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3 Aug 2016
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Thanks for the advice and stories everyone, seems it might be a bit more challenging than I first thought, particularly security. I am determined to make it happen though, and it's good to know I'm the next nutter that has come along to suggest the idea. I'm thinking I should work out a country at a time.
Please keep the posts coming!
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3 Aug 2016
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Hard to tell how seriously to take this.
OP, have you any experience with camels? I mean, at least enough to know that they tend to be surly, opinionated, difficult to load, and hideously uncomfortable?
Have you any experience with self-supported desert travel? How about movement in low-level war zones? Spent any time in Africa at all? Etc.
Not trying to criticize; it's just that you're not giving much to go on here. What you're proposing is unlikely to come to any sort of fruition unless you happen to have considerable resources at your disposal--this means money, time, stamina, skills and experience. Plus some more stuff, like luck.
There are folks here who're well-supplied with much of the above. You might attract some interest if you can demonstrate real potential; otherwise, you look like just another dreamer.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
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3 Aug 2016
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Hi Mark,
Thanks for the message, I understand I haven't given you much to go on. I do have the time, money, stamina and some skills, but as far as unsupported desert camel travel in low level war zones I have no experience.
The idea is still in it's infancy, but reading others stories I believe it is possible (political climate depending of course). This thread is just a generic call out to others who might be interested or to offer advice/tips. I've already made contacts within a few days, and a route is starting to form, but as far as logistics it is still a way away.
Perhaps you could offer some advice on what might make people take me a bit more seriously? Or how to demonstrate real potential? Or better yet how I might connect with some more experienced folks on here?
Thanks,
Dan
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3 Aug 2016
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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crossing the Sahara with camels
"as far as unsupported desert camel travel in low level war zones I have no experience"
hello Dan - what about spending first a 4 weeks test in Mauritania with camels?
Just to get good camels is an adventure - did you read "Impossible Journey" ?
All the best and Good Luck - Ursula
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3 Aug 2016
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Is such a journey impossible? Well, nothing is impossible and any dream is meant to be experienced. But you don't get to climb the Everest without ever having hiked previously...
I'd say start by visiting Southern Morocco on a motorcycle. Get ooe of these tourist camel back rides in Merzouga or M'Hamid El Ghizlane. Maybe reach Mauritania. Then get a feel for the environment. Ask questions. Get a feel for this new environment. Then you will know if you are ready for crossing the continent. Any which way you want.
I myself would love to cross Africa. But maybe I am 10 to 15 years too late. Back then, only Western Sahara was dangerous with its inhabitants' territorial revendications and the Polisario. Now Occidental politics have created terrorism in Africa. And it won't get any better.
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3 Aug 2016
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crossing the Sahara
the impossible journey...
became finally a reality! Michael Asher, the writer of the above mentioned book, crossed the Sahara from Mauritania to the Red Sea with his wife and camels.
Morocco is IMHO still too near to the civilisation. In Sudan, Dongola, or Mauritania, Atar, you can experience during a short stay paperwork, markets, camel trade and climate. Both countries offer Sahara conditions to test a trip with local camels.
PS my anatomy did not like the moorish camel saddles...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/726643...7621650762967/
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3 Aug 2016
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Wishing that one day, I'll be able to cross from Mauritania to the Red Sea on a motorcycle. Sadly, it might only stay a wish. ;-(
Lee
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