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Africatrip via east route in 3 month (feasible)? Africatrip via east route in 3 month (feasible)?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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



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  #1  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Africatrip via east route in 3 month (feasible)?
Hi all!

I’m currently planning to drive through Africa (via the east side) for 3 month. My plan is to leave from SA (or Namibia) and to drive back to Germany. At the time being, the following route is under consideration: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania (visit of the project Kiuma), Kenya, Ethiopia, (if possible at all, Eritrea), Sudan, Egypt.
I unfortunately can only be on road from beginning January until End of March.

After searching the HUBB, I could not find any hints that fully answer my question. Thus, since some of you have a lot of experiences in Africa I would like to know:

- is this a good time to go from south to north -east
- based on your experiences, is that trip practical in 3 month, at all? (If you think/know not, what would you recommend? What is the min. time to avoid chasing time?
- would you do the trip other way round?

Thank you for your help in advance.
Looking forward to you answer.

So long
Carsten – alias - fellowtraveller
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  #2  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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It is possible to do it in this time if a little rushed, you might have to travel a little more directly, missing out Zim and Mozambique. You will also have to consider when you travel due to weather conditions, sometime around September to November would be good if heading north.
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  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Yeah it's possible but you will be doing a lot of riding and missing so so much !!

If you don't have the time then I guess you don't have the choice but if you DO have the time, please don't rush it.

It took me six months and I felt that I'd seen a lot and had time to relax and soak up the atmosphere. I took the long route around lake Victoria which was well worth the extra time/mileage.

So many people on the Cairo-Cape see South Africa as the "detination" and blast it straight to Capetown and then home. South Africa is probably one of the best countries in Africa with stunning scenery, mountains, coastlines etc.. It's well worth spending a good six weeks there alone.

If I had the money, I would of liked to stay 7-8 months on the east coast.

Ted
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  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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they did it in two months:

Naszymsladem.pl :: Podróże, fotografia, offroad. (only polish version)
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  #5  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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I unfortunately can only be on road from beginning January until End of March.

That means your plan is for 2012.
Things are in change so fast and its early to say something certain.
Recently South African Andon has done it, some tips available in his site and blog.
www.2wherever.com

In may 2011,2 members will send motors to durban and start the trip Afrikalem in 100 days, from durban to istanbul.If we keep in touch, ı will inform you about the recent conditions after they are back in istanbul.

The photo of his route included here so you too may have to keep away some countries.As he said, it was the most safe route from SA. to Egypt on the east coast.(Next year conditions probably will be different and changed.)

wish you all the best.
zeki avar
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  #6  
Old 3 Apr 2011
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Yes it is possible. We did it in 3 months and one week and felt that we had seen and experienced as much as people who spend a year.

Your plan to start in South Africa is very good. It safes you time because you don't need to plan extra time for exporting or selling your vehicle because you will arrive at home. I would advice to start in SA in all cases anyway. You start slowly in countries like SA, Namibia, Botswna. You will not have the hassle of Egypt, the experience in Sudan and Ethiopia in the first month. I believe South to North is more relaxed and you will appreciate the southern countries more.

The time of the year is also perfect because you won't have many rains.
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  #7  
Old 18 Apr 2011
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I'm planning to do the same trip and had exactly the same question.
Check http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...planning-55721
I'll be doing the trip in about 4/5 months. From SA to Belgium.
Happy planning!
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  #8  
Old 28 Apr 2011
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No problem
We took 4 months, 3 would be comfortably achieveable. we clocked up 14K miles in that period. We had allowed up to 6 months and travelled at the pace we wanted to. Averages 100 miles a day. There are lot's of tarmac roads but we chose to venture off a fair bit and gravel road it, particularly in Ethiopia.
If you stick to the main roads and have a 3 month time frame you will not be rushed or disappointed. Of course you could spend a year and see much more!
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