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21 Oct 2015
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Krasnoyarsk, Russia
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This thread feels like some sort of alternate universe...
In my opinion (travelling solo 14 months in Africa)
1. Africa is an amazing place to travel, and a bicycle is probably the best way to know the 'real' Africa.
2. Many, many people travel Africa solo or in pairs, it's not a big deal. Many bicyclists have done it as well. Just last month I met a woman who hitchhiked solo around Southern Africa and loved it. You absolutely do not need to be part of a "tour group" to see Africa (in fact, it would pretty much guarantee that you won't see anything).
3. Travelling SOLO as a women is a lot different than travelling as a couple. African culture respects marriage, just say you are married and that's the end of the story.
4. Big cities in Africa (where most white foreigners work) are much, much different places than the countryside (where a bicyclist would be travelling). In villages all over Africa I will leave my motorcycle, luggage unlocked, unattended for hours at a time without concern.
5. Aside from a general paranoia about all things African, do any of your friends have any evidence that foreigners are targeted for rape in Africa?? That's just ridiculous.
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21 Oct 2015
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Inverness, Scotland
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Quote:
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She has made the decision after a month of mental turmoil to pull the plug (although one day ago she said she would like to do it). She has weighed up everything holistically and the negative pressure coming off her friends and family consistently has been too much for her to bear. Unfortunately they all project their worst fears onto Africa and this has broken through into her and she has thoughtfully valued their opinions in her decision. A waste of flights but better to change course now than later on in the journey.
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And exactly how many of your G/Fs friends and family have done such a trip?
I've only done 5 trips to Africa with my wife (2 up on a motorcycle) all planned and organised by us. On each trip pretty much the only thing I worry about is having a serious accident in the middle of nowhere. The people are friendly and courteous (and that includes the officials I have encountered), and unlike at least one well known country I could name don't often have a gun in their glove box or handbag. At no time has my wife been made to feel uncomfortable or been subject to harassment or threats. Use common sense, especially in urban areas, and beware drunken-ness after dark and you'll be fine. I'm sure the same rules apply in most places.
On our last trip we met several people cycling London Capetown and they were all having a ball!
Africa- full of scary people...
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21 Oct 2015
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jordan325ic
African culture respects marriage, just say you are married and that's the end of the story.
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Which applies for most of the world; it is the majority of western nations that have thrashed the concept and meaning of marriage to the point that the rest of the world just stares and wonders.
__________________
Dave
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21 Oct 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Africa is a great place and true if you say your married people will not bother her. In some islamic countrys they might still offer you a few camels for here specially if shes blond. You can still think a few years about this and then return with here 30 years later to get the camels who dont shout at you 
http://afrikamotorrad.de
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21 Oct 2015
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Location: Macedonia
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Being under stress is not what I will consider as enjoyable trip.
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21 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ccaa
Being under stress is not what I will consider as enjoyable trip.
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True: Thats what you call an adventure ;-)
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25 Oct 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
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ARGH! Like the rest of you found the response from Wynn totally depressing and... ignorant! Sad, sad, sad!!!!! I lived in Kenya. Was there earlier this year. Am returning to East Africa the end of this year to work on a film about just this subject. We need to be going to Africa, not scaring people away! www.LorraineChittock.com/kickstarter.php
I travel solo. I am female. I lived in Egypt for 7 years too. I live in Chile. My heart is in Africa.
I'm not sure about bicycles, but for riding motos, UGANDA is the place to ride! You're welcome in ALL the National Parks, wowza!
James, please get your gf to friend me on fb and send me a message.
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25 Oct 2015
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James, do you guys know there's a HU meet in South Africa on November 12-15???? What a great jumping off point that would be. It's in an INCREDIBLE location.
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31 Oct 2015
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I hope your girlfriend reconsiders... Africa is an amazing place to cycle through - I spent 18 months cycling on the continent on my way to Cape Town from home. Please let your girfriend know that she is more than welcome to ask me any questions.
I could give you an email address book full of people - including women, travelling alone or with their other half - who have cycled or are cycling through Africa. They've all lived to tell the tale, weren't raped and had an amazing time!
Of course there are some risks... you each need to weigh them up - but the risks are not greater because of gender, and being a woman is absolutely NOT a reason to not go. Actually, I am convinced that you are safer as a woman travelling in Africa...
Heading back to Africa in December on a motorbike this time...
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