Ship to Cape Town, then ride to London, Depart October 2012
 

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.

cpt 2012
 

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":oops2:
by this time i will be off duty
would come on a 1150GS 41L or a TT39
before this trip get a beer 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

Friendly Club in İstanbul
 

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.

Thanks for all replies with offers of contacts and assistance and really do hope I get to meet you all at done point.

Nina, I absoloutley love Kenya! Sooooo excited, although also a little nervous.
How do the dates and route sound to you? Do you live in the UK?

Tommy

Hi Tommy
The route sounds great and the dates are also good. It will take me at least a year to save for the trip, as I also have to buy new bike, me old Honda will definitely not make that trip. 3 months would be minimum, definitely camping, hostel, hotel...
I was in the UK until 4 weeks ago, now in Sweden, just back from Tanzania ... email me and we can talk more (I just changed my username)
Exciting!! :scooter:

To all of those who have contacted me or shown an interest in this trip please contact me, if not already done so, as I'm trying to get a few of us together at the Avon, Bristol HU gathering to discuss planning. Many Thanks. Tommy

Tommy,

You already know I'll be there.. and whilst the idea of traveling through a war torn, famine ridden, high crime continent, where life is cheap and death is cheaper... I'm looking forward to hearing your plan for the trip. :innocent: - I may even join you.

Hi Steve, how's the Alps? I found them twisting mountain roads really adictive and often distract you from an often empty fuel tank. I almost got caught out a couple of times and had to free wheel down to refuel.

Would you be joining in just the planning or the actual trip, lol. The planning is part of the adventure!

Not had many replies to this as yet, but a few possibles.

See you soon.

Tommy

hi Tommy i think i could be up for this trip and all so able to meet up at bristol meeting to have a chat about it i ride a gs aswell regards Dai.

Are you sure you dont fancy doing the exact samme trip, but nearly a year earlier. im taking the same route but leaving this January, on a honda cbf 250. Would be nice to have some company. :)

Hi Callum, I would love to depart a year earlier but have no holiday from work left nor have I saved or planned thoroughly. Thanks for the invite though. I ask a similar question, can you not defer yours until next year?

Dai, are you going to the Avon HU gathering?

Tommy

To all who wish to join me on this trip. I am pleased to announce that my holday request from work has been accepted and this adventure will be happeing. This has probably been my biggest challenge to date whilst planning this trip and will now be able to make some real progress.

Due to recent unrest in Syria I have had to review the route and am now considering shipping the bike to Nairobi then heading North into Ethiopia and continuing my route down in to Capetown from there.

By avoiding Egypt means also avoiding their expensive carnet making it a less expensive adventure.

Also, by altering the route this way will make more rest days available to actually explore the countries ill be travelling through rather than rushing.

Tommy

Keep me posted plse? Plan a trip in two acts?
 

Hi Tommy

Id be interested to know more I have mates in Nanuyki Kenya wd be keen to go that far at least if can get permission for some time orf loafing around from Head Orifice , when is the Bristol meeting? I have worked and travelled in Botswana Zim etc Id hazard the trip from Nairobi is pretty straightforward by comparison with the northern section and I'd plan to complete that segment separately. My plan would be to leave my bike in Kenya in secure storage and complete rest of trip a few months later then ship bike back. This is because I won't get 3 months maybe only 4 or 6 weeks first off.

Does anyone know if one can leave a bike on a carnet and exit a COMESA country like Kenya with the intention of returning a later date to exit with the bike on a road border crossing? When I was in Botswana they always stuck a big transit certificate in ones passport for a vehicle crossing into Zim for example.

Thanks for the two act planning advice, a good idea. I havnt researrched the carnets yet but have read of people leaving their bikes for a day or two whilst exiting the country. Something you will have to look into.

If you plan on shipping to Nairobi then it maybe an idea for you to purchase a bike in Kenya, if possible, then it would work out cheaper and should be able to then leave in storage.

Bristol HU gathering is 2nd to 4th sep. Let me know if you want to meet up.

Thanks, Tommy

Start istanbul nov 2012
 

Hi Tommy,

I'm still interested, but my first choice is still to start from Istanbul 2nd week in November and either ride through to the Syrian border or take the ferry to Alexandria.

Both of these routes are open to change depending on the situation of course.

I guess the cost of freighting to Nairobi would be similar to the extra cost of the Egyptian Carnet, but please keep me informed of the cost of this in case I decide to follow you on this route.

Is there is anyone who's interested in starting with a meet up in Istanbul around 2nd week Nov 2012 and heading south to Cape town with approx 4 months to complete - please PM me and I'll start a new thread.

David

nov-2012
 

Hi David,
i am a starter for nov2012, eventually Istambul.

Have tried to make contact with Tommy (see up this thread) but negative.

However, wanna do this trip in max. 3months if possible.
What is so expensive about carnet in Egypt?

Have yet some concrete ideas about the trip and interested in
some company!
regards----geert
geertvdgucht@yahoo.com

carnet
 

Hi Geert

rather than steal Tommys thread, I'll start a new one shortly, but a Carnet for Egypt is roughly 3 x the price of your bike to be left in gurantee. Other countries want a gurantee of the price of the bike. I haven't decided which bike to take yet. Depends on travel partners, etc. Either my old XTZ660 or might invest in a GS.

David

Carnet
 

You can apply for a CDP in Germany, Germans and EU-nationals.
the carnet is valid for Egypt aswell

http://www.adac.de/_mm/pdf/Antrag%20...20EU_18336.pdf

3000 eu upto value <15000 of your bike.

I know a guy in Belgium who completed the whole operation with
return of his deposit
rgrds geert

CDP does state that you can't leave the country without whatever it is that's on the CDP. It does vary from country to country with regards to them stamping your passport. Although if you had two passports with you...

Hey, Tommy, (or David!),
I'm interested in joining the trip, I live in Battersea, so not to far if you want to meet for a chat?
Re the bikes, everyone has there opinion, but I never met anyone on a 400-600cc bike wishing for anything bigger, but I have met plenty of guys on bigger bikes wishing for something smaller...also, there are three KTM 640 Adventures on eBay at the mo (ignore the pre 2004 bike though!).

Rick

Hi Rick, thanks for your post. Are you able to attend the Bristol, HU gathering? I'm hoping to meet up with anyone who's interested in trip. If not, I also live in London so could definately meet up another time.

Geert, with respect, it would be appreciated if you didn't post on my thread again. You have only ever posted on this thread once before and that was to advertise your website, of which I didn't take to, although I still kindly replied to your only question, which was where did I live! Therefore, reject your accusation. Its a shame, as a newbie, I still have faith that HU is a place to make friends. Good luck with your thread.

David, I just spent a fantastic weekend with Sam Manicom and Alan Davies. I'm still hoping to ride the complete top to tail of Africa but fear it will be rushed in the three months I have. Alan and Sam also agreed. They also commented that a GSA won't have any problems at all coping with the mostly tarmac and gravel roads.

RAC offer insurance policies for the carnets. I need to research this.

Suppose they way forward is to agree a route.

Hope to see you at the HU meeting.

Regards, Tommy

Can't make the HU meet, but perhaps grab a beer after it to have a chat? I don't think we're far away.

It seems they're tarmacking the world, gotta get out amongst it before it's too late! And I suppose the best bike for the trip is a bike you really like. I rode to Dakar a few years ago, and my friend rode on his 1150GSA, maybe I'll bring him with for the beer?

Rick

BTW, carnet is pretty easy to setup with RAC. It is much cheaper to leave money with them than using the insurance, unless of course you can't get your bike out of a country. But then I suppose a few $ to a border guard might get you an exit stamp you require... Also, depending on your financial position, I have heard of banks underwriting people's carnets, again cheaper than the insurance route. My last carnet cost me about £1k after deposit returned etc at the end of the trip, on a £3k bike. But that covered me for Iran etc, which are similarly draconian as Egypt. Easier than leaving the £15k with the RAC I guess...

Hi Tommy,

I really like the idea of riding the continent top to tail, rather than freighting part of the way. But as you only have three months and because of the political situation in Syria, this may be the only realistic option for you.

I have four months and I know I will be working in Istanbul first week Nov 2012, hence the Istanbul starting point for me. This is also going to be changeable because of the Syria situation. I was meaning to take the ferry from Tartous ( Syria ) to Alex, http://www.visemarline.com/en/homepage.php, but this ferry is now been put on hold, so it may be ferry from Venice to Alex, or even freight to Cairo

Rather than excluding people from threads I guess we should just put up our routes, destinations, prefered type of travel style/roads, e.t.a.'s etc on two different threads and see who wants to fit in with what.

I can't make Bristol, but am in the UK n.w. and midlands later on in Sept.

David

africa
 

Hi Tommy i have sent you a pm hope to see you at Bristol meet cheers Dai.

Trip London to Capetown.
 

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 beer to discuss?

Rick

Hi Rick, month worries if you can't attend HU, Bristol, not forgit about you Rick. Can you please send a PM with your contact details so I can add you to the list of possibles.

I will contact you soon to arrange a meet up or better still a ride out maybe.

Thanks, Tommy

'Volunteer' ;-) for this great adventure
 

Hello Tommy,

I'm Frederic and I'm from Belgium. I'm very intrested to join you on this trip as my fiancee is not so much into this kind of adventures.
Since a couple of years I kind of planning a trip like this one on my own but never got enough time.
My dream would be to get some sponsoring to support one or other local project as I would really feel bad to ride trough Africa as just 'the rich Europeans'

So, if you would like somebody from another country to join you, you can always contact me at frelebbe@gmail.com

Grtz,


fre

Hi Frederick, can you make a meeting at the Bristol, HU gathering this weekend?

Tommy

HU Meeting Bristol
 

Hello Tommy,

After a whole evening of planning and searching for ferry rates I can tell you that I'll be there, glad to see maybe some people who where at the HU meeting in Portugal in 2007. And to meet you as well of course.
Unfortunately I'll not come by motorbike as I had a work accident a couple of weeks ago... for onces I'm glad to have also a car ;-)
But I'll bring some photo's...

CU there,

fre

Excellent Frederick, now that's what I call commitment. Pm me your mobile if it will work. Look forward to meeting up with you. My mobile 07803888331.

Tommy

HU Meeting Bristol
 

Hi Tommy,

Africa is part of our RTW trip. (started last april from Sao Paulo, Brazil). We are now in UK. We'll be at HU Meeting on saturday only and it'll be great to discuss this route.

We plan to be in Amman, Jordan first week of october. Probably reaching Cairo mid october and then starting down to Cape (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, SA).

We ride 2 up on a GSA and we always try to have good partners for part or entire route. The best way to have fun and ride safe.

Hope to see you next Saturday.

(our mobile and mail +55.11.81619300 marcelo@dwq.com.br)

Thanks Marcelo, hope to see you there.

Tommy

All, after attending the HU, Bristol and meeting some great folk including 3 strong possibilities for this trip, I will not be checking this thread as often, so please PM if you are interested, as I will receive this instantly, or if you can help with any advice, especially with the Egypt carnet.

Slight change to trip, now shipping to Capetown, then heading North up the East of Africa. This is the 1st choice for the time being. A back up plan is also being planned due to unrest in Syria and Libya and the Egypt carnet cost.

Thanks to all.

You will love it
 

In 2008 I did the trip from South to North on a Vespa 250 ie Scooter:scooter: with no trouble at all. Countries traveled, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Israel, then over to Italy and up to Nordkapp Norway before making my way down via Sweden, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and shipped the scooter back from London.

What a great experience, Goolge "Sib Andela Vespa" and and the two facebook links have some photos.

Be friendly, patient and smile a:cool4:nd you should have no problems in Africa.

Enjoy your trip, but without the luxury of 3star hotels along most of the way.
Very little chance of trouble, and if confronted, ride away from it.

Go and Enjoy

Wonderful - seems Africa's going to be full of adventurers!

We're leaving our 2 Big GSA's and joining our sons to form a small group - we're doing London to Cape Town via the Western route in 2012...... and don't laugh..... on 6 x 125cc bikes :scooter: going to be quite an experience....

Hi All, feel free to sign up to my web site for future updates of this fantastic adventure.

Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Stories - Tommy Foy

Best Regards, Tommy

Hi All, I would like to re-initiate this thread as, unfortunately my potential 4 HU riding partners have had to drop out for various reasons. I'm now well into the planning stages and will be shipping my bike down to Cape Town in October 2012. Then aim to ride back to the UK in late December 2012.

If you wish to know more details it maybe worth checking out my website listed below:

Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Stories - Tommy Foy

I'm looking for a potential 2 maximum riders to share this adventure with. If this route interests you and you have the funds and time then please feel free to email me at thomas.foy@sky.com. I kindly request you contact me if you are serious about coming along.

Its important to me and potential riding partners that we are comfortable spending so much time together therefore would like to meet up at various rally's through out the year until our departure.

Alternatively, if someone wishes to share the cost of a container to ship the bikes down to Cape Town, then please also email me.

Best Regards, Tommy

How much roughly might the whole journey cost?
 

Now the journey is on, can you estimate how much it cost you Tfoy97603? I don't mean start up costs, just while on the trip?? Many thanks!!

Hi, there are many factors to consider for each individuals trip. For my trip I have calculated an estimated total cost of £8000 - £9000 for a three month trip. I have already spent a third of that on preperations. For example £700 worth of vaccines.

Hope this helps, cheers.

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

Website's
 

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

Satellite Tracking
 

Follow my progress via satellite here: Round the World Dream | Tommy's Motorcycle Adventures

Thanks.

Hey Tommy,
I'm still leaving early Oct too, but taking a different route. Happy to grab a beer one eve if you're around SW London before you go?

Rick

Italy to Cape town
 

So i'm cheating by starting further south than London, but leaving Genoa around Nov 17 for Tunisia and some initial adventures (18 days or so,see my other posts) in Lybia, looking for travelling partners for this leg especially. Then the usual eastern route, big layover in east africa to arrive around May 1. Perhaps the timing will work out to meet some on the road.
buon adventura to all!
Jim

Hey Jim,
sounds like you're going the same way as me. I'm rarely on here, are you on facebook? I'd be interested to chat with you about your planning etc, I'm heading through Libya too, so we could maybe ride together for a bit. My fb is www.facebook.com/rickdickinson1

Rick

Hi Rick, good to hear from you again. I know we tried meeting a couple of times bur work seemed to prevent.

Yes, would be good to meet up to discuss your alternative route, visas ect.. I'm off work the next two days so let me know if your around during the day and we could meet halfway, say in Barnes if that's convinient. Let me know, day time would suit me better.

Cheers, Tommy

Hi Jim, looks like you and Rick should meet up if your both doing travelling down the East. Idepending on your route, 'm not sure our paths will cross unless we're could all meet further South in Angola. Let me know if you make any meeting arrangements. If I don't hear from you, good luck.

Tommy

Hi Tommy,
drop me a text, I am around tomorrow, my no.s 07812 167 899

Rick