Paperwork? Africa trip, down the west coast and up the east
 

ok guys, there is a lot of info on HUBB about paperwork and where it may or may not be needed. The problem is that the information doesn't always match up. I'm hoping someone will have some up to date info that might help me.

Basically I am travelling from Morocco to South Africa, down the west coast, then up the East coast to Egypt. I'm riding a UK registered 2002 Honda Transalp, already spent the last 4 months travelling around Europe and I'm currently waiting in the south of Spain arranging any documents I may need.

Firstly the Carnet: I have seen people on here who have successfully done the west coast without the Carnet and have paid some fee on some borders. I have worked out that it will cost around £2500 for my Carnet if I do an indemnity. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what figure I might end up paying in border fees?

Also, if I dont get a carnet and I am asked for one, what are my options?

Secondly, the IDP: After looking online it would seem I need an IDP to enter Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin, Angola, South Africa and Egypt. Is this something that I seriously need? and What happens if I dont have one?

I had a problem trying to enter Turkey a couple of months ago when they asked me for a 'yellow paper'. It would seem this was a Carnet. They turned me away, I wouldn't want this to happen while I'm somewhere half way down Africa.

I'm hoping I will be ok travelling with:

My UK Passport
UK photo driving license
UK DVLA vehicle registration document
Visa (I will collect on my way to each country)

Potentially:

IDP (If needed)
Carnet (If needed)


Am I missing anything important?


Thanks,

I have never been asked for an international drivers permit in any country on either east or west coast, so expect you should be fine without it.

Even if you were asked for a copy, it is one of those issues you can probably talk your way out of.

Having said that, (and aside from the fact you are now in Spain) it is relatively straightforward to obtain a copy from the post-office or DVLA and therefore if possible I would suggest having one, as more documentation is better than none.

I have travelled the west coast without a carnet, without significant hassle. It will occasionally require some negotiations at the border (Senegal, DRC and Nigeria being the main ones) but is doable.

On average, I would budget US$20-30 per border crossing (excluding Egypt) to obtain a TIP or laissez passer if you don't have a carnet. Some will be more, others less, but that should be a reasonable average.

I am aware of reports that you can now obtain an Egyptian temporary import permit, but have no idea of costs (as I entered Egypt on a carnet) and expect they will be significantly more than the average above.

Ta-Rider,

I am somewhat surprised you didn't pay anything at borders on the west coast for temporarily importing your vehicle?

My estimate of US$20-30 per border is not for bribes, but simply the cost of customs issuing the TIP or laissez passer, in return for which you receive a receipt and a nice shiny stamped piece of paper.

All these charges are legitimate and from memory I can't recall too many borders where you can avoid these completely.

ok, thanks guys for your responses.

I think I'm going to go without the carnet.

Can anyone confirm what I will actually be asked for when I reach a border?

also

ta-rider : Photoshop is your friend when it comes to paperwork in africa.

What documents and colourful stamps did you show them?

{:0)

lol,

I'm not just doing what someone else did, this is just a small part of my trip.

I've spent the last 4 months travelling around Europe, then I'm heading down the west coast of Africa and up the east coast to visit some friends who I knew when I used to live in Tanzania. After that I will head north to Egypt. (the Africa thing is a little similar, but its not like you were the first person to do it either)

But then I'm driving to, and around, India, then Tibet and China, then south east Asia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, North America and Russia.

I just mentioned the Africa part as I am just about to enter Africa {:0p

It´s Carnet the passages necessary?
 

Hi everybody,

I´m sorry to ask the same question again but from what I´ve been reading in different forums carnet the passages is necessary to cross the border in Senegal or otherwise you have to pay between 200 & 300 € which would be exactly the cost for me to apply for the carnet in Spain!

Could somebody confirm if I can do without it travelling on a BMW F 650 all the way down from Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Mali and then back again through Mauritania, Morocco till Spain?

It would be much appreciated as I am going to leave at the beginning of December and still don´t know whether save the money of carnet or not.

Thanks a lot

Hi mahsita,

I've been looking into this too, I've heard that the northern border of Senegal is sometimes difficult as they will maybe ask for the carnet.

If this is the case when I arrive, I am considering missing Senegal and crossing to Mali instead.

Any cheap travel insurance?
 

Thanks Toni. Let us know if you manage to get in. By the way, have you got any travel insurance for your RWT? Does anybody know any comprehensive yet cheap travel insurance for a long period of time?

Thanks a lot.