Carnet for Africa
 

I'm giving it a try anyway, although I know what the answer to my question will be ...

Looking to travel down to South Africa from UK via West Africa, crossing from West to East through Chad/Sudan/Ethiopia, then Kenya and down south. I know that a Carnet is not necessarily required throughout the West (carte gris), but we were considering (not seriously, just maybe ...) not applying for a carnet at all. When I asked the same question on another forum, the only responses were "GET A CARNET"! So it is impossible to rely on temporary import permits along the way?

Thanks!

You'll survive without a carnet for a long way, but I really wouldn't like to get through Kenya, Tanzania and countries to the south without one. I know of one person who drove from Kenya to SA without a carnet, but it took a very long time at each border (i.e. days and days) and entailed forwarding evidence of money on deposit in bank accounts, taking detours to sleepy border crossing, back tracking from those who weren't playing the game and so on. On the other hand, I went through Tanzania, Kenya etc without much fuss with a carnet in hand. My advice is get a carnet, but only start producing it once you through N Africa.

You could get a dodgy carnet, its a bit more risky but a lot cheaper.
Col Campbell

It is simply not worth going without a carnet through Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. The passage is extremely easy with one and next to impossible without. Make life simple! You do not need one through Ethiopia as they do not recognise a carnet, but give a temporary transit pass at the border which costs a few dollars and an hour of processing.

The latest news i hear is that Mauritanie is requiring a carnet since a few weeks.

Any confirmation on whether a carnet is required for Mauritania? Also I have been advised that although a carnet is officially required for Ghana you can get through by paying at the border. Has anyone any experience of this?

Malcolm Woodruff