When to go? What to do?
 

My wife and I have just had our first child and we have managed to get a 2 year career break form work (2004 - 2006). We have many ideas bumping around in our heads at the moment Oz, SA, Europe, possible RTW. We will probably go to SA in April 2004 and do Southern Africa in a 4 x 4.

In the mean time I would lijke to do a West Africa/Sahara trip, probably by bike. Mor, Mauri, Mali, Senegal then back to UK. When would be a good time to leave for a trip like this? I would plan to take approx 2 - 3 months? Any suggestions?

Not sure about putting an infant on a 'bike around W.Africa????!!!! And not sure that leaving the other half for 3 months with said infant is such a good idea either (but that has nothing to do with me!).

Get Chris's book (from www.sahara-overland.com), and take it from there. Certainly 3 months is more than enough to do the Atlantic route down, and back through Agadez-Tamanrasset (if you are happy with Algeria at the moment). Equally certainly, most people advise against summer travel - particularly if it's your first trip, and on a bike.

Can I suggest taking junior camping in Spain, in August, before doing too much planning though??!! Just to be aware of what's involved. I met a family in Malaysia who had driven from the UK, setting off when their son was 2 months old - so you can do it...

Sam.