Around Africa in a 4x4 without a Carnet - mid 2016 to mid 2018
 

Hi All,

I'm driving around the perimeter of Africa in my Jeep Wrangler, and I'm going without a Carnet.

I've read a lot of conflicting reports and have struggled to get the real details about which countries a Carnet is 100% mandatory for.

I will update this thread with the details of each country as I pass through, hopefully others will find the information useful.

Morocco - no problem, temp import for 3 months, completely free.
More details here - Overland Morocco Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi all,

Driving into Mauritania without a Carnet is no problem at all.

10 Euro for the Temporary Import Permit, which can be valid for one week, 10 days or one month depending on what you say to the guy who writes it out.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas prices, etc. for Overlanding in Mauritania are here: Overland Mauritania Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi all,

Driving your own vehicle into Senegal without a Carnet is no problem at all.
In all my research I though Senegal would be one of the only countries in Africa where a Carnet is 100% mandatory. Not so at all.
I crossed at Diama. Also note vehicles older than 5 or 8 years CAN be driven through Senegal no problem. That rule only applies to vehicles being permanently imported into Senegal.

2,500CFA for the temp import, which is only valid for 48 hours, then go an renew it in Dakar for free, for two weeks then another 2 weeks if you wish.

(Note: Even if you have a Carnet the same thing must be done after 48 hours)

All the details, including insurance, price, gas prices, etc. for Overlanding in Senegal are here: Overland Senegal Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Africa without carnet
 

Hi Dan,

thank you so much for posting your travels around Africa without a carnet. :thumbup1:

Just one little details I would suggest, please mention the border crossings you did ... because even its into or out of the same country it could also be different on another border crossing.

Enjoy your trip
mika

Hey Everyone,

Driving into Gambia without a Carnet is no problem at all.

I believe the Temporary Import Permit is supposed to be free (a friend recently paid nothing) - though after a many hour stand-off I wound up paying 10,000CFA, which I'm pretty sure was not official (no receipt given). Oh well.

I was given 30 days (same as my personal Visa) and I crossed at Farafenni

All the details, including insurance, price, gas prices, etc. for Overlanding in Gambia are here: Overland Gambia Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

great stuff , keep up the good work ,I am going next year

Hi All,

Driving into Guinea-Bissau without a Carnet is no problem at all.

The Temp Import for the vehicle cost 2,500CFA for two weeks, it can be extended in the capital of Bissau.

I crossed at Mpak, directly south of Zigunchor in Senegal (where I got the Guinea-Bissau visa)

All the details, including insurance, price, gas prices, etc. for Overlanding in Guinea-Bissau are here:Overland Guinea-Bissau Travel - WikiOverland
One country where gas is cheaper than diesel!

-Dan

Visa for Ghana
 

Hi Grecy,

Great and informative tread! We are a few weeks behind you (crossing into Mauretania Sunday). We have no visas yet, but a plan for most of the countries:

Mauretania: At border
Senegal: At border
Gambia: At border
Guinea Bissau: In Ziguinchor, Senegal
Guinea: In Bissau
Ivory coast: In Dakar
Ghana: ????
Togo: In Accra
Benin: In Accra
Nigeria: In Bissau
Cameroon: In Calabar, Nigeria
Gabon: In Lome, Togo
Congo Brazaville: In Lome, Togo
Congo Kingshasa: In Cotonou, Benin
Angola: In Accra, Ghana

As you can see we have no plan for Ghana yet. Do you have a visa for Ghana? Where did you get it (or where are you planning to get it)?

/Jörgen

Ghana is very hard to get. Friends just got it in Burkina Faso - took 3 days and some pleading. Write a letter why you need one, and you must have an invite letter OR 2 hotel reservations. Copies of your carnet, insurance, etc. etc. can't hurt either.

-Dan

EDIT: forgot to mention you can get the Ghana visa at the border. Many people have told me this, and friends just confirmed it in November 2016. No prior planning, easy as pie. 140 euro. Must be at the "bigger borders". Little borders know about it and just tell you to go to a bigger one.

Hi all,

Driving into Guinea without a Carnet is no problem at all.
It's actually the first border I have been asked for a Carnet.
The guys at the little border were not sure what to do with me, so they sent me to the nearby regional capital (Koundara) where the boss wrote out a Passavant for me no problems.

I paid 50,000 GNF for it (which is around $3USD when using the street exchange rate). It clearly went in the guys pocket, but he was having none of my arguing.

I crossed at Kandika in the extreme North West of the country, coming in from Guinea-Bissau.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas prices, etc. for Overlanding in Guinea are here: Overland Guinea Travel - WikiOverland
Gas and diesel are pegged at the same price, and nice and cheap!!!

-Dan

Thanxalot!

The thread, I was looking for.

Keep us updated and have a nice trip!

Hi all,

Mali without a Carnet is straightforward and easy.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) costs 5,000CFA, and takes about 10 minutes for them to type up for you.
It's valid for one month, and you can extend it for one month free of change in Bamako.

I crossed at the main border from Guinea into Mali - I forget the name right now.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Mali are here: Overland Mali Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi all,

Ivory Coast without a Carnet was easy at the border, then got expensive.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) was free at a small border (Manankoro) , and takes about 10 minutes for them to write out.
It's valid for one month.

Unfortunately I then was told to go to the main Customs office (in Man) to get a computer version, and wound up paying a bribe there to the official I thought would impound the Jeep of around $50USD.
Then he gave me the computer version of the temp import.

My advice would be don't go to Man to get the computer version - just keep moving with the typed version. Nobody cares or knows the difference anyway..

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Ivory Coast are here: Overland Ivory Coast Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi Grecy,

Thank you very much for all the info you share!! We start our trip from Spain to South Africa next month in a Land Rover Defender and we were wondering about getting the CDP or not. But now, we are sure that we will travel without it.

Regards!

Brilliant!!! Glad you've finally decided!!!

GRECY: The Vignette Touristique is FREE - read on: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ithout-89519-2

Hey Grecy!
What's the chance of you giving us your actual route?
If you are going to continue being so helpful to us all, it would be great to know where you will be next and to plan our own route in your wake.


Thanks for your info so far; very helpful to so many of us!


Ali.

Hi all,

Burkina Faso without a Carnet is very easy and straightforward.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) was 5,000 CFA (about $10USD) , and takes about 5 minutes for them to write out.
It's valid for one month.
I crossed at the major border from Mali near Sikasso, and the signs there and everything made me think they do this alot for tourists, so it was extremely easy and straightforward.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Burkina Faso are here: Overland Burkina Faso Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi all,

Togo without a Carnet is no problem at all. Friendly, formal and cheap.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) was 5,000 CFA (about $10USD) , and takes about 5 minutes for them to write out.
It's valid for one month.
I crossed at the major border from Burkina Faso right in the corner with Ghana, and the signs there and everything made me think they do this a lot for tourists, so it was extremely easy and straightforward. The customs guy knew exactly what I needed.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Togo are here: Overland Togo Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hey Ali,
I'm not keeping track logs or anything like that, and I don't have a concrete route planned for the road ahead. I am very flexible and modify on the go.
My site is The road chose me - from that you can figure out pretty much my route.

-Dan

Hi all,

Benin without a Carnet is no problem at all. Friendly, formal and cheap.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) was 5,700 CFA (about $10USD) , and takes about 5 minutes for them to write out.
It's valid for one month.
I crossed at the major border on the coast from Togo - busy, but friendly and easy.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Benin are here: Overland Benin Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi All,

Nigeria without a carnet is no problem at all.

In fact, Nigeria with ZERO PAPERWORK for the vehicle is no problem!
Yes, you read that right. Myself and some others I know f recently drove across Nigeria without any kind of customs document or temp import or anything, and it was fine.

So the entry was free!

Nigeria does have the concept of a Temp Import Permit, though the head of customs would not issue one, because it's only for people returning to the same border.
Of the hundreds of stops through the country, it was never a problem that I didn't have one.

I was told repeatedly to avoid the major border crossing on the coast, it’s simply too hectic and too close to Lagos, and the officials there are quick to demand bribes.
So I hit the smaller border a little further North from Kétou to Meko

All the details, including a tourist visa, insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Nigeria are here: Overland Nigeria Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi All,

Cameroon without a Carnet is no problem at all. Friendly, formal and cheap.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) was 10,00CFA (about $15USD) , and takes about 5 minutes for them to write out.
A few people have said they got it free, some people said the officer tried to get a lot of money out of them for it.
It's valid for one month.
I crossed at a tiny border from Nigeria, but I am told the major border at Ikom is no problem without a Carnet.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Cameroon are here: Overland Cameroon Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hi All,

Rep. Congo without a Carnet is easy. Again it is Friendly, formal and cheap.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) was 10,00CFA (about $15USD) , and takes about 5 minutes for them to write out.
It's valid for one month.
I crossed at the border coming from Franceville in Gabon.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in Rep. Congo are here: Overland Congo Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Hey all,

Huh - I missed Gabon. Sorry about that!

As has become the story - Gabon without a Carnet de Passage is absolutely no problem.
Customs will write you out a temporary import permit at the border for the now-standard price of 10,00CFA (about $15USD)
It's valid for one month.

I entered at the large border in the North from Cameroon.

All the details to Overland with you own vehicle in Gabon, including where to get the visa, how much it costs, insurance, gas and diesel price, and much, much more can be found here Overland Gabon Travel - WikiOverland

On a sightly off-topic note - I absolutely LOVED Gabon. If you are planning this trip, plan a month for Gabon, you will not regret it!!

-Dan

Hi All,

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) without a Carnet is easy. It is easy and cheap.
The Immigration guy wanted a bribe, but that's another story.

A Lesser Passe (Temp Import Permit) cost me 10,00CFA (about $15USD) , and takes about 5 minutes for them to write out.
It's valid for one month.
I crossed at an extremely small border, though the customs formalities were done a hundred miles or more later in Luozi just before I got on the ferry.

All the details, including insurance, price, gas and diesel prices, etc. for Overlanding in The DRC are here: Overland Democratic Republic of Congo Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

Grecy,
Very helpful. Thank you.
Are you still on the road...?
J

Yep, I'm on the road through about another ~15 countries on the continent!


----

Angola without a Carnet is absolutely no problem at all.

They have a very formal "Temp Import Permit" system, which costs about $8USD per month. It's no problem to ask for 2 months right at the border.
(NOTE: because their currency fluctuates a lot, there is a thriving black market rate about 50% better than official. because if this things might cost half (or double) what I paid during your visit)

The whole process is quick, though you have to pay at the bank which adds 5 minutes to the process.

I crossed from the DRC at the Luvo border. A friend crossed into Cabinda and had the same experience.

All the details on Angola including where to get the visa and how much it costs, the price of gas and diesel (some of the cheapest on the continent!), etc. for Overlanding in Angola in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: Overland Angola Travel - WikiOverland

-Dan

[QUOTE=ta-rider;579424]Without a Carned we got a 5 days permit at the boarder wich could be extendet in Dakar for a little money:

[url=http://schoene-motorradtouren.de/?report=senegal]Motorrad R

Hi All,


Namibia without a Carnet is no problem at all. They issue a 14-day Temp Import Permit at the border for free in less than 5 minutes.
NOTE: all foreign vehicles pay a "road tax" of around $23 USD to enter (that applies if you have a Carnet or not).


Also note if you ship into or out of Namibia, you MUST have a Carnet, no exceptions.
Driving in or out you don't need one.


I came in at Rucana falls from Angola, but it's the same at all the borders (confirmed by many people).


Also note if you drive into South Africa you get a 6 month Temp Import Permit that can be used in all the SACU countires (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland), so then you can drive between those countires extremely easily for a whole 6 months.


All the details on Namibia including the price of gas and diesel, sulphur content of dielse, etc. for Overlanding in Namibia in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: http://wikioverland.org/Namibia



-Dan

Hi All,


Botswana without a Carnet is no problem at all. They issue a 30-day Temp Import Permit at the border for free in less than 5 minutes.
NOTE: all foreign vehicles pay for a Road Permit, Road Fund and mandatory State Insurance, for a total of $30.77 USD for a 4x4.
(that applies if you have a Carnet or not).


Also note if you drive into South Africa you get a 6 month Temp Import Permit that can be used in all the SACU countires (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland), so then you can drive between those countries extremely easily for a whole 6 months without even talking to Customs.



All the details for Overlanding in Botswana in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: http://wikioverland.org/Botswana
it has details like the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more



-Dan

Hi All,


Driving into South Africa without a Carnet de Passage is easy. South Africa issue a 6 month Temporary Import Permit at the border for free in less than 5 minutes.
It costs nothing to drive in.



Also note if you drive into South Africa you get a 6 month Temp Import Permit that can be used in all the SACU countires (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland), so then you can drive between those countries extremely easily for a whole 6 months without even talking to Customs.
If you SHIP into or out of any of those countries (inc. South Africa) you MUST have a Carnet.



All the details for Overlanding in South Africa in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: http://wikioverland.org/South_Africa
it has details like where to get a visa and how much it costs, required paperwork, the process at the border, the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more.


-Dan

Hey Dan,

I wasn't 100% sure from your reply so just wanted to check. Did you avoid Ghana because you weren't able to get a TIP? I'm not sure whether you're referring to the visa or TIP here.

Cheers!

Dave

At the time I didn't get a visa, and I heard the TIP was very complicated to get.


I have gotten reports recently (mid 2018) the TIP is easy and as straightforward as any other country in the region. Please report back if you have any experience!


-Dan

Hi All,



Driving into Lesotho without a Carnet de Passage is easy. South Africa issue a 6 month Temporary Import Permit at the border for free in less than 5 minutes which is valid in all the SACU countries, so you don't even need to stop at Customs or get any paperwork stamped.

It costs nothing to drive in, not even for the visa.


Lesotho is simply stunning, and wild camping in remote mountains has been a highlight of Southern Africa . A person would be nuts to miss it!
I drove in multiple times at multiple different borders no worries at all.



All the details for Overlanding in Lesotho in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: Overland Lesotho Travel - WikiOverland
it has all the details like required paperwork, the process at the border, the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more.


-Dan

Will do, Dan!

Hi All,


Driving into Swaziland without a Carnet de Passage is easy. South Africa issue a 6 month Temporary Import Permit at the border for free in less than 5 minutes which is valid in all the SACU countries, so you don't even need to stop at Customs or get any paperwork stamped.
The visa is free, and there is a 50 rand road tax for all foreign vehicles (that applies if you have a Carnet or not)
(Less than $5USD)



All the details for Overlanding in Swaziland in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: http://wikioverland.org/Swaziland
it has all the details like required paperwork, the process at the border, the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more.


-Dan

Hi All,


Driving into Mozambique without a Carenet de Passage is no problem at all.
A one Month Temp Import Permit for the vehicle is free at the border.
You will be required to buy one month of 3rd party insurance for $20USD - you must buy this if you have a Carnet or not.


There is no road tax or anything else like that to pay.


Virtually every nationality can just get the visa at the border, it was $75USD coming from Swaziland, though I have read online sometimes it's only $50USD at other borders.


All the details for Overlanding in Mozambique in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: Overland Mozambique Travel - WikiOverland

it has all the details like required paperwork, the process at the border, the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more.


-Dan

Hi All,


Driving into Zimbabe without a Carenet de Passage is no problem.
A one Month Temp Import Permit for the vehicle costs $10USD, and you must pay a carbon tax and have 3rd party insurance.
All the prices are in WikiOverland (link below)



Virtually every nationality can just get the visa at the border, which is $30USD for most nationalities, except Canadians and British that pay $75USD.


All the details for Overlanding in Zimbabwe in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: http://wikioverland.org/Zimbabwe
it has all the details like required paperwork, the process at the border, the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more.


-Dan


Sorry for the lack of updates here lately, I'll get on it and update all of East Africa

Hi All,


Driving your own foreign-plated 4x4 or motorbike into Zambia without a Carnet de Passage is easy.
A Temporary Import Permit for the vehicle is free. It's valid for one month and can be easily extended.


There is a $20USD carbon tax, and a $30USD road tax you must pay, and you pay those if you have a carnet or not.


The visa can be easily bought the border - $50USD for one month.


Vehicle Insurance is mandatory - you can get six months of local insurance for $27USD for a 4x4, and then add COMESA on top of that for another $55USD
That COMESA is then valid for practically every country in East Africa.
(See the COMESA page on WikiOverland for more info - COMESA - WikiOverland, the encyclopedia of Overland travel)


All the details for Overlanding in Zambia in your own vehicle can be found on WikiOverland here: http://wikioverland.org/Zambia
it has all the details like required paperwork, the process at the border, the price of gas and diesel, road quality, bribery information, camping and much, much more.


Happy Overlanding!



-Dan