Would you ride down to Africa after all???
 

i have planned to ride down the Africa in late January 2010....

i am concerned about the kidnaps...and i dont if i should cancel it or not.

Anyone that changed plans cause of that??


:confused1::confused1::confused1::confused1:

Kidnappings
 

Just take note of the areas and stay clear of them, there will always be crime, kidnappings, wars in Africa.

Man, where's your sense of adventure? Just go.

That said, I don't think the prospect of being kidnapped adds anything to the excitement.
But even without this unpleasant threat, you always had to be prepared for the mishaps that can happen in the desert, right? The risk that something bad could happen didn't suddenly escalate in November.
I am leaving with the family next week for Marocko. Then I will continue on my own to Mori and Mali to see old friends. It will be good. :)
I am preparing for another trip to Algeria and on south in February. if Niger is open for visitors.

In the words of The Clash: Shall I stay or shall I go...

I pulled my trip to Gambia and Timbuktu because of my concerns over the influence of AQIM and the fact I'm on a GB passport.

If transiting Mauritania were part of a trans-Africa trip or because I wanted to visit West Africa, I would still have gone (and followed all the common sense ideas presented elsewhere: possible convoy, day travel, don't divulge itinerary etc). You don't need to be told that lots of places in the world are volatile and the continent of Africa has more than it's fair share.

A road trip through Africa is outside most "people's comfort zones" (my definition of "Adventure"). It's your decision (clearly). Lots of people (especially those who've never been and will never go there, IMHO) will spread doom and gloom stories. Luckily, there's less here on the HUBB than in the main-stream media.

It's your call.
Chris

Hi mlock

We changed our plans just last week. Partly due to the situation in Mauritania and partly because of what is happening in Guniea (as we were heading to freetown). So re-routed our plans compleatly and now going the to middle east, maybe egypt.

I do hear there will be Military escorts on certain dates at the Mauri border escorting people to the capital. It may be worth hooking up with a few cars before hand.

have fun

These trips are always fraught with danger. How much do you want the trip and how will you feel if you do let your fears get the better of you?

So you think the Middle East is a safer part of the world? Which places have you planned to visit there?

A.

No. I'm leaving early Jan down Africa. If we can meet up your more than welcome to ride along.

I will be leaving from Malaga on January 3rd, going down on the West coast.

I will be on a Luxembourg registered KTM Adventure, hope to meet some people doing the same route

All the best
Albert

Rick Travis who flew over from Canada and bought my KTM 640 Adventure has just reached Gabon in time for Christmas. He went down through France/Spain and via Morocco and down the west coast of Africa and did not encounter any problems (apart from potholes and crappy roads). My opinion (for what it's worth) is that these situations are avoided by almost everyone travelling and it just boils down to being in the wrong place at the wrong time which could just as easily happen on your own doorstep. Be adventurous...

Add me to the list. I'll be riding my TTR600 down the West Coast, Germany to Cape Town, March to September 2010.

Julian

We will be leaving, with 2 Africa Twin, from Valencia on January 4rd, going down on the West coast untill Nouakchott and then to Mali till Accra.
We hoping too to meet some people doing the same route.
I think the the measures of security will be improved from the mauritanian army, since the kidnaping. Anyway, on Mauritania we will try to go fast-forward.
Good luck everibody.
Mircea

Just Passed Through Mauri
 

Just arrived Senegal today after driving from Morocco through Mauri.

Stayed at the Motel Barbas near the Morocco / Mauri border, met up with a small convoy, did the drive to NKCT together. Overnight NKCT. Arrived Saint-Louis today via Dijamma crossing. HIGHLY recommend Djamma over Rosso. Road to Diamma was sandy in spots, but our '99 Audi A4 did it fine.

All was cool in Mauri. Bring your fiches.

Europe to Cape Town (Algeria, Niger, Burkina, Mali... to Angola... to Zanzibar... to Cape Town) still on for me too. Leaving from Amsterdam on 31 Jan 2010. Depending on the weather in Western Europe I may have to put the bike on a train to Spain - advice from anyone currently in Europe would be appreciated. In South Africa we mostly get visuals of the chaos in England...

Safe travels all - I hope to meet some of you along the way!

Which are you more worried about - the effects of cold weather on the bike, or the effects of cold weather on the rider? :-)

Major roads should be cleared of snow/ice. I'm currently in colder, snowier part of Europe and life continues as normal here, apart from a couple of passes being closed, and some colleagues who are glad of an excuse to stay at home.

Still on for me and Mike too. We managed to get through the snow in France. A couple of tricky buts but not too bad. Check the ¨Calais to Montpellier¨entry on our blog. Saludos!

Definitely concerned about temperatures' effects on both bike and rider. I've never been to Europe so I've only ever seen snow from the bike in Lesotho and sleet in Peru - but not for 2500km... Will take reasonable precautions. Hoping to take smaller roads closer to the coast until south of the Pyrenees and avoid the highways but will see what's possible when I get there. Will get more first hand info when in Amsterdam and can change itinerary at the drop of a hat.
Safe travels!

Belgium-Ghana
 

hey, We crossed Mauritanie without problems. 25december-31december 2009.
We did the pist Nouadibou-choum-Atar-Chingetti-Tidjikja. On the pist to Choum we had a escort of the "gendarmerie mobile". 2 landcruisers each with 3 armed men ,a driver and the chef.They gave us a escort for security. In Atar we spoke with the chef of gendarmerie and he gaves us a permission with stampes that we could travel alone. A serval checkpoints we gave acopy of this document.
On the pist we didn't saw any tourist with four wheel driving cars. In Atar many people complained about the situation. no tourist,no money!
Afterwards we drove from Tidjikja ,on road,to "route D'espoir" direction Ayoun where we toke the road to Nioro.

We're going top to bottom through the east of Africa. I think the best is just to be aware of where more dangerous areas are, and try avoid them. Apart from that, just do your research and be sensible.

We are going through Sudan just before their election, which is the only major thing for us (that we see). We're hoping it doesn't blow up into any kind of war. But we're still going anyway and will judge the situation as it happens.

Hi there,

We are on the same way,but later on-June.
Would be nice to hear from you the current situation in Sudan,once you crossed there.

Thanks in advance and safe travel.


Cheers,


Simon

No worries. I think once we're through Sudan, we'll post an update on the ins & outs. It's definitely a very hard country to find information on. I've had to just go on other travelers information as well.

Keep in mind though, we will be going through just before the election. Things could change very dramatically once the election is over and they choose a winner.

Sudan elections.
 

For everybodies information, the upcoming elections in April are for South Sudan only and should not affect people traveling in North Sudan. For those of us working here during that time, we are encouraged to take leave otherwise it's business as usual with a few precautions thrown in just in case. I've just done a quick survey of the office and the answers I got were 9th or 11th for the actual voting day. Most people coming down through Wadi Halfa, KHT, Gedaref will not come anywhere near South Sudan.
There is almost zero tourism in SS and entry into the region is relatively regulated. There will be a referendum in 2011 in which SS decides if it will separate from the North. This will be a dodgy time & many people believe it will result in a resumption of hostilities. If you stray off the usual tourist route in the north, please be aware that closer to the border region you go, the risk of landmines increases. Stay on the tracks & talk before you walk!
Campbell J
Mines Advisory Group,
Juba, South Sudan.

Great information, I wasn't aware it was limited to Southern Sudan. Last I read, it was starting on the 5th too. That'll keep everyone I'm travelling with (and people back at home) happy. Thanks heaps.