Drinking water availability
 

This may seem like a stupid question but I was just wondering how easy it was to get access to decent drinking water?

I'm planning on riding through Western Africa all the way down to the Cape.

Just wondering what availability was like so I can start planning on how much water I need to store on the bike.

How many litres does everyone normally carry?

Thanks!

I did not ride all the way down to SA. I headed into the deserted part towards the East to Sudan. Water was available everywhere all the way, bottled, tap or from wells. Just ensure you have sterilizing tablets or UV sterilizer. How much you carry depends on how hot it is, how frequent you stop, and how much weight you want to carry on your bike, but two litres should suffice.
I would assume water is available everywhere down the way to SA.

Two litres absolute minimum for me. I've drunk more than that today just sitting at a desk, and today's temps in the UK are daily norms south of the Sahara.

A 5 or 10-litre MSR-type water bag takes little space until it's needed. V handy for wild camping.

Never used a UV sterilizer but I've heard they're effective and much less bulky than a proper filter pump which in my experience hardly gets used on normal routes.

I had a fancy collapsible water bottle at the beginning, but when it broke I did not miss it. You can buy/find water bottles everywhere in Africa, leaving them behind or finding bigger ones as your needs require.

I drink a lot of water. Generally I like to have 4L by the time I set camp. 1L for drinking, 1L for cooking/coffee, 1L for hygiene, 1L reserve. Depends on the heat. In the Sahara I would be carrying 8L, and even that ran out quick.

I drink the local water unfiltered in most places. If I don't trust it (looking at you Ghana) I also carry a "lifestraw", which is a cheap, simple and light filter system. I lived for several weeks using the lifestraw for all my water intake. Also, you can drink straight out of rivers without contaminating your waterbottle. I'm a big fan of the Lifestraw. Only drawback is that the recommended service life is 1000L, if you use it for all your water intake it will not last a full year.

I normally carry a couple of liters, but double that for hot weather. If overnighting away from services I sometimes carry even more--for rehydrating at the end of a hot day, cooking, a quick wash....

I use a gravity filter almost everywhere now. It's fast, easy, and stores most of the water I'll need. Never tried the straws or the UV methods, but have hand-pumped thousands of gallons (and don't miss it).

I do not tend to trust local water sources. Too many sub-par experiences with guardia and amoebas.

Mark

Try the http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Product.../dp/B00FHRADQ2

Lightweight and compact . . Makes any running water a drinkable commodity

I have the Sawyer Mini Filtration System as well. Lifestraw is another popular and well reviewed product. Along with some water purification tablets, one of those devices is a good idea for traveling Africa if you get stuck without bottled water.

Generally bottled water can be found most everywhere. Be sure the cap has not been opened before you buy a bottle, though. Once in a while, I'd find a cap with a broken seal.

Thanks everyone that's been a massive help!