We're doing it in 4 months, but only 3 weeks of that is getting to Cairo. It's 3 months and a week for Cairo to Cape Town. But yeah, even with that, we do drive a fair bit. But we still get to stop at certain places for 4 or 5 days, then other days drive all day. It's not really slow paced, but I'd say doing in that time would be about medium pace. I don't really think we are doing it at any rate of knots.

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http://www.WhyNotTour.com

Thanks Dave the hat, it would be much more convenient to get visa's on the go,...did it cause much of a hold up at any border? what was your experience of 'fixers'?

Boomer

Did the run up from South Africa to Kenya last year on a 650 Dakar and a normal 650 GS.

We only carried an extra 5lt can of fuel and never needed it - although in Zambia we were a bit twitchy at 347kms betwen available fuel stops!

The main worry was the petrol stations either not having any fuel available, or no electricty at that momeent to actually pump up the fuel.

The BM's were wonderful in their economy though. I would carry as little as you can for weight purposes. (Same philisophy from my various freinds who have done the southern part of your route.

Sean

The link below may be of interest.
Certainly Ethiopian and Sudanese visas are needed in advance, easily obtainable in Cairo. Sudanese consulate not easy to find, in a different location to that shown on most maps.
But the people at the campsite in Giza (forget the name at present) that most overlanders use know the taxi drivers who can take you there. We looked for it ourselves but wished we'd used the campsite taxi as we lost a day in the process.
Usually, you need a letter from your own consulate to get the Sudanese visa. Again the local taxi driver knows which ones and where they are. Not cheap if you're British.

Our blog below has postings covering entering Syria, Egypt and Sudan that may be of interest. No other visas required in advance other than Sudan and Ethiopia. Not having a visa didn't cause any delay at any border.

But as already said, your trip looks a bit of a rush compared to ours.
5 1/2 months and we've just arrived in Ethiopia from London!

I have a Dominator at home, and with a big tank you'll have no trouble. You find fuel in some pretty unexpected locations in Sudan and Egypt.

Cheers

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

All the borders between all the countires I mention are a breeze, very quick and generally efficient, most are very used to seeing tourists (alot of overlanders).......with the following being exceptions:

1. Egypt into Sudan.....I advise a fixer here, and Midhat and his extended family can help here. If without a vehicle it wll be fine on your own, but trying to figure it all out if you have a vehicle is difficult if you dont speak arabic. Plus the boys dont charge that much, worth using the fixer for this part

2. Ethiopia-Kenya - no worries, here, but might have to kick the boys up the ass to work a bit faster....its a sleepy relaxed border town! Moyale itself has a hustling town but the douane and immigration work at their own pace!

3. Zambia from Botswana - hectic...lots of people, bit of a fight needed if you dont want to waste time. Ferry to contend with to cross between the 2 sides. And dont pay that stupid carbon tax the Zambians insist upon, what a joke...carbon tax in Africa indeed! With fuel as expensive as it is in Zambia they make their tax that way. DO NOT BUY FUEL IN ZAMBIA unless you have too, fill up before. Very expensive in Zambia, nearly 3usd per litre of diesel in Zambia in 2008.

4. Zim to S Africa (Beightbridge border) - BUSY! Lots of trucks and people, bit of a shitfight when busy. No worries, just customs is a bit long winded here.

But no fixer needed anywhere except helping wth the Wadi Halfa barge in my opinion. Most borders you'll be through in 1-2 hours max.

I always suggest going from Zambia to Botswana (or the other way) through Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi (Namibia). They are such a straightforward borders, and the roads are all good in the area. You will get through in no time at all compared with sometimes taking up to a day at the chaotic Kazangula ferry and border crossing directly connecting Zambia and Botswana.

I don't recognise the Zambian fuel price either. The current (Jan 2010) price for unleaded is around 6500 Kw, which is roughly US$1.47 per litre. Don't miss out on Zambia, which is wonderful, because of rumours about the fuel price!

Mike

Agreed Mike, do not miss out on Zambia, wonderful country. Really enjoyed it.

No offence but it wasnt a 'rumour' about fuel prices, as I stated it was nearly 3usd a litre of diesel in 2008. I was just making Boomster aware it was expensive when I was there so worth checking. Great news its now a more realistic price.

Sorry Dave, "rumours" wasn't meant perjoratively. I mentioned rumours because lots of people still think the fuel price is at the high level you mention.

Mike

Ok, you sound like you´ve a fair idea. Still too fast for me or, I suspect, most people. But your original post said three months UK to SA. That´s quick.

enjoy,

Mark