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Cairo to Nairobi and back in 3 weeks - possible? Cairo to Nairobi and back in 3 weeks - possible?
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
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  #1  
Old 2 Jun 2012
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Cairo to Nairobi and back in 3 weeks - possible?
Hi all

Looking to ride alone (or drive with the whole clan if my wife gets her way) from Cairo to Nairobi and back. We need to do it in three weeks. Is this possible? I (we) would go at the best time of year in relation to weather/relig holidays etc, and have appropriate bike (1200 Multistrada) or car (5.7 hemi Jeep) for the trip. Really don't want to fly unless necessary. Any thoughts would be welcome. (Or anyone who would like to join me/us.)

Cheers, Brett
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  #2  
Old 2 Jun 2012
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Hi,

I dont think it would be fun to ride all the way from Cairo to Nairobi in three weeks. Ride there and back in the same time is not possible. The Sudan Farry takes time and to organize the visa stuff as well.

Entering Egypt and Sudan are also one of the moast expensive and difficult countrys (you need arabien numberplates, register at the police etc) of africa to enter so i would recomend you to just ride around Kenya for a bit. There are nice coasts and animal parks to visit.

Transafrika - Motorbike travel tour through africa part 1

Enjoy it, Tobi
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  #3  
Old 2 Jun 2012
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I should have said I live in Egypt, with Egypt plates on my vehicles, and the admin stuff I can arrange in my own good time. I'm really asking about the condition of the roads etc. I'm more of a look-at-something-as-I-scream-past-it sort of guy than a sightseer. I know it would be far easier and cheaper to fly but I just like riding (far and fast).
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  #4  
Old 2 Jun 2012
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Roads no problem, apart from Ethiopia is slow going (up, down, people and animals all over the roads, 200km a day is good going sometimes) and the northern part of Kenya is unsealed whichever way you go.

But the Aswan/WH ferry is not reliable at all at the moment, and getting a return visa for Sudan +could+ cause problems, so you should try to get a multiple entry before leaving Egypt etc.

Honestly though, don't bother, you will be driving most hours of the day for most your days, including through Ethiopia which is quite an annoying country to drive in, and I can't see if being much fun for anybody especially kids.

Just go to Sudan for 3 weeks, really nice people and plenty to do, or just fly to Nairobi and hire a car or something.

Africa needs less tourists in a hurry imho ;-p And you would always be in a hurry....
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  #5  
Old 2 Jun 2012
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Hi Brett,

As you know, it's about 5,000 km to Nairobi so depending how long you want to drive each day you could make it there and back, but it would be a long slog taking into account traffic, border crossings, ferry, etc.

Roads are good, pretty much paved the whole way now that the Wadi Halfa to Dongola portion has been improved with the only unpaved rough portion part as yak points out being northern kenya. Not an issue if you are driving but if you are on your bike then it's a slow ride over a rocky route with deep depressions.

One thing to keep in mind though is that there aren't that many options to vary your route significantly on the way back so the return trip wouldn't likely be as much fun as it would be ground that you have already covered.

One option that you might want to consider would be to look into the possibility of doing a one way. In a perfect world you could find another overlander wanting to do the trip in reverse. Details like rego and carnet for the borders would have to be worked out, but a three week one way trip would be a great adventure. If you felt you had some extra days, there are a few classic places like the game parks that you could visit. Happy planning.
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  #6  
Old 2 Jun 2012
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Thanks all. Very useful stuff. After your collective advice I'm thinking a one-way trip and get the beast shipped back (or beg a few more weeks leave). I've heard there's a reasonable Mombasa-Suez option, but I'll check that more. Thanks again you lot!

cheers
Brett
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  #7  
Old 3 Jun 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roamingyak.org View Post
Roads no problem, apart from Ethiopia is slow going (up, down, people and animals all over the roads, 200km a day is good going sometimes) and the northern part of Kenya is unsealed whichever way you go.

But the Aswan/WH ferry is not reliable at all at the moment, and getting a return visa for Sudan +could+ cause problems, so you should try to get a multiple entry before leaving Egypt etc.

Honestly though, don't bother, you will be driving most hours of the day for most your days, including through Ethiopia which is quite an annoying country to drive in, and I can't see if being much fun for anybody especially kids.

Just go to Sudan for 3 weeks, really nice people and plenty to do, or just fly to Nairobi and hire a car or something.

Africa needs less tourists in a hurry imho ;-p And you would always be in a hurry....

About Sudan visa with 2 entries, do you mean there is some problem to get it in Europe before leaving?

RR.
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  #8  
Old 3 Jun 2012
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Both great ideas Mountain man. Thanks for that.

cheers Brett
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