From The Netherlands to Cape Town
 

Hi all, with all the googling I did not sure how but only yesterday I stumbled on to this amazing site.

I am Dutch and I have quit my job, sold my house and bought a new motorbike. First time in my life I bought a brand new vehicle. A Tenere 700.

I always had the (hidden) wish to do a big trip. Driving in a Landcruiser to South Africa or something similar. Last year I saw an opportunity to make this happen and started to do some research. Quickly I realised it would be way more fun to do this on a motorcycle. As I have my motorbike license since 1995 and have experience riding a (light) motorbike in Kenya and Uganda not sure why I did not think of that before.

Organised it and I left the Netherlands in July 2022. I travelled a lot in my life but I did not know Europe that wel. I spent 3 months discovering the Mediterranean area, had a 3 week break to do some riding with a friend in Northern Vietnam and at the moment I am in Turkey. I expect to cross the Iranian border later this week.

After Iran I plan to cross to the Emirates, ride through Saudi Arabia, cross the red sea to Sudan and then go south. In total I expect to be a year on the road.

I did some camping when I travelled Europe, I already knew and it was confirmed. I am not a camping guy. So I stay in cheap hotels, minimum requirement is a shower.

I am not a big planner and doing research will riding, that is probably why only found this site yesterday when googling if I can get bike insurance for Iran at the border. I will share all my border crossing experiences on this website.

https://heeling.nl/wp-content/album/DSC01115.jpg
Craco Italy

Nice bike,
I also have the faster colour one awell...:thumbup1:
Please keep us informed on your travels..
Although our UK Foreign Office advises not too travel in Iran..
Mike..

Welcome to HU Roland, we look forward to hearing about your travels!

Thanks, the colours really makes the difference! :-)

Same for the Netherlands, strongly advise not go to Iran. Same for other countries surrounding the south east of Turkey. I have not really options (except going back) so just need to be careful and stay away from the bigger cities and instead of enjoying the country go fast south and stay as short as possible in Iran (which is a shame).

But I will take a bit more time before entering Iran, my former work has an office in Erbil so will go first there for a few days to meet some old colleagues (I don't need a visa for Irak Kurdistan). Lets see how things develop.

Hi Roland

Welcome at Hubb!

I`m currently following severall travellers who did cross/pass Iran in the last days. But to travel to iran a bit later could make sense in my eyes, to lower the risk of issues.

If you plan to travel the east route of africa, there are Issues about the Carnet / TIP in Etiopia.

Bikers have currently to deposit cash at the border - with no return at the end. (between 250-500% of the new price is asked). So many travellers are currently stuck or try to look for new tracks.

The west route of africa is opened and some did it recently.

I wish you a nice journey!

What is problematic today, can be easy in a week - thats overlanding bier

Surfy

Thanks Surfy,

i was not aware of that issue with Ethiopia. I am planning and organising while I am on the road. I will look into that. I am already in the east of Turkey so the west route is not an option anymore.