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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 28 Dec 2014
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London to Cape Town Two Months per Year
I am trying to put together a loose plan to travel from London to Cape Town with my KTM 690 starting next fall. My intention is to put the bike on the ro-ro in Halifax, Nova Scotia and pick it up in Southampton, UK for the ride south. My issue is that I can only get 6-7 weeks each winter to travel as I used my year sabbatical riding Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia two years ago.

I am aware of present travel restrictions but for now I am concentrating on a London - Dakar segment for year one. If border closures and health concerns south thereof aren't sorted by year two I will adjust the route.

Can anyone offer experiences (done, read or otherwise)? For now my biggest concern is finding safe, long term bike storage in Dakar, Senegal. My long term guesstimate thereafter is Accra, Ghana. Then Libreville, Gabon and a fourth year finish to Cape Town.
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  #2  
Old 30 Dec 2014
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Hello Len can't help you but you might be able to help me I will be in Canada towards the end of next year and may well be shipping my bike back to the UK and I am interested in the RO RO ferry from Nova Scotia if you could send me any details i would really appreciate it
thanks Martin
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  #3  
Old 4 Jan 2015
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I just sent you a PM with some contact information. Drop me a line and I'll get you the information I have.
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  #4  
Old 10 Jan 2015
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Hi, here's some info on my trip from UK (near Southampton) to Dakar a couple of months ago. It was a round trip in 6 weeks so not much time to spend along the way but will give you some idea of logistics etc.

As for long term parking, it may be worth asking the proprieters of Zebrabar in Senegal (about 4 hours from Dakar). They are used to overland travellers and could have some suggestions.

Basingstoke to Dakar

Being near Southampton, l if I can help when you arrive in UK let me know.
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  #5  
Old 12 Jan 2015
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Thanks Jim Lad. I just had a look at the link. Nice stuff. I'll be in touch soon.
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  #6  
Old 28 Jan 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blunozr View Post
For now my biggest concern is finding safe, long term bike storage in Dakar, Senegal.
We had the same idea about driving home in stages (UK > ZW). And as my wife works for an international charity we were going to stash our vehicle with the various country offices en-route. Therefore...

... I would cozy up to some of the bigger charities, Save the Children, World Vision and see what you can do for them in return for safe storage. Also take a look at the evangelists, Seven Day Adventists etc - they are all over Africa and are usually extremely helpful and hospitable.
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  #7  
Old 29 Jan 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bundubasher View Post
We had the same idea about driving home in stages (UK > ZW). And as my wife works for an international charity we were going to stash our vehicle with the various country offices en-route. Therefore...

... I would cozy up to some of the bigger charities, Save the Children, World Vision and see what you can do for them in return for safe storage. Also take a look at the evangelists, Seven Day Adventists etc - they are all over Africa and are usually extremely helpful and hospitable.
I'll take a look at those ideas as well. Thanks.
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  #8  
Old 30 Sep 2015
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Visas and Hotspots
Hey everyone. It's getting down to the last few months before I get riding down the west coast of Africa. Can anyone point out the countries I may have issues entering? Any countries it is advised to get a visa in advance?

I'm thinking the furthest south I would conceivably reach would be Liberia and that would be a stretch.
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  #9  
Old 2 Oct 2015
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Just got Mali visa in Nouakchott very easy and only 18 euros.
Mauri was 120 euros at the border or 100 in Rabat plus 15 e for assurance
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  #10  
Old 2 Oct 2015
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Thanks for the tip. How is travel through southern Mali? Government websites and media reports would have me believe it was reckless to ride through (2015) however the same was suggested when I rode through Colombia in 2011. ...and I felt safer in Colombia then a lot of places in North America.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rioja del 73 View Post
Just got Mali visa in Nouakchott very easy and only 18 euros.
Mauri was 120 euros at the border or 100 in Rabat plus 15 e for assurance
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  #11  
Old 4 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blunozr View Post
Thanks for the tip. How is travel through southern Mali? Government websites and media reports would have me believe it was reckless to ride through (2015) however the same was suggested when I rode through Colombia in 2011. ...and I felt safer in Colombia then a lot of places in North America.
Southern Mali is a hit & miss situation. There are jihadists all over the country & they are in the south. I got back 2 weeks ago from Bamako and heard of Malian gendarmes who went missing in early September. You would do well to find some local Malian support & ride with a Malian from a border to X etc to be on the safe side, even tagging alongside a vehicle. The people are wonderful & you'll hear 'on est ensemble' all over the place!
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  #12  
Old 6 Oct 2015
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No idea.
Just arrived in Bamako fir visas.
Will have to make sure before heading South.
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  #13  
Old 6 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CREER View Post
Southern Mali is a hit & miss situation. There are jihadists all over the country & they are in the south. I got back 2 weeks ago from Bamako and heard of Malian gendarmes who went missing in early September. You would do well to find some local Malian support & ride with a Malian from a border to X etc to be on the safe side, even tagging alongside a vehicle. The people are wonderful & you'll hear 'on est ensemble' all over the place!
Thanks CREER. I have your PM as well. I'll be in touch soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rioja del 73 View Post
No idea.
Just arrived in Bamako fir visas.
Will have to make sure before heading South.
What brought you to Bamako? I see the majority of travelers going through Mali and am second guessing my loose plan of sticking to the coast (Guinea Bissau, Giunea, Sierra Leone, etc.) Have fun and enjoy the ride. I'll look for your posts to see how you did.
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  #14  
Old 23 Nov 2015
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Tires in southern Spain
Can anyone tell me the availability of 50/50 tires in southern Spain. I'm sure it shouldn't be a big deal but I don't want to hang around waiting for a set too long. I'm thinking something like a Heidenau K60 Scout or a Mefo Super Explores (21" - 18").

...or better yet, if someone knows of a good tire shop somewhere between Murcia and the ferry to Morocco that would help.
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