London to South Africa November 2016

[Paulgeert]

Hi

I'm planning a trip through Africa stating mid November 2016 in my Land cruiser, the route isn't finalized yet. But I'm picking up my wife in Kenya mid Dec. So for the first month a friend is joining me.

We are planning a 4 month trip, one month to Kenya and then 3 months in the Southern part of Africa.

I want to know if there is others planning the same sort of trip?

[bolobolo]

Hi,

Which road do you intend to drive ?

One month from London to Nairobi seems very short:

From Egypt to Nairobi, T4A quotes 120 hours driving (plus time at borders, etc..) which would make three weeks at six hours driving per day (including sundays and bank holidays)..

Which means you would have one week from London to Egypt including crossing the Mediteranean..

Cheers..

Eric

[Paulgeert]

Hi Eric

The record i think from London to South Africa is 11 days. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...funmeterno.gif

That isn't my intention. I know of 3 different groups that drove down from London to South Africa in 3 Months West and East coast. The idea is to get out of the more dangerous areas in the North and enjoy the Southern part of Africa.

A month at 6 hours a day will be tight.

Advise is always welcome and the reason for this thread.

[bolobolo]

Hi,

The record is actually 10 days and 3 hours via the west route..(a LR discovey DIII or IV back in 2013:

London to Capetown World Record

There was an attempt to break it from two young lads last month, unfortunately their car broke down and they had to stop in Windhoek...

Coming back to our business, 3 months is no big deal, but I think the road from Nairobi to CT is quite easy, it is tared all the way via Arusha, Dar; Mbeya, Lusaka, Livingstone, Kasane, etc.. and you do not have any hassle with borders on this leg.. (think it is better than via Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, both roads and cops are easier)..

T4A quotes 68 hours for this, which I find most credible (last year I was in Arusha together with a friend who drove back to CT within 5 days with an old Isuzu pickup)..

IMHO, Nairobi / CT is easily doable within one month to six weeks (six weeks would not even be 2 hours a day, let's say 3 to 4 hours including sightseeing, it is quite comfortable)..

Maybe you should then allow a little more time for your first leg..

Unfortunately I cannot team up with you, I will drive very solwly the other way round this year, my rig is currently in Livingstone..

Cheers..

Eric

[mario1981]

Hi guys,

I'm interested to join the club to Capetown in November on my motorbike... I will spent 4 weeks in Germany on my way thru and heading south to Greece to ship over to Israel and then into Egypt.

But I'm very flexible with the route and open to any as long as it ends in Capetown which way are you guys heading from London south?

[bolobolo]

Originally Posted by mario1981

Hi guys,

I'm interested to join the club to Capetown in November on my motorbike... I will spent 4 weeks in Germany on my way thru and heading south to Greece to ship over to Israel and then into Egypt.

But I'm very flexible with the route and open to any as long as it ends in Capetown which way are you guys heading from London south?

Hi,

If you drive through Israel, thyey will never let you in into Sudan..

Cheers..

Eric

[Paulgeert]

Hi Mario

at the moment my idea is to drive from London to Turkey get a ferry to Egypt(but this may change). Then the following countries:

Sudan
Ethiopia
Kenya
Tanzania
Zambia
Botswana
Namibia
South Africa (Pretoria)

Hope this sounds good

[Vegan Without Frontiers]

Hi - nice route! My initial reaction was also your 1-month to Nairobi was a tad short. Travel time may be OK, but there's always something that will pop up and delay you.

I guess I also think there's a lot more to see further North than Kenya...we had some of the best experiences before we got to Kenya. OK, also some of the worst, but hey...they make the best stories!

Here's a couple of things to consider when planning...we lost 2 weeks being hung up at the borders of Egypt. The whole ferry/barge malarkey is now avoidable...but you never know what else will crop up?


https://www.veganwithoutfrontiers.co...of-two-cities/

https://www.veganwithoutfrontiers.co...in-wadi-halfa/

[Paulgeert]

Hi Vegan

I read about your ordeal from the couple that was with you. Not a good experience. I had friends and there traveling companions also got stuck for two weeks.

I know a Egyptian who has his own traveling company who I met in Dahab a couple of years ago and do business with a other friend of mine. If he can't help me out then it will be the Morocco route.

[Vegan Without Frontiers]

Hi - yes, at the time it was no fun..but looking back it is a tale to tell, and a learning experience I'm glad to have had when I come to other borders. One thing learned, is that timetables need a bit of flexibility (though I am about to set off down West Africa with a whole set of appointments to meet people...which sort of suggests I have learned nothing!). Oh well - its all in the adventure - good luck with your trip!

[Paulgeert]

Vegan

you will have to update me about West Africa because I might take this route.

[Vegan Without Frontiers]

Will do - I'll be blogging my way along again on www.veganwithoutfrontiers.com - but will try and contribute here too since its been so helpful for me. You can call me Jon btw...

[Paulgeert]

Jon

just had a look at your site. Will be following you. When are you starting the trip?

Might catch you in Kenya, if that's your end destination and its in December

[Vegan Without Frontiers]

Cool - that might work out - we'll see where I end up...I have a start date of 22nd March, but no real end or destination

[cheese2805]

Hi Paul

Myself and a friend will be heading from Cambridge to Cape Town in November, on two Suzuki DR350s.

We plan to take it much slower through Africa, giving ourselves about 6 months.
With Europe likely to be freezing, we will most likely get through as quick as possible. Whats your plan for accessing Egypt? Last I heard, the Turkey ferry was no longer running, and I can't find any info on Greece ferries.

Fingers-crossed a ferry will be up and running by November! Best of luck!

James