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Cycling in Africa

  • 17-04-2011 8:31pm
    #1
    CATSEYES8787
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    I have in mind to discover Africa next year (I don't know yet which country, hence the post;-) ) and I would love to do so by bike.
    So I'm looking to hear from personal, similar experiences:
    which country did you visit, how did you organise it, did you go on your own, what was the itinerary, how long did you go for, cost of the trip etc... Basically as many useful information as possible!

    Regards:)


Comments

  • #2
    keenan110
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 326 ✭✭keenan110


    Maybe try posting in the Cycling Forum, there are a good few people who have toured extensively and would be able to offer very good information.:)


  • #3
    CATSEYES8787
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭CATSEYES8787


    Just did. Thanks for the tip ;)


  • #4
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,618 Mod ✭✭✭✭dory


    Look up Tour d'Afrique if you have the money. I would love to go on one of their tours some day.
    This cycling blog is also a good place for some info. I'm not sure if that's the blog but a while back I found the blog of a couple who spent a few years cycling around Africa. Sounded amazing!
    Keep us updated with what you plan! I hope to go in the next 2-3 years.


  • #5
    Oranage2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,128 ✭✭✭✭Oranage2


    Was looking to either do this by 4x4 or public trasport, Cairo to cape by east cost is a common way, if you do the west cost the Visa requirments are more difficult to get and are more expensive.

    Loads of websites dedicated to cycling, good look.


  • #6
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    Know some people who have cycled East Africa (Ethiopia -> South Africa is the normal route), and one who did West Africa (Morocco -> Cameroon). I've travelled West Africa myself.

    Organising it is easy enough. You get your first 3 months of visas, some vaccines, a solid bike, some repair and medical kit and equipment, your documents and a plane ticket, and off you go. It will probably require you to start preparing about 8 weeks in advance.

    The speed at which you travel will largely depend on your cycling experience, and how slow you want to go... but understand that time is not something that Africans consider important, so it's essential not to be in a hurry... for that reason I would recommend not buying your return flights in advance, nor getting too many visas before you arrive.

    In general, Africa is not dangerous so long as you are not stupid. (There are, of course, some African countries that are genuinely dangerous!) Keep yourself up-to-date on what's going on, avoid elections, be sensitive to local conditions, and smile, and you should be fine. Budget on 30 EUR a day when you're out there, plus anti-malarials, suncream, flights and travel+medical insurance.


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