Hi All, I'm looking for a riding partner/s, female or male to share this experience with and to explore the tail to top of African outback via the West and to assist each other through that rough African terrain.

I plan to ship my bike to Cape Town then ride to London using the West.

I had a very wet, lone, 6000 mile return trip down to the Algerian Border through Morocco last year and just can't wait to explore deeper Africa but also to be able to share the experience this time.

Unfortunately, I will only have three months to complete this adventure due to work commitments, therefore hope to be back by January 2013.

As you can see, I'm planning this trip well In advance as I love the research and preparation part.

Although I have been researching this trip for a while, I still can't decide whether to take muy GS Adventure or purchase a slightly lighter bike.

Please let me know if anyone is interested.

Come on guys. 'Just do it' is my 'moto'.

Safe Riding in the meantime.

ROUTE CHANGED

Dear All, please see the attachment of the very favourable tail to top of Africa travelling via West.
The route is by no means a direct one and, although detailed is no doubt subject to change either prior to our adventure or whilst on the road.

Whilst I have tried to take us off the beaten track using achievable back roads, in places, I have had no option but to plan using major roads due to accessibility, safety and limited usable roads.

Throughout this route I have done my best to direct us via travellers meeting points and scenic attractions such as rivers, mountains and national parks, whilst trying to avoid some dangerous and busy cities.

I have divided the route up into three legs as follows:

1st Leg
South Africa
Botswana
(Zambia) time/access permitting
Namibia
Angola

2nd Leg
DRC
Congo
Gabon
Cameroon
Nigeria
Benin
Togo

3rd Leg
Burkina
Mali
Mauritania
Western Sahara
Morocco

I predict the 1st leg to be the highlight of the adventure taking in some amazing scenery and attractions. I am lead to believe the 1st leg countries will be the most accessible using reasonable road surfaces. With regards to security all these countries appear to be low risk (inc. Angola). Angola is said to be reborn since the Western world moved in and is suggested a well worth visit before it becomes over developed.

Whilst planning the 2nd leg I have at all times tried to priorities our safety by using major roads through the highest risk countries such as DRC, Congo and Nigeria. We should be able to clear DRC and Congo within 2 - 3 days, depending on road surface and timely border crossings. Nigeria will take 3 - 4 days being such a large country. I had real trouble finding an accessible/unrestricted route through DRC and Congo and suspect these countries will be with the most technical terrain. This leg poses the highest security risk and we will need to be vigilant at all times.

I class the 3rd leg as the most desert like though it appears to have many toll roads to combat this, if we decide to use them. I class this leg as a medium security risk.


I will be hesitant to alter the countries we visit using this West route mainly due to time and security, though more than happy to alter the towns visited along the way so that we can call upon any friends and/or take up any invitations to hospitality/accommodation.

I suggest we use campsites or wild camp as much as possible to keep costs down and if safe to do so, though recommend we use local accommodation through the high risk countries.

I have purposefully avoiding using google maps to make myself and fellow travel partners more familiar with each countries roads and surrounding areas. If any of you guys are interested in this route then maybe an idea to plot yourselves using a paper map as I have.

I suspect some of the estimated travel times and distances will be way out and will just have to predict these whilst on the road using valuable information from other travellers along the way. There will be some long days where we don't reach our destination as well as short days where we can decide whether to press on or not.

One thing I havnt researched yet are re fuelling opportunities as this may effect the proposed route and we will have to divert accordingly.

I have tried to research each section of this route as much as possible, however will research further and update the attachment notes throughout 2012 until our departure.

Using this route, total estimated mileage from tail to top of Africa is 10,584.1 miles. You may be able to work out the cost of your fuel using this estimation.

The total estimated days of actual travel (ie on the road) are 43.

Border Crossings 17 allowing a day for each.

Total days travelling 60 including border crossings.

This leaves approx 30 days off riding to be used for emergencies and of course relaxing.

If you can spot any mistakes with regards to any of this proposed route or planning I welcome any corrections, suggestions or feedback.

Many Thanks and I really do hope that we all can commit to this sooner rather than later.

Tommy, i am interested.

Your route is fine to me, 3 months at the most,
and the bike yeah, it depends on what you really want.
I am driving an 1150gsa (see Morocco on 5 GSs - ADVrider )

Is that Hampton in London or the one near Birmingham?

Let's talk about next year..., regards-------------geert
geertvdgucht@yahoo.com

What sort of hotel accomodation are you looking at? Really fancy this type of holiday, not sure about anything less than 3 star, though.

+ 1
being physio and nurse might help...and a "free mind cooker"
by this time i will be off duty
would come on a 1150GS 41L or a TT39
before this trip get a in paris anytime
see you

Hi All, thanks for your replies.

That would be Hampton, London.

With regards to accommodation, unfortunately, I think we will be lucky to get anything above three star anyway. I would definately like to camp some of the way and cheap motels or any kind invitation by the locals. I don't think hotels will always be available in East Africa.

Yes, a nurse/Physio would be a great occupation to come along especially if on a GS.

I also had a couple contact me asking to maybe drive through the difficult areas together. They will be in a Landrover!

I'm just in Southern Spain, about to head into Morroco see catch up in a couple of weeks.

Regards, Tommy

Tommy I am interested. Have friends in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique for a hot shower and a good meal, planned this with someone and that fell through - email me at mail@ninamadden.com

If you will be in İstanbul,too, we will be glad to offer you our club garage for some repairings, check-ups, experience changes and adventure talks.
Lets keep in touch.Prepared maps and tips for Turkey roads and places a must to see..
Wish you all the best.
m.zeki.

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn

Hi there, I am an Ozzie and have dreamed about such a trip for years.
How is the planning going? I am very interested. Obviously the planning from my end would be a bit more involved but I am very keen. I have a deal experience having had an 1150 GS and now a 1200GS, and ridden all my life. Pls let me know yr email address and we can discuss further.

Pete

Dai, thanks for the PM, hope to see you at HU, Bristol. Pls bring any plans you have already made and think of any places you wish to visit so we can discuss a route.

Pete, thanks for showing interest, what an amazing dream, isn't it? Mine also, though we need to turn that dream into reality.

All, before anyone commits, I have estimated an average of £50 to £60 per day when on the road and £30 to £40 on rest days inc fuel, accomodation and food. Not inc alchohol, shipping ferry,s, insurances or bike repairs. As you can imagine, over three months, this trip could cost upto £5400 and that's not including the the above.

Hi Pete, thomas.foy@sky.com, or you could always. Send me a pm. Depeding on your choice of route from Oz, you could always meet along the way if that makes it cheaper or easier for you.

Tommy

Hi Pete, great photo, maybe oz could be a future adventure.

Shipping to Kenya is an option unless things calm down in Syria or there abouts next year. As you said, lots of time yet.

If shipping, I would look at using James Cargo (unless anyone can suggest another shipping agent) though not sure if they can help you shipping from oz.

I'm hoping to confirm a route within the next few weeks and also have a 2nd route as a back up.

I will post as soon as we have planned it.

Tommy

Hi Tommy,
I'm still interested in joining the trip if you'd like to meet for a to discuss?

Rick

Very interested in the possibility of joining you.
I was thinking of doing Africa early 2013 but would move that forward for the right trip. I had thought east was more straight forward but your detailed planning notes make the west look doable.
I ride a 1200 GSA but, like you, am thinking about something lighter for Africa. I rode the GSA through South America nov/dec 2011 and although it performed exceptionally well, it was a bit heavy in the sand.
As it happens, Im in London tuesday - thursday next week if you are around for a coffee. email me on montague.brian@gmail.com and I can give you mobile

Hi Brian, thanks for your note. My route has changed yet again. I have taken the advice of some others and now avoiding Mali, though I am still using the West. I have also now decided to travel North to Soutj so I can meet with a couple who will be joining me or I joining them on there final rtw leg.

Getting really excited now as just completed my very expensive vacines. I have my carnet quote and have booked my return shipment of my bike. Oh yeh, and even have my second passport.

A friend has designed a new web site for me so as soon as its up to date, I will share with all who are interested.

The bike has been remapped to except a lower grade fuel vut still needs some adjustments, so I'm almost all set.

Just need my visas which I hope to get before I leave otherwise along the way.

Unfortunately and because I am taking so much time off from work, I am working my nuts off leading upto to departure and that includes this Tuesday and Wednesday. I am however attending the Ripley gathering on Thursday to Sunday and the ABR South Coast rally in a couple of weeks. Are you able to attend any of these to discuss?

Cheers, Tommy

Hi All, for those of your who are interested in following my epic adventure from London to Cape Town via West Africa and in addition to my HU website, feel free to make this site one of your favourites Round the World Dream | Tommy's Motorcycle Adventures

Its not quite upto date yet but we're working on it. If any of you adventurers would like a similar web site then drop me an email. A very kind friend has designed this amazing web site and also offered to manage whilst I'm on the road.

Keep checking for updates.

Not long now, October 6th is my planned departure.

Kind Regards to all, Tommy