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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Dec 2005
JSerpa's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Posts: 47
Security In Chad

Pls be aware that things are getting a bit un-nerving around here. The military seems to be a bit nervous, but most of the action seems to be happening in the east of the country. Here in town there are lots of rumors going around, but otherwise things are more or less calm! So what does all this means? I am still traveling a bit around the country on my car. I am seeing a lot more police and military control barriers, but so far that is all. Probably the best thing to do at this time is to put this info on your radar, be aware about it, and plan for contigencies, should something happen indeed.

BRgds
Jorge Serpa
Ndjamena, Chad
__________________
JSerpa
Cotonou, Benin
www.Tamlyn-Serpa.com
www.Facebook.com/Jorge.Serpa.1654
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 292
hello Jorge
thanks for your infos. Can you tell me what you mean by "east of the country"? Abeche? Adre? Ouaddai? Biltine? or further northeast?
Ursula


Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Dec 2005
JSerpa's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Posts: 47
About a month or so ago, some armed forces people run away from their base in or near Abeche. Apparently this group has been gaining some strength. There are reports of cars stolen by these guys. More recently there was some minor stuff also involving armed forces people but this time more towards the south of the country. About 1 or 2 weeks ago the president sacked the Chief of Staff and other top leadership of the army. But the rumor mill continues very strong!! Again, I think that the thing to do is to be aware of all this stuff, and be prepared in the eventuality of something happening indeed.

Jorge Serpa
Ndjamena, Chad
__________________
JSerpa
Cotonou, Benin
www.Tamlyn-Serpa.com
www.Facebook.com/Jorge.Serpa.1654
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 293
I drove from Ndjamena to Niger around november 15. Just before the attack on a military base in Ndjamena. At that time I was surprised about the lack of checkpoints. Between Ndjamen and the border I even did not have to show my papers once. Only when checking out in Daboa! But I agree: Chad seems to be tense. I was planning to drive to Abeche and Fada, but cancelled the trip. Many peopel in Ndjamena were warning us not to go there.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Dec 2005
JSerpa's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Posts: 47
Gvdaa, Too bad you are already past Ndjamena. I had heard from Redhouse that you were coming this way. I was hoping to meet you here, as I have heard/read quite a lot about you and your adventures thru Chad. If you come back this way, pls let me know.

On the topic, US State Dept just issued a public announcement on the situation here. The URL is:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a/pa_2476.html

Jorge Serpa
Ndjamena, Chad
__________________
JSerpa
Cotonou, Benin
www.Tamlyn-Serpa.com
www.Facebook.com/Jorge.Serpa.1654
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: belgium
Posts: 51
Hello Jserpa,
Thanks for the info, my friend and I will travel the whole country by bike in mars/april 2005.
Do you know some places where we can place our tent or other interesting guesthouses, hotels,...

thanks,

Jelvis
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: neuchatel, Switzerland
Posts: 23
Hi there,
We are just arrived 2 days ago in Ndjamena by car arond lake Tchad. We heard many stories about lake Tchad before we left: crasy border, crime, nasty people, children trowing stones, very sandy road qnd very difficult orientation etc...
So we were very surprise to dicover that we took only 2 days from Nguimi to NDJ (planning 4 days)road was not so bad at all, sandy ok but not too deep . Border very easy to cross with everybody friendly. People nice. Orientation very easy. We even be disapointed when we find a new laterite road who put us few hours later in NDJ.
So, about security, we had few check point were we had to pay monney to continue. Police seems to do eveything without any problems. In Djamena too, security seems to be a probleme. We heard stories from swiss embassy. They said that it's not recomanded to come in Tchad now and they stop to do trip all over in a coutry for few days now.


Sorry for my bad english
Cheers
Olivier
__________________
Olivier
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Dec 2005
JSerpa's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Posts: 47
Jelvis, It will be a great pleasure to help you out in any way I can, but you have to help me first: Chad is a very big place. Which areas are you planning on visit? As of today, I am a bit familiar with the area around Lake Chad. Is this of interest to you? I am planning to continue traveling around the country, so in time I may help you with info on other areas of your interest. And I will be here during your visit, so contact me and we will have a or so.

Olivier, yes, the new 'Encana' road (from Massakory to Baga Sola, but especially after Ngouri) comes as a bit of a surprise, doesn't it? I went to Bol also thinking about a full's day adventure and found myself there in less than 5 hours!!! And the same goes to you - send me an e-mail (address on profile) and we will have a .

Jorge
Ndjamena, Chad
__________________
JSerpa
Cotonou, Benin
www.Tamlyn-Serpa.com
www.Facebook.com/Jorge.Serpa.1654
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


 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

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. 11-14
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 05:08.