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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Stefan Thiel of Mark Hammond crossing a river in NW Mongolia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Stefan Thiel, of
Mark Hammond crossing
a river in NW Mongolia



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  #1  
Old 2 Mar 2020
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Question about overloading
Hey guys so basically I am in the middle of planning a overland trip from London to South Africa. I have the option of taking the west route starting from Morocco or taking the east route starting from Egypt. Honestly I want to take the West route but the majority of people who have done the overland via the West route have done so by a motorcycle or jeep. The thing is I don't really have the means to buy a vehicle right now, and plan on using public transport. Would using public transport all the way from Morocco to CapeTown be a possibility if I do the west route or will it just be hellish? If I were to use a local contact to drive me thru some countries which one should they be? and then I could use public transport in the easier countries. Would it be way too risky and dangerous if I don't have my own vehicle to do the West route? I know on the East route which would start from Egypt, it would be easy, and doing it all by public transport would not be hard. I've been to East Africa before and so I am familiar with how things work too. It is also safe, and more tourist friendly. Anyways I would appreciate advice from people who have extensively travelled across Africa. Thanks
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Old 2 Mar 2020
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Hello and welcome to the forum,
I am only familiar with the east route and did meet a few people who were using public transport and not sure if any were going the whole way. It sounds like you already have the experience to know how to get around and avoid problems, all I can give is encouragement and say go for it, you will have an adventure. You could also look out for other travellers with 4WD/campers who could offer you a lift for some of the way, perhaps with a contribution toward fuel.
Mark
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Old 2 Mar 2020
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RE The western route: Thinking of safety, you will be able to keep a much lower profile without a vehicle. Travelling light with subtle luggage and "normal" clothing helps too.

Some stretches may be poorly served by public transport, but if you can manage some French, cadging a lift from someone going in the right direction will always be possible given time and patience, even in the Congoes. I think getting to and from borders from/to the nearest settlement will be the most problematic purely from a local traffic point of view. For example crossing from DRC to Angola at the Songololo frontier we saw nobody on the Angola side in 5 hours apart from the staff. This was 6 years ago though so allow for development to have improved things, perhaps! (Or pick busy borders, but that creates other hassles...)


If you desire to do the western route, do it. Why go east if it's not what you want?
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Old 2 Mar 2020
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Go the west coastal route, quite a few drive that way so your chances of getting a lift by a passing 4x4 would probably be quite high
I’ve read lots of posts saying it’s an easy bus rout also
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  #5  
Old 3 Mar 2020
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"Go West young man" Really, there are loads of buses etc. Remember that West Africa is populated by humans, who also travel. Some busses will be a little demanding from a comfort point. But for that, you will meet the kindest, happiest people. You will be far safer than you are in Europe. People will be watching your back even when you're unaware. If you don't speak French even better, as others will still communicate, have a few jokes at your expense, but in the nicest way. Leave Bukino Faso out of the mix at the moment.One major issue you must factor in. It will become addictive, ask me how I know.
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Old 4 Mar 2020
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I rode a motorcycle down the West coast and loved it.

I recently met someone travelling with a hiking bag on public transport in Ethiopia. He packed his bag in a large woven plastic sack (end tied with strip of local garment/rag) when travelling on public transport. It's the same type of sack that locals use for coal and food produce. The idea was that the bag in a sack looked like local goods and would deter theft. The example he gave was kids climbing on top of a minibus.
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  #7  
Old 4 Mar 2020
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Have a look on "West Africa Travellers" Facebook page as well as here. There are other people travelling the west route on public transport.
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