Good luck! We're going November '09. Can't wait! Try and get some info about your various trips onto the web.

Cheers
:funmeteryes:

Hey Silvie, good luck with the planning & prep. Africa is terrific (at least so far), the people have been wonderful. I'm a little south of Timbuktu and should be there in a couple of days.

Some pics, videos, and reports at RIDE FAR | Mark Hammond.

Mark

Left the others heading south and am now on my way back to the UK through Mali, Mauritania and Morocco over the next 10days. Might meet up somewhere if you're interested.

If not, enjoy yourself:thumbup1:

We are currently in Nimaey leaving friday for Abuja, if you want to meet up send us an sms on +4526808005

Gunnar
BannedFromSudan

Hey all,

we´re trying to ride two 90´s teneres south from Holland to Cape Town along the western route, and back up again along the east side.

Left home the 16th of november and we´ll probably cross over to morocco later this week.

If anyone is in the area, or has some advice not posted somewhere else feel free to PM or even SMS at 0031621682371

cheers
Daan and Chris

afrika.tenere.nl
index

[quote=Ride Far;172591]Any adventure riders up for Africa in fall 2008 into winter 2009?

We’re two guys heading into Morocco great trip lads There is a trip planned from dublin to darwin planed in oct next year and i am hoping to join so if yous can give me any info on your travels it would be great thanks John

John, Hi,

I'm in Bilbao waiting for the ferry tomorrow and will be back in the UK Sunday. If you want any specific information I can fill you in as far as Mali. My travel blog is

petcul | peter cullen | Travel Blog

just to get you started.

I am usually in Ireland/Dublin (birth place and family) a few times each year so keep in touch and maybe we could meet. Peter