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Trans Africa the newbie way: east or west? Trans Africa the newbie way: east or west?
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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  #1  
Old 5 Apr 2007
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Trans Africa the newbie way: east or west?
Hi There,

After done the Silk Route to Nepal on motorcycle I am motivated for an African adventure.
Done Europe to Senagal in order to sell cars I am now planning Europe to Cape Town solo by motorcycle. Departure scheduled at the end of august from the Netherlands.
I've heard about muddy conditions the West African route, and the hassles from bureaucraty in Egypt and Sudan the East route.
The challange of reaching Cape Town will be difficult enough. What will be the route less demanding in terms of bad roads?
I guess it will be the Egypt - Sudan - Ethiopian - Kenia route. is this correct?
Of course overlanding Africa will include some very bad roads, wich I expect my Africa Twin will cope with.
I'm wondering about your comments on the best route to fullfill the trip.

With kind regards,

Guido
The Netherlands
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  #2  
Old 5 Apr 2007
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I've decided to do it the other way around. So i start in South africa and ride up Namibia, the west route, then cross Zambia towards the Eastern route. Becouse i think thats the best of both way's but only one way to find out for yourself i guess!
Your departure is scheduled soon, i'm planning for October myself.
What bike do you plan to bring? Perhaps it's an idea to share some preparations some time becouse where not located so far from each other.
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  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2007
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east or west
ive done both east in 2004 west in 2006...its "easier" on the east because yu get to the soft part (nairobi southwards) earlier..difficult to choose on the beaurocracy front although ive heard of people not actually getting angolan visas as opposed to just being messed around for the lybian and sudanese visas

certainly the mud is bad on the west but then the corrugations are bad in the east. all in all i couldnt in truth recommend one rather than the other although my wife preferred the eastern route..not very helpfull but ive written about both trips on my web site..good luck

jeff watts

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Old 5 Apr 2007
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Hi Both,

Steven you've got a PM
Jeff, thanks for your reply. The fact that after you did the east route you decided to come back to do Africa again gives me already some info!

Considering road conditions the hard part on the east route will be mostly found between southern Egypt and central Kenya, if I understood the readings well.
And since I riding a heavy Africa Twin I would like to avoid muddy conditions which will damage both my clutch and travel fun.
I will take notice of your website.

Any comments still appreciated

Guido
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Old 6 Apr 2007
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east or west
hi

im a soft 4x4 man so cant really comment on motorbikes..

but if you go the west route and the roads are too bad couldn't you just put it on a lorry and ship it over the worst bits?? thats the way the locals do it!!..just athought

e mail me if yu have any particular questions!!

jeff
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  #6  
Old 6 Apr 2007
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hello guido
theres quite a few of us going down the east coast. all leaving around the same time. im doing a round trip of the med. turkey, jordan syria, egypt, sudan then all the way down that side.

send us some details and maybe we could hook up somewhere at some point for a and maybe some travelling.

chat later,

robin
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  #7  
Old 11 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StevenD View Post
I've decided to do it the other way around. So i start in South africa and ride up Namibia, the west route, then cross Zambia towards the Eastern route. Becouse i think thats the best of both way's but only one way to find out for yourself i guess!
Your departure is scheduled soon, i'm planning for October myself.
What bike do you plan to bring? Perhaps it's an idea to share some preparations some time becouse where not located so far from each other.

Hi

I am doing the same route as you more or less starting in July, so if there is any helo I can give you let me know
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