Need to know

The Do’s and Don’t’s, now that Phase one – Africa -  is done!!!  This list is what we have found on our trip.

Items essential, or used regularly, wouldn’t do without

Intercom system – Sena Sh 10, Excellent, good value, performed flawlessly

Rechargeable Led camp light, a bit heavy, but have only needed to charge once, great light output etc.

Cell phone, Sat phone not necessary, buy local simcards, I think only once during entire trip no coverage

Laptop or notebook, used all the time, with maps, internet etc.

GPS – buy good quality.  Try for as many maps as possible. T4A very outdated!!!  Lots of new roads, hotels etc.  Egypt particularly bad, cell phone has much better city maps!

Tent – not to small, take gear inside for rain or security.  Check Vango Hurricane 200 or 300

Decent pillows!!  We took a good one, cut in half and made pillow cases.

Groundsheet for tent.

Our  self inflating mattresses leaked, first Ascent, bought cheap inflatable in Nairobi. Sent ATG stretches home, damaging tent floor, not couple friendly

Zip together sleeping bags for when cold

Small cooler bag, for water and drinks, daily.  Try to Freeze water at night, lasted the whole day. 

Credit cards – Use everywhere at ATM’s, except Sudan.

Small collapsible bucket, clothes washing etc.

Kindle E Book, can load hundreds of books to read.

Roc Straps

Dry bags, bags connection – we used 2 large, for tents, sleeping bags, inners for suits, rain gear etc.

Business cards for swapping info.

Small notebook for taking down info from other overlanders etc

Best quality riding gear and boots.  Sharon would have had broken knee if not.  BMW Ralley suit.

Tea, coffee, mugs.

Sharp knife

Leatherman

Suncream and sunglasses, with spare set.

Buff,  helped a lot in the heat and wind.

Small day pack – should be a backpack for carrying clothes to and from bikes and putting your shopping in

Electrical adaptor – 2 prong

Items only used occasionally

Medical kit –but might have needed it more

Multi fuel stove – Ours poor quality, leaks, and constantly blocks.  Buy Primus or MSR

Pots and cooking gear – very limited place to carry extra food, meat, or perishables

Camp chairs – normally somewhere to sit

Binoculars

Music

Dry food – Oats, cup of snack, game colddrink etc.

Mozzie repellant.  We didn’t take any anti malaria tabs.

Invertor, better to buy adaptors

Items never used

Spare tubes, and puncture repair. Who Knows???

Most tools ????

Extra fuel bladders – not needed, seldom no fuel, refill regularly

Small axe

Small spade

Pepper spray – glad we had no use for this

Portable shower

Portable sink

Tie Down straps – who knows???

Extra shoes, all we have used is riding boots or crocs (sandles)

Should have Taken

Lonely planet or Bradt guides. Online version for kindle available.

Pair of padded cycling shorts??

Clothes list

Two or three sets max, with extra underwear.

3 pairs riding socks

Warm top for cool days

Long sleeve shirt and 3 quarter pants for Sudan – bad to expose knees or shoulders, especially ladies

Tips

Use your Carnet for all countries, even if not compulsory, much easier than the Temp import permits, and cheaper.

Local food is fine

Travel desert sections, Masabit in a group.

Beware of stone throwing in Ethiopia especially! Back person always gets the stones.

Stop and talk to other overlanders, lots of info to be swapped.

New tar road from Marsabit to Moyale under construction, means entire trip can be done on tar soon.

Apparently roads from Sudan to Egypt are opening, if not open already.  This means that you can miss the fun of the Wadi Halfa ferry!!!!!  From Port Sudan up the Red Sea to Egypt apparently already being used.