From Saudi Arabia to Sudan (and beyond)
 

Hey people,

Time for new adventures. My plan is to ride from the Netherlands on my trusty XT660Z, to Cape Town.
As now it is possible to cross Saudi Arabia, this makes a new interesting trip.

Plan: ride to Iran, Oman, Saudi, Sudan and to Cape.

As this route is quite new (crossing Saudi to Africa), I can't find a lot of info.

- anyone has any experience with getting Sudan visum in Saudi, Riyadh?
- anyone any advice on overlanding in Saudi? Some unknown paper work needed?
- any advice on taking the ferry from Saudi to Port Sudan?
- any advice on overlanding border Port Sudan?

Thanks!

Following. The recent (albeit modest) steps towards more openness to foreigners of the Saudis opens up very interesting new overland routes into Africa.

Same route plans
 

Hey Kabelman
Sounds like we are twins - just separated in time a little. I've just come from the Netherlands on a Transalp - currently in Athens.
From here I have been looking at just HOW to get to Africa - specifically Sudan (as an entry point for further travel south).

What I've found out so far:

Greece to Egypt: No RoRo facilities any more. Possible to ship Piraeus to Alexandria. BUT costs of a specifically Egyptian Carnet, stupid crazy undefined port and customs fees, charges, bribes and process (38 steps with money, stamps, arguments, documents at each one - and a time frame of realistically 5-7 days just to clear the port once it arrives) has left me stone cold about the shipping to Egypt route. Still have to fly yourself to greet bike as well.

Greece to Israel: Possible to ship, but little information on costs and process. Looked at exiting Eilat to Aqaba Jordan, then ferry to Nuiwebaa Egypt. BUT still the issue of entering Egypt and crazy money. Israel onwards with passport not a problem (visa stamp on removable page) but vehicle records a bit more of an issue. Sudan does not recognise Israel.

Air freight from Athens to Khartoum Sudan: going thru the process at the moment. Air freight alone about €750-800, indications of airport charges about $250US plus undefined customs duties. Email responses are slow to non-existant but think I'm making a little progress with this.

Land route Greece-Turkey-Iraq-Saudi Arabia-ferry to Sudan at Jeddah. Was looking promising. Figured about 5500-6000km. Fuel alone roughly €5-600. Visa to Turkey free, insurance at border ~$40 for transit. Visa to Iraq ?? - this might be VERY SLOW to obtain - $160US. Insurance/border crossing costs?? Visa to Saudi - issue at border for tourist visa? Insurances/border crossing costs? Ferry operating between Jeddah and Port Sudan. Costs?
Visa for Sudan available in Athens - process time 3-5 days. Cost $150US? But need a 'sponsor' there - hotel booking may be sufficient.

BUT....as of a day ago: not sure whats going on politically between Turkey-Syria-Iraq now that Turkey is into Kurdish areas in Syria and Iraq. So border between Turkey and Iraq may be a bit of a mission??

At the moment I'm swaying between the adventure of the land route via Saudi and sucking up the cost of air freighting to Sudan -which may end up similar to fuel, borders, visa, food, accommodation (I mainly free camp when possible), services (oil, tyres etc) going the land route.

Hope this helps a little. There are so many unknowns in terms of 'is this possible and what might it cost, how long' etc. But thats part of the adventure.

Keep in touch - we may cross paths. Be nice for some company at times.

If you're coming thru the Austrian/Italian alps - woo hoo! Nice! BUT: don't get sucked into boy racing with the 10000000's of GS1200's/sports bikes there. Consequences of a **** up or mis-calculation is pretty severe. Relax, enjoy, get there slow but in one piece.

Richard (kiwiwannafly)

Opened up Saudi
 

Read recently that 24000 new tourist visas in 10 days. Now more relaxed - don't have to be on a religious pilgrimage, more relaxed non-married couple hotel bookings.

I'm afraid your research needs to be a little more thorough. The Turkey - Syria border has been closed for several years due to the war, you have no chance of crossing it at present whatsoever.

As for Iraq, you will only get a visa for Iraq proper (i.e. to go out of Kurdistan) if you are invited as a pilgrim, journalist or worker, or part of a foreign tour group of at least 4 people.

There is a ferry from Turkey to Lebanon, but you need a guide all the way through Syria at present.

EO

Hmm literacy skills...
 

You might read again rather than criticise my lack of research...I am not proposing any Turkey-Syria border crossing. Just commenting that Turkish military action along the border with Syria and Iraq may make other border crossings - like from Turkey to Iraq more difficult.

I am also aware of restrictions to obtaining an Iraqui visa. You are assuming I am not Muslim or prepared to embark on a religious pilgrimage.

Oh yeah, getting a guide all the way through closed Syria is helpful too.

Don't piss off the guy who HAS been doing the research.

Anyone done the crossing from Saudi to Sudan yet? Any pointers?

Thanks
Karl

Yes, people use this ferry. This guy, for example: Untitled Document

You'll probably have more luck posting on the FB Overlanding Middle East or Africa forums for up to date info.
EO