Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree13Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
North to South Visa Info

After doing some research, I've come up with the below game plan for my overland trip from Morocco down to Southern Africa. I'm American, but I think this information is useful for everyone as not much is different from what I gather.

I just wanted to run this past everyone to see if there are options that I missed or if I have some things noted incorrectly.

I haven't decided on an exact route yet, so I want to have a few options for certain countries so that I am covered under most circumstances.

Much appreciated,

Tony

Notes: Get Angola in your home country if at all possible. Get a proper invitation letter for Gabon and Nigeria before applying for a visa.

Visas to get as you go:

Rabat: Guinea, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast
Dakar: Ivory Coast, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone
Banjul: Guinea Bissau (better in Ziguinchor), Sierra Leone, Nigeria (don't bother)
Bissau : Nigeria (easy)
Conakry: Liberia
Freetown: Liberia, Ghana
Monrovia: Ghana
Ouagadougou: Ghana, Nigeria
Abidjan: Ghana, Togo, Cameroon
Accra: Togo, Benin, Angola, DRC, Nigeria (Difficult as non resident)
Lomé: RoC
Abuja: Camaroon, DRC, RoC
Yaounde: Gabon

Country Specific:

Morocco - NO Visa
Western Sahara - NO Visa
Mauritania - Visa - Got in RABAT, Morocco | Note: arrive before 8am to drop off
Senegal - NO Visa
Cape Verde - Visa - Get at airport (Fights from Dakar)
Gambia - Visa - Get at border or two day allowance to acquire in BANJUL
Mali - Visa - Get in CANAKRY, Guinea or NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania
Burkina Faso - Visa - Got in RABAT, Morocco (available in Bamako, Mali as well)
Guinea Basau - Visa - Got in Ziguinchor, Senegal
Guinea - Visa - Got in RABAT, Morocco | Note: I asked for a specific start date and got from date of issue.
Sierra Leone - Visa - Get in BANJUL, Gambia
Liberia - Visa - Got in FREETOWN, Sierra Leone or get in CANAKRY, Guinea
Ivory Coast - Visa - Got in Nouakchott or Get in RABAT or DAKAR or CONAKRY
Ghana - Visa - Got in Monrovia. Or get in FREETOWN, Sierra Leone or ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast
Togo - Visa - Got in ABIDJAN, or get at border or ACCRA, Ghana
Benin - Visa - Get at border or ACCRA, Ghana
Nigeria - Visa - Got in Bissau or Get in BAMAKO, Mali or BAKAU, Gambia or ACCRA, Ghana (need invitation letter)
Camaroon - Visa - Get in ABUJA, Nigeria or MONROVIA, Liberia or ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast
Gabon - Visa - Get in YAOUNDE, Camaroon (need notarized invitation letter)
Sao Tome and Principe - Visa - Get Online
ROCongo - Visa - Get in LOME, Togo or ABUJA, Nigeria or YAOUNDE, Camaroon
DRCongo - Visa - Get in ABUJA, Nigeria or LOME or GABON
Angola - Visa - Get in ACCRA, Ghana N05° 36.75' W00° 11.22' (Only issued in home country now?)
Namibia - NO Visa
Rest of Southern Africa - NO Visas
__________________
My Travel Page

Last edited by ajctraveler; 2 May 2013 at 16:34.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Jan 2013
ozranger's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 105
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajctraveler View Post
After doing a bit of research, I've come up with the below game plan for my overland trip from Morocco down to Southern Africa. I'm American, but I think this information is useful for Europeans as well as not much is different from what I gather.

I just wanted to run this past everyone to see if there are options that I missed or if I have some things noted incorrectly.

I haven't decided on an exact route yet, so I want to have a few options for certain countries so that I am covered under most circumstances.

Much appreciated,

Tony

  1. Morocco - NO Visa
  2. Western Sahara - NO Visa
  3. Mauritania - Visa - Get in RABAT, Morocco
  4. Senegal - NO Visa
  5. Gambia - Visa - Get at border or two day allowance in BANJUL to acquire
  6. Mali - Visa - Get in CANAKRY, Guinea or NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania
  7. Burkina Faso - Visa - Get in BAMAKO, Mali or RABAT, Morocco
  8. Guinea Basau - Visa - Get in BANJUL, Gambia?
  9. Guinea - Visa - Get in RABAT
  10. Sierra Leone - Visa - Get in BANJUL, Gambia
  11. Liberia - Visa - Get in CANAKRY, Guinea
  12. Ivory Coast - Visa - Get in DAKAR, Senegal
  13. Ghana - Visa - Get in FREETOWN, Sierra Leone
  14. Togo - Visa - Get at border?
  15. Benin - Visa - Get at border?
  16. Nigeria - Visa - Get in BAMAKO, Mali or BANJUL, Gambia
  17. Camaroon - Visa - Get in ABUJA, Ghana
  18. Gabon - Visa - Get in YAOUNDE, Camaroon
  19. ROCongo - Visa - Get in LOME, Togo or ABUJA, Ghana
  20. DRCongo - Visa - Get in ABUJA, Ghana
  21. Angola - Visa - Get in ACCRA, Ghana N05° 36.75' W00° 11.22'
  22. Namibia - NO Visa
  23. Rest of Southern Africa - NO Visas
looks like you have done you homework.

some alternatives if a plan fails.

if you plan to spend more then a couple days in benin or 1 week (i think) in togo pick up your visa earlier, like accra. togo is pretty easy to extend by will cost you a day in lome.

drc i got in gabon easily

roc was pretty easy in younde too

angola i couldn't get anywhere so be prepared for that to happen. i flew my bike from kin to lumbumbashi

i got nigeria in accra for a small non resident fee (visa 50 for aussies, plus another 60 for non resident)

abuja is not in ghana its in nigeria :P
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozranger View Post
looks like you have done you homework.

abuja is not in ghana its in nigeria :P
Looks like I didn't do my homework that well

Thanks for the tips
__________________
My Travel Page
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozranger View Post
drc i got in gabon easily
At the border or in a city?
__________________
My Travel Page
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Jan 2013
ozranger's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 105
in Libreville.
it was almost too easy, like something wasn't right. but maybe that was because every other embassy didn't want to know me. i met someone who got drc in accra pretty easily too
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bobo-Dioulasso
Posts: 35
You can actually get your Mali visa at the border really easily as well as I did. I went to the embassy in Abidjan and they wanted 25,000. At the border it was 15,000.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ajctraveler View Post
After doing a bit of research, I've come up with the below game plan for my overland trip from Morocco down to Southern Africa. I'm American, but I think this information is useful for Europeans as well as not much is different from what I gather.

I just wanted to run this past everyone to see if there are options that I missed or if I have some things noted incorrectly.

I haven't decided on an exact route yet, so I want to have a few options for certain countries so that I am covered under most circumstances.

Much appreciated,

Tony

*Edited after ozranger's post

Morocco - NO Visa
Western Sahara - NO Visa
Mauritania - Visa - Get in RABAT, Morocco
Senegal - NO Visa
Cape Verde - Visa - Get at airport (Fights from Dakar)
Gambia - Visa - Get at border or two day allowance to acquire in BANJUL
Mali - Visa - Get in CANAKRY, Guinea or NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania
Burkina Faso - Visa - Get in BAMAKO, Mali or RABAT, Morocco
Guinea Basau - Visa - Get in BANJUL, Gambia?
Guinea - Visa - Get in RABAT
Sierra Leone - Visa - Get in BANJUL, Gambia
Liberia - Visa - Get in CANAKRY, Guinea
Ivory Coast - Visa - Get in DAKAR, Senegal
Ghana - Visa - Get in FREETOWN, Sierra Leone
Togo - Visa - Get at border or ACCRA, Ghana
Benin - Visa - Get at border or ACCRA, Ghana
Nigeria - Visa - Get in BAMAKO, Mali or BANJUL, Gambia or ACCRA, Ghana
Camaroon - Visa - Get in ABUJA, Nigeria
Gabon - Visa - Get in YAOUNDE, Camaroon
Sao Tome and Principe - Visa - Get Online
ROCongo - Visa - Get in LOME, Togo or ABUJA, Nigeria or YAOUNDE, Camaroon
DRCongo - Visa - Get in ABUJA, Nigeria or GABON
Angola - Visa - Get in ACCRA, Ghana N05° 36.75' W00° 11.22'
Namibia - NO Visa
Rest of Southern Africa - NO Visas
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Hi,
We are currently in Cameroon, check our website for visa information.
Generally, Dakar is a very good place to get visa. We got : ivory coast, guinea, guinea bissau and sierra leonne there. Next stop was freetown for liberia and ghana. Nigeria visa is difficult, they refused us in accra, but got it in benin. We heard its easy to get it in bissau. Super efficient is calabar, nigeria for the cameroon visa: takes about 2 h. Now in yaounde, we get gabon visa in 2 days. We will also try for drc in gabon as well as trying for the angola obe...fingers crossed!
our website also gives costs for visa:
Indlovu

Shout if any more questions

Team Indlovu
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: preston/ENGLAND
Posts: 76
Tina & Anton(indlovu)

Hi Anton & Tina

We have been trying to contact you, hope all is going well....
So sorry we missed you in Gambia, we saw you going passed 2Rays bar a couple of times but we did not have the car with us so could not come after you....... It would have been nice to have you come and stay with us, hope your trip is going to plan.
We are leaving Gambia on the 4th Feb to head back to UK but we will take our time.
Keep in touch & let us know how your plans go, our e-mail is
chrissue1986@talktalk.net
When you get to South Africa have a braai for us.....
Regards

Sue & Chris
From the Mauritanian Embassy queue in Rabat.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Latest update on visa:
We got refused DRC and Angola today in Libreville. New regulations (5-6months ago) do not allow to issue any visa to non residents.
We got the Congo visa and will now carry on till Brazzaville to try again there... Not looking good for overlanders at the moment!!

Team Indlovu
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
I'll update this thread as I go along..

Got my Mauritania visa in Rabat. Got there Thursday morning and they opened the doors at 8am. There were maybe 25 people waiting, mostly Africans, although a few travelers as well. Handed out sheets, I filled it out in line, but had to leave a few blank. Wasn't a problem when I handed in the form along with two passport photos and a few photocopies of my passport. Cost was 340 dirhem for the ordinaries (30day) visa. I put in for a future date and was given exactly what I asked for.

The only issue I had was that the form they gave me said that the pickup was from 3-4pm Monday to Thursday and 12-1pm on Friday. I showed up early and waited and waited, everyone around seemed to expect doors to open at 2pm. At 1:30 they opened up and handed out the passports.

Easy enough, just get there early and confirm what time to be there the next day.
__________________
My Travel Page
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19 Feb 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Hi all,
In case it's useful, here are our west side visa experiences so far.
We're currently in Libreville, so its all recent.
http://capetocapeblog.wordpress.com/visas/

Edit...
Meant to add, we will update the blog with our Gabon visa experiences asap, but for now, please be aware of this
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...cameroon-68931

Happy travels
Sam & Catherine

Last edited by Niva Say Never; 19 Feb 2013 at 10:51.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Great thread this, thanks for posting. I am just about to do the same route ( leave on the 26th) , and so I will also input my experiences as I go along. I dont actually have a car or motorbike, so all my travelling will be done via local transport.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 19 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 49
If you stuck in Brazzaville click below

Quote:
Originally Posted by Indlovu View Post
Latest update on visa:
We got refused DRC and Angola today in Libreville. New regulations (5-6months ago) do not allow to issue any visa to non residents.
We got the Congo visa and will now carry on till Brazzaville to try again there... Not looking good for overlanders at the moment!!

Team Indlovu
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...sa-congo-64808

I was stuck in Brazzaville with DRC and Angola Visa's for 81days(june-sept 2012)
I endup sending passport to my home country for drc and angola visa's
"TNT" is the cheapest to send your passport.
free place to stay(camp only) in hipoocampe in center of Brazzaville,jusk ask for Olivier.
cross to DRC Boko-Louzi -Kimpese I paid for ferry only 1000cfa=$2usd.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Against all odds, we got both visa en route! The DRC one in Libreville, the Angola one in Matadi. Important is to have contacts within the country who are willing to write letters of support or complete other requested documents.
For details keep checking out website: Indlovu

Team Indlovu is enjoying Luanda now!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 64
Team Indlovu, i could not see a "tab" for Visa's on the main page of your site... is the Visa information buried within the blog entries?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
PAKISTAN: an update + new info re visas at Sost luckro SE Asia 25 2 Jan 2016 07:39
Caucasus and Central Asia - visa and border crossing info crash Northern and Central Asia 19 4 Mar 2013 17:22
African visa – West-route – from South to North/East to West Anacondor sub-Saharan Africa 0 16 Dec 2012 11:52
Togo from south to north - Benin from north to sud rinocard sub-Saharan Africa 3 14 Dec 2012 06:57
West Africa visas - 2011 experience africano sub-Saharan Africa 12 7 Apr 2012 14:39

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:16.