Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree6Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #61  
Old 6 Feb 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Victoria, Australia
Posts: 76
Can anyone confirm on not if motorbikes are allowed in saudi? What evidence is there of this either way?
Reply With Quote
  #62  
Old 6 Feb 2014
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Quote:
Originally Posted by DR650Bandit View Post
Can anyone confirm on not if motorbikes are allowed in saudi? What evidence is there of this either way?
NO MOTORBIKES. I hope that is clear enough. Some snuck through in 2012, but they have made sure it will not happen again. I spent 24 hours in the port trying to get permission to drive a RHD, no luck, and talked with the staff there about all of it. Very firm rule.

With a RHD you have to get stuck on the back of a truck and in my case the Syrian driver tried to rob me at the other end. You are at their mercy, expect to pay about $800 for a 4x4, twice that for a truck.

You won't be able to 'wing it' as the border is very professional and highly organised. You won't have access to your vehicle when it is off loaded until it clears customs.
Reply With Quote
  #63  
Old 9 Jul 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 5
Question Motorcycle

Based on the information here it is clear that we are unable to drive our motorcycles through Saudi Arabia into Jordan via Transit Visa. We also do not want to go through Egypt because it would be expensive. Does anyone have any information on whether or not there is a ferry or something we can take from Sudan to Jordan? Also will it be possible to drive from Jordan to Syria and then into Turkey? We do not plan on going to Israel and therefor we would not have an Israeli stamp so I'm hoping this is possible. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

CapeTownNorth.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #64  
Old 10 Jul 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 12
I would strongly not advise to go trough syria.
As there is still a half civil war going on.

SAm
Reply With Quote
  #65  
Old 10 Jul 2014
schenkel's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
Posts: 161
Quote:
Originally Posted by CapeTownNorth View Post
Based on the information here it is clear that we are unable to drive our motorcycles through Saudi Arabia into Jordan via Transit Visa. We also do not want to go through Egypt because it would be expensive. Does anyone have any information on whether or not there is a ferry or something we can take from Sudan to Jordan? Also will it be possible to drive from Jordan to Syria and then into Turkey? We do not plan on going to Israel and therefor we would not have an Israeli stamp so I'm hoping this is possible. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

CapeTownNorth.com.au

Hi,
Why not fly from Sudan to Turkey?
I'm in the same situation.
I'm in Sudan now and wanted to go through Saudi Arabia and Iran but was told no bikes were allowed in Saudi and really didn't want to go through Egypt (bloody expensive), so now trying to ship the bike on Turkish Airlines to Turkey and ride it from there to the UK. Or maybe fly it direct to the UK.
Going through Syria is a definite NO and through Iraq is absolutely NOT. Those are war zones.
The bike is already boxed and cleared at airport customs waiting for airline bookings.
The costs so far seem reasonable.

Regards
Reply With Quote
  #66  
Old 11 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: near Munich
Posts: 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by schenkel View Post
.....and really didn't want to go through Egypt (bloody expensive).....

The costs so far seem reasonable.
But will be higher than driving through the wonderful landscape of egypt!

Stefan



Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #67  
Old 11 Jul 2014
schenkel's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
Posts: 161
Quote:
Originally Posted by Überflieger View Post
But will be higher than driving through the wonderful landscape of egypt!

Stefan



Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk
With no carnet it will be a very expensive drive through those wonderful landscapes of Egypt!
Reply With Quote
  #68  
Old 14 Jul 2014
schenkel's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
Posts: 161
managed to ship my bike today on Turkish Airlines all the way back to the UK.
Cost was roughly £342 Sterling, which is a good deal.
Very straight forward procedure and got a lot of help from the staff at the packing yard inside the airport.
So this is definitely cheaper than going through Egypt.

Last edited by schenkel; 18 Jul 2014 at 15:17.
Reply With Quote
  #69  
Old 16 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Quote:
Originally Posted by schenkel View Post
With no carnet it will be a very expensive drive through those wonderful landscapes of Egypt!
Can one get a carnet for Egypt at the land border(Aswan) or is it advisable to purchase the carnet from AA in SA.
I have heard that to purchase a carnet from local AA can be really expensive.

BTW: the cost of transporting your vehicle on the barge and yourself on the ferry from Wadi Halfa to Aswan seems to average around the $750 mark, is this cost just for transporting or does it include carnet/licence plates etc?

Also, what about Egypt visa. It seems like everyone travelling North is having a problem obtaining an Ethiopia visa at land border. Does this apply to Egypt as well?

Thx
Reg
PS: A friend and I are leaving around end Dec to travel up North. Any info regards carnet, visas etc would be gratefully accepted.
Reply With Quote
  #70  
Old 23 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 52
Shipping from Khartoum

Thanks for your comments, Schenkel. I'm heading from Nairobi up to Khartoum, setting off in the next 48hrs and will almost certainly a) avoid Egypt and b) use Turkish Airlines to get around the Saudi problem.

If you have any advice on the shipping process out of Khartoum that'd be gratefully received!

Hope all's well back in the UK and the culture shock wasn't too great!!

Charlie


Quote:
Originally Posted by schenkel View Post
managed to ship my bike today on Turkish Airlines all the way back to the UK.
Cost was roughly £342 Sterling, which is a good deal.
Very straight forward procedure and got a lot of help from the staff at the packing yard inside the airport.
So this is definitely cheaper than going through Egypt.
Reply With Quote
  #71  
Old 23 Jul 2014
schenkel's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Colchester, UK & Sudan
Posts: 161
Quote:
Originally Posted by limitablesnake View Post
Thanks for your comments, Schenkel. I'm heading from Nairobi up to Khartoum, setting off in the next 48hrs and will almost certainly a) avoid Egypt and b) use Turkish Airlines to get around the Saudi problem.

If you have any advice on the shipping process out of Khartoum that'd be gratefully received!

Hope all's well back in the UK and the culture shock wasn't too great!!

Charlie
Hi Charlie

What are you riding Charlie? and are you alone?

OK first make the bike as small as you can (remove front tire, wind screen, etc) and put it on the smallest crate you can fit the bike on.
Get in touch with Turkish airways representative in Khartoum his name is Adel Waheb based in Khartoum airport at Maks Air Services his mobile number (0912349073). He is very helpful he will get you in touch with a clearance agent. Turkish airlines will charge you by weight based on volume. I had to reduce the size of the crate to reduce the cost of shipping. The final size was (L200 x H112 x W80) divided by 6000 gives around 300 kg. Now 300 kg at $3 US per kg is $900 US. 900 $ x (5.7 official US $ rate)= 5130 Sudanese pounds. That is what I paid ...5130 Sudanese pounds.

I built my own crate by myself using wooden pallets but had to buy extra wood, so cost of the crate was minimal for me.

The crate materials would costs you around 1000 Sudanese pounds.
The carpenter will cost around 250-300 Sudanese pounds.
Transport from centre of Khartoum to Airport on small light truck costs around 100-150 Sudanese pounds.
Loading and unloading (4 or 5 guys) costs around 120-150 Sudanese pounds.
Clearance at the airport shouldn't cost more than 600 pounds.

Some clearance agents will charge you 5000-6000 Sudanese pounds for the crate, transport to airport and clearance and you still have to pay for airfreight!.

I you need more info or any help in Sudan don't hesitate to get in touch. I know Sudan very well because originally I come from there.

I loaded some pics but they seem to be up side down.....don't know why!!!!

Last edited by schenkel; 22 Apr 2015 at 10:32.
Reply With Quote
  #72  
Old 25 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 52
That is the most useful advice... THANK YOU! I'm on a KTM 990 and I'm travelling alone. I came down the west coast and am going back up the middle. I travelled with two Italians and a South African from Senegal to the Congo... and did the rest on my own.

I'm leaving Nairobi this afternoon towards Moyle and will contact the agent you provided as soon as my Khartoum ETA is clearer.

Once again... you are a bloody star for providing all that info. Really appreciated!!

Charlie
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 3 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 3 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
transit/tourist visa for Saudi Arabia...where to start? m2m Middle East 39 16 Apr 2015 18:36
Egypt to Saudi Arabia is it possible? smokinglazarus Middle East 7 28 Mar 2013 08:19
Egypt to Jordan (without Saudi Arabia) flotter Route Planning 1 25 Jan 2013 10:52
Shipping to Egypt - Istanbul or Athens Cello Trip Transport 0 22 Oct 2012 20:32

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:58.