West Africa
 

Hi.
Is it just me, or is it quite difficult to navigate this website?
Where is the best place to find and post stuff about upcoming travel plans?
I’m planning London to Cape Town in April 2023 on my own bike, and about to do an initial recce of 4 countries (CI, Ghana, Togo, Benin) on a locally rented bike - starting on 6th November.
I have quite a lot of connections in Africa and I know East Africa very well, Cairo to Cape Town, but only two countries in West Africa.
For the last couple of weeks I have been posting on “HUBB Pub”, but the response has been limited, so maybe that’s not the best place.
I would be glad to hear from anybody who has done anything similar in the recent past, or who is planning to.
And more than happy to share my own experiences of next month’s dry run, as well as my big trip next year.

First bit of potentially useful info:

I got a quote for shipping my bike back to the UK from Cape Town. About £1250.
Someone on here recommend it I think.
Ian Ziller at info@freightfactory.co.za

Trying to upload it.

Attachment 26361

First bit of potentially useful info:

I got a quote for shipping my bike back to the UK from Cape Town. About £1250.
Someone on here recommend it I think.
Ian Ziller at info@freightfactory.co.za

Trying to upload it.

Attachment 26361

Personally, I find the site straightforward to navigate - but I spent ages lurking before joining and reading through the different sections, learning as I went, and so the different sections became pretty obvious in their content.

Travel plans for West Africa - do a search in the top right of the page and there is a search facility there that you fill in - it may be that you need to be more specific in your searches if you are struggling to find what you want.

Perhaps in the "Planning, trip" sub forum?

So, London to Cape Town will take you through Europe, North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. If you post questions about "West Coast of Africa" you'll cover all of these, otherwise you need to post for each region. I have some experience in North Africa and have lived in Central Africa (Congo) and Southern Africa (Botswana) as well as having travelled in Gabon, Angola, Namibia, and RSA so may be able to offer thoughts on your route, although I've never been to West Africa.

Duplicate post (posted on your other thread as well):

A couple of random thoughts:

Tracks4Africa is highly recommended - much more input from Southern and Eastern Africa, however worth having.

Join www.4x4community.co.za if you're not already a member - once again most traffic is for Southern and Eastern Africa however there are discussions for West Africa, Central Africa, and North Africa and members with good advice for all of them.


Thanks both. Sorry for the delay. I had a job navigating to this thread again.

Alanymarce: I have replied to your duplicated message on that other thread. With your permission I may get back to you later about the countries you are familiar with.

Through family, friends etc. I have now got local contacts in each country down to and including Nigeria, except Mauritania and Guinea.

Additionally a very experienced international biker, who has organised and guided motorbike treks in Asia and East Africa, has offered to join me between Cameroon and Cape Town.

For my imminent November recce: I have now got all four visas, with only minor frustrations. Happy to share what I learned.