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 Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: On the road to Africa
Posts: 83
Question Lebanon car / bike ferry from Turkey (then into Egypt) - Advice please

Hi, I've just used Aegean Travel (based in Bodrum) to travel from Italy, to Greece, then Turkey.
They are advertising a new car ferry service from Turkey to Lebanon.
I'm considering this as a way of avoiding the ferry from Turkey to Port Said etc.
Does anyone have any experience of this and / or have any thoughts about the practicalities of travelling from Lebanon round to Eastern Egypt as a point of entry to Africa?
Thanks
Scott
__________________
All who wander are not lost - JRR Tolkien
www.wearthefoxhat.us
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: near Munich
Posts: 70
Hi Scott,
we are also searching for a way to get to Egypt with our bikes.

To travel to Libanon is no good idea:
You have to pass through Syria and this is no option at the moment.
Or you must pass through Israel. With the stamp of Israel in your passport you might not get into the Sudan. The option with a second passport is not working, because the boarder gards will be able to see the boarder where you entered Syria or Egypt and won't let you in too.

We have already worked out 3 options for our trip from Cairo to Capetown beginning 12/2013:

1. Shipping the bikes to Alexandria and we will take a flight.

2. Ferry from Iskenderun to Egypt.

3. Ferry to Tunis and driving through Libya

Best regards
Stefan


Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk 2
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Beirut / Lebanon
Posts: 197
Dear Scott,

There is no way to get from Lebanon anywhere! The border with Israel has been closed since 1947 (it is not even called a border officially but a "blue line" or armistice line), since the two countries are technically and officially still at war!

Syria is off limits for the time being. Even if this poor country will see peace in the coming months this will by no means mean that you will be able to travel there again (see Libya!). And if Syria would be possible why ship to Lebanon in the first place?

So, unfortunately, taking the ferry from Turkey to Egypt or the overland route through Libya are the two options. This even more because it has become next to impossible to get a Saudi transit visa in Abu Dhabi. So, while the overland trip from Cairo to Capetown is easier than ever, getting to Cairo is more and more difficult.

Greetings,
Achim
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: On the road to Africa
Posts: 83
Thanks guys,
That's as I excpeted really.
Such a shame as it would have been great to get into Jordan and be able to tour there - and I believe there is possibly a ferry from Aqaba into Egypt.
Regards
Scott
__________________
All who wander are not lost - JRR Tolkien
www.wearthefoxhat.us
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 280
Hi Scott,

Enjoying your blog - keep it up. Your experiences getting to Cyprus will no doubt stand you in good stead further down the line.

Just bear in mind that if you find 30 days in Egypt isn't enough (and we did) then hopping over to Aqaba and back is actually a darn sight easier than renewing your car docs .... and Jordan is well worth a month of anyone's time. You would have to stump up for the Nuweiba/Aqaba ferry in two directions but think how much you'll be saving on diesel spending all that time in Egypt!

Also you could consider shipping to Israel instead. I know there is the Sudan issue but I noticed some overlanders seemed to have managed to get Sudan visas having come through Israel en route. They didn't seem to have clocked it as a potential problem. Maybe contact them for more info?

familyinafrica | Do it now or it might never happen…..

Enjoy Cyprus.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 May 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: On the road to Africa
Posts: 83
Thanks J&L, I've had a brief look at their website and it looks like they may have made it work. Will look in more detail.
Also looks like their boat took them from Turkey to Port Said, then on to Israel so may be that we'll just go in the conventional route and cross at Aqaba to Jordan if we get the chance - I'd certainly like to see it.
Will be interesting to see what happens with all that cheap diesel in Egypt when the rationing starts! Not a happy prospect in a thirsty LR with many miles to cover.
Scott
__________________
All who wander are not lost - JRR Tolkien
www.wearthefoxhat.us
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 May 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 68
It sounds as if you are dealing with the same issues that we were last year.

We ended up taking a ferry to Tunisia and then driving across Libya and into Egypt. Having met people that did the ferry from Turkey into Egypt, we realized it was much cheaper to do the Tunisia-Libya-Egypt route.

However, there were some ferries running to Haifa, Israel...and we thought about going there and then crossing into Jordan, taking the Aqaba-Neuweiba ferry into Egypt and then continuing down to Sudan. This would require two passports though and our plan for passport stamps would be as follows :
Passport A : stamped out of Europe
Passport B : stamped into Israel, stamped out of Israel, stamped into Jordan, stamped out of Jordan
Passport A : stamped into Egypt

We are Americans and would then have gone to our embassy...or DHL or something and sent our passports with Israeli stamps home. If questioned, we would just say that we took a ferry from Europe through the Suez canal and then got off at Neuweiba.

In the end, we wanted to go to Libya and that option opened up for us and we did it.

I put the passport stamping info in there as that is a way to be able to avoid detection AND have a sensible (albeit unlikely) story of how you got from Europe to Egypt.

When getting our passports stamped, no one even looked at anything but the Sudanese visas...and when getting the Sudanese visas, they didn't even look at our other visas or anything, they were just stuck on the fact that we were Americans and once approved, finally slapped that thing in there.

There are several ways to do it and from what I can see, many of the folks on this forum are extremely resourceful and creative....so I have no doubt that you'll figure out something that works!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 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
Buying Used Bike in Santiago Chile lachy SOUTH AMERICA 187 5 Dec 2023 14:53
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination SOUTH AMERICA 20 30 Oct 2009 18:02
Transfering Title In Buenos Aires kwelfl SOUTH AMERICA 7 28 Dec 2008 16:06

 
 

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 15:21.