Hi,
My girlfriend and I would like to travel Morocco to Sth Africa.

We previously cycled China to Ireland. Well that was the plan anyway. We never got to Ireland as I was knocked off my bicycle and suffered severe head injuries in France, so closebto home(6 months in Hospital and 8 days in a Coma). As a result I have been advised it is highly unlikely and not advised to attempt any further long distance cycles. Hence my options IF we decide to do this is buy a 4*4 and drive - camping along the way.

Just looking for any advise people have. We were thinking of buying a vehicle in Germany and selling it in Sth Africa.

Our preferred route

Morocco
Maurantia
Senegal
The Gambia
Guinea Bissau
Guinea
Sierra Leone
Liberia
Ivory Coast
Ghana
Benin
Togo
Nigeria
Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
The Congo
Angola
DRC
Namibia
South Africa
Lesotho
Malawi
Can you advise on the following;

We plan roughly 2/3 years, can be longer if needed - what do you think? We do not want to just drove through places and want to do a little exploring.

Is it possible to get Insurance to cover all Countries along the way?

Is it dangerous in some Countries?

What will our main obstacles be?

Is it possible to get Visas along the way.

What vehicle do you recommend? We are happy to camp putside where possible and stay in hostels/hotels where not.

Many thanks for your help.

This is just a planning/dreaming stage so a long way off just yet.

Mike

Lots of questions here! I've added my thoughts to some to hopefully point you in the right direction.

I spent about 9 months (2018-2019) going from Morocco to South Africa on a motorcycle. I explored South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi after this. I was probably the slowest of the others I met on the road.

All visas purchased on the road. You'll need to read up on the Nigeria visa, which is tricky. I hear Equatorial Guinea is expensive and/or very difficult to get.

For insurance, see https://overlandingassociation.org/insurance/

Dangerous? There is an increase in terrorist activity in the Sahel region. Don't think this will affect you but useful to know because of your route's proximity to Burkina and Mali. Cross at Banyo/Gembu from Nigeria to Cameroon to avoid conflict in Ekok.

Have you considered the rainy seasons and your route?

I have no experience of 4x4 but my choice would be something that looks low key and doesn't advertise that I'm a tourist with money.

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Also, I was advised not to wild camp in Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Africa.

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BikingOverYonder.com RTW

Up to you but even if you need to dodge the Sahel, at least 5 of the countries on your list can be avoided to save on visa hassles (not all 5 require one in advance).
You will still see more than enough of West Africa.

See this recent post wrt visas:
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...3-6#post608463

You cannot sell a foreign vehicle in RSA without paying huge duties (unless you are from there). Plan to ship it back.
Might be possible to sell/transfer to other travellers, but I rarely hear of this in SA (unlike South America).

Most people settle on a 4x4 station wagon with a roof tent.
Cold won't be a problem on this route, rain might be – and so will insect-proof ventilation.

Many of your questions might be answered in my OLH book.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

What was the reason?

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

Multiple people living in the region advised against wild camping in Nigeria because of previous incidents with tourists who wild camped and had issues. I'm hesitant to disclose what I heard, so instead I've found this online news article that seems to match the story I heard. Note: hotels are cheap outside of Lagos.

For Cameroon, I think the reason was the civil war. When I applied for my Cameroon visa in Benin, they asked which land border I would use because the Ekok border was closed at the time, which is where the trouble is.

For South Africa, there is increasing racial tension.

My experience has been that people can sometimes speak negatively about their neighbouring countries—in Europe and Africa—however, I repeatedly heard the same advice (don't wild camp) from multiple people well before arriving to Nigeria and South Africa.

I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from visiting these countries or Africa! There are all sorts of risks in any country. Probably the largest risks in Africa are the animals and other vehicles on the road. Friends hit animals and I was knocked off by a vehicle.

Nigeria was a country where I'd heard lots of good and bad things compared to other countries. I was slightly apprehensive. My experience in Nigeria was awesome! Very friendly people who like chatting. There are some areas to avoid, such as Boko Haram heartland in the North East, but Nigeria is a cool place.

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BikingOverYonder.com RTW

Hey IrelandtoCapetown,

Rode that route on my bicycle in 2012-2014. So doable, but as you are well aware things change very fast. It would be difficult to give you any kind of advice now not knowing how things are going to be shaping up for the next year or more.

I wildcamped a lot in RSA and felt safe, but it is easier to do it discreetly on a bicycle than with a motor vehicle.
The only country where I didn't feel comfortable to do it was Nigeria. Too many people carrying guns everywhere.
In West Africa the way most people do it is get to a village before dusk and ask anyone with local power or clout where you can spend the night. They'll find you a place to camp.

As far as I am concerned I think the biggest threat in Africa is bugs carrying diseases. More than anywhere else on this planet.

L.

This was the experience of our trip, everyone suggest - dont to drive further, because the next country is dangerous, the people bad.

Wildcamping is not for saving bucks, it is a way to live. And necessary because you often don't have any infrastructure, if you leave the most used tracks...



At this bordercrossing we didnt see any (normal) fuel station for over 1200km.. Hotel also not...

In urban areas of africa it is not a good idea to wildcamp, in remote areas it will be saver that your hotel... If you like you can read my article 1x1 of wildcamping (using google translate).

The key is to stay hidden. To move if you got detected or feel uncomfortable with a location. We did use offline Google Satellite-Imageview to get such remote places. Did starting early looking for a wildcamp-spot each day.

It is to early to speak about security on the route, I guess it need 2 Months before the corona situation get cleared. 3 Months till the borders are open again. And the situation in most countries of that route can be completely different then.

At least Nigeria - will never be the savest country in the near future.. It was the only one where also Police&Military stopped us (at Checkpoints) and told us that it is not save - and we should be careful. Wasnt helpful to feel comfortable..

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

South Africa has nothing to do with "racial tension" some places are just dangerous. Where did you get the idea that it's got anything to do with race?