Hi adventure seekers,

I am planning to ride from the UK to South Africa departing either November 2008, or January 2009, going down the east side of Africa. It is still a long time away, but it takes a while to plan and save moneyfor the trip. Is there anyone planning the same trip around that time. It would be great if there is someone who is, and who would like to join up for all or part of the trip.

Tyrone

Hey I was in the same postion as you as couple years ago, at first I throught I might be going on my own, Now have made contact with a couple people doing the same route (east cost) around the same time. Whats your e-mail address? If you like we can keep in contact while I go down, or if you have any concerns ask around there are a lot of very helpful people on the HUBB who have helped me loads!
Regards George Guille

Hi George,

Thanks for your reply. It would be great if we can keep in contact by e-mail. My e-mail address is tyronesumner@googlemail.com. Good luck for your trip.

Hi

I will be travelling the same route September/October 2008. All things going OK I can keep you up to speed with conditions etc as I head on down ahead of you!

My e-mail is sdufton@terex.com

Keep in touch.

Simon

That's awesome Simon, thank you for that. Good luck with your preparations.

Tyrone

i would be interested in travelling with you down through africa at around this time.i ride an africa twin and i'v done lots of europe and am planning to cross america next year but it would be my first time in africa and it would be nice not to do it alone. you do'nt mention where you are going from there? you can e-mail me at kevinhancock750@yahoo.co.uk

Hi Kevinhancock750,

Thanks for your reply, I have sent you an e-mail, so check it out!

Tyrone

Hello Tyrone,

I am also planning a trip down east africa at around the same time and would like to cover part or all of the journey with a companion/s. If you are interested my mail address is alasdairopenshaw@hotmail.co.uk

HI GUYS,
ALL SO WANT TO DO THIS TRIP AROUND THE SAME TIMES,
HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO TAKE TO DO IT?
AND ARE ANY OF YOU DOING IT TWO UP ?
IAN. ianhambo@hotmail.com

Hi Ian,

I would like to take 5 to 6 months to do the trip. I am riding solo, but would enjoy company along the way.

T-Rex

thanks for the reply t-rex.
so what route do you plan on taking,the more detail you say the better ?

I have wanted to do this particular trip for many years but my mind seems to put obstacles in the way (like just how safe it is, do I need to do it with a small group, will the routes be ok to travel on). Silly really, just wondered if any of these thoughts go thru your mind as well. It appears that people are doing this trip ALL THE TIME so it must be ok!!!

ian

Hi Ian,

I only have a route for the countries I'm planning to ride through down to SA, I still have to do research about the towns and roads available to do this. A rough guide to the route I'm planning on is as follows: Leave the UK from Dover to Calais and head south down France to Marseille to catch another ferry to Tunis. From there head for the Libyan border, where I think an escort/guide is needed to travel through the country. It would be very handy if a small group can organise to meet there to share the cost of the guide. From there head across the country eastwards towards the border of Egypt. Make it to the Nile river and follow it down, criss-crossing it, which appears to flow through Sudan into Ethiopia. I'm sure great care has to be taken on the whole trip, but it is from the border crossing in Egypt into Sudan through into Ethiopia, where my main concern lays. I feel that this part of the route is forced, as border crossing in this region of Africa are very limited. As disturbances in this region tend to move around, so will the route I'm sure, but fingers crossed that it will still be passable when the time comes.
From Ethiopia it's down south towards Kenya and Tanzania, then south-west through Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and finally South-Africa.
It sounds pretty simple looking at it on paper, for now... The departure day is still a long way away, but I feel it anxiously approaching with each day that passes.

What bike are you riding down and do you have a departure day?

Hi T-Rex

Thanks for the info. Sounds a pretty awesome route, and very interesting. Intending to do the trip on BMW 1150 Adventure.

Do you have any ideas just how much paperwork would be involved for border crossings etc, I take it that I would need a carnet for all African countries we go through.

Agree with you that the Sudan/Ethiopia border could be the most tricky part in getting through.

Once down as far as Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana I have already travelled those countries as I used to live in Jo'burg and there are no problems at all.

Hi Ian,

Funny that, I used to live in Jo'burg too. The only info I have re: paperwork is from what I've read in Chris Scott's AMH. As far as I can see, a Carnet is needed, visa's for places where one cannot obtain at the border, Travel and medical insurance, Intnl driving license, 3rd party insurance(which I think is only obtainable at the border or just inside the country visiting), Vehicle registration document, and of coarse money and loads of photocopies of everything + passport photo's.

Where are you based at the moment? I have a spare copy of AMH that I got as a present. You are welcome to it. My e-mail address is tyronesumner@gmail.com