Dubai to South Africa

[BradleyT]

I look forward to this one....

 

[King Louis]

Sub...

More please! :ricky:

 

[Skaiidawg]

And since you guys spent much time in Dubai I am sure you can answer this question, can you cross from the UAE by ferry to Iran?  That would certainly make for a nice option for the Cape Town to Europe route.

There is no ferry between the UAE and Iran. At best you might be able to do the same type of crossing on a dhow, but I am not sure. If you want I can find out for you.

Sent from my E7 using Tapatalk

 

[Amsterdam]

And since you guys spent much time in Dubai I am sure you can answer this question, can you cross from the UAE by ferry to Iran?  That would certainly make for a nice option for the Cape Town to Europe route.

There is no ferry between the UAE and Iran. At best you might be able to do the same type of crossing on a dhow, but I am not sure. If you want I can find out for you.

Sent from my E7 using Tapatalk

Skaiidawg - that would be great if it is not too much trouble.

 

[FlyRide]

Hi all

Sorry about long delay. We've had very poor comms, now in Nairobi.

Amsterdam, yes, there is a regular ferry, crosses from Sharjah, Uae to Bandar Abbas, Iran. Easy to arrange, many travelers use it, trucks, bikes etc.  More pics info when you need it.

Ok, so it's been a while.  I tried to upload pics onto here, but have had extremely poor internet, and comms etc. My wife has loaded a few blog reports, with pics - www.larrysharon.blogspot.com. 

Herewith a brief report, on what we've done, so far. Will try pics again later, but the re-sizing etc means a lot of time - not easy.

We successfully got onto a working dhow, in Salalah, and took 5 days to cross the gulf of Aden, to Berbera, in Somaliland.  Dhow was pretty rough, no facilities, toilet is a box hanging off the back of the boat, no showers, occasional bucket bath. Crew of 17 Indians, hot spicy food!! Form there, it was a matter of clearing the bikes from customs, then riding to Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland. Roads fine, but very hot. Hargeisa is huge, with 1 tarred road, all others just a mush mash of dust, holes, people, traffic, animals etc. One night there, then onto Wajale, border to Ethiopia.

Our visas for Ethiopia expired at the end of May, do unfortunately cancelled plans to visit Djibouti and the Simian mountains, and as we've already been through Ethiopia once, we moved fairly quickly to get through. First night was in Harar, then 2 nights camping in Awash national park, with some good birding, and unusual animals, lesser kudu etc.

Then a day of heavy traffic, to get to Hawassa, found an ok hotel on the side of the lake. No comms. The next day took 5 hours to get 160 km done, poor roads, under construction.  Sharon had a fairly nasty prang, poles sticking out of the back of a truck, bounce and hit her pannier, knocking her off. All ok, a bit of panel beating required. We had hoped to stay in Yabelo national park, but could find and info or accommodation, so carried on to Moyale border town, 500 km done. 9 hours.

Next day to Marsabit, where we again stayed 2 days, in the national park, in the ancient volcanic crater, surrounded by massive forests. Spectacular, great game and birding. The old hell road that took 3 days last time, can now be done in a few hours, but something is definitely lost.

After 2 days there, into Nanyuki, equator town. Treated ourselves to the expensive and luxurious Kongoni lodge. Great place, even if costly.

Then a 200 km ride to Nairobi, jungle junction. Sharon's bike is overheating, dovwill try to sort that out, and change oils etc, so will be here for a few days.

Sorry about abbreviated version, if we're here for long enough, will try to add.

 

[Fransw]

Wow, what an adventure!! I love to travel the middle east one day..

Isn't Somalia very dangerous for foreigners?

 

[Amsterdam]

Amsterdam, yes, there is a regular ferry, crosses from Sharjah, Uae to Bandar Abbas, Iran. Easy to arrange, many travelers use it, trucks, bikes etc.  More pics info when you need it.

Thanks

 

[adrekruger]

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa announced its independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, and has been searching for recognition in vain since then. It is now set to hold its second democratic presidential elections in eight years

 

[Amsterdam]

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa announced its independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, and has been searching for recognition in vain since then. It is now set to hold its second democratic presidential elections in eight years

Does one need a visa for this or is it a get at the border type deal?

 

[TVB]

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa announced its independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, and has been searching for recognition in vain since then. It is now set to hold its second democratic presidential elections in eight years

Does one need a visa for this or is it a get at the border type deal?

I was there in 2010 working from Jijigga in the South East of Sudan to Puntland which you guys seems to refer to as Somaliland. We were doing seismic and our visas had to be aranged prior but why would you go though there? Nothing to see.....Marsabit is great and glad you visited the crater which is rather special and did you come accros any elephant there? I assume from Jungle junction you guys migh head onto Uganda?

Is it pissible to put your track for us to show what you have done and which route you have taken please? That if internet allows. Enjoy the cold Tuskers!

Sent from my SM-T231 using Tapatalk

 

[Amsterdam]

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa announced its independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, and has been searching for recognition in vain since then. It is now set to hold its second democratic presidential elections in eight years

Does one need a visa for this or is it a get at the border type deal?

I was there in 2010 working from Jijigga in the South East of Sudan to Puntland which you guys seems to refer to as Somaliland. We were doing seismic and our visas had to be aranged prior but why would you go though there? Nothing to see.....

I am toying with the idea of going to Iran.  By following this route I can ride to Europe without the hassle of Egypt (and the expense of the 200% carnet).

 

[Fransw]

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa announced its independence from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, and has been searching for recognition in vain since then. It is now set to hold its second democratic presidential elections in eight years

Does one need a visa for this or is it a get at the border type deal?

I was there in 2010 working from Jijigga in the South East of Sudan to Puntland which you guys seems to refer to as Somaliland. We were doing seismic and our visas had to be aranged prior but why would you go though there? Nothing to see.....

I am toying with the idea of going to Iran.  By following this route I can ride to Europe without the hassle of Egypt (and the expense of the 200% carnet).

Interesting that boattrip!...I can already see myself puking for 5 days! >

What about West Africa and enter at Gibraltar Spain into EU? Tour Spain, Portugal, France, Italy..

 

[drifter696]

Subscribed !!  :sip:

 

[TVB]

We need an update please

Sent from my SM-J500F using Tapatalk

 

[chicco]

sub  :biggrin:

 

[J-dog]

:sip:

 

[Fransw]

What happened to these guys? Were the taken hostage? Are they still alive?

I'm a bit worried!

 

[landieman]

anything?have been toying with this idea too

 

[Slim Jim]

anything?have been toying with this idea too

Check there blog , they back in SA allready I hope the do do full RR on WD

 

[landieman]

:thumleft: