Um, that's what this thread is about!

I'm also researching hiring a small ship for a private passage at the beginning of December. Have five 4x4 (and crews) signed up so far, so looking good...

Cheers, Sam.

Hi everyone. I live in Egypt and have done some research on this recently. I think Egypt is a great place and it is a pity that travelling through it is so difficult lately.

The rules of the game are changing all the time, so they may have changed by the time I stop typing.

Shipping:
- currently the only way that I know of shipping cars into or out of Egypt from the North is by using Grimaldi lines (see this other post for details). You cannot accompany the vehicle (car/motorcycle) which is a bummer

Sinai crossing:
- there is a war in North Sinai at the moment and the army is quite nervous. They have recently warned that any 4x4 which is not driving on tar is a potential target for drones … I guess that is pretty clear
- a friend of mine tried getting into the Sinai (to cross into Israel) 3 weeks ago and was refused 3 times (2 times in Suez, once in Port Said), even when he tried to ship it inside a 4x4. The reason for this is because motorcycles are being used for suicide bombing attacks
- I understand that 4x4 overlanders can still cross into the Sinai and through to Nuweiba (to take the ferry to Aqaba) or to Taba (to cross into Israel). The mountain roads through Sinai are closed at night and it is advised to take the coastal road. You will most probably be forced to drive in a convoy.

Will post if I hear that things are changing again.

Sounds promising!

Rather than start another trend, I’ll just follow this one and ask my questions here. At the moment it appears Egypt too would be my main bottle neck …and persuading wifee [sic], I’m aware the political situation in Africa is quite dynamic and can change overnight, but I’ll rather start researching early on the possibility of riding through Egypt down to South Africa next year November/December 2016 and then riding back up via the Atlantic route …Insha’Allah.

Currently the plan is to break the trip into two legs, with a 2 to 3 months break in between depending on my final choice of motorbike.

1st Leg: Germany – Egypt – South Africa (East Africa route)
2nd Leg: South Africa – Nigeria –Morocco – Germany (West Africa route)

My questions for now are:
1. Is it advisable to do the East African route without a Carnet de Passage and hope on being able to buy laissez-passer (local temporary import permit) along the route?
2. What is the minimum amount of days I should reckon with from Egypt to South Africa (Cape Town)
3. Is Israel -Jordan - Saudi Arabia -Sudan a viable option round Egypt.
4. Is the East African route doable on a Honda CBR1000?…to put in perspective, I did Germany to Nigeria on a Yamaha R6 in Nov 2013 via Morocco-Mauritania-Senegal-Mali-Burkina Faso-Togo-Benin-Nigeria

1. I wouldn't.
2. World record is 11 days (CT-London)
3. Yes, but expensive and make sure you don't have any Israeli stamps
4. World record (see 2) was done in an unmodified Fiat Panda

Safe travels, Sam.

In response to your Question 3. Getting a Saudi Transit Visa going south is virtually impossible. Going north is better - you can normally get one in Khartoum outside the pilgrim periods. All else being ok, I suggest you go around Africa in the reverse direction. See my post Kenya to Europe for more details.

Just found this thread. I'm looking to take my 1190 Adventure from anywhere in the South of Europe, probably Greece or Turkey to Israel in February. Is 250 euro the cheapest you can get? That is going to kill my bank account!

Hello,

if i enter in Israel will i get problems at the border of Sudan?Even if i dont get stamped my passport,they can see that i get stamped my carnet at the border in Israel.

Regards

Mike

Dude I would just not use a Carnet for Sudan if that's the case, when all else fails - plead ignorance

Post here about getting into Egypt from Israel - Sinai closure is a possible problem...

We were just few months ago in Israel with our 4x4. We did it the other way around tho, Sudan before Israel. But they do not even stamp your carnet. They have never even hear about it matter of fact. We had EU registered car. In EU we have this insurance called green card, that is valid in Israel too. Otherwise the insurance even for a week is hundreds of euros..

My F800GSA motorcycle is arriving in Holland soon after completing Texas, USA-Ushuaia -Suriname. I'd now like to ride the Eastern Africa route.

However, after quite a bit of researching, I'm a little stumped about how to actually get TO Egypt from Europe. I'd like to take a ferry from Greece, etc, but can't seem to find anything (from Greece, Italy, Turkey).

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks, Clark

Hi Clark, you won't get a ferry direct (anymore - count yourself lucky, anyway). Look for a ferry to Israel from Greece or Cyprus, then overland from there via Jordan (and another ferry) or direct to Egypt at Taba.
At least that's how it worked last time I looked.

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the info (and all your support here, the great Adventure Motorcycle Handbook, etc).

-just to confirm- a Carnet looks mandatory for the East Route? Egypt, Kenya (and possibly S Africa). And looks like a c US$1,000 cost for a US registered F800GSA (ouch).

And, I thought Central America border crossings were annoying. Looks like that was a warmup for Africa. Oh well....

Clark

Hi,

Tried this a few months ago - problem is getting through Sinai (near impossible).

We have a cargo plane flying Crete-Mersa Matruh in November which might be an option (and you could fly with) but I'd need to look at that closely. Otherwise you can just ship it unaccompanied and the collect in Alex...

Cheers, Sam.