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30 Mar 2012
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 7
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Cape town - Cairo (east africa)
Hi guys,
I'm a 19 year old brit (why does this feel like the start of a lonely hearts ad...) planning on buying a cheap bike (something like xt350) in Cape Town then riding it through East Africa.
I'm roughly going through Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, but my itinery is fairly open barring any visa needs (I'm British so only need to get one in advance for Ethiopia and Sudan). Along the way i hope to do some of the usual touristy stuff so i can tell my mother i've done something interesting, as well as visit some off the beaten track areas!
I'm hoping to leave some time in May 2012, and was just wondering if anyone else will be in Southern/Eastern Africa around this time and i can buy you a drink in return for letting me pick your brains about overland travel and the best places to stay/get repairs etc.!!!
I'd also be interested in meeting up with others to go over the tricker or more dangerous points (Kenya-Ethiopia from what i've read being quite a difficult road).
Cheers, hopefully see you guys out there!
Charlie
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30 Mar 2012
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
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Chuck,
Sounds like you are already ahead of the curve in regards to planning great adventures, congrats.
Couple of small suggestions, if you read the trip planning threads here as well as the Africa threads you'll be able to get a sense of additional things to bring and places to consider. Also, read some of the travel blogs that other riders have written about their rides, you'll get a good sense of what others have done.
It's a pretty classic route and in general, most follow a similar path. In regards to meeting other riders for more remote areas, a good place to meet other overlanders for the northern Kenya portion is Jungle Junction in Nairobi. Most everyone stops there and you will get some good beta from people that have just come down and hopefully meet others about to head up.
One last thing (even though you didn't ask) is take your time getting used to your bike and riding in Africa. A loaded bike takes a while to adjust to and toss in the added chaos from African drivers and traffic, makes it a bit hectic out there for any rider.
Have a good trip and post your stories so others can follow you along.
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31 Mar 2012
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 7
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Hi,
Thank you both for your advice. Its been very usefull, one of the things i was a bit worried about was finding a places to stay each night and finding other overlanders to join up with.
Reading blogs has been my main form of research, they've been incredibly usefull and have provided tons of inspiration hopefully i'll be able to keep you guys updated via HUBB.
Cheers,
Charlie
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2 Apr 2012
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Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Posts: 368
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Charlie,
I did this route (up to Nairobi) last year. SA, Namibia, Zim, Malawi,Tans, Kenya. If I can help in any way just send me a message. Most of what I did is on my blog, including lots of photos which might help.
Two tips:
Jungle Junction is a must before the difficult road up to Ethiopia.
Check Visas. Where is the best palce to get a visa for Ethiopia? Last year it wasn't Kenya it was Harare but that has, I believe, changed.
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4 Apr 2012
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Thanks George, i'll get reading your blog as it sounds like you are doing the same places as me roughly. I'll send you a message as i have some questions - thanks!
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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...
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Lots more comments here!
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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.
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