Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Africa West Route Cameroun-Gabon-DRC-Angola Africa West Route Cameroun-Gabon-DRC-Angola
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Africa West Route Cameroun-Gabon-DRC-Angola
To anybody who has done this route recently; If we plan to do it with a TLC 4x4 would you recommend to fit a winch on the car? If we will do this route we will try to avoid the rainy seasons but you never know.... Hense my question!

Thanks in advance,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Louisville Colorado, USA
Posts: 90

We did it last year in the rainy season. We had a winch but didn't use it. If you are travelling with another vehicle, the winch is not needed. If you are on your own, you might need one. I can only speak from our experience, and we didn't need one.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org
__________________
Graham 'Cracker'
Director: Overland Training
Editor: Overland Journal
Instigator: Africa Overland
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Hi Graham,

Thank for the reply. My question now is... did you travel with another vehicle or on your own?

Cheers,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
I did this route last year with a LR disco. Didn't got stuck (had to reverse out a few times in the dessert, but that's not really stuck is it?).

I think if you have something like a high-lift kind of devise, sand plates, a tow rope and a shovel, you're pretty much set. If you want more, I would consider such a cheap hand winch. Not as fancy, but surely makes you feel macho.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Morton, England
Posts: 100
Hi Noel,

currently in Luanda, having passed the route you're contemplating in the last couple of weeks.

It was the start of the rainy season in Cameroon but not too wet. The roads have been improved massively in the last year, though we did slide into a ditch and needed to be pulled out by 7 locals... I'd say there's no need for the weight or expense of a winch but that's up to you - they do look good...

Ben

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Jun 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Louisville Colorado, USA
Posts: 90

Noel,

When we went through Gabon/Congo/Congo and Angola we were with 4 other cars, so quite a large group. 3 Defender 110s (2 with winches) 1 6x6 Pinzgauer and 1 78 series TLC (with winch). Used 1 winch 1 time to pull a local out of a mud pit.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org
__________________
Graham 'Cracker'
Director: Overland Training
Editor: Overland Journal
Instigator: Africa Overland
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476

OK, that is clear enough to me. Eliminates another dilemma. Won't get a winch and will do with the Trifor that i have.

Thanks everone!

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Germany
Posts: 140
Hi,
we have done this trip just a few months ago!
You can rad the story at our homepage under www.motorradnomaden.de
there click "Reisetagebuch"!

A friend of us came also down this route and drove alone on a VW transporter without 4WD and much specials!!!!


------------------
Best wishes
:-)
RalEva

http://www.Motorradnomaden.de
around the world on 2 motorcycles

The homepage has a translation service!!
__________________
Best wishes
:-)
Ralf & Eva

http://www.Motorradnomaden.de
around the world on 2 motorbikes

The homepage has a translation service!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 52
Although this thread would seem to indicate that driving down through the Congo's and Angola is doable, we are planning to ship our vehicle from Cameroon to Namibia. Does anyone have experience with this? I've posed the question in a new thread so please reply to: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000343.html
__________________
Cheers!
Michiel.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Hi Redhouse,

Why do you want to ship? Would like to discus. You can contact me via our web-log
www.exploreafrica.web-log.nl

cheers,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Belgium
Posts: 56
Hi Redhouse,

i completely agree with Noel. We drove our two wheel drive van through the Congo's and Angola just two months ago. Except for the muddy Muanda to Boma piste in DR Congo we didn't have any real problems.
Most people seem to worry about safety, but we didn't feel this stretch of our trip was less safe than for example Cameroon or our stay now in South Africa.
Save yourself a lot of money and shipping hassle and just drive on. We found especially Angola to be a very nice surprise.
Whatever you do, enjoy it,

Koen
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 29 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Hi Koen,

Can you tell me which route or road you took from Gabon to Congo Brazzaville, DRC and Angola ? Or which border crossings?

Thanks,

Noel
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 52
Hi Noel and Koen,

OK, to explain you the situation: If I had the time I would be willing to try Cameroon->Namibia overland. But unfortunately I do not, so my trip will end in Cameroon.
My sister and her boyfriend would like to take over our vehicle but they are less experienced travellers and are not keen on starting their trip in the Congo's. They would like to drive through Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi or something similar.
So there, that's the story and the reason I'm looking to ship the vehicle to Namibia.
But thanks for your help and to repeat: If I had the opportunity I would like to drive down.
Just out of curiosty: If you were in a hurry, how quickly could you drive from say Douala to Windhoek?

Thanks,
Michiel.

PS: Noel, I will contact you also on your weblog.
__________________
Cheers!
Michiel.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 3 Aug 2005
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
I would say it's doable in 2weeks, depending on how long it takes to get the visa. (Gabon, Congo B and DRC can be done in 24hr in Yaounde if you pick the right order), I got my Angolan visum the same day in Pointe Noir, and same in Matadi, but had to wait a few days because of holidays and weekends on both occasions.

except from visa, following is possible
1 day to Yaounday, 1day to pik up visa
Gabon 2 days (unless road is blocked due to landslide...)
Congo B 3days
Cabinda 1 day
DRC 2 days
Angola 5 days
1 day to Windhoek.
Let's say another 3 days for the Angolan visa, and you'll be very happy to be in windhoek and get some sleep...
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 8 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 52
OK, maybe we could consider driving through, at least it sounds very interesting.

However: We would then be likely to do this in February. I believe this is very much the rainy season down there. So does anybody have any experience with doing Gabon-Congos-Angola in February? We are just a single vehicle and have no winch mounted (I could buy a hand winch).

Thanks!
__________________
Cheers!
Michiel.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:10.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top