Africa Trip from Aug. 29, 2007 to August 31, 2008 - Approx. 70,000km

This page includes some of the main research that was required to make our dream a reality.

Our Good-Bye Cake for 100 People and a Toast to Wild Africa

- Proposed Route

- Trip Planning Checklist

- Proposed Schedule, Visas, Vaccination, Carnet de Passage Requirements

Proposed Route:

Trip Planning Check List:

September 2006

- Purchased new tent, sleeping bags, thermorests and stove from MEC. (Gear)

October 2006

- Purchased Lonely Planet Africa on a Shoestring, DK travel books for Italy, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa.

November 2006

- Started to compile a list of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa & Italy that we were interested in and mark them on our Africa Map.  In addition we added any other must see's and do's in Africa & Italy. Africa & Italy Points of Interest.

December 2006

- Visited International Travel Clinic to determine vaccination requirements for Africa.  Ruby received last Twinrax for Hep A/B ($60.00 plus $100.00 for admin fee).

January 2007

- Purchased new Nikon D200 SLR camera c/w Nikkor 18-200mm Lens and 4G memory chip.

- Purchased new SB800 Flash for Nikon D200.

- Started researching Visa requirements, Vaccination requirements and Carnet de Passage requirements.

- Determined preliminary route through Africa.

February 2007

- Purchased more travel books and maps.

- Acquired new 42-page passports.

March 2007

- Researched motorcycle requirements, new Wilbers front and rear shocks, new AGM batteries, new Metzler Tourance tires and new rear drive adapter plate.  Contacted BMW dealer in Sinn, Germany for parts and service appointments.

- Corrective Laser Eye Surgery for both Ruby & Mike (Yeah no more glasses or contacts).

April 2007

- Determined detailed route through Italy (View Itinerary). Researched Ferry departures from Sicily to Tunisia.

- Received PADI scuba Diving Certification in Mexico.

May 2007

- Purchased Airline Tickets to Frankfurt, Germany leaving August 29, 2007.

- Purchased new Toughbook Panasonic Laptop and 120GB external harddrive.

- Researched climb of Kilimanjaro and Serengeti game park tours.

- Requested itinerary from tourist escort in Libya, inquired for Libya visa (Quote received approx. 840 Euro with Shati Zuara Tours).

- Determined Point of interests and route through Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania.

- Continue research of remainder of Africa countries.
- Purchased new clothes and shoes - MEC and Northface

June 2007

- Purchased waterproof enclosures for Nikon D200 & Pantex Point & Shoot.

- Purchased new Garmin Zumo 450 GPS, complete with updated Europe Maps.

- Determined Point of interests and route through Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia.

- Found Townhouse sitter for one (1) year.

July 2007

- Wired Euro to BMW Dealer in Sinn for parts and Service (4500 Euro). Service booked Aug. 31, 2007.

- Determined Point of interests and route through Angola, Congo, DCR, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Morocco

- July 16, 2007 - Ruby received vaccination for yellow fever ($80.00), mumps (Free), and meningitis ($145.00). Mike vaccination for meningitis ($145.00) only.

- Renewed the Carnet de Passage (Expiry Aug. 23, 2008) - Deposit required $31,120.00 (Bank Draft made out to AMA - money will not be returned until return of Motorcycles to Canada in 5 to 7 years).

- Entered point of interest GPS coordinates (Camping, World Heritage Sites etc.)

- Purchased new battery for helmet camera.

August 2007

- Visited Doctors for physicals - Get prescriptions for Asthma, Penicillin, Malaria (Doxycyeline - 8 1/2 months supply - 550 pills), Acetazolamide - Diamox (Altitude Sickness for Kilimanjaro), Praziguantel (for Bilharzia) total prescription bill $669.00CDN.

- Visited Dentist for cleaning and final check up.

- Purchased 500 minutes for Satellite Phone from Iridium ($795.00)

- Contacted Visa, Mastercard and AMEX to advise of travel in Africa (otherwise they block credit card as they believe it is stolen).

- Purchased International Driver License on Aug. 15, 2007.

- Renew motorcycle registration.

- Purchased Travel Insurance through Nomad. (www.worldnomads.com)

- Good-bye party Thursday Aug. 23, 2007.

- Arranged House Sitter - Thanks Aaron & Sarah.

- Aug. 29, 2007 - 2pm leave Canada for Germany.

Proposed Schedule, Visa & Carnet de Passage Requirements: 

This table is a work in progress and gets updated as we receive information. Any additional information received to our globexplorers@shaw.ca e-mail address is appreciated.         

Note 1: Travelers with visas for Uganda, Rwanda, or Burundi could be refused entry upon arrival in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Note 2: Travelers have been temporarily detained or asked by immigration and security officers for “special fees” at the airport and other ports of entry to the DRC when carrying satellite phones, GPS receivers, or military clothing.

Note 3: Apply for Visa at the Embassy of Angola in South Africa, 153 Olivier Street, City; CPK/Building; Brooklan Cerk Wel; City: Pretoria; Phone: 27123420049;Fax: 2712320284

Note 4: Take Ferry from Ngobila Beach in Kinshasa to the Beach in Brazzaville.  A 15 day, multiple-entry visa can be bought upon arrival at Brazzaville.

Note 5: Apply for Visa in Brazzaville, Congo at the Gabon Embassy Phone: 81 5620, Ave Monseigneur Augouard.

Note 6: Apply for Visa either in Libreville, Gabon at the Cameroon Embassy Phone: 732800, Blvd Leon M'BA, Quartier Derriere Prison or in Brazzaville, Congo at the Cameroon Embaassy Phone: 81 1008, Rue General Bayardelle.

Note 7: Apply for Visa in Yaounde, Cameroon at the Nigerian Embassy Phone: 222 3455; off Ave Monseigneur Vot, near Marche du Mfoundi, Centre Ville or Douala, Cameroon at the Nigerian Embassy at Blvd de la Liberte.  Visas t Nigeria are usually issued only to Cameroonian citizens.

Note 8: Apply for Visa at the following Niger Embassies either Abuja, Nigeria Phone: 523 6205; 7 Sangha St or in Lagos Phone 261 2300; 15 Adeola Odeku St; VI or in Kano Phone 645274; 12 Aliyu Ave.  Might be available at the border. Visa is issued within 24 hours.

Note 9: Apply for Visa in Lome, Togo at the Ghana Embassy Phone: 221 31 94, Route de Kpalime. Visa is issued within 48 hours, 4 photos required.

Note 10: Apply for Visa in Accra, Ghana at the Ivory Coast Embassy Phone: 774611; 9, 18th Lane. Must be payable in CFA.  Visa is issued within 24 hours, 2 photos required.

Note 11: Apply for Visa in Niamey, Niger at the Mali Embassy Phone: 754290; www.gsi-niger.com/consulat-maili ; off Blvd de li'Independance. Visa issued same day, require 2 photos.

Note 12: Deposit of duty required.

Note 13: Form 45 (Temporary Importation Document issued free).

Note 14: Advance Permission required plus bank guarantee.

Note 15: Temporary Import Permit required for all vehicles.

Note 16: Permit issued at the border.

Note 17: Issued by Tourist Escort in Libya at border.

Note 18: Travel not Recommended

Note 19: Not en Route

 

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