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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 19 Jan 2014
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from Lagos to calabar
Hi can we drive across from Lagos to calabar, we don't see many posts of people going this way.
we do not need any visas as we have got all apart from Gabon we get in Lome, and Cameroon we get in calabar.
has anyone done this recently if so which route.

cheers for any info.
dave
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  #2  
Old 19 Jan 2014
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Hi Dave
The route through Nigeria to Calabar used to be well traveled but I have not heard many people heading that way in the last year.
Most trips in the Mid 2000's used to bypass Lagos and keep inland before heading to Calabar. The locals knew the area as Cross River state.

Keep us posted and updated on any new information.
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  #3  
Old 20 Jan 2014
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we did something like this 9 months ago....we crossed north of lagos...and kept out of the city...crossed along nigeria via benin city,enugu, and south after ikom......do not go south before then...WARNING...delta is not a place to drive around...i know its alonger road...but belive me even this northen road is difficult....road blocks with burnt out police jeeps...fake cops...keep all windows up and doors locked...dont open the doors, window...if they csan get a hand in they will open the door and drag u out.....if u have peper spray keep it handy ( even if some of the badguys were sunglasses to stop u from spraying)...
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Old 21 Jan 2014
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Originally Posted by gazza171 View Post
we did something like this 9 months ago....we crossed north of lagos...and kept out of the city...crossed along nigeria via benin city,enugu, and south after ikom......do not go south before then...WARNING...delta is not a place to drive around...i know its alonger road...but belive me even this northen road is difficult....road blocks with burnt out police jeeps...fake cops...keep all windows up and doors locked...dont open the doors, window...if they csan get a hand in they will open the door and drag u out.....if u have peper spray keep it handy ( even if some of the badguys were sunglasses to stop u from spraying)...
Sums up why people have figured out to avoid the south (and north) and head through the middle. Even if you don't need any visas its highly recommended to go up to Parakou in Benin, then up a bit more to cross the border after Nikki, then New Bussa via a piste/dirt track (all in tracks4africa), Abuja, then Makurdi and onto Calabar if you want to visit. No guarantees, but this is likely to be the least amount of hassle and risk. About 10 checkpoints border to border, only one serious request for a 'dash' (bribe) and smiles all round… others had a few more requests, others none (2011 & 2012).

Strong advice is to avoid the south - higher risk all round, much more checkpoints… Camping at the Sheraton in Abuja is kind of fun as well ;-)

Good luck…. ;-)
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Old 21 Jan 2014
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Hey. I rode my bicycle from Benin ( Ketou ) to Ikom and on to Cameroon back in April/May. No major hassles along the way ( went through Abeokuta, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Benin City and Enugu ). Took me close to 3 weeks. The only stretches that are pretty tense is the Benin border- Abeokute stretch with lots, and lots of checkpoints and the last 100 kms towards the Cameroon border. Comply with the guys and smile !
Be safe, L.
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Old 29 Jan 2014
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Hi guys,
Many thanks for the advice - we have been debating which route for days now!! From Ketou to Ikom tempts as it is the shortest/direct route. Were going to ask Nigerian truckers to help make a last minute decision but all of your comments have helped us to decide on Abuja route now I reckon.
At Grand Popo enjoying the breeze. Only need our Cameroon visa now.

Cheers!!
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  #7  
Old 5 Feb 2014
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Nigeria experience
Hi Chris,
(My advice --> don´t judge the country before you went yourself !!! Its easy to get a bad opinion and scared as nearly every local in west-africa warns you of Nigeria and its "bad" inhabitant ! Mostly they are people that have heared rumours and bad stories from other folks and have never been there by themselfes. )

We agree!
In the end we took the route north and crossed at Nikki - terrible bedrock and mud drive the day we took it. But the welcome was fantastic! The Nigerians sure do know how to welcome you to the country.
No worries for security or check points - humour, a big smile and fun cleared the way.
Met the many stickmen west of Abuja - practically rammed the one that is famous for being a nasty corrupt horror - he jumped out of the way very quickly!
Other than that - no worries. Saw some amazing Fulani women and many large cattle migration herdsmen. Wonderful. Wish we had gone slower but visa timelines are a pain in the ass here in West Africa......
A two hand welcome wave from Nigeria. ha ha
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  #8  
Old 23 Feb 2014
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Cameroon to Lagos
We tried to go from the small boat harbour, Idenao about 40km north of Limbe, to Calabar 2 weeks ago. The port captain would not let us go because of piracy in the area. The port captain said that tyeh Lagos Calbar road was good.

We then drove around to Ikom in Cross River State Nigeria via Kumba and Mamfe. The road is pretty messy for about half the distance and apparently virtually unusable in the wet season. From Ikom we drove to Lagos. Once you are in Nigeria all the roads are good. Driving on the main A232 highway from Onitsha to Benin City and then onto Lagos is not for the faint hearted. The traffic is insane running in both directions on either side of the concrete median regardless of the formal direction in which the traffic should be travelling.
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Old 24 Feb 2014
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I travelled on a street bike from Lagos to Benin city, Onitsha, Owerri, Aba, Port Harcourt, Calabar and then through the very very bad road from Ekang to Mamfe in Cameroon (see photos), but the Chinese are building it. That was in January 2014. It was a fantastic trip and the people were very nice and helpful in both Nigeria and Cameroon.
Just keep your eyes wiiiiiide open on the roads specially in the USA African style (ie: Nigeria). You could easily have an accident there due to: very bad road covered with potholes, badly laid tarmac, people and animals crossing the road all the times, very bad drivers and most of all vehicles coming at you head on on the express way between Lagos and Benin City!!!
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Last edited by schenkel; 4 Sep 2014 at 00:18.
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  #10  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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Wow
We did that route in early February and never saw that section at all. Our route was a breeze but then we had not had rain and all the locals would point us in the direction of the best way if no workers were around.
Hope the bike and you were okay.
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