West Africa, across the top and down to Kenya

To anyone who has done/attempted this sort of journey... are we talking about a year travel? any advise?

Hey there,

We took the ferry to Tunis and did Tunis to Cairo in a month and Cairo to Nairobi in 8 weeks seeing everything on the main routes along the way. We then did another 3 weeks across Kenya/Uganda and back to Nairobi. You couldn't get from Morocco to Tunisia via Algeria back then (4 yrs ago) - I don't think you can now either.

We learn't so much along the way and too much to try and repeat here. Let me know if you need anything specific and I will try and dredge the memory up.

Cheers, Tania

Quoting Overlandin

Hey there,

We took the ferry to Tunis and did Tunis to Cairo in a month and Cairo to Nairobi in 8 weeks seeing everything on the main routes along the way. We then did another 3 weeks across Kenya/Uganda and back to Nairobi. You couldn't get from Morocco to Tunisia via Algeria back then (4 yrs ago) - I don't think you can now either.

We learn't so much along the way and too much to try and repeat here. Let me know if you need anything specific and I will try and dredge the memory up.

Cheers, Tania

Just out of curiousity: how did you manage things for Libya? Tour, visa, transport etc.?

Thanks
Mike

Hi Mike,

Libya was a heck of a mission back then and is not much better these days. I wont bore you with the old trip details...

Currently you have to get hold of a agent, preferably in Tripoli. He will need copies of all your documentation including passport, arabic translation of passport, carnet and other vehicle papers which he will present to Immigration in Tripoli for approval. Assuming it is approved you then have to organize a Guide (if there are less than 5 of you) who will accompany you for your entire trip at your expense. If you have more than 5 pax you need a Guide and a police escort which you also must pay all expenses for. It can be a very expensive process and I can understand why people are putting their vehicles on a boat from Europe to Alexandria (Egypt) these days to avoid the hassle.

FYI: Swiss, Chinese, USA and (very recently) Canadian nationals are banned from Libya at the moment.

If you don't have your own vehicle to worry about you can fly in to Tunis and travel with a 'tour' organized by local operators or even pick up a trip from Cairo with a foreign operator who will arrange all the paperwork and help with visa's as long as you book with them well in advance.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Tania

I did it last year, from Cairo to Lilongwe (Malawi). Cairo to Nairobi is easy forward except Sudan, which is not that easy to travel, but not impossible as well. Feel free to ask any questions via travellerspoint\
aidni