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 Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

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


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Jun 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Italy - Faenza
Posts: 19
Thumbs up Italy-->Greece-->Egypt-->Morocco-->Spain-->Italy

Are we crazy ?

Me and my wife want to ride all across the mediterranean with a Bwm 1200 GS, we are planning things and we are looking for advices from more expert people than us.

We would like to take a ferry boat from Italy to Greece, than do the same from Greece to Egypt where we would like to visit Cairo and piramids.

Than the hard way is coming, we heard we need a visa for Algeria, but other than that I would like to ask :

- a) Is it possible to ride from Egypt to Morocco in a bike such this Bmw ?

- b) Any advice for the road, gas, water, dangers, we would like to choose the more "comfortable" one, with comfortable that means as much as we can.

- c) I'm italian, my wife is american, I don't want to sound racist, but may she have problems with an american passport in north africa ?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: holland
Posts: 129
first problem

hee
your first problem will be the ferry between greece and egypt. So far as I know there is no one.

good luck

I'm not sure if it is possible to enter Marokko from Algeria.

good luck

In libia it is a lot of hassle or how can you call it. It is expensive and you need a guide. You can't take a guide on your motorcycle so he needs his own car, that will be expensive too.

good luck
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sergiobodyweb View Post
Are we crazy ?

Me and my wife want to ride all across the mediterranean with a Bwm 1200 GS, we are planning things and we are looking for advices from more expert people than us.

We would like to take a ferry boat from Italy to Greece, than do the same from Greece to Egypt where we would like to visit Cairo and piramids.

Than the hard way is coming, we heard we need a visa for Algeria, but other than that I would like to ask :

- a) Is it possible to ride from Egypt to Morocco in a bike such this Bmw ?

- b) Any advice for the road, gas, water, dangers, we would like to choose the more "comfortable" one, with comfortable that means as much as we can.

- c) I'm italian, my wife is american, I don't want to sound racist, but may she have problems with an american passport in north africa ?
The border between Algeria and Morocco is closed, nobody can cross.
To go through Libya visa is necessery but also a guide and a policeman except if you get a special visa to go through Libya within 3 days I beleive.
Algeria is not easy also.
Egypt require lot of paperwork to enter with your bike, and bakshich etc...

You can see on this site a guy who will do the mediteranean tour but on the oposite way. Tunisia, Libya, Jordania, Syria, Turkey, got a room for me ? - ADVrider
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Jun 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Italy - Faenza
Posts: 19
Probably the idea is insane, we should rather focus on west side, Spain, Morocco or east, Greece, Turkey, Siria and so on.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
Its not insane, it is possible, its just not the easiest of routes.

1) To get out to Egypt, you may need to look at riding further due to lack of ferries. Its possible to ride through Turkey, Syria and Jordan to get to Egypt.

2) As mentioned in previous posts, Libya generally requires you to have a guide and this costs money but plenty of travellers do it as you can see from other posts on the forum.

3) Its not possible to cross from Algeria into Morocco. Therefore you would either need to do a big loop to the south - Algeria - Niger - Mali - Mauritania - Western Sahara - Morocco or alternatively get a ferry from Tunesia / Algeria to Spain and back into Morocco.

4) Unless you have a particularly strong reason to do this route, it will probably be cheaper and easier to focus on one area.

5) I'm not sure about the American issue re visas, not something I've had to deal with.

Have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: La Spezia, Italy
Posts: 47
ciao sergio. benvenuto sul forum!!
im also italian, but will keep it strictly english.
the trip you're thinking of is not impossible but you might want to reconsider it for several reasons. ferries between europe (either italy or greece) and egypt are very very hard to come by. if you intend to visit egypt i think the best way is to ship the bike. Also, do you know about the carnet situation in egypt? That alone should make you wanna think twice about going.
and finally, as others have pointed out, you cannot cross the border between algeria and morocco.
im afraid that if you want to visit all those countries, you're gonna have to do it in more than one go. personally i would just choose to ship out from italy to morocco, visit one of the most beautiful and amazing countries in the world, maybe even venture down to mauritania, senegal and mali, and then come back through spain overland.
as far as your american wife.... i would not worry about it.
i did the western route all the way to dakar and i can tell you it's quite an amazing trip. if youd like more info, just email me at lucataurisano ATA seznam dot cz [edited]

Last edited by Chris Scott; 5 Jul 2008 at 14:38. Reason: saving you from spam
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 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
Greece - Italy Ferries Wheelspin Europe 15 21 Oct 2007 16:02
italy-tunis-algeria-morocco-spain possible ? pbekkerh North Africa 3 23 Jan 2004 00:22
Greece to Italy ferry Nick1150gs Europe 7 22 Jan 2004 01:11
Crossing from Egypt to Greece/Italy ? David Latham North Africa 3 7 Apr 2003 23:00
Italy/Greece/Turkey. Fishface Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 20 Mar 2002 19:56

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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 11:14.