I will be riding all the way around Africa, starting in South Africa going up east and down west. Starting somewhere between January to April 2011. I'm looking for riding partners for the trip or sections of the trip. The entire trip will take about 12 months, as I'm not in a hurry.

So far it is me and maybe a friend. I don't have much overland travel experience so far.

All interested or doing on the same route just post in this thread. Thanks

Safe Riding
Rassie

__________________
He who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when he finds himself alone - Raymond B. Fosdick

Hey Rassie,

I'm heading to Argentina in November 2010. I'm looking to ship the bike to Cape town from there in spring 2011 and head North. I've done South America in 03/04 and ride a KLR. The timing could be perfect.

Hi Micheal 79

Will you be going up the east coast? That time could work out perfectly if all goes according to plan. I will be riding a 200cc, so slow going for me. The Kawasaki KLR650 is definitely the next bike I will buy when I can afford it. Keep me up to date with you plans. Will you be going solo or are you more in the group.

Safe Riding
Rassie

__________________
He who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when he finds himself alone - Raymond B. Fosdick

If all the plannings works I will left Santiago on sept. 2010 to Brazil, to cross I-don't-know-how-yet to S.A. and go north by the east coast, 2 up on a KLR, maybe in december... but the plans are in diapers, at least the funding part

__________________
Santiago-Ushuaia-Alaska Right Now!!!
america2ruedas.blogspot.com

Hi Zaplaje

quote = ... but the plans are in diapers, at least the funding part = quote

I know the feeling. Still a year of making the money for the trip and I'll just make it if all goes well. I WILL be leaving no later than April whether I have enough money or not, I will just keep going and find a way to afford it on route. As long as you keep the dream your focus, all else will fall into place.

Good luck to making the money and hope to see you on the road.

Safe Riding
Rassie

__________________
He who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when he finds himself alone - Raymond B. Fosdick

Hi Rassie,

If I get my passport back from the visa service in the next few days, I'll be travelling down the west side, starting with Algeria. Hoping to be back by no later than end of May this year. Keep an eye on One ball One continent - there could be info as I go that could help with your planning.

As you said: eye on the dream!

__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon

Hey Rassie,

So far solo, although the north and south american parts might be with company. I am looking at a more central route. Why West africa, what do you know that I don't?
Mike

Hi Guys, For all trips down the west side of Africa the crux seems to be the Angolan tourist visa. It takes minimum two weeks to process if applying in South Africa (used to be up to 20 days!) because the application is sent to Angola for approval and then back here. Not sure if it works the same if applying in other countries or on other continents. It used to be possible to get a 5-day TRANSIT visa in the DRC (last border town) but make sure that that is still possible. Apparently you can't get it from any other African country further north. Validity of the tourist visa (60days?) starts when it is granted.

I'll be going down the west side from Europe so the Angolan tourist visa will expire before I get there. Solution: a visa service company does the application with my temporary passport (valid for one year, Rassie) and will then courier to Ghana or somewhere close enough so that I can get to and through Angola on time.

If you end up having to cross Angola on the 5-day transit visa - it can be done if you're not planning to have any 'rest days'. See if you can get the book "Red Tape and White Knuckles" by Lois Pryce, 2008 (Arrow Books, ISBN 978-0-0995-1359-9) - an interesting read about her solo (mostly) trip down the west side in 2006, I think.

__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon