OUR AFRICAN ROUTE FROM RAMSGATE RSA

(see map below)

WHY?

A lazy start one rainy Sunday morning way back in November 2004 inspired us to discuss the beginnings of THE JOURNEY TO A NEW LIFE. In our 50's,2 years into a 2nd marriage for us both, why not start afresh? No history or cobwebs! We still feel young and are lucky to be fit and healthy-so Carpe Diem (a Langstaff family motto)

Once the seeds were sown in what began as a vague possibility, plans germinated and grew with a passion amidst feverish activity. Eventually it all blossomed with the reality of driving from Ramsgate in RSA to Ramsgate in UK in our Mitsunishi Clubcab- share the journey with us and keep in contact PLEASE!

WHICH WAY?

Looking at maps of this vast continent, route planning seemed easy. BUT, throw in the expense of crossing into Egypt (at $600!); overall fuel and visas; the length of time we have to reach the Sahara before it gets too hot; outbreaks of disease, and political unrest---and its mind-blowing!  In our 6 months of serious planning there has been national coverage of; outbreaks of fighting in Darfur, Juba, Chad, DRC, and Uganda.  Increased cases of Marburg Virus in Angola, and an outbreak of Typhoid in South Africa. An earthquake in Ethiopia, a military coup in Mauritania, a bomb in Egypt, and unexploded mines in Chad, Mozambique, Angola and Libya all served to make us seethe and dither.

So based on the above our chosen route was South Africa-Mozambique-Malawi-Tanzania-Rwanda-Uganda- Kenya-Ethiopia-Sudan. (Highlighted in white above). Thats the easy stage-the rest we shall leave to fate. Anywhere north is uncertain, so we shall review the possibilities en route, using Internet sources and all but most importantly, info from other travellers.  We know which way wed like to cross the Sahara (see the black line), but we are very beholden to beaurocracy in getting visas. Ideally wed like to meet up with a couple of vehicles in Khartoum and cross in convoy. Is there anyone out there?

HOW?

Buy out our truck from the business, sell the business, rent out the house, get the truck and ourselves ready.

The fun; Books, videos, searching the websites for news from other intrepid travellers, preparing the truck for 6 months mechanical hard work and just as important-sophistication, to make camping for that period at the very least comfortable. Making a braai out of a 20lt paint tin, 4 x 4 driving training sessions, buying air jack bags, roof top tent, hammock, tyre chains, designing and building in hot and cold water, (garden spray for showering it over us), same for electrical wizardry for fans, lighting, fridge, TV (am joking---I wish?). Preparing a mega size medical kit,  fitting an extra fuel tank.  Painting the bull bars bright South African flag colours with the spade showing the Union Jack

The agony; dragging Rog to the Dr for jabs and malaria testing kits, trying to find a buyer for the business in a short time, saying goodbye to our friends, finding vehicle insurance, leaving the dogs behind, (thank you so much Vicky and Mike for making it less traumatic). Getting to grips with blue tooth and laptop IT (not so easy in your 50s- kids where are you!). Deciding which food supplies to take- a diet or malnourishment?

 The paperwork; international driving licenses, new passport to accommodate many visas, carnet de passage, vehicle papers, visas and all the correspondence that goes with them