It's a case of swings and roundabouts - the easterly route coming from europe will be fast and it is the quickest route through Africa - only 3 countries between Egypt and Kenya (once you're in Kenya it is only a 12 day drive (approx.) to CT - and it's potentially cheaper (visas etc) - it's the route I'd take if I was in a real hurry.

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Enzo

Get a copy of the Tracks 4 Africa digital map then you can plan your route through Africa down to the last detail. I suppose you can get european mapping through the AA etc.

Tracks4Africa - T4A GPS Maps

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Enzo

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hello Bundubasher.
Thank you for some excellent information.
So essentially, down through Italy, and jump the ferry to Tunis. ?
or Pireaus to Alex.? and pay high carnet for Egypt?
Or stay in Libya and avoid Egypt carnet charges?
Sudan and down to CPT.
All information gladly accepted.

G.

Hey, I'm just chewing it over.

If it is a matter of speed the follow the LWD route or a variation of it. I originally thought the Egyptian carnet was 200% but on checking the AA it is 800% which is alot of cash, but substantially refundable.

Your decision will ultimately depend on what you cannot afford: time or money? I think the LWD route shows you want you can do with huge financial resources and if you don't, but you do have time, then the Western route will be the route of choice.

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Enzo

This is an accumulation of other peoples’ experience:

The West African route via Morrocco, Algeria, Niger, into west Africa, Cameroon, DRC, Angola into Namibia, Bots and SA.

The other route is Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and then smooth tar south.

Sudanese visa is the only sticking point but it seems the best place to get one is in Tanzania.

I assume therfor that you still need a visa for the small stretch to Kinshasa and then Brazzaville.

If you're going south then there are three ferries the one between the Uk and France; the second between Italy and North Africa; and the third between Egypt and Sudan down Lake Nasser to Wadi Halfa.

I hear that the Wadi Halfa ferry is unable to take cars, but they have a barge which will. Even if there is only one car you have to pay for the whole barge, which can be several thousand dollars. You would need to share it with others to bring the cost down.

“We were able to get 6 vehicles on the barge from wadi halfa to aswan. Even if it is full it is not cheap, but it was a fantastic journey up lake nasser. The crew are very friendly and you stop two nights at island where you can swim and fish. The barge is much slower than the passenger ferry. It gets baking hot during the day on the metal barge.”

It is good to travel through Sudan in convey anyway due to the bad roads, deep sand and extreme temps.

“The barge had 3 4x4s and 2 motor bikes when i went and the bikes cost USD150 each. Dont know about the cars.
You can put the 4x4 on the train from Wadi to Atbara or Khartoum but the better route is via the Nile the whole way.”

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Enzo

The above was gleaned from an old conversation on the Africa Board (lonely Planet). Couple of people: Simsy, Mad Paddler etc if you want to seek them out.

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Enzo

Hi I in Malawi now, riden eastern Europe, middle east and east africa. but the time I get to Cape Town I expect I will have clocked up about 35'000km. My friend who has ridden a less wiggly line but also took the middle east route will be about 27'000km. Hope this helps, I am most enious of you and your trip ahead, you will have a great time, enjoy!
George

Recently finished about 25,000 km from Frankfurt to Turkey, around the Med. and east coast route to Cape Town.

Could be done in a bit less if you bee-line it straight through Mozambique to South Africa instead of crossing over to Namibia, but crossing over is more common and recommended.

Or if you veer all over the continent to chase every overlander truck filled with pretty girls like George from Sark, it can end up at 35,000 km as well.