Africa-Motorcycle-Travels = Afrika-Motorrad-Reisen
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Africa 1991-2000
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Last update by Bernd Tesch: 31.01.2010
Welcome on this site!
Bem Vindo ! Benvenuti ! Bien Venido ! Bienavenue ! Bom Bini ! Dobrodosli ! Huan yin (CN) ! Namaste ! Tanastalink ! Välkommen (S) ! Velkommen (N) ! Welkom ! Willkommen (G) ! Bienvenue (F) !
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Overland to, in and around Africa by Motorcycle
Political map of Africa 2008. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/
Wie kann ich selber nach Afrika fahren ?
How can I travel myself to Africa ?
All the great Motorcycle-Travellers who rode / ride Around-The-World and possibly crossed this continent as well are not included here. See http://www.berndtesch.de >Englisch or German version >continents >world
Bernd Tesch´s Africa-tours and Africa-equipment for Motorcycles
< So sicher fällt man auf Tesch-Travel-Taschen und TTTräger.
Foto: Steffen Müller und Min Tesch in Afrika.
Bernd Tesch has been travelling in Africa 1961 until 2001 about 111.111 kms himself. But much more important is that he knows hundreds of Africa-Motorcycle-Travellers himself. He is working in this field since 1961 (his first tour to Africa). In this times I had to write letters and to phone or to visit the Africa and World-Travellers to get contact / information. Later Fax helped. In 1991 I visited the most famous motorcycle-travellers in Denmark, in 1993 in Britain, in 1994 in USA and in between in Belgium, France, Germany, Namibia, Netherland, South Africa, Switzerland. Many of famous Africa Motorcycle Travellers have been at my yearly Motorcycle-Meeting for World-Travellers in april. I own the largest archive of Africa-Travellers and TRANS-Africa-Travellers. Especially I am as well best informed the history: "Discovering Africa by Motorcycle". See below. In this summaries you find nearly all the mc-pioneers and other intersting mc-tours. I konw many Transafrica-travellers which are not inside here so far. In 02.1998 I started in internet to publish information about Motorcycle-World-Travellers (>http://www.berndtesch.de >under NEWS). This collection was first published 28th of may 2000 first time. In 06th.05.2009 I overworked this sites and divided them in different sites.
To find all this and all my activities was a "life-long job" and cost me a lot of money. Since many years I am working in a two new books called "Afrika-Motorrad-Reisen (3rd edition) = Africa Motorcycle Travels" and "Afrika Motorrad Abenteuer" = Africa Motorcycle Adventures. All books about "Africa by Motorcycle" which have been published until 1994 are published in my in German written, but very international understandable book called "Motorrad-Abenteuer-Touren" = Motorcycle-Adventure-Tours (432 pp, 500 pictures / drawings. About 264 Motorcyle World-Tours. ISBN 3-9800099-55-5. € 19.90). I own all this books in all languages.
Deine geplante oder schon durchgeführte Afrika-Reise:
If you are an Africa-Motorcycle-Traveller or plan to do this or "on the road" already or know anyone who is not listed here, please send my any details, addresses, publications, homepages and most important: best pictures.
If there is any chance give me at first a complete view LIKE this EXAMPLE in the SAME STIL in English:
01.10.2008 - 27.10.2009
Sven Müller (German) your http://www.???
Solo Africa with BMW R 100 GS. 50.000 kms. Or: I rode together with Susan Smith (British) who rode a HONDA 500 XL.
Route: Europe 12.000 kms (Germany - Austria - Switzerland - Italy - Greek - Turkey ....) - Asia 15.000 kms (Iran - Pakistan - India - Nepal. Bike solo by plane to Singapure. I flew to Singapure. Malaysia - Thailand - back to Singapure). - Australia 16.000 kms (I flew together with bike to Darwin. Around Australia 16.000 kms. Or offer names like: Darwin - Adelaide - Melbourne - Sydney ...) - North-America (I flew with bike to Los Angeles. LA - New York) - Africa - Europe (Bike by ship to Netherlands / Amsterdam - Germany / Cologne).
The best: I wanted to find myself. Freedom. Sun. Friendship of Turkey people. invitation by Pakistani. Climbing the Himalayas........)
The worst: I got Malaria in Nairobi. Attack of soldiers with weapons in Iran.....)...
Important useful informations for others:...
Book or publication (about your tour):...
I am very grateful to all the individuals who knew that I am working in this field. They informed me worldwide by sending letters, later faxes and emails since 1970 about Motorcycle-World-Around-Travellers. Without their help I could not get to this high level. Please give me your "pardon" that there are mistakes inside of the informations and a lot in the language. At least you will never have seen such a huge collection of informations. I could add hundreds huge Motorcycle-Travels of Africa- and especially Trans-Africa. But this will take much more of my time in future. One special field of me is to reseach the "Historical conquer and special interesting Africa-tours". The earliest motorcycle tours through Africa should be relatively complete. If you know any of them who are not registered here please inform me.
Copyright by Bernd Tesch. Motorcycle-WORLD-Travel-Expert. It is free for you to read this and learn out of it. It is not allowed to take off or to publish any information of this without written permission of Bernd Tesch. This all is a part of the books "Afrika-Führer für Selbstfahrer" = Africa-Guide for Individual Travellers" ISBN 3-9800099-0-4 (5th edition, out pf print). And a second book in German: "Afrika-Motorrad-Reisen" = Africa Motorcycle-Travels. ISBN 3-9800099-2-0 (out of print) and another book in work "Afrika-Motorrad-Abenteuer" ISBN 3-9800099-4-x.
GLOBETROTT-ZENTRALE Bernd TESCH. Grünentalstrasse 31. 52152 Simmerath-Hammer. Germany.
Tel. 0049 (0) 2402-75375. email: homepage http://www.berndtesch.de
Bernd Tesch
Overland to, in and around Africa by Motorcycle
Plan or experience? You can talk with 300 high experienced Motorcycle-Travellers who rode all continents so far :
Most of this is in German. I could NOT translate all in English so far. The new one below are in English written.
All the great Motorcycle-Travellers who rode / ride Around-The-World and possibly crossed this continent as well are not included here. See http://www.berndtesch.de >Englisch or German version >continents >world
10 Billion-1950
1951-1980
1981-1990
1991-2000
2001-2010
1991-2000
1992
Abi Jebli (Moroccan)
+ Transafrica. The engineer Abi (living in Netherlands) has crossed Africa already with HONDA 600 XR. See Marcus Bruns below!
Route: Algeria - West-Africa - Central Africa - South Africa.
27.05.2001 Asked for his block.
B.T.: For sure he is the first Moroccan Motorcycle Traveller crossing Africa in total. I am not sure if he is the first African. There are very few Africans TRAVELLING by motorcycle great distances through Africa.
1993 ca.
Hajlte Tin and Nina Rasmussen with children Emil and Ida (Danish)
+ Transafrica. Capetown - Cairo. Die dänischen Motorrad-Reisenden und Motorcycle-Buch-Autoren von großen Reisen Hjalte Tin und Sohn Emil (16, ohne Führerschein von Capetown nach Cairo, 1992, jüngster Transafrika-Fahrer) und Tochter Ida (13, jüngste Transafrika-Travellerin)
11.-13.04.1997: Visitor and gave kindly a slides-show at "19. Moto-Fernreise-Treffen" about their Transafrica -tour with the family.
Buch: Tin, Hjalte og Nina Rasmussen. "Auf dem Motorrad durch Afrika".In den letzten ca. 25 Jahren war es wegen des Krieges zwischen Äthiopien und Eritrea unmöglich, etwas darüber zu erfahren, wie man von Kapstadt via Äthiopien und Eritrea auf dem Landweg nach Kairo gelangt. Hjalte, Nina und ihre Kinder Emil und Ida sind wieder mit drei Motorrädern zusammen gereist, wobei Emil mit 16 Jahren mit einem selbstgestrickten Führerschein alleine gefahren ist und damit der jüngste Transafrika-Fahrer ist. Ida ist die jüngste Transafrika-Fahrerin als Sozia (14). 308 S. Verlag: Frederking und Thaler GmbH. München. 1994. ISBN 3-89405-072-1.
11.03.1993 - 18.07.1994
Heather Ellis (Austalian, born 08.04.1964)
+ Transafrica: Capetown - East Africa - West- North-Africa - England. The Australian Heather at 28 years old woke up one morning realising there was more to life than working for a multinational mining company. She wanted to fullfill her own dreams. Riding down the West Australian coast road, her and travelling companion, John travelled across the Indian Ocean by cargo ship to Durban. From South Africa they rode to East Africa. Heather on her Yamaha TT600 and John on a Honda XR600. However, once they arrived in Nairobi, her companion did not want to continue the trip through Africa and shipped his bike to Europe. Heather then managed to ride solo from East to West and then to North-Africa taking a cargo ship from Mauritania to Belgium. Total distance: 43,146 kms.
Heather's TT600 was rebuilt in Germany. In Hamelin, by Manfred Strubbel (please check spelling) - the European expert on Yamaha TT600. And why on a motorcycle? "Because for me it represents freedom, not just transport. On a bike you are 'in' what is around, not just an observer", Heather says. In London, Heather continued her travels as a motorcycle courier and over 12 months covered a distance of about 40,000km. After writing her African story in six months, Heather failed to attract a publisher and so began the homeward leg of her world motorcycle adventure (see Asia).
Mobil Oil is sponsor, giving Heather oil and petrol from their depots and on occasions accomodation in Lagos, Nigeria.
Heather got to Bachelor of Journalism in may 2001.
Purpose of travel: To explore the world and grow from the experience.
Route: Australia by ship to South Africa - Zimbabwe - Mozambique - Malawi - Tanzania - Kenya - Uganda - Zaire - Congo - Gabon - Cameroon - Nigeria - Benin - Togo - Ghana - Burkina Faso - Mali - Mauritania - motorcyclye broke down - by ship to England.
The best: Zaire River. Ruwenzori Mountains - Zaire (now DRC). Freedom.
The worst: ??.
Book or publication: Awaken to Africa. Published for Xmas 2001. Would like to complete Vietnam Asia leg back to Australia before publication.
Useful informations and TIPS for others: Pack your bike, put on your helmet, turn the key and ride down the driveway.......and then you will live a thousand life times everyday.
Earlier Experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours:... None.
05.11.01 Heather and Matt will have a baby in 2002 - I suppose. They want to vist me when they are on their "RTW" when they are 60. They forgot that B.T. will be possibly dead then.
B.T.: Out of my knowledge Ellis is the first who rode solo on a solo-bike Transafrica as far as Mauretania from Capetown to East - West- North-Africa without being together with a man the whole trip to London.
01.08.1993 - 25.03.1994
Dirk Erker (German, 07.02.1967)
+ Europe > Trans-Africa. The mechanic-master Dirk rode solo with Erker-BMW R 100 GS PD. 30.000 kms.
Route: Germany (Duisburg) - France - Spain - Morocco - Mauretania - Senegal - Gambia - Senegal - Mali - Burkina Faso - Ghana - Togo - Benin - Nigeria - Cameroun - CFA - Zaire - Uganda - Kenia - Tanzania - Malawi - Mozambique - South Africa (Capetown).
The best: Zaire - it makes or destroys men. Saw gorillas in Zaire without paying......
The Worst: Killing the rainforest. Stopped counting his falls after 234...
Book: Planned
Tesch-Tip: Contact Dirks firm "Do it" ! The master of two-wheels Dirk (Trans-Africa in 1993/94 and Trans-Asia in 1996/7 and in 1999 10 years visitor of the Mc-Tesch-Meeting for World-Travellers) has specialist for repairs of enduros and especially the preparation of HONDA- and BMW-enduros for motorcycle-overland-tours: Huge petrol-tanks and e.g. shortining the 1st gear and making the 5th gear longer of BMWs. Tuning. Wider rims. Used motorcycles.... You, the rider, can they besides the motorcycle when Dirk makes the total-check of your bike and you get personal explanations and become more fit for your travel. Very recommendable ! Dirk also takes care for the Tesch-BMW ! His one-man-garage is called "Do it !": Tel. /Fax in Duisburg/Germany: Tel / Fax: 0049 (0) 2065 701669. Mobil No. 0179 4155007. Email: dirk_erker@hotmail.com
13.01.2004 Next request for update.
02.05.2006 Next request for update. Wann kommt das Buch raus ?
18.09.1993 - 02.03.1994
Martin Zuelch (German, born 20.02.1970)
+ Transafrica: Cairo - Cape Town. Martin rode solo 22.000 km on a Kawasaki KLX 650
Purpose of tour: personal experience; realising a long kept dream
Route: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa.
The best: Friendly people all over the place, Sudanese desert, mountain landscape in Eritrea / Ethiopia, X-Mas at Victoria Falls, political situation in Eritrea just after independence and in South Africa just before the first democratic elections.
Worst times: Getting a bit too brave and trying to tackle a track which the Michelin map classified as "impassable during the rainy season" in Tanzania in the middle of the rainy season (mud holes that trucks disappeared in); falling and overturning at about 80 km/h on a desert track in the Kalahari (luckily no broken bones, but quite a concussion in spite of wearing a helmet)
Useful tips for others: try to save every kg you can on your bike & equipment; always travel with an open & unbiased mind; come to the TTT for lots more useful tips!
Publication about the tour : Tourenfahrer 9/1995; Motorrad News 2/1998
Earlier experiences: Hitchhiking through Morocco, Algeria & Tunisia in 1989
Date of first contact with B.T.: Spring 1993 when I returned with my new KLX 650 from Aachen and a new rack (The only one Bernd Tesch ever made for a Kawasaki) and a lot of useful equipment and tips.
Visitor of the Tesch-Meeting for World-Travellers: Four times since 1997 - 2002
January 2004: Plan: 3 weeks by car to desert in Libya. Part of Sahara: Hammadah al Hambrah. Martin promised to bring me a bit of sand as a present.
17.10.1993 - 20.03.1995
Astrid Griep (born 1969) and Daniel Duwe (born 1971, both Germans). Astrids homepage: www.womanontour.de
+ Transafrica: Nort > West > East > South-Africa. Astrid and Daniel rode on one Honda Transalp 41.000 km through Africa.
Route: Europe (Germany - Spain) - by ferry to Africa (Morocco - the Sahara we crossed in company with Swiss car-salers - Mauretania - Mali - Cote d´Ivoire - Ghana. Because there has been a revolution in Togo at this time the border was closed. So we had to ride a "little round of 700 km" via Burkina Faso - Togo - Benin - Nigeria - Cameroon - Central Africa - Zaire - arriving in Rwanda in march 1994. Because of a visit of friends we left bike and equipment in Rwanda and hitchhiked to Kenia. From here we flew home to Germany to earn money in summer. A short time later after we left Rwanda the war started there. It is bad that we lost all of our our bike and equipment there. But comparing this with the war there this was not important. In october 1994 we flew with another used Honda Transalp to Kenia to continue. Tansania - Malawi - Mocambique - Zimbabwe (Rafting on the Zambesi-River!!!) - Namibia - South Africa (Capetown).
Purpose of travel: Adventure, visiting other cultures, see diffrent countries
The best: Crossing the Sahara, driving through Zaire, diving-course in Malawi, Rafting on the Zambesi-River, driving through the deserted Kaokoveld in Namibia, reaching Capetown after 41.000 km!
The Worst: Corruption in Westafrika, especially in Zaire
Earlier experiences: Backpacking through Brasil, Mexiko, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand. See her next trip Alasca - Tierra del Fuego under Americas\NorthSouthAmerica
Useful tips to others: Don´t ask too many questions before you leave the first time. Jjust do it ! It is easier then you imagine back home
05.1998 Personal visit of Astrid visited. I was astonished to hear how easy she managed Alasca - Tierra dle Fuego on her 350 ccm. She belongs to the few women who dare everything and is always positive thinking. It is wonderful to listen to Astrid.
planing again with her 350ccm SUZUKI. Who wants to travel next with her?
2001: Astrid has been more than three times at the Tesch-Travel-Treffen: 1995, 1996, 1997.
B.T.: Astrid is a very intelligent-humores and sweet-femine woman. She is a very experienced traveller and always waiting for the next tour...
??.??.1994 - 02.04.1995
Peter Lichey and Dirk Schneider
+ Transafrika: North > West > East > South-Africa. Peter and Dirk rode 30.300 kms through 20 African countries with two BMW R 80 G/S in 5 months.
Purpose of Tour: ??
Route: Marocko - Senegal - Cote D'Ivoire - Nigeria - Zaire - Uganda - Kenia - Namibia - SA (Capetown)
The best: Christmas evening in a mountain village Mali in Guinea.
The worst: ??
Earlier experiences: ??
Useful tips for others: ?
01.05.1994: Participants of the 18.Meeting for Mc-World-Travellers.
01.04.1995 Both tried to finish their tour at exactly on the 17th. Meeting for Mc-World-Travellers. They missed it one day, because the bikes were one day late by ship. I liked their idea very much.
30.-31.03.1996 Participant of the 18. Meeting for Mc-World-Travellers. They gave a slides-show: "Transafrika".
10.04.02 Peter wrote me that my Motorcycle-Meetings for World-Travellers caused him to travel. Since 1992 he will visit the Tesch-Meeting this year 8 times.
28.03.2008 Peter wrote: Seit 4 Jahren fahre ich sehr wenig Motorrad. Das Fahrrad hat dieses fast ersetzt. Ich werde mit unserem Radclub mal eine kleine Reise unternehmen. Diese Reisen sind von uns selbst geplant und gehen in alle Kontinente der Welt. Mit dem Fahrrad ist es momentan leichter für mich, da man dieses leicht in das Flugzeug bekommt. Mal sehen, was sich die nächsten Jahre tut.
Ursprung und ausschlagebend für meien Transafrika-Reise und die Lust auf Fernreisne war das 22. Tesch-TRavel-Treffen 1992, wie auhc das Buch "Motorrad Abentuer Touren" von B.T. Ich freue mich schon aufs Treffen.
28.03.2003 Asked for update
03.11.1994 - 16.04.1995
Peter Krämer (born 05.01.1961) http://home.t-online.de/home/peter.kraemer/
+ North and West-Africa. Peter (BMW R 100 GS) rode with Heinz Köstenberger (HONDA Africa Twin), Thomas Schmid (BMW R 100 GS) and Anita 17.200 kms through Westafrika.
Route: Germany - France - Spain - Morocco - Mauretania - Senegal - Guinea - Cote d´Ivoire - Ghana - Togo - Benin - Niger - Nigeria - Cameroon. By plane back to Paris. From here back by bike to Germany.
Purpose of travel: I like to travel.
The best: Many different, but nothing special.
The worst: Pushdown on the last day and one hour from home. Had to stay 8 days in hospital.
Book or publication : No.
Useful informations and TIPS for others: 1994 is a long time ago. My tips are not up to date.
19.01.1995 - 08.1996 and
Ca. 12.1997 - 20.02.1999
Marianne Haug und Anselm Gnoth
+ Trans-Africa two times: Capetown - Cairo and Tanger - Capetown
19.01.1995-08.1996 Anselm rode Trans-Africa solo by Mc BMW R 80 G/S 30.100 kms: Capetown - Kenia - Ethiopia - Eritrea - with a lot of luck he got the transitvisa for Saudi Arabia in Eritrea - Saudi Arabia - Jordan - Syria - Turkey - Germany. He gave a slides-show about this at a "Tesch-Globetrotter-Meeting". For this tour I gave him the tip to put a picture in his passport as a "priest with his black robe". At one border "the holy man" even did not have to pay the fees!
05.1998 Letter from Congo Brazzaville to Heinz and Christa Jansen (Trans-Africa-Traveller with HANOMAG 4 wheel drive car, 2.5 years and 50.000 kms), of which I got a copy. The priest Anselm was so fullfilled, that he wanted to discover Africa via the westroute. With two motorcycles Anselm (BMW R 80 GS) and his girlfriend Marianne Haug (XT 600) are now on the way: Germany - Spain - Maroc - Mauritania - Senegal - Togo - Nigeria - Cameroon - Gabon - Congo Brazzaville - Congo Kinshasa (05.1998). After 4 weeks they made the decision to fly with the motorcycle from Kinshasa/Zaire to Lubumbashi/Zambia (2.600 kms to Zambia) because of the dangerous war-situation in Zaire. Friends of them who went by car without a special permission in Zaire where stopped by the police after 500 kms (which took them 2 weeks to travel). Police took their car (which was not given back) and they had to leave the country. From Lusaka Anselm and Marianne rode first north to Kenia (Lake Turkana) and then to Capetown.
06.09.91998 Letter from Mombasa (Kenia). They have travelled now 11 months and make "holidays from travelling". They come back in march 1999: Now 31.000 kms. 23 countries, 19 African countries. Two times robbed. 1 time Malaria. Each two fronttires, 3 backtires. 4000 l petrol. 800 l beer. 200 pushdowns. 6 times motorcycles under water. 270 nights in tend. 22 nights just on hard grounds. 28 nights in beds. The most imprtant: Uncountable meetings with kind Africans. Vist of 40 different churches. They met David Woodburn (see there) in Kampala.
20.02.1999 a postcard from Capetown: "We are sad to leave this fascinatic continent Africa after 17 months and 52.000 kms". 26.03.99 As wonderful surprising guests Anselm and Marianne showed up on the "21th Meeting of Motorcycle-WORLD-Travellers" 26.03.99, just being home in Germany a few days after working back on a ship. Marianne and Anselm wilh give a slides-show at the "23rd Meeting for Mc-World-Travellers in april 2001".
04.2000 Anselm was sacrified as a priest.
25.09.1995 - 12.05.1997
Daniela Drechsel and Gerd Offergeld
+ Transafrica somehow: Nort > West > South > East-Africa. The plummer Gerd (BMW R 80 G/S) and the civil-engineer Daniela (DR 350) rode 14.000 km with BMW and SUZUKI DR 350 28.000 kms.
Route: Germany (Aachen) - Luxembourg - France - Spain - Morocco - Mauretania - Senegal - Gambia - Senegal - Guinea (Conakry). In Guinea Gerd was hit by a truck and the mc was destroyed. They flew to South Africa. Here Gerd bought there a DR 350. South Africa - Namibia - Botswana - Zimbabwe - Mocambique - Malawi - Tanzania - Rwanda - Uganda - Kenia. Both sold their DR 350 and flew back to Germany.
The best: Desert of Mauretania. Capetown - Elisabeth most besides the official road. North of Namibia. North of Mocambique to Malawi.
The Worst: Accident in Guinea.
1978 1st contact
1994 / 5 visitor of Tesch-Mc-Meeting
04.11.1995 - 01.03.1996
Harald und Udo Lamers (Dutch) www.gopherpublishers.com Ride till it hurts...
+ Transafrica. The BikeBrothers Harald & Udo rode with two SUZUKI DR600 25.000 km through 18 African countries.
Purpose of Tour: learning cultures, discovering Africa.
Route: Europe (Netherlands - Belgium - Spain) - Africa (Morocco - Mauretania - Senegal - Mali - Burkina Faso - Niger - Nigeria - Cameroons - Central Africa - Zaire - Uganda - Kenia - Tanzania - Malawi - Sambia - Zimbabwe - Botswana - South Africa.
The best: Zaire, very adventurous riding.
The worst: Zaire, too much corruption, 2 times arrested.
Earlier / later experiences of motorcycle tours: All our motorcycle tours are made on Suzuki DR600's.
01.06.1991 - 01.09.1991: Canada - USA - Mexico. 24.000 km.
04.11.1993 - 03.02.1994: Australia. 23.000 km
01.11.1997 - 05.03.1998: South America: Venezuela- Brasil - Bolivia - Peru - Chile - Argentinia. 24.000 km
11.05.2001- 01.10.2002: Asia: Holland - Germany - Tsjechie - Slowakije - Hongaria - Rumania - Bulgaria - Turkey - Iran - Pakistan - India - Nepal - Thailand - Laos - Vietnam - Cambodia - Malaysia - New Zealand - Australia - Japan - Russia - Baltic States. 64.000 km.
Information: Our website is: www.geocities.com/bikebrothers. Harald's book is available at the Verlag Gopher. Book: "Waar de weg opgoudt". Dwars door Africa. 2001. 8 chapters. 258 pp. 18 b&w pictures. In Dutch language.
B.T. in 12.2002: Both have been several times on the "Motorcycle-Meeting for World-Travellers". I am still grateful that they offered me a wonderful picture for my catalogue many years ago.
10.1995
Bernd Tesch http://www.berndtesch.de
+ Namibia. Bernd rode solo 3000 kms (1.700 kms off-road without falling) in 4 weeks around Namibia with YAMAHA XT 500. He visited the nature people Ovahimbas in the north near border of Angola. Before he had to drive a Volkswagen bus within two days from Windhoek to Capetown for firm ASCO car hire and came back by bus.
The best: I found information about the historical Motorcycle Travellers Robert Suhr (rode in 1933 as the first with a BMW from Windhoek - Cairo - Germany) and Robert Schultheiss (1934 with a Tornax-sidecar Germany (Trier) - Cairo - Windhoek). Arndt Asmus (owner of ASCO) was inspired at two Tesch-Treffen to cross Africa with Thomas Buse. After he came back he crossed Africa again with his 19 year girl fried Constanze in a Land Rover 109. Now they have a big firm with a garage for cars and motorcycles and hire cars. Anrndt kindly offered his "Trans-Africa XT 500 to Bernd Tesch.
The Worst: Ovahimbas showed me a "track" back from the mountains. It was a river bed with extremely big stones which I had to climb fo a bout 5 kms. Worst route I ever had in Africa (111.111 kms).
30.-31.03.1996 Participant of the 18. Meeting for Mc-World-Travellers. B.T. gave a slides-show: "Namibia".
1996
Ted Gut
+ Kenya. Der deutsche frühzeitig pensionierte Lehrer Ted Gut (Tel / Fax 0049(0)8662-419990) vertritt in Deutschland die "Diani Marine Kenya" (P.O.Box 340. Ukunda Kenya. email: dimarine@africaonline.co.ke). Ted ist aber einige Monate pro Jahr in Kenya. Ted hat seit 1996 seine Leidenschaft fürs Motorrad-Reisen entdeckt und somit einen neuen Anlaufpunkt für Motorrad - Traveller in Kenya erdacht. Sicher ein schöner Anlaufpunkt zum Relaxen am Indischen Ozean. Der Schweizer Rudi Schlatter betreibt in der Nähe eine Motorrad-Werkstatt. Der Belgier Christain Colette eine Auto-Werkstatt. Der Inhaber von "Diani Marine" ist seit 1979 der Deutsche Thomas Sollacher. Er hat ein kleines mit Schilf gedecktes Hotel mit ca. 10 Zimmern (22 Zimmer) in Ukunda, ca. 30 km südlich von Mombasa, ca. 100 m vom Strand mit Palmen und einigen eigenen Schiffen. Er bietet Unterkunft, Garten mit Bar, Swimmingpool, Grillplatz, Tauchen, Tauchausbildung, See- und Landsafaris und Urlaubsorganisation. Obwohl die Preise Zimmer-Preise niedrig sind, kann man dort auch sein Zelt notfalls aufstellen.
10.02.1996 - 0 4.06.1996
Volker Büttner (German, born 24.08.1967) and Ralf Schiffers (German, born 08.11.1965) www.buettnervolker.de
+ Germany - Togo. Volker ( BMW R 100 GS) and Ralf Schiffers ( BMW R80 G/S) rode from Germany ( Colonia) to Togo ( Lome ) 14.000 kms.
Purpose of your travel: fullfill my dream
Route : Germany ( Colonia ) - ??? - Africa ( M orocco - Mauretania - Senegal ( Dakar ) - Mali - Ivory Coast - Ghana - Togo - and then ??
Highlights: crossing the desert, reaching Dakar , people in Ghana
The worst: Malaria in Togo , Police in Bamako , lost the track in the desert
Book or publication : homepage.
My useful informations and TIPS for others: don't look back - there is always a light at the end of the tunnel (or desert)
Earlier experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours: Egypt 1989 with streetbikes.
20.04.2008 1st summary.
20.04.2008 First request for update
01.06.1996 - 06.06.1997
Gregg J. Flower (Danish) http://www.gregg@forum.dk
+ Trans-Africa: Denmark >Egypt > Saudi Arabiy > Capetown.. 38 year old Gregg travelled on a new Cagiva W16, 600 ccm. 40.000 kms. The first 20.000 kms of the trip was done with Carsten Bistup also on a Cagiva W16.
Purpose: Visiting save the children projects. Writing articles and photography.
Route: Denmark - Germany - Poland - Chech Rep - Slovak Rep - Hungary - Romania - Bulgaria - Turkey - Syria - Lebanon - Syria - Jordan - Egypt - Saudi - Eritrea - Ethiopia - Kenya - Tanzania - Zanzibar - Kenya - Sudan - Uganda - Rwanda - Tanzania - Malawi - Zambia - Zimbabwe - Zambia - Namibia - Botswana - South Africa, where the bike was shipped home from Cape Town.
Most interesting country: Sudan.
Hell on earth: Egypt.
18.09.1996 - 01.07.1997
Sabine Türk (born 15.12.1966) and Franz Löhle (21.12.1968, both Germans)
+ Transafrica: Germany - Morocco - Capetown. Sabine (YAMAHA XT 600) and Franz (BMW R 100 GS) rode ca. 25.000 kms.
Route: Germany (Kleve/Köln) - France - Spain - Morocco - Mauretania - Senegal (4 weeks stay) - Mali - Burkina-Faso - Togo (7 weeks of stay because Sabine had Malaria) - war in Zaire - borders to Nigeria closed because of rebellion in Nigeria - via freighter (with 50 refugees from Togo, Mali and Burkina-Faso we had to stay for 8 days on the ship) to Libreville in Gabon - by motorcycyle to Point Noire - Kongo - (5 weeks stay because of Malaria, borders closed to Zaire, could not get a ship) - with French surply-boat with a captain of Malaysia to Angola (Luanda) - by motorcycle through Angola to Namibia - Botswana - South Africa (Capetown).
Purpose of travel: It was the plan of Franz to visit his oncle in South Africa in Pretoria! He promised his uncle: If I come then by motorcycle ! This was 10 years ago since this time he collectes experiences in Europe, East Europe and North Africa. At first with his XT 500 and then with BMW R 100 GS. 6 weeks before he start to travel to Africa, we fall in love. At first Franz started alone as far as Agadir (Morocco). Then he didn't want to go on solo. So I (Sabine) took a flight to Agadir in Januar 1996 and we rode back to Germany on his bike. We decided to do this journey together at 18th of ocktober 1996. 3 months before we started the trip I (Sabine) made the driving licence for the motobike. Back in Germany: August 1997
The best: - All the little funnyest things with people and their friendship. Die fascinating landscape and our journey through Angola. Visit of Etosha-Parks in Namibia ! Krüger-National-Park ! All "Big Five" ! To reach Capetown by sunshine and a view to the table mountain. Visit of Straussenfarm in Cape Point.
The Worst: Eine Piste die mehr aus Bergen und riesigen Steinen bestand und unser Tagesdurchschnittskilometer 16 km/h betrug, haben die Mopeds mehr heben und schieben müssen in voller Montour und bei ca. 38 Grad!! Wurden aber durch Landschaftliche Highlights entschädigt!! - an accident with an einheimischen Frau in Mali. Hat mich (Sabine) 2 Tage ausgenockt ! Die Frau ist mir ins Mottorrad gelaufen. Ich war nicht sehr schnell (50 km/h) und die Strasse sehr breit. Völlig unerklärlich warum sie über mein Vorderrad springen wollte. Vielleicht wollte sie als Kühlerfigur mitfahren?? - Malaria in Togo, quälte mich 7 Wochen mit Malaria. Artzt behauptete ich hätte keine Malaria weil ich kein Fieber hatte!! Ein Trugschluss da es auch einheimische gibt die ohne Fieber reagieren!!!
Extrem schlechte Piste nach Piont Noire musten wegen Malaria aufgeben und den Zug nach Point Noire nehmen. Franz jetzt auch mit Malaria. Endlich durch einen Test Malaria bestätigt und erfolgreich behandelt, es folgten 2 Wochen mit starken Muskelschmerzen und ständigen Schwächezuständen. Habe uns erst in Nambia davon erholt! - In Pretoria bekommt Franz Windpocken mit hohem Fieber. Ca. 2 Wochen ausgenockt!! - 2. Unfall in Südafrika auf dem Weg nach Capetown. Bin (Sabine) Franz mit 120 km/h in die Koffer gefahren. Franz muste ein Ausweichmanöver wegen Schafen fahren!! Konnte, da leider völlig durchgefrohren und steif, nicht mehr mithalten. Hatte aber nur blaue Flecke am Arm und einen etwas steifen Nacken. Franz war o.k. Franz hatte in der Nacht darauf eine leichte Lebensmittelvergiftung!
02.11.(ab Garmisch) - 03.11.1996 an Tunis - Tibesti - 15.12.97 (an Douala).
Tina Müller und Hans Ostler
+ Tunisia - Libya - Chad - Cameroun.Die für viele Jahre durch die politischen, auch kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen gesperrte Nord - Süd - Verbindung Tunesien - Libyen - Cameroun haben Tina und Hans erstmalig gemeistert. Die Idee kam Tina nachdem Klaus Därr das Tibesti mit einem Mercedes Geländewagen bereist hatte und die Reisen in Algerien durch die inneren politischen Auseinandersetzungen (Islamisierung) ohne militärische Sicherheitsbegleitung nicht mehr möglich sind. Heinz Holzmann war 1975/76 der erste Motorrad - Fahrer im Tchad. Tina und Hans sind die ersten, die Nord - Süd mit dem Motorrad gefahren sind, wobei Tina die gesamte Strecke auf dem Motorrad gefahren ist. Ein Begleitfahrzeug ist notwendig, weil es auf ca. 2500 km keine gesicherte Versorgung gibt. Die Fahrt eines solo fahrenden Motorrad - Travellers auf dieser Verbindung steht noch aus.
Ca. 1997 Tina and Hans gave a slide-show at the Tesch-Travel-Treffen
B.T.: First person and woman who rode by motorcycle Libya - Chad - Cameroun at all.
15.09.1995 - 03.02.1996
Dr. Alexander Dülks (German, 27.10.68) www.duelks.de
+ Southern Africa. Alexander rode solo through Southern Africa with Honda Transalp 15.000 km and combined the trip with a 4 months practical medical training at the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Route: Düsseldorf-Durban (ZA) (Fly & Bike), Naude's Nek-Pass, Qeenstown, Port Elisabeth, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Blouwbergstrand, Lambert’s Bay, Springbok, Fish River Canyon (NA), Keetmanshop, Mariental, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Grootfontein, Caprivi Strip, Victoria Falls (ZW), Hwange National Park, Bulawayo, Matobo National Park, Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Birchenough Bridge, Hot Springs, Chimanimani National Park, Buffalo Range, Beitbridge (ZA), Pietersburg, Middelburg,
Volksrust, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Drakensberge, Lesotho, Sodwana Bay, Durban, 15.000 km; Durban-Düsseldorf (D) (Fly & Bike)
Purpose of travel: Landscape, Freedom, Biking, Training at the University Hospital of Durban, ZA .
The best: Numerous, among all Royal Natal NP, Cape Town, Sossousvlei in Namib, Etosha NP, Victoria Falls, Chimanimani NP, student life in Durban.
The worst: Hit a cow in Natal. Ignored a Highway Patrol in Natal (I was lucky and got off, but stupid thing to do)
Book or publication: -
Useful informations and TIPS for others: see www.duelks.de
Earlier Experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours: Iberian peninsula
Plan: 06.10.02 - 20.02.2003 SAmerika with Britta Duelks.
14.02.1997 - 23.12.1998
Paul Noy Trans-Africa (Dutch, born in Switzerland) http://www.paulnoyverlag.com
+ Transafrica 2 times. The The computer engineer Paul crossed Africa in 22 months N-S and S-N on a YAMAHA TT 600 with 54.000 km.
Route: Switzerland (14.2.1997) - Italy (Genova to Tunis with ferry boat) - Tunisia - Libya - Tchad (Tibesti) - Cameroon - because of war in Congo and Zaire and a broken foot he flew to South Africa (Johannesburg) - Lesotho - South Africa (Capetown) - Namibia (3 weeks living with the Himbas) - back to South Africa (Capetown) - Swaziland - Zimbabwe - Mozambique ((the river Rio rovuma that builds the northern border got crossed on a small wooden-tree-boat) - Tansania - Kenia - Ethiopia - Sudan (By ferry boat from Wadi Halfa to Aswan) - Eygpt - Israel - Cyprus - Greece - Italy - Switzerland (23.12.1998).
05.08.1999: Paul told me today that he owns my book "Afrika Motorrad Reisen" but did not have contact before with me. Paul has finished his book about his in some parts incredible route but is still searching a publisher. He probably will come to the 22. Meeting of Motorcycle - WORLD - Traveller in 2000.
Purpose of travel: ........ fun and enjoy the experience. Since this trip I love tribes!
The best: -joining a stuntshow on own bike. Jumping through flames. -releasing a ship in front of the mozamican coast from a cable by a 27h divingjob where the water is 2000 m deep. -Made it!
The worst: rains in the borderregion from Ethiopia to Sudan got stuck for three days in the mud and after I made it to Sudan got in jail for suspected spy. Damned!
Book or publication: maybe coming. (watch my homepage)
Useful informations and TIPS for others: ....loose weight on your bike and don't expect to travel in luxury!
Earlier Experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours:... Motorbikes are the best way to travel! definatly!
05.08.1999: Paul told me today that he owns my book "Afrika Motorrad Reisen" but did not have contact before with me. Paul has finished his book about his in some parts incredible route but is still searching a publisher.
B.T.: Paul has a good stile of writing and hopefully will publish his book. He made this very rare route through Tchad / Tibesti.
01.06.1997 - 21.6.1997
Anja Helmke (German, born 12.01.1970) and Gerd Middelmann (German, born 31.12.1962)
+ Germany > Tunisia. Gerd and Anja rode to Tunisia with Honda Africa Twin RD07 3,400 kms.
Purpose of your travel: Holidays and interest in culture.
Route:
Europe: 1,200 kms (Germany/Dortmund - France/Marseille), ferry (Marseille/Tunis). Africa: 1,000 km around Tunesia, ferry (Tunis/ Marseille). Europe: 1,200 kms (France/Marseille - Germany/Dortmund).
Highlights: the endless desert, so much sun :)
The worst: sunburn, stone throwing kids.
Book or publication (about your tour): -
My useful informations and TIPS for others: Need to talk French. Some words Arabian make friends. You find everywhere a cheap hotel.
My earlier experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours: -
25.01.2008 1st and last summary
01.05.1997 - 16.06.1998
Lisa Schibisch and Christian Frei http://www.motorrad-fernreisen.de
+ Transafrica: Capetown - Cairo - Germany. The webmaster Christian and his girlfriend Lisa rode 39.000 kms in 13 months Capetown - Cairo - Germany with two YAMAHA XT 600 E.
Route: Souht Africa (Capetown) - Swaziland - South Africa - Namibia - Botswana - Simbabwe - Mocambique - Malawi - Tansania - Kenia - Uganda - Kenia - Ethiopia - Eritrea (Asmara - boat to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) and by boat to Egypt (Suez) - Israel - Jordania - Israel - Greece - Turkey - Italy -Switzerland - Germany (Bottrop).
Earlier rides: Türkei, Tunesien, Europa, Alaska-Feuerland
Highlihts: Namibia. Mocambique. Ttanzania (Zanzibar). Eritrea. Especially to meet wild animals in nature.
The Worst: Too high prices in Nationalparks. Samburus, who attacked us with as speer and stones. Children in Ethiopia, who tried to jump in front of the motorcycle and threw stones. Dangerous minitaxis and goats and animals on the road. Traffic in big cities (Cairo, Kampala).
12.1998 + several months
Isabelle Jomini (Swiss) and Kurt Dienger
Africa. This couple plan to start in 12.1998 with two KTM an African Tour for some months.
28.05.01 No email
Way down: 18.04.1999 - 10.11.2001
Way up: 06.09.2002 - 10.01.2004
Tanguy de le Vingne (Belgium, born 25.11.65) http://tanguydlv.free.fr
Way down: + Transafrica: North- West- Central - East - South Africa.
Way back: + Transafrica: South- West- North- Africa..
Tanguy planned to ride solo around the world for 1.5 years with a Suzuki DR 600. He ended up riding around Africa for almost 5 years, 80.000km, most of it with Daniela Ruegsegger (Yamaha XT 600) who he met in Tanzania.
How many kms way down ????
How many kms way back ????
Route way down from Belgium (Brussels) - South Africa (Cape Town): Belgium (Brussels) - France (04.1999) - Spain - Morocco (may) - Sahara Occidental (june) - Mauritanie (june) - Sénégal (june) - Mali (Tombouctou+Dogon july) - Burkina Faso (July) - Ghana (august) - Togo (septemer) - Bénin (september) - Nigeria (october) - Cameroun (october) - Rep. Centrafrique (november) - Rep Démocratic of Congo (décembre) - Uganda (décember) - Kenya (1 + 2 + 3 jan - july 2000) - Tanzania + Zanzibar + Tanzania (02 juily-nov) - Mozambique (décember) - Malawi + Cape Maclear (january 2001) - Zambia (march) - Zimbabwé (april . may) - Swaziland (august) - Lesotho (september) - Afrique du Sud 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 juin 2001- september 2002
Route way up South Africa (Cape Town) - Belgium (Brussels): Way back: South Africa : Departure from Cape Town on Septembre 6, 2002 via Citrusdal (Sept 7), Garies, Vioolsdrift on Orange River - Namibian border (Sept 8-9) Namibia (Sept 10) Ai-Ais + Fish River Canyon (Sept 10-13), Hobas, Luderitz (Sept 16), Maltahohe, Windhoek - Namibia capital (Sept 19, Oct 1), Speetshoogte pass, Solitaire (Oct 5), Sossus Vlei - Dead Vlei -Namib desert (Oct 6-7), Swakopmund(Oct 8-12), Cape Cross, Mile 108 (1), Uis(1), Sesfontein(2), Puros, Orupembe, Sanitatas, Opuwo, Oshakati (4 nights: oct 23-27). Angola (Oct 27) Ondjiva(1), Xangongo(2), village between Mucope & Quiteve(2), Mulondo(1), Matala(1), Lubango(6 nights: nov 3-9), Namibe(3), Caraculo, Munkengo(1), Bibala, Lola(2), Quilengues(2), Chongoroi(1), Benguita(3), Baia Forta(3), Sumbe(1night, nov 24), Luanda - capital of Angola (nov 24 - dec 16), Caxito, Quifuata(1), Uige, Bungo(dec 23), Muchinga, Nsosso(Christmas), Damba(dec 26), Maquela do Zombo(dec 27-29). Dem. Rep of Congo (January 3, 2003) - Kinshasa (January 6-19) - Congo Brazzaville (January) - Brazzaville (January 18) - Gabon (March) - Franceville (March 5), Libreville (marsh 18 - april 12), Ntoum, Mela, Assok, Mbc, Medouneu(april 20) Equatorial Guinea - Bata (May 6) - Cameroon - Yaounde (May 27) - Bafoussan - Nigeria Kano (August) - Niger (Zinder)
>>>>- Algeria - Spain - France - Switzerland - Belgium.
>>it would be great if we could leave the much more and interesting information above. AND you could add the same information from your site for the rest of the route.
Purpose of travel: Must have been several of them; I can't remember them all; definitely freedom.
The best: Few magic seconds here and there.
>>>Nobody will believe this in such a wonderful long travel ! It would be very nice if you could inform your reasders with a few more short details
The worst: approaching too much freedom.
Earlier Experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours: none
Useful tips for others: ???
>>>Here I and the readers would be very grateful for a short information how you managed to cross Angola and Congo.
1999 First contact
27.10.2003 Took this information from his website
28,02.2004 Next request for update
25.01.1999
Boyce Noel NAMIB-KALAHARI SAFARI Namibia - Botswana - South Africa http://www.freedomafrica.com
Noel, Chairman "Africa Touring Club" in Capetown, invited me to take part in a rallye like "Paris-Dakar" in the southern African hemisphere: 20 days from 2nd to 21st of september 1999 with maximum 200 motorcycles and 75 4WDs. The rallye gives the amateur on-offroad biker and 4WD enthusiast the opportunity to experience the thrills of an event without the inherent risks of "Paris-Dakar" through three countries. I know SA and can promise you that you will like it very much! I will be in Australia but YOU can take part! Give me an email I will transport it to them. They offer Harley-Tours as well...
06.03.1999 - ca. 09.2001
Chris van de Goorberg (Dutch)
+ Transafrica.
25.02.1999: The plummer Chris worked for 12 years. Last year he has been in Australia by backpacking. There he got the idea that there is more to see in the world and he should look more for adventure. Therefore he stopped working and sold his house. So far he toured a lot in Europa by motorcycle. He will leave Holland with YAMAHA XT 600 with Tesch-Equipment trying to ride to South Africa via Mauretania. He does not have any timelimite. He hopes to make a lot of friends "on the road" and is searching for a job for some time in South Africa. He will inform me by email.
Route: Holland - North Africa - Marocco - Mauretania - Senegal - Mali (Bamako - Timbuktou). After he travelled in West-Africa he met up with Tanguy from Belgium in Mali. With him he travelled in Burkina Faso - Ghana - Togo - Benin - Nigeria - Cameroon. From Ekang to Mamfe it took us 3 days for 80 kms. - C.A.R - we had to wait 4 days at the Garoea Bolai border - then had to turn back to cross 500 km more south. Visited the Pygmees - then crossed to Congo in december 99 in a piroggue - 1500 km in Congo, heavy roads but fabules - Christmas day we crossed to Uganda - there we split and I rode to nord east: Uganda - Kenia - lake Turkana - Tanzania - Malawi - here I broke my colourbone when I crashed in Nkota-Nkota gamereserve - Mozambique - Malawi - Zambia - Zimbabwe - Botswana - South Africa - here on the first day in SAfrica I had an accident and broke the moterbike and my other colourbone. The insurance from the one how caused the accident payed me a new XR 600 - with this I travelled in SAfrica - Swaziland - Lesotho and parked it some were when I flew to Madagascar. Last september he sold the bike in ??.
01.05.99 Chris informed me by email about the latest news about the route from Tanger - Layoune - Dakar. In "practise" there is no need to have a "Carnet de Passage" for motorcycles, although the official law changed 01.02.99 which means that you MUST have Carnet de Passage for Mauretania.
20.09.99 From Benin: He liked his mc-trip very much and rode 20.000 kms without big problems. In Guinee he broke my his back suspention and the frame, because "I was was so stupid to think I was in "Paris-Dakar-Rallye" speeding up too much and not seeing a very big hole.
29.10.2001 I am flying to Canada on the 8 of november for a new adventure. Many greetings to all travelers on this nice world.
03.03.1999 (SA, Capetown) - 18.06.2000 (Sweden, Stockholm)
Anette Bovin (Swedish) no www. In 2006 married as Anette Kay
+ Trans-Africa: Capetown > Cairo > Europe. Anette (31) rode solo on her SUZUKI DR 350 about 40.000 kms. Her originally plan was to travel 6-8 months but she came back after 15 months. Very broke... because she would have liked to continue. "It was great !!! and really just positive travelling alone as a female". I got to see "both sides".
Route: South Africa (Capetown) - Namibia - Botswana - Zimbabwe - Zambia - Zimbabwe - South Africa - Malawi - Mocambique - Tanzania - (crossing the Rovuma river) - Zanzibar - Tanzania - Malawi - Tanzania - Kenya - Uganda - Kenya (Nairobi - Marsabit) - Ethiopia (Moyale - Addis - circel in Ethiopia - Galabit) - Sudan (Khartoum - Atbara - along the railway to Wadi Halfa in company with an English guy) - Egypt - by ferry from Egypt to Greece and Italy - through a freeeeezing cold Europe to Sweden (Stockholm)... Anette did not ride back via Syria because of lack of money.
The best: Etiophia (for its culture, scenery and "GREAT" roads for the SUZUKI). Sudan (lovely desert and amazing people! They stuff you with brown beans...). Namibia and Mozambique!
The Worst: Beeing very tirsty and burning the tung on the boiling water I carried on the bike. Struggling with the bike in deep sand having to take lots of luggage off before I could manage to lift it. So...I guess I can not really complain!!!!!!
B.T.: I thing Anette "is the first woman at all, at least the first Swedish woman who rode most of the parts of Transafrica Capetown-Cairo by her own without ONE friend". As far as I know "no women rode solo on a solo-bike that much in Africa". It is historical unknown (by missing dates so far) if Theresa Wallach rode more kms on her historical ride England > Trans-Africa and back from Capetown > England in 1934/6 with her sidecar.
21.09.2006 Anette rode me from Malawi and added some deatils which I did NOT undertstand: Anette Bovin. So I thought that I should add that after that trip that¹s mentioned I drove down West Africa as well (on the same bike....And alone) Through Europe Marocko Mauretania Mali Burkina Faso and Ghana. That took me 4-5 months.
Havent done any adventures since really but I live in Malawi and dream about it all the time!!! Do go and pat my bike every now and then. Its really tired and I cant afford a new one...... Hope you are well. Anette Bovin (now married with new name: Kay)
21.09.2006 Request for update.
10.08.1999 - 13.09.1999
Carsten Möhle (German, born 13.09.1964) www.bwana.de
+ Africa East-West. Carsten traveled on the wheelsteps of the first motorcar 11.000 km through Africa. Originally German Officer Paul Graetz did it in a Mercedes Benz build in Gaggenau 1907 within 630 days. Carsten used a Merceds Benz Unimog from Gaggenau build in 1967 and did it within a months.
Travel Companions: Wife Carmen, Daughter Jennifer, Mechanic Hermann, Camerateam Gerhard and Timo, Jounalist Anne.
Route: Africa 11.000 kms. Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania - Lake Tanganjika - Ujiji - MV. Liemba - Zambia: Mpulungu - Kasama - Serenje - Livingstone - Zimbabwe: Bulawayo -South Africa: Johannesburg, Botswana: Serowe - Maun -Ghanzi - Namibia: Gobabis -Windhoek - Swakopmund.
Purpose of travel: To compare the challenges from the original travel of the German "Indiana Jones" Paul Graetz in 1907 -09 with modern road conditions and "modern" vehicles.
The best: Welcome Back party >from Namibian Old Wheelers with digging for petrol and beer.
The worst: Malaria of three tour members while testing different anti-mosquito sprays.
Book or publication: Professionell VHS Video 100 minutes, 14 magazine Articles.
Useful informations and TIPS for others: on www.bwana.de
Earlier Experiences of big Motorcycle-Tours: Caprivi + Somalia UN Missions, Zaire 1995.
B.T.: Casten produced a 60 mintes video which is available via his homepage.
10.10.1999 - + 09.08.2000
Markus Bruns (German, born 12.08.1974) and Apie Jebli (Moroccan) and Wolfgang Staudenmeyer (= Staudy, German)
+ Europe - North - West -, East - Africa. They started with 6 motorcycles. After 3 weeks in Morocco three of our friends Hanno Hardebol, Jörg Schildt and Oliver Röber went back. Apie and Markus and Staudy rode togehter until Cameroun. Apie and Markus continued until Kenia. Markus rode one month solo more in East Africa. After 303 days through 18 countries and 28.000 kms he came back. It cost him ca. 25.000 DM. The petrol cost were between 1 DM and 3 $ US in Zaire. Markus lost 13 kg. "It is not my last big journey !"
Route: Germany - Spain - Morocco - Mauretania (with train to Atar - Chinguitti - Nouakchott) - Senegal (Dakar) - Gambia (Banjul) - Guinee (Conakry -Fouta Djalon) - Cote d´Ivore (Yamoussoukro - Abidjan) - Ghana (we celebrated Chismas and the millenium in Accra) - Togo (visit to Alice) - Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou - we met the Rallye "Dakar - Cairo" - Bobo) - Mali (Djenne - Mopti - Dogon - piroge to Tombouctou - Gao) - Niger (Niamey - Agadez - Air mountains - Zinder - Tschad (circled lake Tchad) - Cameroun (because Apie broke his leg we had a 6 weeks stop in Douala. Staudy flew from Douala including his bike to South Africa. We continued to Yaounde) - Centra Africa (Bangui - Zemio) - Zaire (1100 kms very bad tracks. After 400 kms Apie broke the same leg again - we continued to Uganda (Murchinson Nat.Park - Kampala) - Kenia (Nairobi - Apie flew back. Markus stayed another month: Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara) -Tansania (Ngorongoro - Zansibar) - Kenia (Mombasa - viseted Diani: Ted Gut (Thomas Sollacher).
19.07.1999: Plan Europe - North - West -, East - Northeast - Africa. The German Markus visited me for recomendation for his intended tour through Africa. He (with SUZUKI DR 650 SE) and his Moroccan/Dutch Mc-friend Apie Jebli (with HONDA XR 600) will start in october 1999 for about 6-8 months. They intend to travel from North- to West-Africa via Mauretania. In West-Africa they want to make a huge circle through West-Africa before trying to cross Central-Africa. I told Markus that I have not heard about anyone who succeeded to reach East-Africa via Zaire/Rep. Congo since 1998 after the war. From East-Africa they want to travel south or northeast via Ethiopia - Eritrea - Sudan - Egypt. If they really succeed to ride all this ways it would be one of the most difficult transcontinent rides at all. The industry mechanic Markus flew back 05.08.2000 to the Voodoo Meeting in Zürich 7 Switzerland.
Publications: No.
Markus´Earlier experiences: Abi has crossed Africa already with HONDA 600 XR in 1992: Algeria - West-Africa - Central Africa - South Africa.
Markus has been two times in Libya: 04.10.-31.10.1997 with BMW R 100 PD. On this tour the cardan chaft broke after 1 week, but he travelled then with a sidecar. 30.10.-02.12.1998 with SUZUKI DR 650 SE about 6.500 kms. About 2000 kms off-road and 300 kms dunes including Wau en Namus.
21.10.1999 - 21.02.2000
Anne-Katrin Walter (German, 22) and Martin Steiniger (German, 26)
+ North- and West-Africa. The student of landscapearchitecture Anne and the geometer Martin rode four months on ONE Yamaha TT 600 through North- and West-Africa. 17.000 kms from Cap Blanc (Tunisia) to Cape Coast (Ghana).
Route: Germany - Tunesia (Tunis - Leptis Magna - Ghadames - Sebha - Ghat) - Algeria (Djanet - Tamanrasset - HoggarRound - Niger (Assamaka - Agadez - AirRound - Niamey) - Mali (Gao - Mopt) - Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou - Bobo Dioulasso) - Ghana (Tamale - Kumasi - Accra).
The best: Invitation in a 40-people-family in Libya. Great desert in Libya/Algeria. Phantastical Hoggar. One-week-roundtrip in the Air mountains only for riding the dirt tracks. Spend some days in between the rallyecamp PARIS - DAKAR in Niamey. Meeting very friendly people in Burkina Faso.
The Worst: Problems with the f...ing back-rear of the bike. Money for everything in (black Africa) Niger/Mali. This meens the regions where no TOUAREGS live....
Book or publication: 11 articels in my local newspaper called "Freie Presse". 1 article in the April-Issue from "Syburger"-Verlag.
Useful information: Try to connect me via Bernd Tesch how to prepare the YAMAHA TT 600 for a long trip with two persons;.
15.04.1998 1st contact
07.05.2001 B.T. got this summary
Way down: 19.11.1999 - 30.06.2001 Cairo - Capetown
Way up: 16.09.2002 - 24.12.2003 Capetown - West- Nord-Africa -Tunis - CH
Daniela Ruegsegger (Swiss, 25.02.1974) http://tanguydlv.free.fr
+ Cairo - Capetown - Algier. The Swiss office-worker (still searching for the best "job") Daniela (25) rode solo Switzerland - Cairo - Capetown with a YAMAHA XT 600 E. 33,000 kms.
Route: Switzerland - Italy - France - Tunisia - Libya - Egypt - Sudan (1,5 months) - Ethiopia (2 months, Gonder - Axum - Adigrat - Woldia - Lalibela - Bahir Dar - Addis Ababa - Arba Minch - Jinka - Lake Turkana) - Kenia (Nairobi) - Uganda - Rwanda - Tanzania - Mozambique - Malawi - Zambia - Zimbabwe - South African.
The best: The whole trip was a "genial experience"! I love "Sudan and Ethiopia"
The worst: Nichts an das ich mich erinnern kann. Bin immer noch bei bester Gesundheit, der Rest ist nebensächlich.
Informationen und Tips: Fahr los....und nimm dir alle Zeit der Welt!!!!
20.07.1999 First contact with Daniela.
24.07.1999 Recommendation in Zweifall.
30.06.01 Cape Agulhas (suedlichster Punkt Afrikas)
01.07.01 Cape of Good Hope.
11.2000 Report about Sudan Ethiopia in German mc-magazine "Tourenfahrer" and in Swiss Motorradzeitschrift "TOEFF (CH)"
06.09.2002 Daniela started to ride back trough Africa and plans to be in Switzerland in summer 2003. She is accompined by her Belgian friend Tanguy now.
Back-Plan: 15.09.02 until summer 2003 Zweiter Reise: Kapstadt – Schweiz im Duo.
Geplante Rückreise zusammen mit Tanguy de le Vingne: Südafrika – Namibia – Angola – Kongo – Kamerun – Nigeria - Niger – Algerien – Marokko (Reiseroute hängt von Sicherheitslage der jeweiligen Länder ab).
23.10.2003 Next request for update
26.10.2003 Hallo Bernd: Ja, sind immer noch on the road. Sind wie geplant gefahren:
Route: Suedafrika - Namibia - Angola - DRC - Congo - Gabon - Aequatorialguinea - Kamerun - Nigeria - Niger - Algerien. Sind inzwischen in Tamanrasset, Algerien. Keines der Laender stellte ein Problem dar.
Adam Shani hatten wir damals in Mozambique getroffen, lass ihn ganz lieb von uns gruessen. Die Route ist kein Problem und falls, dann wird er die Problemst- ???- Departure from Cape Town on Septembre 6, 2002 via Citrusdal (Sept 7), Garies, Vioolsdrift on Orange River - Namibian border (Sept 8-9) - Namibia (Sept 10) - Ai-Ais + Fish River Canyon (Sept 10-13), Hobas, Luderitz (Sept 16), Maltahohe, Windhoek - Namibia capital (Sept 19, Oct 1), Speetshoogte pass, Solitaire (Oct 5), Sossus Vlei - Dead Vlei - Namib desert (Oct 6-7), Swakopmund (Oct 8-12), Cape Cross, Mile 108 (1), Uis(1), Sesfontein (2), Puros, Orupembe, Sanitatas, Opuwo, Oshakati (4 nights: oct 23-27). Angola (Oct 27) - Ondjiva (1), Xangongo (2), village between Mucope & Quiteve (2), Mulondo (1), Matala (1), Lubango (6 nights: nov 3-9), Namibe (3), Caraculo, Munkengo (1), Bibala, Lola (2), Quilengues (2), Chongoroi (1), Benguita (3), Baia Forta (3), Sumbe (1night, nov 24), Luanda - capital of Angola (nov 24 - dec 16), Caxito, Quifuata (1), Uige, Bungo (dec 23), Muchinga, Nsosso (Christmas), Damba (dec 26), Maquela do Zombo (dec 27-29). Dem. Rep of Congo (January 3, 2003) - Kinshasa (January 6-19) - Congo Brazzaville (January) - Brazzaville (January 18) - Gabon (March) - Franceville (March 5), Libreville - Equatorial Guinea - Bata (May 6) - Cameroon
Yaounde (May 27), Bafoussan - Nigeria - Kano (August) - Niger - Zinder - Algeria (now in Tamanrasset) - Spain - France - Switzerland (23.12.2003)
24.06.2000 B.T.: There have been several woman riding Cairo-Capetown but as far as Bernd Tesc.h knows Daniela is the first woman who rode solo the whole distance without flying a part of the route. AND the woman who rode 18 months.
27.02.2004 Next request for update to Daniela.
23.03.2009 Next request for update to Daniela.
23.03.2009 Last summary of Daniela. Thinks of coming o the 51th. Tesch-Travel-Treffen or later years. ASked for the best picture.
01.03.2000 - 03.05.2000
Bernd Thiel (German, born 24.03.1979)
Bernd with BMW R 1100 GS and TTTräger and TTTaschen 4 before he left.
Bernd in Libya.
+
Tunisia - Libya - Algeria. Bernd rode solo 16.500 kms through North-Africa
on a BMW 1100 GS.Route: Europe: (Germany - France - Italy) - by ferry to Africa (Tunisia (Tunis) - Libya - (Ras Ajdir - Leptis Magna - Sabne - Mandara Lakes - Ghat - Sirte - Tobruk - Bengazi - Tripoli - Ras Ajdir) - Algeria (Nefta - El Qued - El Menia - In Salah - El Menia - El Qued) - Tunisia (Douz - Kairouan - Tunis) - Italy - Austria - Germany.
Purpose of travel: To find the really important things of life
The best: The nights alone in the desert
The worst: Three days very ill in a hotel
Useful informations and TIPS for others: If you have a problem with the route or you are not sure if you can the do hole trip (because everybody you told about your plans said "no chance" or "you are crazy") so you can ask Bernd Tesch. He builts you up.
B.T.: When I met 21 years young student Bernd for recommendation he was very high motivated to travel along way in Africa : Tunisia - Libya - Algeria (Djanet- Tam - In Guezzam) - Niger - and back up the east coast via Mauretania - Morocco. I told him how difficult this route is with a heavy BMW 1100 GS and alone.
SAHARA Plan ca. 09.2000 - 12.2000 about 3 months
Flower, Gregg. J. http://www.gregg@forum.dk (Danish)
Libya - Niger - Ghana. The journalist Gregg (YAMAHA XT 600 Z) and a travel partner (his bike is still not sure) want to ride through central sahara, most likely from Libya crossing to Niger and ending in Ghana from where he will ship back to Europe.
Planned Route: Denmark - Hamburg - train as far south as possible - Italy - by ferry to Tunisia - Lybia (route: as yet unknown) - Niger via Bilma desert part Tenere and Agadez - Ghana - by ship / plane back to Denmark.
Purpose: To gather information and material for articles for scandanavian magazine "BIKE" and for slide/dias show. Also the trip will be filmed for television.
Experience: Total 3 years travel experience including Africa overland 1 year/40.000 km, Asia overland 1 year 35.000 kms, Australia NZ overland 20.000 kms. 1 year and shorter trips in South America.
Seeking: Any information concerning Sahara route, shipping, formalities, visas, contacts. Things of cultural interest, or whatever in English (Can read German). AND an eventual travel partner that is an experienced camearman. (DVD) and
who can handle a bike in sand.
16.10.2000 - ? April 2001
Werner Ph.D. Bausenhart(Canadian, German born)
+ Around Africa. Werner (63) plans solo to circle Africa somehow with BMW F 650. Ca. 30.000 km.
Route: From Canada (Ottawa) to England (London) by air with bike - France - Spain - Morocco - Mauritania - Nigeria - Gabon - Congo - Angola (12.2000 already) - Namibia - South Africa (Capetown 30.12.2000) - Kenya - Egypt - Lybia - Morocco - Spain - England (London) to Canada by air with bike.
Book: planned.
26.09.2000 B.T. So far nobody has circeled Africa in TOTAL by bike. Werner has circeld North - and South-America already and published a book. See Bausenhart N-America.
01.12.2007- 2010
Carola Möller (German, born 17.03.1978) www.easyri.de
+ South-North-America Carola rides solo with YAMAHA XT600. 13.02.2009 So far 35.000 kms. First 3 month with Ralf Geister on a KTM 640
Route: Europe (Bike by ship. Mysel by plane from Hamburg to Buenos Aires) - South America (by motorcycle Argentina - Chile - Brasil - Bolivia - Peru - Equador - Colombia). With a saleboat from Colombia (Cartagena) to North America (Panama - by motorcycle to Costa Rica. 11.11.2008. Since dezember working in Costa Rica as a waitress. Plan by motorcycle to Alaska end of march.
Purpose of travel: Explore other cultures, enough time for myelf.
The best: Meeting amazing people. Local people and traveller from all over the world.
The worst: nothing so far.
Info:Compared to my first travell 8 months through Africa it is quite easy to travel in Southamerica. Bordercrossings are easy, no "Carnet de Passage". And the landscape changes from jungle to desert and everything in between. Now in Centralamerica it is a bit more difficult to cross boarders. More time, more money.
Important useful information for others: Dont plan your trip forever.... just start. Thats the hardest part. The rest you will figure out!
Earlier experiences: 5 weeksby mc to France/Spain (thats all) in ?? 19??. 03.10.2000 - 28.05.2001 South Africa.
31.07.2001: Carola wrote: I hope to meet you next to thank you in person, Bernd: Without the inspiration I got at your Mc-Meeting for World-Travellers I would never got the idea to travel through Africa. For this I want to take you in my arms again.
12.02.2009 1st summary
13.02.2009 1st request for Update
14.02.2009 Last update. Foto is coming next.
??.12.2000 - ??.?? ca. Nov.2001
Kerstin Käppel and Benno Grell (Germans)
+ Transafrica: Germany > Cairo > Capetown. Kerstin and Benno intended to travel one year. Finnaly they travelled two years with two BMW R 100 GS. Ca 53.000 km in the Americas (see there) and ca. 35.000 km in Africa. After they came home from the Americas they flew home for 4 weeks to prepare the bikes again, to get new passports and visas and started for Transafrica again.
Purpose of travel: A lot. It is fascinating to be "on the road".
Route: Tunesia - Libya- Egypt - Sudan - Ethiopia - Kenia - Uganda - Tansania - Malawi - Sambia - Botswana - SA - Botswana - Namibia - SAfrica - Germany.
The best: ?
The worst: ?.
Useful informations and TIPS for others: ??.
Earlier Experiences: ??.
31.10.01 1st summary from SAfrica. Kerstin and Benno have been 8 times since 1999 at the "Tesch-Travel-Treffen".
While they have been in Sudan / Ethiopia some friends emailed to be that they are afraid that they are lost. So B.T. emailed them as well but never got an answer until today from SAfrica. They are looking forward to take part in the next TTTreffen 12.-14.04.2002
16.03.2004 Next request for update
16.042004 Coming the 11th time to the Tesch-Meeting
19.12.2000 - 05.02.2001
Glynn Roberts (British) and Jo-Anne (Canadian)
+ GB - Morocco - Spain - GB. Jo-Anne and Glynn made a winter holiday for sunshine on a BMW R1100 GS with Tesch-Boxes and Tesch-Rack.
Route: Ferry from GB (Porstmouth) to Spain (Bilbao). Over to the east coast and so down to Gibraltar for Xmas. Ferry to Ceuta and straight over to Meknes and Fes. Marrakesh, and we finally leave the rain behind. Happy New Year. Taroudannt and Tafroute then to Guelmime- where the Paris Dakar Rallye had a camp. We camped beside them. Unfortunately our friend Andy, who came on the Bilbao > ferry with us, crashed his bike on the road to Guelmime. He broke his wrist and took 10 stiches on his arm (taken care of by the P-D medical team) So we stayed in Guelmime getting both Andy and his Armstrong 500 back on the road. We took a side trip out to Fort Bou Jerif, following tracks to the beach and up the coast to Sidi Ifni. And a day trip to Tan Tan Plage. When Andy was up and running (with both the brake and the clutch on the right side) we head east to Tata in the Anti Atlas, most beautiful. On to Forum Zquid where we leave Andy to the paved road and we head out on the piste to Zagora. Half way across and we are suddenly thrown to the ground. Tesch pannier is ripped off (only hanging on with one bolt!) Zagora is very noisey after the desert so we move to M'Hid and stay for some days at a peaceful site in the palmeries. Piste north from Zagora toward Tingher and then up through Todra Gorge to Rich and Midelt. Off the bike again this time on ICE just south of Azrou. Back to Meknes and Chefchouen, then to Spain (Bilbao via Cadiz and Madrid). Look in on the Gueggenheim before the crossing and home....Repack and head to Daytona Bike Week on a borrowed BMW.....
03.2001 Glynn is a Round-The-World-Traveller. See there.
Will be continued. Please send me your Mc-Travel-information as the block above.
Go to Africa-Traveller 2001-2010
Bye Bernd Tesch in Germany
In this Blocks below informations are missing. Who can help?:
Money, Charlie (England) http://www.charliescaper.co.uk
- Plan Transafrica.
With a Cagiva E900 Elefant
charliescaper@eudoramail.com
03.10.2001 1st. information by Grant Johnson: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com
03.10.2001 1st email to them.
??.10.2001 1st answer and contact
First list with summaries in Internet about "Africa by Motorcycle". I would be grateful if you could help to keep this update ! So far you find many language and grammar mistakes inside because of lack of time. Pardon. Will be corrected and updated with more Travellers in future.
Documentation:
1968 Start of search of Transafrica-Travellers for my own tour with VW-Bus in 1970 / 71.
1970 -76 Finding more and more Africa-travellers and literature
1992-1994 More intensive search of motorcycle-travellers because of my book "Motorrad Abenteuer" in work by phone, fax and personal visits.
1995 - 1997 First tries to find and contact Africa-Motorcycle-Travellers by email.
1998 Start of my website. Not knowing what will come out of it in future.
02.1998: A part of this information you found already under > http://www.berndtesch.de > German or Engl. version > News
28.05.2000: Start of this collection first time in internet under > http://www.berndtesch.de
01.08.2001 Visitor 50.000 on my homepage Andreas Goetzenich.
31.10.2001 138 KB
13.01.2003 178 KB
22.03.2004 201 KB Visitor ca. 94.000
28.03.2005 217 KB. Ca. visitor 109.00
10.11.2005 227 KB Ca. Visitor 120.000
19.01.2006 622 KB
29.03.2008 717 KB Ca. Vistor 155.555
31.03.2009 983 KB 141 Sek, Visitor ca. 169.500. Das war die gesamte Seite über Afrika.
2009 Ich habe die Afrikaseite wegen ihrer Größe aufgeteilt in mehrere Seiten
31.01.2008 Afrika1991-2000 hat 367 K