I'm looking at backpacking around Africa. As in ... Africa. As much of the continent as I can possibly/'safely' see. The countries I'm esp. interested in are South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Tunisia, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Senegal Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

I want to do this overland, starting in Jo'burg. By foot, by public transport and by hitchhiking. Yeah, I know this is a forum that's aimed mainly at those keen on getting around on two wheels, but I feel there are enough Africaphiles here to get a decent response.

Accommodation-wise, I'm looking at cheap hotels and, where possible/safe to do so, camping and staying with locals. In terms of food, I'm looking at, again, cheap places and, where possible, cooking. I'd trust my prep before I'd trust that of some road side stall in the middle of nowhere.

I'd like to spend my time just experiencing the different cultures and doing some aid work. I've already got three places in mind (two in Kenya, one in Ethiopia) and am currently looking for a few more.

Where do I want to finish? Well, ideally, where I begin -- Jo'burg.

So ... now I need some idea of how much I have to save (cost-per-month would be best). I have a job that'll let me make some money on the road -- freelance writing -- but I want a good bit of cash behind me before I head off. Time isn't an issue. Also, I'd like to factor anti-malarial meds into the budget. While I intend to take a decent supply with me, I figure I'm going to have to purchase some on the road (incidentally, what's the cost of anti-malarial meds like in Africa? Is it subsidised in places with decent health care systems like Kenya and Tunisia?

Hey Chris,

Ive decided to impart some of my pearls of wisdom on you even though you not a biker...

Firstly, I must warn you that this is likely to become another hot thread with people getting very worked up about what seems to be a touchy subject for some reason. Search budget on Hubb and see previous battles of the buck...

Im a real cheapskte traveller, because I am an African I have less cash to throw around than most travellers and also because I really think that if you are going to travel on the poorest continent you will get the most "real" experience by living as closely as possibly to the people and that also happens to be the cheapest way to do things. There- Ive justified myself in advance.

I did Cape To Cairo and back to Ethiopia by bike in 2004. I did not go to any game parks, do any bungee jumping, river rafting, canned lion shooting or Sheraton pool lounging in the 6 months that I was on the road. I did stay in cheap local resthouses and hotels, I camped when i could and ate local food everywhere I went (Im a vegetarian and had no trouble finding good food for cheap), sometimes I cooked and I often made my own coffee and simple meals. I saw amazing places that the safari crew will never see and I feel that I had a pretty real and (to me) meaningful experience. I bargained for prices where I saw fit and paid in full where it seemed the right thing to do. I did this on an average of less than US$ 30 an day including fuel. Fuel is now a lot more expensive, but that doesnt effect you as much. Id say you should be fine on that now if you go public. I did have money in reserve in case of emergency as i trevelled without insurance.

As for anti Malarials; dont take my advice as law. What works for me is this: I take Larium in tropical places in the wet season only. Larium is cheap, easy to get and you only take it once a week. When not taking Larium I carry Malaria test kits (expensive in Africa unless bought in SA) and Coartem (spell?) as an emergency treatment. I also know what to look for in terms of the symptoms of Malaria as my system is not foolproof and I have contracted it once... Also some people get nasty side effect off Larium so test it out a month before you leave, lots of people dont get any effects.

"Is it subsidised in places with decent health care systems like Kenya and Tunisia?" Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.... sorry thats rude, Im just really jaded.

Hope you have a fantastic trip man!

One more thing; Dont start in Joberg man, Cape Town is where its at, ask all the Jobergers who are here now on holiday!

Jim

__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire

I'm starting in Jo'burg because that's where pretty much all direct flights to South Africa from Australia go. I don't intend to explore it much when I land. I'd like to see it -- not to mention Cape Town and Soweto -- properly when I come around again. Work in Lesotho and Swaziland too.

And too, I want to be v cheap as well. Not African, obviously, but I'm looking at becoming a teacher. Aiming to teach, amongst other places, in Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. While I'm doing this trip for many reasons, I'm partly hoping to ... I dunno, learn about what my future charges are go through. To gain a decent understanding of the people and the issues of the continent. Thus wanting to travel and stay with locals as much as possible. I don't want to do a safari. Too expensive and, honestly, I don't really ... enjoy the whole animal thing that much. As for bungee and such? Doesn't grab me. I figure this is an adventure in itself. Boy's own material.

I'm going to have to work out what the score is with anti-malarials. I'm concerned about the side effects of taking anti-malarial pills over such a long period of time. I'd buy a testing kit here. Of course, Saharan Africa is outside the danger zone ... so I guess I'll have a bit of a break there, but still, if I'm spending a lot of time in Kenya and such ... it may be an issue.

Sounds like you on the right track. Africa is a great place to loose yourself and find someone else again- for better or for worse... As for "To gain a decent understanding of the people and the issues of the continent" -Ive lived here for 31 years and I feel that with every year I gain a deeper confusion of the people and issues of Africa... As they say Life is an endless quest for questions...". I wont get started again on my usual rant, but just please do yourself a favour and dont expect the "I had a farm in Africa..." experience because it does not exist and if you were to find it, it would be a contrivance and then whats the point really? Africa is a mess and its problems often seem insurmountable, its hard going and your heart will be torn out many times, but the experience is real and there are rare monments of hope and beauty that make it magical.

As for malaria, again please research it yourself, but I believe the medications are often more harmful that the disease if you play it right. especially if you planning to be around for some time.. Remember that nobody living in Africa takes anti-malarials... also remember that 2 MILLION of them die each year, though most are very old or young. Larium is my choice because it gives me no side effects and its easy and cheap, but it can also complicate treatment if you contract Malaria while taking it which is possible but unlikely... Its pretty confusing hey...

Enjoy
Jim

__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire

One more thing; Dont start in Joberg man, Cape Town is where its at, ask all the Jobergers who are here now on holiday!

Jim[/quote],
,
well said that man.

cape Town is the one and only place to start or end your trip.

Cape Town is the holiday playground,
and every one go's there.

Just look to see how many GP, ND, EC, plates cars you see when you are there.
CA plated cars are the locals !
G.

One thing to keep in mind is the cost of visa's. The Nigerian visa (depending where you get it) can easily cost over $100 which is the same for many African countries. So do to the route you are planning you could easily spend well over $1000 in just visa costs. Traveling in Africa is not cheap or easy, but I guess that is what makes it so rewarding.
As far as Malaria skip all the profalactics, get 2 doses of Coartem (which is the latest cure and only costs $4) the second you feel any symptoms you take a dose. After spending almost a year traveling in Malaria countries that is my advice.
Goodluck
Josh
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