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Anybody actually tried to clear Alexandria customs in the past 6 months? Anybody actually tried to clear Alexandria customs in the past 6 months?
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 24 Mar 2012
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Originally Posted by enafrique View Post
Hi everyone!
Thank you very much for all the information!
We are actually around Antalya and we are looking for a solution to go to East africa with our VW bus.
From what we understood, there are three solutions:
- Take a ferry boat from Mersin to Alexandria (expensive, complicated customs)
- Take a ferry to Cyprus and then Israel (trouble with Israel?)
- Drive to Iran and go to South Arabia (long road)
What do you think is the best solution (pro, cons, cost)? Any other alternative is welcome!!

Thank you very much in advance!

David, Daniel and Julien
Hi,

Re option 1: see my post above, this option is slightly irritating and expensive, but at least it is a real option.

Re option 2: entering Israel is no option if you would like to drive through Sudan, even if you do not get a stamp in your passport. By the way, crossing Turkish Cyprus/Greek Cyprus is very difficult too, if not illegal.

Re option 3: Iraq, Iran, SA may be possible, but visas are difficult to obtain, and you will have to drive a lot of km's extra and finally also have to take a ferry.

Depending on a lot of things, a RoRo vessel may be a good alternative (try the coastal places in Turkey, like Mersin). RoRo's depart once in a while and are less expensive.

Good luck!
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  #2  
Old 24 Mar 2012
Mehmet Zeki Avar's Avatar
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In addition to all the replies, please note that headquarters of all shipping companies are in İstanbul and ships are embarked according to the programme fixed by headquarters.You may not be able to find a space,or may need some time and make several calls to get confirmation to the port to be accepted to the ship.
There is no regular service between Turkey and Egypt ports yet.Thats why
" İnsallah" commonly used in the area.
Anyhow things started changing very fast in mideast and sure we will inform you when regular services start or Syria option to Africa is safe again.

Best Wishes
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  #3  
Old 3 Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by Anacondor View Post
Hi,

Re option 1: see my post above, this option is slightly irritating and expensive, but at least it is a real option.

Re option 2: entering Israel is no option if you would like to drive through Sudan, even if you do not get a stamp in your passport. By the way, crossing Turkish Cyprus/Greek Cyprus is very difficult too, if not illegal.

Re option 3: Iraq, Iran, SA may be possible, but visas are difficult to obtain, and you will have to drive a lot of km's extra and finally also have to take a ferry.

Depending on a lot of things, a RoRo vessel may be a good alternative (try the coastal places in Turkey, like Mersin). RoRo's depart once in a while and are less expensive.

Good luck!
Hi again,

About option 2 I don't understand very well why it's not possible to have Israeli Stamp on a separate paper to enter in Sudan.
How they can know you are coming from Israel?

RR.
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Old 3 Apr 2012
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Firstly it isn't a given that Israeli immigration will stamp a separate piece of paper but even if they do it will be very easy to see that you have come via Israel from your entry stamp into the next country. So if you cross into Jordan at Jordan River or Eilat it will be obvious you have come from Israel. Same if you enter Egypt at Taba.

The problem is exacerbated if you have a car. Firstly Israeli customs will record it in your passport (no separate piece of paper option here) and the hebrew text will stand out a mile. Secondly your carnet (which you will need to enter Jordan or Isreal) will clearly show your point of entry.

They know exactly what they are looking for so it would be something of a miracle if it were overlooked.
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  #5  
Old 3 Apr 2012
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Too bad.... but thanks Itchy... I've forgotten they can look at the carnet and also that car will be registrated on my passport.
RR.
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  #6  
Old 4 Apr 2012
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It's a hell of a risk to take though, getting off the ferry at Wadi Halfa, being impounded and then having to take the ferry back the other way and then having to reimport into Egypt. I might be more inclined to risk it once the road is open but even ... Some friends were held for hours at Sudan immigration with a suspected Israeli stamp in their passport (it was actually ethiopian) and they weren't very friendly about it.

Most people do report that getting the Sudanese visa is much easier in Aswan. When I was last in Cairo (last September) the Sudanese embassy was giving overlanders a hard time claiming it would take three weeks to process their applications (possibly less if they paid extra). All three sets of travelers this happened to whilst I was there went on to get their visas in Aswan with no problem.
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Old 5 Apr 2012
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Hi again,

I've heard than the carnet is not mandatory for entering with your own car in Sudan (but mandatory for Egypt).
What is your opinion about that?
I know that even if carnet is not mandatory, my plate number will be registered in my passport by Israeli authorities...

RR.
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  #8  
Old 5 Apr 2012
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Sorry Roro I don't know, everyone I know who has traveled through Sudan has done so on a carnet.
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