London to South Africa November 2016

Hi

I'm planning a trip through Africa stating mid November 2016 in my Land cruiser, the route isn't finalized yet. But I'm picking up my wife in Kenya mid Dec. So for the first month a friend is joining me.

We are planning a 4 month trip, one month to Kenya and then 3 months in the Southern part of Africa.

I want to know if there is others planning the same sort of trip or want to join?

Hi and welcome, 

For some information look at girllchild's blog 
this HTML class. Value is www.kapp2cape-blog.net
There trip was in a Land Cruiser, a good read.

Hi there. Not many people doing the big Africa crossing anymore. Would be interested to hear what route you plan on...especially to reach Kenya in a month. Good luck!

Welcome Paul!

Yet another trip I'd love to do, but yet again factors conspire to get in the way. Why oh why is the world so damn big, and why are on this planet for such a short time? Poo!

Hi there

It does seem there isn't so many traveling trough Africa at the moment. Also people who has done it recently. I'm looking at the east route. But maybe have to consider picking up the wife in Ethiopia in 1 month. Getting to Egypt and through borders seem a problem at the moment. With Libya that is a no go area and it was the Europe entry point to East Africa route makes it difficult to find a none expensive entry point to the east Africa route.

If your entry point is Morocco, then how do get safely to Kenya through central Africa.

Well, you certainly cannot drive overland to Egypt at the moment. The old route down through Turkey, Syria, Jordan is definitely a no go. You can ship to Cairo but the hassles with customs would be a pain to deal with. The Western route is possible but longer and because there are so may little countries along the way that means more borders and visas...which takes time.

For your plan, you would have to get down to Namibia on the west, then cross the Caprivi to Zambia and up across Tanzania to Kenya. A long drive that would take a few months at best. You can't drive across Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo or Angola west to east for safety reasons, so that pushes you down to Namibia before you can turn east.

Might be better to meet your wife in Luanda or Windhoek to do southern and east Africa.

Just FYI...I am a security advisor for humanitarian NGOs and have to do briefings on travel safety all the time...so tend to keep informed on where is safe for travel.

James

A great answer Tembo. Despite making the place look untidy, that's why we let you hang about!

Uhhh...thanks Tom...I think!

James

Thanks for the help. Can you tell me what the main safety reasons are for central Africa at the moment?

I really want to go down the Eastern route or cut through central Africa if using the Western route. I had a look over the weekend, and the Cargo ferry from Turkey to Egypt is still running. I know customs are a hassle so will use my contacts for a fixer to sort it out. Want to keep cost down so don’t want to start shipping the car if i can help it.

The problems crossing eastwards in central Africa are:

Northern Mali, Niger and Chad and are off limits as Al Qaeda and various other terrorist factions are common. The border between Chad and Sudan has been closed for a long while and you need a military escort to even get close. Once into Sudan, you are in the Darfur region which is still pretty dangerous.

Nigeria...fine crossing in the south but the north east is where Boko Haram is fighting in the Cameroon/Chad border areas.

Cameroon...fine as well except eastwards Central African Republic (CAR) is in a state of war now between Christian and Muslims. Beyond that is South Sudan which is also experiencing a civil war.

Gabon....fine, Republic of Congo, fine. Even western Democratic Republic of Congo is fine, but there have not been roads crossing to the eastern half of the country since the colonial days. The only way is by river or by plane. Plus, a very dangerous place in eastern DRC near the Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi borders. You might be able to cross DRC south-eastwards to Zambia but it would be a tough trip.

Angola...the coast is fine but inland is still very dangerous with land mines from the civil war.

The Eastern Route...

Egypt is the usual pain but they are desperate for tourist income, so can be done. Eastern Sudan is okay...there is talk of a land border crossing with Egypt now, which would cut out the pain-in-the-ass ferry.

Ethiopia is fine...the problem is crossing into Kenya. The old crossing at Moyale can still be done but Al Shabab occasionally raids and kidnaps in south east Ethiopia anywhere near the Somali border. The Ethiopian military is pretty good, but that area can be a bit dodgy. Crossing further west near Turkana is doable but can be a bit wild-west as well. But once you are into Kenya...all is good.

Hope that helps!

Strewth! Reading though all that, I'd seriously consider air cargo to South America. I really had no idea it had got that bad. I realise there have always been tribal disputes and civil unrest in a lot of Central Africa, but it seems to have moved on to a whole new level of late.

Wow! Good luck Paul.

Africa isn't for the faint of heart.

Thanks for the help James

Paulgeert wrote:

Africa isn't for the faint of heart.

Thanks for the help James

You're certainly right there Paul, just glad I've 'served my time' out there before it's got so bad. Wasn't appreciative at the time, but I had it good. Can think of a million and one things to do nowadays rather than be shot at. Think I'll pass and leave that to others.

WOW we will have to give Africa a miss as well, 

Hahaha...well, it can seem daunting but I wouldn't write off the whole continent. I have lived all over Africa and still spend alot of time there. I do love the place. My first trip was to Rwanda in 1994 during the genocide on a military deployment. Saw horrible things but also met some amazing people. Lived in Zimbabwe for five years and watched Uncle Bob and gang destroy but still love the country and the people. I was in Sierra Lone during the war and lived there afterwards...and still enjoy going back. One of the most beautiful and safest countries you will ever travel through. I will be back this year to Kenya and looking forward to it.

I have always thought that adventurers and explorers back when there still new lands to explore often faced some pretty daunting challenges to life and limb. But now we have GPS, tar roads, medical evacuation insurance and internet/sms updates on weather, security and what the Kardashians are doing. So Africa isn't that bad if you're smart about it. My wife is terrified of being in Slough after dark and there are some places in The U.S. that would worry me more. Hell, I grew up in Canada where there were grizzly, black bear, mountain lion, wolves and rattle snakes, but still loved hiking and camping in the mountains.

So, I would still do the Europe to Cape Town run and it would be a great adventure. Before I die I intend to drive from Cairo to Dakar in a straight line. I imagine that will entail some dangers but still worth doing.

So, as Paul said it isn't for the faint of heart...but that just makes it a challenge and not a package tour.

Well maybe if I was 10 years younger and new what I know now would be worth a visit, but at 68 and have arthritis, would really be a challenge, would take a while to get organised and money together I will be 70 by the time to go.

So will stick with Europe till we are unable to travel, hopefully be a few more years.

Sounds fairly reasonable for shipping. I would be keen to hear if Egypt is still asking for a big deposit for a carnet. Actually keen to hear all about the trip as it unfolds and the lessons you learn. Good luck with the planning and may the Overland Gods smile on you!

Do anybody know any good fixers for Egypt Alexandria that don't cost a fortune?

I would check the Horizons Overland website and the Expedition Portal. The first is mainly motorcycle travellers but they are everywhere and may be some good advice. Expedition Portal is largely American, but there are still people posting on their travel. I just read a recent post there from a guy who did the Egypt Sudan crossing recently with contact details for fixers he would recommend. If I can find the thread again, I will post you a link.

Thanks been on Horizonunlimited and there is only a few that is mentioned. Maybe 3 for Alexandria. But their prices vary a lot. Best price was 2500LE last year. Ahmed is the guy's name. Think he is still doing it