Safety in Africa
- Thread starter muddyfox
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The Gribbin
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I lived and worked in a few countries in southern africa - Zambia/Malawi/Uganda/RSA... travelled through most of the neighbouring countries with no problems... it's definitely worth taking your time in each country.
Further north is uncharted for me... Somalia and Congo sound a bit too exciting for me. Check out some of the overland truck operators, and see which routes they run at the moment, or try chatting with one of their drivers?
Another way is to ship your vehicle out in a container - might be a cheaper/safer option? I shipped my 110 out to Dar es Salaam...
Happy travels...
Further north is uncharted for me... Somalia and Congo sound a bit too exciting for me. Check out some of the overland truck operators, and see which routes they run at the moment, or try chatting with one of their drivers?
Another way is to ship your vehicle out in a container - might be a cheaper/safer option? I shipped my 110 out to Dar es Salaam...
Happy travels...
Griffdowg
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Somalia is a no go area, I dont think you would be allowed!
West coast route is natoriously more hassle than the east coast route. Countries like Nigeria, Congo, Demacratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola are probably the worst. All carry their risk but many people do travel this route and it is the side I planned on doing before changing my plans completely. I think the west holds more charm and is much less travelled/touched by travellers.
I think the only place to come unstuck on the east coast is Sudan. I would check which areas are 'no go's' and route around them, again many more people travel the east coast route. dont believe all the FCO tell you or you wont leave your house!
I think if you have travelled to other developing countries are used to modest hassles, red tape, language difficulties and have patience then it will be absolutely fine.
Google will throw up hundreds of blogs on people doing both routes, be worth seeing what others say.
G
West coast route is natoriously more hassle than the east coast route. Countries like Nigeria, Congo, Demacratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola are probably the worst. All carry their risk but many people do travel this route and it is the side I planned on doing before changing my plans completely. I think the west holds more charm and is much less travelled/touched by travellers.
I think the only place to come unstuck on the east coast is Sudan. I would check which areas are 'no go's' and route around them, again many more people travel the east coast route. dont believe all the FCO tell you or you wont leave your house!
I think if you have travelled to other developing countries are used to modest hassles, red tape, language difficulties and have patience then it will be absolutely fine.
Google will throw up hundreds of blogs on people doing both routes, be worth seeing what others say.
G
V8Safari
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That is part of the adventure isn't it?
.........No, just by planning you your route you can avoid many of these issues - South Egypt and crossing into Sudan can be a challenge, and as Griffdowg note is Somalia (south/Central) no go, Puntland (northeastern Somalia) is Pirat land....so also no go whereas Somaliland (northwestern Somalia) probably would be possible to travel, if you know what you are doing. DRC also a problem.
Northern parts of Kenya bordering Sudan and Ethiopia can be hairy due to banditry, local disputes and generL crime whereas eastern parts of kenya bordering Somalia very hairy right now with increased risk of kidnappings linked to Somalia
Otherwise east and southern africa is very very nice to travel, would not have concerns with Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, mozambique and so on........ Yes Angola have its problems
Just start planning and save money
8kphil
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go to the lake district instead?? :doh:
Thanks for the contribution.
gil
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try a mounted 50 cal on the roof
Griffdowg
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Booger
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One of the current issue you're likely to have in some parts of Africa is access to fuel- parents just came back from Malawi - no imported fuel for over a month due to their currency crash
what fuel there is has gone up by 400% overnight and you have to wait approx a week to get hold of any at current time and then up to 70 cars in the queue at a time when a delivery is due
what fuel there is has gone up by 400% overnight and you have to wait approx a week to get hold of any at current time and then up to 70 cars in the queue at a time when a delivery is due
gil
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The land rover WIMIK is out dated now
http://media.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/LAND_MWMIK_Jackal_Afghanistan_lg.jpg
now that what im talking about, as much as i love land rovers, the jackel makes them look like smart cars off road. had the privilege to instruct in off road driving on the them for 3 months
or this?
Wildcat - Supacat
the benz
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Hello Everyone,
I'm currently in Cairo and planning to drive down to Cape Town later this year.
Does anyone know if this trip has been done recently? The usual routes from Europe to Egypt have not really been possible lately so I imagine less people are making this sort of trip. It would be good to know if people have recent experience of driving down East Africa please.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.100502,31.349363
I'm currently in Cairo and planning to drive down to Cape Town later this year.
Does anyone know if this trip has been done recently? The usual routes from Europe to Egypt have not really been possible lately so I imagine less people are making this sort of trip. It would be good to know if people have recent experience of driving down East Africa please.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.100502,31.349363
uk_vette
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I think as each passing day, unfortunatly Africa is turning into a real war zone, just one country after another.
It might have been doable 2-3 years ago, but for now, I guess there is too much danger.
It may sort itself out, if UK and USA and Europe as a whole, can keep their big noses out.
Otherwise I fear any external intervention will simply just delay the inevitable for a later date.
What is happening in Africa will happen, external forces will just delay matters I think.
For now, I would take KLM over any overlanding, if Cape Town was the destination.
The west coast route is pretty well stuffed, once around the bulge, and now the eastern route is getting slowly knackered also.
Down through the middle, central has never been a relaible option for many a year.
Vette.
It might have been doable 2-3 years ago, but for now, I guess there is too much danger.
It may sort itself out, if UK and USA and Europe as a whole, can keep their big noses out.
Otherwise I fear any external intervention will simply just delay the inevitable for a later date.
What is happening in Africa will happen, external forces will just delay matters I think.
For now, I would take KLM over any overlanding, if Cape Town was the destination.
The west coast route is pretty well stuffed, once around the bulge, and now the eastern route is getting slowly knackered also.
Down through the middle, central has never been a relaible option for many a year.
Vette.
the benz
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Thanks. Will try the hubb as well.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.086938,31.327023
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.086938,31.327023
Griffdowg
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Well your all ready in the best place to find out. If you can get to Sudan then down, it should be ok. There are plenty of people out there still travelling these routes, just remember one person's 'safe' is another mans warzone. Get a few opinions 1st before making a direct decision, always have a plan B and a route out. Dont limit yourself.
Let us know how you get on and keep us informed. You on your own?
G
Let us know how you get on and keep us informed. You on your own?
G
the benz
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Thanks for your reply G.
Yes, I agree that we all have our different perceptions of risk. I think mine has changed a bit during my time here in Egypt!
We are indeed at a relative advantage in that we are already in Egypt, given the recent/ongoing unrest makes getting here from Europe difficult.
I am still keen to hear from anyone who has done the route recently or is planning it during 2012. I imagine that as you suggest the most risky part is getting past Sudan.
Yes, I agree that we all have our different perceptions of risk. I think mine has changed a bit during my time here in Egypt!
We are indeed at a relative advantage in that we are already in Egypt, given the recent/ongoing unrest makes getting here from Europe difficult.
I am still keen to hear from anyone who has done the route recently or is planning it during 2012. I imagine that as you suggest the most risky part is getting past Sudan.
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