G'day.
I'm in the early stages of planning this trip, commencing April 2019.
Taking the west coast route since Somalia/Sudan look too much like hard work from a security point of view.
Probably taking 4 months, I'd need to be back in Australia for work at the beginning of August.
I realise these months are not the most favourable weather-wise for some of the journey, since equatorial wet seasons coincide with them.
However, I've been rained on before...
I'd welcome any wise words from anyone, and I'd also welcome contact from anyone keen to accompany me.
I'll be travelling on a 2017 Honda Africa Twin.

I don't know what specific "security point of view" concerns you, but you won't be going through Somalia unless you're really, really determined to do so. Which you're not.

The east coast route is usually considered faster and easier with the exception of the need to ship your bike around the currently-impassable Middle East. Visa management is an issue on the west coast route, and the heat (in the Sahara) and rain (in West Africa) can be more of an impediment than you might think. Roads are better in East Africa, which gets critical in bad weather.

The real issue might be your limited schedule. Best you abandon any hope of reaching Nordkapp unless (and probably even if) speed is your only priority. If you really have to be home at work on a specific date, I'd try to build in a couple of escape hatches along the way. There's nothing that turns a wild and free experience on the open road into a desperate, exhausting grind like a rapid-approaching end date.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Mark's right. The thing about Nordkapp is that there's not really much there at Nordkapp. It's an excuse to take a slow ride through magnificent scenery. You can get to Nordkapp from London in a week if you really need to, but it won't be enjoyable.

G'day PH,

Let's keep in touch, we may be able to help each other out with info of one kind or another (see below)...

I'm leaving with m'lady Angelika two-up on an Africa Twin (yet to obtain - poss this weekend) from London - Nordkapp - Cape Agulhas via west coast route. Leaving July '19. You'll be ahead of us, but it looks like we'll be covering same terrain in opposite directions.

If you interested; simon@simonhopper.co.uk - BigTrip19.blogspot.co.uk

Cheers and good luck!

S.

G'day PH,

Let's keep in touch, we may be able to help each other out with info of one kind or another (see below)...

I'm leaving with m'lady Angelika two-up on an Africa Twin (yet to obtain - poss this weekend) from London - Nordkapp - Cape Agulhas via west coast route. Leaving July '19. You'll be ahead of us, but it looks like we'll be covering same terrain in opposite directions.

If you interested; simon@simonhopper.co.uk - BigTrip19.blogspot.co.uk

Cheers and good luck!

S.

G'day PH,

From December 2016 through to July 2018 I rode down the West Coast route from Morocco to South Africa then back up the East coast to Egypt, shipped back across from Alexandria to Greece, then rode up to Nordkapp through the Baltics, across to Finland, then back down through Norway and Sweden.

Firstly, the Nordkapp route was brilliant, but still very cold in places, even in July. Beautiful scenery, great camping and fishing. Very expensive up there, though. Definitely a trip to ride some day - especially taking some of the TET.

Now to Africa. I loved both routes - to me, each had a very different vibe. Much of the West Coast has that Francophile feeling to it, and felt a bit more lively than some of the east coast. The Visa situation was a bit of a pain, but I made it through, although I'm not sure where you will get your Angolan Visa if travelling south to North (I got mine in Congo without any hassles).

The East Coast is a far more established travel route, and you will see many more overlanders there.

With regards to your comments regarding security; you definitely don't want to be venturing into Somalia, but North Sudan was one of my favourite countries of my entire trip. The Sudanese people were incredibly friendly and hospitable - right up there with the type of hospitality I got in Iran and Pakistan! Egypt felt way more dodgy than Sudan. I'd also say that there are plenty of places to get yourself in trouble up the West Coast - Nigeria springs to mind as number one.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer.

PS Actually, my best advice would be to quit your job and ride both coasts.
PPS At the risk of starting an argument...have you considered what tires you'll be using?