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South Africa - Europe, early 2018 South Africa - Europe, early 2018
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  • 1 Post By mrg2k8

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  #1  
Old 27 Jun 2017
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Arrow South Africa - Europe, early 2018
Hello,

I'm planning to go from South Africa to Europe in 2018 and I am looking for companions. I'm thinking of riding the other way around because everybody seems to be going from north to south. So far, I was thinking of the western route due to safety concerns, but I'm open to other options as well.



I am a 26 years old laid back guy, I ride a '04 BMW F650 GS Dakar, I enjoy sleeping under the stars and I don't whine when times get rough. I am planning to make it back to the start of Mongol Rally in London, on July 15, 2018. I want to start from Cape Town in early March, just to not be in a rush. But again, I'm open to discussion as long as I have a buffer of ~2 weeks before the Mongol Rally.

I am currently living in Dublin, Ireland and will soon start researching routes, documents and the cheapest way to transport the motorcycle from Europe to Cape Town.

I'll update this post fortnightly, in case someone misses the topic. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 28 Jun 2017
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west africa
Hi. I'm based in Dublin and recently returned from doing the West Africa route, north to south. happy to share any information or advise from my trip so let me know if you want to chat over a map. Brian
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  #3  
Old 29 Jun 2017
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Wow, the world is indeed a small place! I'd like to hear your stories. I'll send you a message when I will at least have a rough route planned. Pints on me!

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BMW F650 GS Dakar -- South Africa to Europe starting February 2018 -- https://rtw.to -- https://facebook.com/rtw.to
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  #4  
Old 18 Jul 2017
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Joining the Ride
I am based in Johannesburg and am keen to join.
Still new to the forum so cant send PM apologies.

I am currently riding an R1200GS but that could change before then.
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  #5  
Old 18 Jul 2017
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Hey, thanks for posting!

I now have a rough route, South Africa - Namibia - Zambia - DR Congo - Republic of the Congo - Gabon - Cameroon - Nigeria - Benin - Togo - Ghana - Cote d'Ivoire - Guinea - Senegal - Mauritania - Western Sahara - Morocco - Gibraltar. Depending on the delays on the way, I might even try to make it to Nordkapp.

I'm now researching data about visas and motorcycle transportation.

As I now have 3 posts, I'm sending you a private message.

Later edit: A few good reads:
Bike selection http://www.sibirskyextreme.com/2013/...selection-101/
Nomadik, doing a similar thing north to south: website, Facebook page and HU forum post
Last edited by mrg2k8; 18 Jul 2017 at 19:42. Reason: Added links
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  #6  
Old 18 Jul 2017
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Judging by your route Zambia - DR Congo - R Congo, I assume you want to take the "greek" route from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa?

While a tough, fun and adventurous route, there's been a series of killings and kidnappings in the Kasai region (around halfway between Lubumbashi and Kinshasa) in the last few months. You might want to check the latest security situation before deciding.

Your alternative might be to squeeze Angola in there, though I have no information about how difficult it is to obtain a visa coming from the south.
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  #7  
Old 1 Sep 2017
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Hello,

I wanted to avoid Angola because getting a normal visa requires an invitation letter and due to high density of landmines across the country. Transit visas are easier to obtain, but are only issued for five days.

I would also want to see Victoria Falls while in the area.

I was hoping that the situation would improve in the Kasai region before I get there, but it does not seem to be the case. Another option would be avoiding DRC altogether, by taking a ferry from Luanda to Cabinda (Angolan exclave). I am still researching..

So far it's me and SuperFluke. Another user has shown interest, but hasn't replied to my email (yet).
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  #8  
Old 1 Oct 2017
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Drive the other way around and you can go with us.
We're 4 guys traveling from Germany to South-Africa. West-route ofcourse for safety reasons. If you decide to drive the other way around we would be happy to come in contact with you. (Also leaving start of january 2018)
If anyone has any tips feel free to share with us.
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  #9  
Old 3 Oct 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Norwegianguy View Post
West-route ofcourse for safety reasons.

Did we miss something?!
West route is preferable for safety reasons?
I'm not up to date on the route so prejudices only adding here, but I'm thinking Western Sahara, Mali, DRC and maybe others.
I'm sure they're just pockets of problems, if any,
But they're a lot bigger pockets than anything you'll encounter on the east Africa route, where only South Sudan springs to mind, but is easily avoided.

Just an open question. West Africa, if anywhere, is our next major route.
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  #10  
Old 3 Oct 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wickychicky View Post
Did we miss something?!
West route is preferable for safety reasons?
I'm not up to date on the route so prejudices only adding here, but I'm thinking Western Sahara, Mali, DRC and maybe others.
I'm sure they're just pockets of problems, if any,
But they're a lot bigger pockets than anything you'll encounter on the east Africa route, where only South Sudan springs to mind, but is easily avoided.

Just an open question. West Africa, if anywhere, is our next major route.
Hey,
I've done ALOT of reading lately to try to plan our trip the best way possible. I don't know, you might be right. But from what I've read the West-Route is the safest at the moment. West-Sahara and Mauritania don't seem to be a problem anymore, and people travel through freely. (Would recommend you to download iOverlander app which tells you a lot about the route you're taking)
Mali is a problem, but you don't have to drive through Mali at all, and DRC can be driven though via Cabinda at the coast, and from what I have read isn't a problem either, and you get through smoothly.
The only problem seems to be Nigeria which is one of the less safe countries, but with good route planning everybody says it's possible.
I didn't think east Africa was possible right now because of some parts of Sudan and Soith-Sudan. (Anyways we also don't want to ship our car to Egypt, it's part of the fun to drive all the way from Germany to South Africa without interruptions)
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  #11  
Old 3 Oct 2017
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Good to know it's improved since we were researching, I'm pretty sure it will be our next trip, whenever we do one.
We're just coming to the end of Germany - Iran - Cape Town - Egypt - Germany route.
Only South Sudan you need to avoid (and Somalia).
But yes, shipping is a pain.
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  #12  
Old 29 Nov 2017
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After all, it looks like I will be going alone. I've booked flights for Cape Town in February.

Is anyone here that wants to join me?
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  #13  
Old 3 Dec 2017
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Hey man,

i really would join you! Your plan sounds great.
But i'm just two weeks back from my Alaska-Panama Trip. The next plan is to ride from Capetown to Germany. But February is to early for me. What a pity!

I wish you a lot fun, take care and hopefully you find a companion.

If you wirte a blog let me know.

Cheers
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  #14  
Old 24 Feb 2018
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Hi, i start may transafrica trip end of March in Switzerland to South Africa on the west route. Hope to meet you on the road. On FB Werner Willimann
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  #15  
Old 8 Mar 2018
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Werner, I have added you on FB.

The trip is going ahead as planned, even though I had a 3 weeks delay because of shipping issues (lack of experience of the shipping company and of Irish customs with Carnets).

I am posting updates on https://facebook.com/rtw.to and writing more detailed posts with plenty of photos on https://rtw.to .

If anyone wants to meet somewhere on the way, just let me know.

George

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