Hey all

This is bound to be a ramble so please bear with me...

We (Helen and I) are on an R100GS and F650 Funduro, currently staying with friends in Addis and thinking about the route south to Kenya. We've had various advice whether the Turkana route is feasible (some from HUBB), and on the balance are keen to give it a shot if we could find others who might also be into it. As moderate luddites, we don't have GPS, and by all accounts the weather could be pretty bad... so it would seem more is definitely merrier...

I guess we are thinking about the west side of Lake Turkana... but our research IS embrionic.

Given this, we have two questions:

1) is there anyone out there (2+ wheels, no unicycles please) keen to do the same in the next few days/ week?

(we are thinking of a side trip to Harer first... but this is optional)

2) if not, are there any very lovely and kind 4wd'ers heading to Jungle Junction who might take a wee bit of extra baggage for us? Naturally we will shower you with affection and compliments in exchange. Maybe even s!

If anyone else has any advice, it'd be warmly received.

We are on 011-6-18-10-79, staying in Bole. My email is theprinceofmince@yahoo.co.nz

Lets be careful out there
cheers
Gareth

PS I will post this in the sub-saharan section also...

Gareth

Have done a bit of research into lake turkana route - i'm planning on being there in May.

Whats the rain situation there at present?

To get to the west side you have to either put your bike on a boat somewhere around Kelem - by boat i mean canoe.

Otherwise you have to come in from the north west through Omo National Park.

I have been advised that west side is not for the faint hearted.Wait till a 4x4 is going and will ing to carry fuel for you.

Have received communications from a white farmer up that way - Without GPS the west side should not be done. This is wild country. Fuel is not always available enroute.

From what I can gather the east side is more scenic but the west side is more remote.

Will be down there in a month or so - if still about and looking for a 4x4 with space for fuel - let me know.

My plan is to take a few Nile Pearch from the lake - supposed to be upto 200kg!


Keep it lit

Niall

Gareth, if you happen to visit the shores of Lake Rudolf- specifically the metropolis of Lokwakangole- ask about a Swiss missionary working in the area. I never met him but have been told he's a great fellow and a fountain of knowledge. Safe journey, Hook.

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The East route should not be taken to easily either, between Illeret and Loaingalani approx 250 km of very rough terrain there is nothing. The terrain in 10% sandy 90% rocks and loose stones the size of apples. The Sibiloi park is in that leg but I doubt wheater they will have petrol. With 2 4x4 cars it took 5 days from Maralal to Illeret but its a very interesting ride, very wild and a GPS is recommended on this stretch too. There are to many tracks leading nowhere. Getting lost will cause unnecessary waste of fuel.

If you have specific questions send me a PM.

Cheers
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

Guys thanks for the responses. Yep it does indeed sound like a challenge...

We're in Awasa, and the rains are hitting each day (although its technically the short rainy season in, er, April) but I understand May is supposed to be dry... well at least around this neck of the woods.

Niallo - I think we'll take the "easy" option down from Moyale in a week or so... but keep in touch as you progress south.

cheers all and ride / drive well !
Gareth and Helen

Hi Gareth,

I came down that way in Nov last year and at that stge it wasn't easy, done the suspension and front rim on a R12GS. Any way in Tanz now and will be heading south around June, maybe we can meet there if you make it down by then?

Cheers
Ivan

Sure thing dude. We are in Nairobi with next stop Uganda. Drop me an email on theprinceofmince@yahoo.co.nz.

cheers
Gareth