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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 5 Jan 2002
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Trans Africa Duration

Hi Guys,
A simple question, with a hundred answers I'm sure!

I'm planning a trans-Africa trip for 2004. The route is roughly as follows (despot dependant...) Maroc, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.

I'm wondering how much time to allow for this, or maybe the question I should ask is "how fast can you do this?". While I don't plan to race, I can only take 4-6 months, which will be enough time to deal with the bureaucracy through Africa, but will it give me enough time to appreciate the trip.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's made this trip in the 4-6 month timeframe and if you thought it was too rushed...

Cheers,
Nick.
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Old 10 Jan 2002
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I think 4-6 months will be fine. You'll be gagging for home by then ;-)

Chris S

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Old 10 Jan 2002
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Don't tell neil lawson then - took him 17 months - and in Chris's fav. vehicle (a diesel powered 101)

But you didn't include Botswana and Namibia - you can't go all that way and miss those out

Rich
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Old 10 Jan 2002
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How about Libya-Algeria-Niger then onwards?
More interesting countries (I reckon), and less 'just getting there'...

just a thought!

Sam.
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Old 15 Jan 2002
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Cheers guys.

I'm not doing Algeria-Libya, as I've done and am doing again this year (well Libya anyway, plan to do Algeria later as it's easy to reach), and I'm also going to Namibia in November...

Now all I have to do is plan the route and convince work for the time off

Nick.
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Old 16 Jan 2002
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I guess as you can't do Zaire these days you could do a trans Africa in 4 months, but we did it in 6 and felt a bit pushed. 4 months certainly wouldn't allow any time for things going wrong, and all you would see would be out of your window....you wouldn't have much time to get out of the car!

Biggest tip of all......do it in a Toyota!!!!!
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Old 18 Jan 2002
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I also hope to drive across Africa in 2004, in (for my sins) my LR (90) Defender. But I plan to take a 'year out' to do so, visiting as many countries as possible. Visit www.africa-overland.net (if you havn't already) for advice and inspiration. Have a safe trip...
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Old 18 Jan 2002
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I also hope to drive across Africa in 2004, in (for my sins) my LR (90) Defender. But I plan to take a 'year out' to do so, visiting as many countries as possible. Visit www.africa-overland.net (if you havn't already) for advice and inspiration. Have a safe trip...
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Old 22 Jan 2002
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For my sins, I plan to leave in 2004 in a 200TDI Discovery... Guess it will be Cape Town or Bust!
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