London to Cape Town March/April 2007 - fellow overland novice wanted
 

I'm giving serious consideration to a London to Cape Town or Jhb trip in March/April 2007 by motorbike, and would ideally like to do it with a similarly minded overlanding novice (may/may not be a biking novice). Nothing planned as yet, just trying to guage interest/see if I can find anyone I could potentially spend 3-4 months with. I don't have a bike; nor have I ever owned one - therein lies part of the challenge (for me) at least.

Let me know if this sounds like your bag, and perhaps a bit about yourself (why you want to do it etc) and maybe we grab a beer or something to discuss.

Am 28, work in a London bank.

I take it thats you on Gumtree?

Yup - figure I've got try every angle... Like your site; may drop you a mail or two with some questions, if that's ok?

Thanks

Ja that's fine, any time.

Hello there!
i'm considering the same trip for mid-october 06... i`m on a '91 bmw r100GS..i have travelled in Morocco by bike twice but not really experienced with long-term bike travelling.

cheers
leo

if I can find some way of funding the lot I would be well up for it, but as I am just finishing a trip myself it may tak ea bit longer than until next year........

How long does it take to develop an international acting career and get a major manufacturer and TV crew to foot the bill????

ps
 

I had never even been on a motorbike when I started this trip - don't let that put you off - by the time you have left the perfect tarmac of Western Europe you will have clocked up more miles than most self-professed 'bikers' get in a year, and should be well used to the bike. Riding dirt roads is emmense fun, at first the adrenalin is really pumping but you get used to it fast and it is probably the best bit about overlanding, ignore any doubts or fear you have and just go for it!!

hi guys.
 

I'm planning to head the cape leaving from march....

I've been in Africa few times and I consider wise to make a small group to cross all of it on a bike.

My number 0039 335 70 91 839

Ciao,
Tom_

I am very close to signing up with Kudu for essentially the same trip. I feel that the cost they charge could be worth it to remove some (all?) of the hassle and to get 4 months 'training' before continuing on my own on the E Africa route.

What do other people think? Is going with Kudu a disappointment? Are the hassles all part of the trip?

Hi guys - new here so go easy! I am in central africa at the mo but on a big overland truck not 2 wheels (unfortunately). Having such an amazing time that I want to go again as soon as I get back (late summer) but this time on 2 wheels and doing the eastern route.

I am a bit of a novice too having only ridden bikes for a year before leaving on this trip so I am really tempted - very much up for the adventure. The east coast is a much simpler route I am led to believe so if this is ok by you we may well be able to hook up. I'm 37 and having a (long) year out of the rat race so I'm flexible. Feel free to pm me anytime although I'll only be able to log on in internet cafe's etc so be patient!

I met kudu expeditions in Cameroon recently after meeting them I'm now 100% set on doing the bike thing! Seemed like a very professional outfit and had a great laugh with them over a few days and beers - what a way to travel but a bit out of my price range now after 6 months dossing around Africa! Let me know if you are interested.

london to cape town
 

hi there , currently planning a trip from london to cape town for appx sept/oct 2007 . have done quite a lot of reading up and i thing that leaving in apr/may is the wrong time . there are about 4 guys that i am in contact with from europe that are also leaving appx the same time . we intend to meet up together to get thru egypt / sudan .possibly following a overland truck down . i am rebuilding a 1986 tt600 back in cape town . very simple bike and also quite cheap to apply for the carnette to get the bike thru africa . anyway drop us a email motorbiketocapetown@yahoo.com

Cape Town 2007
 

Hi

I'm also planning a UK - Cape Town trip in 2007. I was hoping to go late June/July for a November arrival.
Werner - why do you say September/October is the best time? Weather? Other reasons? Any advice or knowledge will be appreciated at this early stage.

I'm also looking to pal up with at least one other biker for some/all of the trip for safety/morale reasons.

Thanks
Alan

Africa 2007
 

Hi, I've just joined this site, I'm planning a trip to Africa on a motorbike at the end of the Sahara summer late october 2007, I see there's a few people with the same idea, it would be great to hear from you !

Chris

Willitts_1@hotmail.com

hiya,
i've got similarly undeveloped plans to a similar trip at the same time for approx 4 months, though was doubting whether i'd get to Cape Town in that time.

i've done a quite a bit of travelling but don't even have a bike licence yethttp://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/smilies/biggrin3.gif.

i'm in london too, drop us a line on [email]hurcomb@f2s.com

brandnewbie
 

I am so keen to do a trip like this. Have never owned a bike and not done sooooo much riding, but if this does not bother people then would love to hear from people doing this trip.

Am officially unemployed after January, so time is no issue for me.
Just want to see as much of the world as I can!

my email is

thismailisforjo@gmail.com would love to hear from anyone doing this trip or something similar

Cheers

Just do it
 

Hi StroppyJoe,
I was in the same situation as you 4 years ago, except that I had a friend lined up to do it with. The problem with people is that circumstances change and sometime through no fault of their own, what they committed to can't be done.
My mate pulled out on me and I made the decision to carry on alone. Of course, at the time there was a war going on Iraq, which made the whole of North Africa very quiet tourismwise, but what better way to be immersed in new cultures than having no-one else to speak to but the locals!

My advice to you, is to go ahead and plan your trip alone. That way you're not relying on anybody but yourself. You;ll meet peopke along the way and then you can make the decision whether you want to travel along together for a while.

I left in early March and it was getting a little hot in southern Egypt and Sudan then, but I got used to it. I had friends do the same trip last year, but a month later.

The only thing I would have done differently if I was to do the trip again would be to have learned some French for North Africa and also to have taken longer/travelled slower.

As far as Kudu goes, if you've got the money and not the time, then why not use/support them?

Good luck all of you with your trip planning.

Geoff

London - Capetown May/June 2007
 

Great to hear there's so many plans out there. I am looking at South Africa down the eastern route next year to celebrate my 40th (leaving May/June). Have down a couple of west coast excursions (Morocco/Mauritana but no further).

Current thinking is Italy, Libya, Egypt, Sudan (or perhaps getting a boat down the Red sea to say Djibouti if overland is a problem), Ethiopa, Kenya & onwards. Does anyone have recent information/advice on this route ? Is it possible to cross Sudan overland these days ?

Always good to travel together. Let me know if you want to catch up. I will keep an eye on your plans via the site.

Best of luck - D.

how are plans developing....
 

Now this thread has gone quiet, but my plans are developing by the week. I've handed in my notice and am spending all my hard earned pennies on gear and bike parts. I plan to leave mid Feb and head south.

Now i'm meeting up with the London HU Hubbers on 30th Nov so if anyone wants come down and talk 'Trans Africa' stuff come down. It would be good to compare plans. Maria is organising it the details are below:

Hi London HUBBers!

Trying to get a drink organised on thread: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...961#post117293

Date: Thursday 30th November

Venue: Duke of Kendall, Marble Arch: http://www.fancyapint.com/main_site/...s/pub1387.html
Address: 38 Connaught Street, W2 2AF - Tube: Marble Arch/Edgware Road/Paddington

From:6:30 - 7pm onward

Everyone welcome!

Let me know if you intend coming so that I have an idea of numbers and can grab a big enough table or zone!

How to recognise us? I will try to sport my HU T-shirt (and I invite you to do so) but if it's too cold we'll have the Mondo Enduro book well in evidence!
See you there!

Maria

I'll come...
 

I'm also doing trans africa in April 2007... will be good to meet you guys and share some ideas... see you there on 30th.

Nik

Coming to pub
 

on 30th Maria
see you there
Bert

London - Cape Town (leaving Match 07)
 

Hi there - I am leaving March 07 from London heading Libya/Egypt/Sudan/Ethopia etc. Good to hear how your plans are going. I am finding the Libyan & Sudanese visas tricky. Whats your route ?

D.

East Coast to Cape Town
 

Tom,

Which route are you taking ?

I want to go via Libya to Egypt but am finding the costs high - particularly because I have told I must have a driver accompaning me in LIbya (at 100 Euros a day!).

Would be good to do the Sudan/Ethopia with others. I am leaving March 1ish. What's your plan ?

Dave.

Pub tomorrow night
 

Will be there early doors - 7ish I think. See you then - Dave.

Hello!
Me myself, a Norwegian, with a Yamaha Tenere 660, gonne leave Tanger going south in the beginning of march.

Greetings
Haakon

Africa North to South then the Rest of the World
 

Hi, I'm currently planning a Round the World trip starting Jan 1st 2009 with first stage being Africa - Morocco to Cape Town down the West Side. Have no time restrictions so it isn't a problem but I would like to get a more precise guesstimate of how long it would take. Reading thru the Hubb and other sources seems like 4 - 5 months is about right. Route I'm looking at is:-
Morocco, Western Sahara, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DRC, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Cape Town. Anybody got any thoughts/tips on this route, am I being to conservative with the time scale? Any tips on places I shouldn't miss. Anybody else doing any of this at the same time would be glad to hear from you.

Stroppy Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

I am a fellow novice who is also as barmy as to attempt their first trip across africa!

I have bought myself a 2005 honda xr650L and i havent even passed my test yet!!

im planning on leaving on for cape town oct 2007 with a loveable but very unreliable friend whos commitment to the trip is questionable to say the least.

For these reasons im looking for another wingman in case the worst comes to the worst and he lets me down.

im a 23 year old chef who enjoys nothing more than working his ass off to be able to afford this trip!!!

i live in glastonbury and fell in love with africa 3 years ago when i worked as a football coach in ghana for 3 months. Ever since ive wanted to go back but for other ventures such as university i havent been able to!

would be good to meet up etc.......exchange notes,plans,routes......

let us know if your up for it,

cheers

Ben

Hi Ben
Im George I was wondering which route your taking to Cape Town east/west? Im 22, like you I fell in love with africa a couple years ago after living with a Kenyan family for a while. I am going down the east coast on my new bike (04 TT600RE). Saving is hard on an apprentiship as im sure you know! but im defently going!
Cheers
George
george_guille@hotmail.com