1) is it possible to cross the boarder from chad to Sudan at the moment? can a sudanese visa be obtained in chad?

2) Is it possible to get from cairo to khartoum by public transport alone?

many thanks

1. Yes, if they're in the right mood.

2. Yes, but expect to lose some weight

CS

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

Sudan in the past 9 months really seems to be going for the tourist market. The main border points still stamp your passport saying you must report within 24 hours of anywhere you stop to internal security and within 3 days in Khartoum. They then counter stamp it with a stamp saying ignore the first stamp, you don't have to report. Saves lots of hassle. They charge for the second stamp - about £10 but seem to insist that travellers have it. Getting a visa in Chad in Ndjamena was very easy - about 2 hours, they did it while we waited. Other travellers got similar treatment including 2 Brits, a Kiwi, a Dane, 2 Dutch. Very friendly and keen to help. Seems distinctly different from previous stories of getting stuck in Chad not able to get a visa so maybe a new government directive.

I'm pleased to hear it getting easier Chad to Sudan, but it could be an opportune window, as they so often are across Africa, so get in there while you can, I'd say

CS

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

2. Yes. I'm in Khartoum now, coming from Cairo. Train very easy and cheap from Cairo to Aswan. Ferry from Aswan to Wadi Halfa on monday (+/- 18 hours). Very basic accomodation close to the station. Train from Wadi Halfa to Khartoum on wednesday at 5 PM (hot, dusty, very slow but interesting - take plenty of water). Other option is to take the bus from Wadi Halfa to Dongola (+/- 24 hours) and then another one to Khartoum. I didn't register in Wadi Halfa but in Khartoum... The new place to register is in front of SUDATEL (around Ministery of Interior)...

All of a sudden I start to see a route opening. I'm trying to get down Africa along the lines of the old Cario-Cape idea. Any comments re Tunisa, Libya, Chad, Sudan borders gratefully recieved. Chad - Sudan seems possible at the moment, Tunisa to Libya usually OK, its Libya to Chad I'd be grateful for info on

Thanks

Your big problem with this route is Libya Chad. Anything is possible, while travelling we did meet people who had previously travelled from Libya - Chad. No one seemed to have done it officially - they had come in to chad without being stamped across the border, done a loop round, etc and gone back. From the Chad side of things, we tried, whilst we were in Ndjamena, to arrange local guides to get us in to Tibesti. No one was interested, even at $150 - $200 a day, they still didn't want to go. They do loops up north but not in to Tibesti which is still regarded as to dangerous (by the locals), even with peace accords. Now there is always someone to prove it is still possible, usually a German motorcyclist, they seem to go everywhere - congo, car, angola, etc. But officially, my understanding is this isn't possible. Alternatives - we met a French guy who had done two years in Ndjamena, who was travelling back to France on a KTM with a LR90 in support heading up parralled with the Chad / Niger board north of Lake Chad, then cutting across to Bilma, then heading north again in to Algeria ( he wasn't using pistes all the way, sometimes going on bearings x country. Was very experianced). Other alternative is we met a couple of 4x4s, both with swiss couples who as two different groups had come Tunesia / Libya / Egypt / Sudan - cost a bit with paperwork through Libya but possible. Good Luck.

Libya Chad forget it at the moment and for a while, unless you know the area well, its not really part of chad up there. to get to chad, I would say Lib Alg Niger lake would be easiest. Or of course Egypt down...

Chris S

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Chris,

Do you have any idea about the Seguidine-Zouar route?
I talked to a guy in Chad by phone the other day, and he said that from Zouar and south isn't much of a problem security wise as long as you don't go off-piste (mines). He also said that Chad is (or will soon) be de-mining around Faya and northwards.
Since the situation around southeastern Niger is a bit so-so at the moment, I thought a northern route might be worth looking into.
Ideas?

Erik D.

www.dunia.no

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[This message has been edited by Erik D. (edited 05 August 2002).]