Congo : best route with a 2CV
 

Hi,

In octobre we're gonna make trip to Capetown (from Belgium) with a citroen 2CV. We want to pass through Congo. Does anyone know a nice and safe road ?

If you do, please drop a mail at poc140@hotmail.com

Thx,
MM

Hey smart ass,

This is a travel forum for people crossing the Sahara. To my knowledge, Congo doesn't belong to this part of the globe yet. Get yourself a proper altas!

;-) Sorry Christophe, I couldn't resist! Talk soon, mate!

Dear Moose Man
Your write:
((In October we're gonna make trip to Capetown..with a Citroen 2CV))
Very romantic...
and to my mind, completely impractical.
2CV's are... underpowered, have low ground clearance, inadequate payload for fuel, water, tyres and spares; when overloaded will shake to bits; uncomfortable and noisy!

Take a 4x4 or light truck and enjoy the freedom to strike across country, circumnavigate obstacles, avoid tourist-trap towns and visit inaccessible sites en-route.
Load up a 2CV with 400 miles worth of fuel, 2 spare tyres, two passengers, tools, jacks, a month's water supply, tow rope, shovel, essential food (there ain't no Big Mac's in the desert), camping equipment, cooker, camera... have I made my point?
A 2cv will make it - so what...
A 4x4 will make it... fun!
Good luck - Kitmax


------------------
Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com

Hey Klitmax,

Looks like you have taken some courses in how to demotivate people. What MM is planning sounds like a great adventure to me and perfectly feasable. I have some experience with desert & off-road driving in a comparable small car as well (Renault R4) and not only is it great fun, but often these cars, because of their light weight, pass whereas you heavy landrover would get stuck. On top of this I believe that, in comparison to what you pretend, MM will have a very exciting trip: a 2CV is "une voiture sympathique", and stimulates interest & sympathy among the locals, resulting in lots of social contacts & fun (my experience). (Something the arrogant fat tourist in his fully equiped Landrover could only dream of!).

To the Landrover-drivers among you: No hard feelings of course!(one day I'll buy one myself). Just wanted to make a point here and support MM, a young man with a great dream.
Good luck on the trip; I'm convinced you'll make it!

Dr. Livingstone

Why the harsh language ?
Kitmax is only trying to help by giving some solid advice. If you do not want this advice, maybe you are in the wrong place.
Sure.. I also get some advice sometimes I rather would not hear or wich I do not agree with, but is this a reason to act like that?

After all we all have a common goal. To travel safely and enjoy it as much as possible.

And personaly I think Kitmax is right. Going from Belgium to Capetown in a 2CV is an adventure... but not very wise.

Maarten

Maarten,
How did you feel about my demoralising advice on Burma (we tried for ages to get permission - but, still hoping to get proven wrong by anyone!!)?

Sam.

Hai Sam,

Well... ofcourse I hope to prove you absolutely wrong http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
But.. I am afraid you are right.
Anyway, I'll keep on trying. I have two contacts inside Myanmar who believe it could be done. They are working at the permision, but... I have a lot of doubts.

Somewhere around november 2002 we'l know the final awnser.

Maarten

Good Luck,
Wonderful country!
Wonderful people!
Horrendous regime, but their time will come...

Sam.

PS Could well be worth ditching the wagon for 3 weeks and flying in from Bangkok for a look-see.

PPS Er, sorry, this is supposed to be a Saharan bulletin board!

Dear Dr Livingstone
“arrogant fat tourists”?
Yes, I’ve cursed them too, but usually the ones driving bigger motor-monsters than mine…
Primitive envy, nothing worse!
Your point noted -- good luck to MM on two wheels, or three, or four…
Kitmax

A 2CV wouldnt be great for Congo, but not too bad either. If you get stuck, just get a load of locals and carry it out the bog hole! THe lightness also means it would be better for river crossings, when the car is put on pirogues to cross.

Safe road, last year from Zemio in the CAR to Arua, Uganda. Could also go from Bangassou to the same place. Need to check the war situation before / when you get there. Travel is through the N rebels area, under control of Jean Pierre Bemba and the Ugandans. I did this last year and no real problems. No need to get DRC visa, get a rebel one at the border. Keep away from authority as much as poss, they just want money.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sdvohio:
A 2CV wouldnt be great for Congo, but not too bad either. If you get stuck, just get a load of locals and carry it out the bog hole! THe lightness also means it would be better for river crossings, when the car is put on pirogues to cross.

Safe road, last year from Zemio in the CAR to Arua, Uganda. Could also go from Bangassou to the same place. Need to check the war situation before / when you get there. Travel is through the N rebels area, under control of Jean Pierre Bemba and the Ugandans. I did this last year and no real problems. No need to get DRC visa, get a rebel one at the border. Keep away from authority as much as poss, they just want money. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
hi my name is freddy you are not a friend of igors by any chance i just met him in maurertania and he told me of a mate who done this route laters freddo