Great posts here folks and very useful info. We did West Africa last year (Morocco to SA). Here is our summary:

- Countries: Mor, WS, Mauri, Sen, Mali, BF, Ghan, Tog, Ben, Nig, Cam, Gab, Cong, DRC, Ang, Nam, Bots, Zim, Moz, Los, SA.
- We were in a 4x4 (Land Rover) and used Carnet by RAC (paid their listed costs as per schedule
- Car list price was £3,500
- carnet multiple was 150%
- We used Bank Guarantee from First Direct £280 for 12 months (easy to set up)
- We found that the Carnet was useful at times, they love to stamp things in Africa - less variables to discuss
- Equally we met bikers and 4x4 people traveling without it - as the posts here suggest - it is possible
- Patience, dialogue, confidence and respect all pay dividends at border posts (on multiple levels) and so its a personal choice
- Absolute rules on Carnet needs for Africa seem to change from year to year BUT its always different when you are on the ground and at a border
- Carnet "rules" and the reality at border crossings vary widely, we found many border people struggling with CDP process, didn't know how to fill it in (in Mali they were more interested in watching TV)
- Even with CDP you will find people asking for processing "fee" to stamp.....this was easy to refuse as we have the Carnet but logically why do you need a Carnet....other locals and travelers get by without it and use TIP
- I agree with the comments here - bikers might find it easier than 4x4 / trucks....walking wallets especially so for trucks!
- We imported our car into SA, so it helped facilitate that process (but that was specific to our own plans)

Conclusions

I hear that Carnet process is not getting any easier or cheaper and so maybe more people are going to try and travel without it in Africa. Our experience was that it proved useful (sometimes) but probably more expensive in the long run.

I personally would welcome a similar post for a loop of Africa in a 4x4 without Carnet...... Roaming Yak, can you post such info?

Cheers

Nick

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Langebaan Sunset - Africa Overland
http://langebaan-sunset.blogspot.co.za/