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overland africa: sahara or east route
Hey folks'
Does anyone know which is the quickest and easiest route from europe (holland) to kenya. I am driving a 2wd car. cheers, Peter |
With a 2wd car your only option may be via Egypt - Sudan Ethiopia. Not sure about the Egyptian part, but the rest will be fine. I can assure you that you will not make it the other way around by 2wd car, or rather say, you can make it, but only with experience and time and lots of pushing and digging. No ways you will make Tchad Sudan by 2wd, coming from the East.
Sorry to put you off, hed |
Do not fully agree with Hed, we always tend to forget that much of the Sahara was explored using off the street 2wd Fords in the thirties. On occasion I also had some fun in the deserts near Cairo with an ordinary rental Daihatsu.
Two things are absolutely necessary though - high ground clearance, and big wheels (in my opinion eg. a VW beetle can go practically anywhere in the Sahara), you will certainly not get too far with a modern low town car. What do you intend to drive ? With a 2wd one tends to be more cautious, and tests the ground before going boldly forward, so the chances of getting stuck are not worse than with a 4wd where one drives confidently into the middle of the biggest mess. Recovery is more tricky with a 2wd though, once one is bogged down. Depending on the season, the Sudan - Ethiopia stretch may prove to be more impassable than the desert bits. However the above is true for a fully equipped desertworthy vehicle only, if you have a normal sedan, the quick and simple answer to your question is: by boat, from Rotterdam to Mombasa. ------------------ Happy Travels, Andras FJ Expeditions [This message has been edited by andrasz (edited 16 June 2003).] |
Quote:
Some people described a 5 or 6 hours crossing in the dry season and 5 or 6 days in the wet. Apparently, it's going to be asphalt soon. Pierre & Merritt http://photobiker.com |
Thanks info Pierre, that's a bit of good news, was not aware of it http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
------------------ Happy Travels, Andras FJ Expeditions |
What about Ethiopia to Kenya guys....that would be hell in a 2wd!!!!
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Andrasz,
You are right, I know what you mean and agree with what you say about Volkswangen beetles. However, most of this applies to "just" sand. The strecht from El Fasher in Sudan to the beginning of the tarmace, south of Khartoum is extremely sandy and very deeply rutted by the souk trucks. I doubt whether any 4x4, except maybe a specialised vehicle would be able to make this. I agree with ground clearance and big wheels though. Even the southern route in Sudan, forget the place names is very sandy. I passed via El Fasher on a bike this past February and must say, that I think these routes were much worse than any I have seen elsewhere. The rest, i.e. all the way from Ethiopia down to Kenya is a piece of cake, nowhere you need 4x4, except maybe the BLue Nile Gorge, would be helpful, but not essential. Bevan, no disrespect, but the Ethjiopia to Kenya direct stretch via Moyale is no problem. Only problem is corrugation, but that is as bad in a 4x4 as it is in a 2x4. The stretch Moyale to Isiolo I would do in any sedan, no problems. Hope this helps, hed |
Hed,
Yes I'm fully with you there. One further thought: On such absolutely dismal terrain, the 2wd actually has an advantage: being smaller and lighter - 15-20 strong lads can lift it up and put it on a truck platform http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif ------------------ Happy Travels, Andras FJ Expeditions |
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The quickest way would probably be via Saudi - 3 day transit visa - ferry from Jeddah to Saukin (near Port Sudan), then Sudan - Ethiopia - Kenya. If you can get the visa, Saudi is supposed to be less hassle than Egypt, cheaper and the roads are brilliant in comparison. The ferry is probably a lot more reliable than trying to charter the barge to get the vehicle across from Egypt - Sudan.
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Hi Peter,
It would definitely have to be an eastern route (either Egypt or Saudi) as the western part of Sudan is too much for a 2x4 (in terms of necesarry ground-clearance) due to aforementioned deep truck ruts. Best of luck, Camiel www.amsterdam2capetown.com [This message has been edited by camiel (edited 27 June 2003).] |
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