Carnet from South Africa and Not Returning
 

I am starting a trip in S. Africa in January and will buy a bike there and ride to Europe -- and will not be returning to S. Africa with the bike. I am welcome to all ideas and input! I believe that if I buy the bike, most areas along the east coast do not require a carnet (with the exception of Kenya -- and they allow a temporary import permit). Is it possible to get the carnet in South Africa and not return with the bike (cancel it, sell the bike, etc.)? Where is the best/cheapest/easiest place to buy the carnet?

Also, I will be cross-posting this same question in another area -- is it possible to ride 'all the way' with any current routes? If not, can I ship (perhaps from Djibouti) into Europe, Egypt, Israel, or Jordan? I know that things change often -- I am looking for the best up-to-date information. I can help anyone here with questions about Baja Mexico -- as I live on the border! Thanks in advance!!!! chris@planetearthquest.com.

Hi Chris

I just got back to the UK from South Africa, travelling with a SA carnet up the east side of Africa.

To answer your questions:

Ok not to return to SA, just need to officially import the bike to your final destination (i was planning to do this to the UK so checked it out. However UK costs were so high i sent the bike back to SA in the end).

Fine to get to Kenya without a carnet. Formally you need a carnet for Kenya but a guy i rode with took his SA 125cc in without one (through Busia from Uganda).

Yes fine in theory to go all the way to Egypt. I played safe and decided not to cross the Ethiopia/Kenya border so sent my bike back from Kenya and flew into Ethiopia and from there to Egypt. I had a Sudan visa so was planning to go through there but without my bike decided to do Sudan separately.

Details on my blog if helpful - www.temporaryescapee.wordpress.com

Cheers
Andy

Appreciated, Andy!
 

Great information and thank you! I am thinking I can do it without a carnet if I go this route: South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya (with a temporary import permit), Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt (with an "emergency triptyques"). What are your thoughts? Am I able to move through Sudan, presently?

Hi Chris

The only one i am not sure about is Egypt. I have crossed the rest up to and including Tanz without using my carnet and Ethiopia do not use carnets i understand.

I think Sudan is fine - my change of plan was due to the weather not safety. I wanted to visit the Meroe pyramids but the local camping options only operate Oct to April so without my bike i decided to do in this time window.

I met a two separate people who went Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya no problem (although there is periodic trouble at both these borders - local tribal tiffs only but can close the borders so worth keeping an eye on the news as you travel. I signed up to the UK foreign office travel advice that sent me regular emails as things changed).

Cheers
Andy

Many Thanks!
 

Thanks, Andy!