Best time for Africa north to south
 

I read and read.....but still I,m not to shure what to make of what I find.

What is the best time of year to ride down the eastcoast of Africa to Cape Town. It looks to me as it is around dec/jan. Want to avoid extreme heat and rain.

We are planning on going Syria, Jordan, Saudi, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and then Cape Town South Africa.

East coast
 

Hi Im heading simular route sept/oct 07 leaving Chennel Islands, plan to spend a about 2months in eastern Europe, reaching africa rufly the same time as you. That seems to be the most puplar time to arrive. I plan to go throught Egypt,
Why are you going via Saudi Arabia? I looked at this route to avoid the problems in Sudan. However after speaking to people who have been there reciently have decided to take the Egypt, Sudan, Eithopia route

Thanks for your reply.
I,m concidering Saudi/Sudan to avoid Egypt and all the carnet/custom-problems.
Thats the only reason really.

Times
 

I would aim to finish up in Cape Town around end nov or early dec. This way u will miss most of the big rainy seasons. Although it rains all the time un Uganda and western tanzania. I dont think u would really want to drive the bots route when it has just rained. The fine sand is bad enough. Also some of the best game viewing is around the summer times near the watering holes as the animall congregate there! and the rapids are better on the zambezi as the there is less water. Thats the times we did.... i hope u have amazing trip

Route South through East Africa
 

Dizzie, Bikerfromsark

Thinking of doing similar trip but in 2008 due to commitments. However, still debating the Egypt and south through Sudan or the Saudi option. Had been put off the Saudi route by reading some of the posts on the HUBB that suggest visas for Saudi are difficult to get. Would really appreciate some comments or suggestions on this issue. Thanks

Simon

East africa
 

Hi Simon
I want to take the Sudan route as I have wanted to visit the country for a while, also east africa seems incomplete with out it. Something that has been on my mind for a while is; what to do, if when arriving at the boarder, it is closed, this has happened to two people I know. I guess the only option is to go back to Cairo and fly to Addis or Nairobbery. Has any one got a better plan??
hope this has helped simon; or maybe just given you more questions
George

Just wondering:

If the best time to arrive in South Africa would be now, where will I hit the rain when I am arriving in Dschibuti end of January/beginning of February with the plan to go down via Ehtiopia, Kenia, Uganda, Tansania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia?

Is that route possible during this time of the year?

Lars

Hi 'Bikerfromsark'. Probably more questions!!!!
I agree that to do the trip without doing the Cairo down through Sudan almost seems like cheating, but the Saudi route is also attractive as few people seem to go that way, and it does, at least on a michelin map and google earth, seem to have 'roads' for most of the way! Mind you, they say that more than half of the fun is in the planning!!
Simon

Info found kindly supplied by Ben Wilkins
 

I have found an excel spreadsheet with rainfall info collected by Ben Wilkins for
NIGERIA CAMEROON GABON CONGODRC ANGOLA NAMIBIA BOTSWANASOUTH AFRICA MOZAMBIQUE MALAWI ZIMBABWE ZAMBIA TANZANIA UGANDA KENYA ETHOPIA
If anyone wants it , please EMAIL me
cheers
Bert

rainfall spreadsheet
 

hi bert,
i'd love to have a copy. thanks!

norman
1bike1world@gmail.com

duh...:biggrin: it's been here all the time.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri.../gpsroutes.php

why, like susan and grant said; seek and you shall find.

Time travel
 

Hi Dizzie
You will be lucky to get a Saudi visa, we tried in London and Amman, they are the worst people I have ever tried to deal with, you could try an agent to arange it, but be prepared to go via Egypt, the border isn't too bad. Syria and Jordan will be cold and windy in December and you will have to get through Kenya before the long rains in March. Better go in October-November I would say, or via Iran Oman Yemen.
Happy trails
Bruce

Cheers
 

Thank you Norman- it was sent to me so did not do a search-
Well done for the linky as it will save me time :thumbup1: