Djibouti to Yemen and Suadi Arabia
 

We are forced to look for an alternative route other than Egypt. So we are looking into crossing from Djibouti to Yemen and ride through Saudi to Jordan. We went to the Saudi embasy in Dar Es Salaam and they said no problem, we need to aply in Addis Ababa. We will keep you updated as we go. Is there any one who has done this route before?

I have similar plan. But i've heard it's quite hard to get Saudi Arab VISA. If they'll give you one, then very probably the transit VISA only.

Does anyone know if there's Saudi embassy in Tehran, Iran? And how long it usually takes to apply Saudi visa in Teheran?

Margus

I'm a Canadian working in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. I hate to be a pessimist but, anything any Saudi bureaucrat tells you should be taken with a grain of salt.

The response of "no problem" may have been seen as the quickest way to get you out of his hair so he could continue chatting on the phone & generally getting thru the day by doing as little work as possible.

i've read that there is a cargo ship taking cars and bikes and pagengers from Eritrea to Port Sudan, to Jeddah and Suez, costing round $300 for bike plus 2 people from Eritrea to Jeddah, Footprints' East Africa tourists guide. When in Addis, we will try to get all our visa up to Jordan and will let you know if it worked out for us.

Just to let you know that we have made it across from Djibouti to Yemen.

We crossed into Djibouti and rode about 10km and then camped in the Desert. The next morning we went to Djibouti City and went straight to the harbour. At the security check point we explained that we need to speak to the Harbour Master as we needed info on a ferry or cargo boat going to Yemen. They were very helpful and directed us to the second in-charge at the Port Captain's Office. We were told that about 3 or 4 cargo boats leave every day for Yemen to either the port of Aden or Al Mukha. They spoke to one of the cargo boat captains and within 4 hours we were loaded on board and ready to sail (with 2800 sheep) to Port Al Mukha in Yemen. The trip took 16 hours and can cost you anything between US$100 to US$200. We paid US$100 for 2 people and one motorbike.

Yemen is very beautiful and the people are very friendly.

So the reverse trip should be doable as well?

Experiences, anyone?

Regards

Lars

Yes, defenately won't be a problem. We went from Yemen to Muscat,Oman, all the way brand new asphalt roads with petrol at least every 250km or less. Petrol in Yemen half the price than in Oman.

You mean there is a road connecting these two countreis with border post? Or it's still neede to go via Saudi?

Margus

Margus, yes, the Michilin map does not show, but there is a brand new tar road all the way from Sana'a to Oman. Border post and everything. No need to go through Saudi. We're in Dubai now, going to Iran and Turkey next.

Margus, yes, the michilin(or any other) map does not show, but there is a brand new tar road from Sana'a to Oman with border post, no problem. people friendly there.

Hello jc
As I am planning as well a trip from Switzerland to Yemen/Oman I am very much imterested in your experience/info (I heard already about the new road running from Tarim through Thamud/Ruma to the Oman border post of Shahan):
Visa for Yemen: rumours here indicate that you will only get group visas organised by a local (Yemen) travel agency. What is your experience on this?
Travelling within Yemen: permits required ? Is local guide or travelling in convoy or military escort required for certain itineries?
Camping (sleeping in Camping car):
Possible/impossible or not recommended

Thanks for your info
Hans

That is excellent news! Looks like this road is opened very recently. They had the project since 80s, but Yemen's internal unstability kept it stopped... Looks like world is rotating there again.

I'd certanly like to know the information about country itself as Hans asked too!

Thanks alot, Margus

@ all those interested in Yemen/Oman road connection:
Just today I found (and purchased) a road map showing the one in question:

Jemen 1:850'000, size 70x100cm, Reise Know How Verlag, Bielefeld, Germany,ISBN 3-8317-7095-6, Cost: 9 Euro

About Yemen. The road we drove had lots of police check pionts, on one strech every 10km! Nobody speaks english, wich helped us.
I got someone in Sana'a to whrite in arabic our names, where we from, where are we heading and so on. Just showed that to the police and they smiled and waved us on, no problems. There are no campsites in Yemen, we did not see any, would not recomend free camping. We stayed in hotels, wich is very cheap. If you are interested in seeing some photos, I will mail you some. Sana'a and especialy Taizz is very interesting with beatifull mountains. We are currently in UAE, found ourselves a job to get some money again, will be staying for 2 or 3 years before moving on to.......? wherever!

Our website is jc4ever.com

greetings
johan

Hi Johan,

we just thought about that, what you did!
Travelling via Yemen and Oman!!
We are now in Kenia and thinking about, to follow your route.

Maybe see you there??!!

We are travelling around the world with our old Teneres.
So we need a good mechanic, before we continue to Iran.
Do you know one??
If we do that!!

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Best wishes
:-)
RalEva

http://www.Motorradnomaden.de
around the world on 2 motorcycles

The homepage has a translation service!!