country specific bicycle touring resources
routes & roads | All prejudices aside, France
stands out as a top destination for
cycling. Great diversity of landscapes, vast stretches of
picture-perfect countryside and courteous drivers combined with
unbeatable bakeries put it at the top of our list. Drivers are
generally courteous and
give cyclists a wide berth.
Route-wise, you really can't go wrong in a country
blessed
with such natural beauty, although the south of France is probably best
avoided in August, when roads are congested and campsites are all
well-booked in advance. Cycle paths are gaining ground and there are
some well-established circuits which are popular with tourers.
Check out Lonely Planet's Cycling France for
details. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Self-catering is quite economical if you stick to hard-discounters such as Lidl, Ed or Aldi which are proliferating on the outskirts of French cities. For more ambiance you'll surely want to head to the numerous local markets and sample the wide variety of cheeses, pâtés and fruits and vegetables. Campgrounds are a real bargain and even the smallest of communes usually has a few sites available, although they may only open during the holiday periods of mid-June through August. Municipal camp sites are your best bet if you want to keep costs down. |
the locals | Touring is still uncommon in France and the locals are generally impressed and intrigued when you speed by on a fully-loaded bike. Tourist information facilities are excellent and offer free, detailed maps of individual regions and information on campsites. Relying exclusively on their information, we were able to travel without lugging around a guidebook. |
biking in spain.
routes & roads | Most of our time cycling in
Spain was spent following the Camino
de Santiago (St.
James´ Way). Most parts are well-suited to mountain
biking,
but at some points you'll have to deviate from the pilgrim's path and
follow nearby roads. It's very easy to find your way, as
there
are large yellow arrows pointing you in the right direction the entire
length of the trail. Lots of areas are treeless, so its
probably
best to avoid July and August. We were there in June and
didn't
have any problems with the heat. In fact it was quite chilly
in
some mountainous parts. On the southern coast near Marbella
roads
are busy and congested, and although its a coastal road, we hardly
enjoyed the cycling. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Along
the Camino you'll find numerous albergues
(guest houses)
set up to welcome pilgrims. Be sure to register as a pilgrim in advance
or you won't be able to stay there. Registration normally
takes
place at the start of the journey in St. Jean Pied de Port (France)
near the Spanish border. It only costs a few euros to get the
official Pilgrims
Credential and its quite fun to fill it up with
stamps in all the historical and religious places you visit.
Plus,
most importantly, this is the only way you can take advantage of the albergues.
They are a real bargain, costing just 3 or 4 euros for a
dorm
bed and there are usually cooking facilities as well. Camping
in
Spain was not a pleasant experience for us. Most campgrounds are noisy
places, with screaming kids and blaring music well into the night.
Politely pleading for a little peace and quiet will likely be
met
with bemusement, but no action. There are the usual grocery discounters--Lidl and Aldi plus Dia. All good for keeping the budget under control. It's difficult to find a bakery that opens up early, so be sure to buy your bread the evening before. |
the locals |
biking in portugal.
routes & roads | Cycling Portugal's Atlantic
coast
is an exhilarating experience. Rocky shorelines, sheer cliffs and
panoramic views combined with long stretches of pristine beaches make
Portugal a must for those who are drawn to the sea. Traffic
can
be a menace, but with the help of EU funding, bicycle paths are being
constructed in some areas. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging |
|
the locals |
biking in morocco.
routes & roads | Roads in Morocco are almost
all surfaced. Enjoy them while you can, because this won't be
the case in sub-Saharan Africa. The rides through the Atlas
mountains really shouldn't be missed. Just remember that even
though you're at a high altitude, it can still be extremely hot in the
summer months and you won't find much shade---especially in the barren
Anti-Atlas. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Morocco
has a
good network of camp sites and there is a guidebook (in French) which
rates them. Most campgrounds have got a copy of the guide, so
you
can jot down details and plan your next stopover. Campgrounds
are
usually good value for money, and many meet European standards.
Others are derelict, but usually in a fantastic location-the
camping site near the Bin-el-Ouidane dam comes to mind. The
country is overrun with French tourists in August, so it's better to
travel outside of this peak period if possible. If you're continuing on to sub-Saharan Africa, enjoy your fill of fresh fruit and veggies while you can. Pickings get rather slim further south. |
the locals | Amongst many Westerners, Morocco is perceived as a dangerous country, where you should be on the lookout for pickpockets, bag-snatchers and scam artists. Nothing could be further from the truth..well, at least in rural areas. Moroccans are highly hospitable and will bend over backwards to ensure you're having a good time in their country. They are genuinely concerned about your welfare and won't hesitate to stop and see if you need assistance in any way. |
visas | Visas are not needed for EU nationals. |
money | 11 Dirhams = 1 Euro (August 2006) |
biking in western sahara.
routes & roads | Western Sahara offers
surprisingly
beautiful landscapes on some stretches of the highway--it's not just
dull desert as your guidebook claims. Sheer cliffs dropping
down
into the ocean, fisherman's hut perched precariously high above the sea
and even some amazing dunes. Smooth tarmac and flat terrain
mean
you can easily rack up 150 KM a day unless you're hampered by a
headwind (which shouldn't be the case). There are police
checkpoints along the route, but its just a mater of filling in a form
with routine information. No hassles whatsoever--apart from
the
time it takes to fill in all the blanks and respond to the curious
police officer's questions about why you would be so crazy as
to
want to cycle through Africa. Settlements and petrol stations are pretty well-spaced as to make convenient stopovers. Our itinerary and daily kilometers cycled were as follows: Bouizarkane 127 Tan Tan 182 Akhfenir 125 Tarfaya 110 Laayoune 105 Boujdour 198 Echtoukan 180 Dakhla 180 Chicas 136 Barbas 164 Nouadhibou 154 roadside tent settlement 137 roadside settlement 114 roadside tent settlement 132 Nouakchott 122 Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Food and water didn't pose any major problems for us--even the service stations have reasonably well-stocked shops and decent restaurants. |
the locals | The Saharawis will be eager to discuss the political situation, but this may get them into trouble as the police frown on such exchanges with foreign tourists. Got a rather cold reception in----where children tossed an egg in our direction. Perhaps the strong UN presence has something to do with their dislike of foreigners. |
visas | Western Sahara is under Moroccan control, so a normal Moroccan visa is all you need. There are numerous road blocks, which is tiresome and time-consuming, but you will never be asked to pay a bribe or be hassled if your papers are in order. Policeman and military personnel are generally courteous and professional. |
money | 11 Dirhams = 1 Euro (August 2006) |
biking in mauritania.
routes & roads | The days of slogging it out
on
the
arduous piste are long gone, and now it's smooth tarmac from the
Moroccan border in the north all the way to the
Senegalese border in the south. You should have a gentle
tailwind pushing you along, so who could ask for
more...except
for a little shade once in awhile. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | In the Sahara south from the border with Morocco to Nouakchott, you'll find 'rest areas' every 40 or 50 kilometers. These are canvas tents with comfortable cushions where you can relax and escape from the unrelenting sun. Food is also served , but there's little for non-meat eaters--only tinned vegetables, no bread or even omelettes. Best to stock up with provisions in Western Sahara. These rest areas also offer some type of very basic lodging, or you can pitch your tent nearby. Water is always available, although sometimes its a bit murky and comes in jerry cans. If you find your water supplies dwindling along the road, you can also signal your thirst by holding up an empty water bottle. Passing motorists are happy to pull over and fill up the bottles and may even send you on your way with a few snacks! |
the locals | Mauritanians are conservative and reserved but polite and helpful towards travelers. They all seem to want to do business, and you'll see many Mauritanian traders in other West African countries. Women play a larger role in public life than in Morocco. Watch out for over-charging on the overland route. |
visas |
You can obtain a visa at the border. Cost is 20 euros---don't pay more, even if the officials ask. |
money | 340 Oughias = 1 Euro (September 2006) |
biking in senegal.
routes & roads | We pretty much followed a
straight
line south, and were on good paved roads almost exclusively.
Just
a few rough spots and patches of potholes in the area around
the
Saloum Delta and Foundiougne. But the scenery is spectacular
there, and well worth a minor detour. Dakar and the
surrounding
area is a real headache to cycle in, and you're better off staying in
Yoff or avoiding the city entirely if possible. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | You'll find Senegalese restaurants all over West Africa, serving up riz gras and other specialties, which says something (good) about the cuisine. You'll find lots of small eateries, but street food doesn't seem to be as developed as in neighboring countries. Hotels are of a reasonable standard, but will seem pricey if you've spent time in Morocco. There aren't many backpackers around, so there's little pressure on prices. |
the locals | Senegal will likely be you first encounter with sub-Saharan Africa, and it's a pity, because the welcome you'll receive from the locals isn't a fair introduction to African hospitality. You may be accused of racism if you don't stop for a lengthy discussion with each and every young man that stops you on the street. If you do stop, you'll be pressured into looking at their art, handicrafts, postcards or whatever else they're hawking. Young and able-bodied men (particularly in St. Louis) will ask for money and try to make you feel guilty for not providing them with work or handouts. This constant hassling is wearing, and can easily color your impression of the entire population. |
borders |
Don't let yourself get ripped off at the Rosso crossing. Officials will try everything to get you to pay an extra 'processing fee'. Stand firm and you'll get your passport back without lightening your wallet. |
visas | No visa necessary for EU nationals, Canadians and Americans. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in the gambia.
routes & roads | There are only two
major roads
in The Gambia: the north bank highway and the south bank
highway.
We chose to first follow the south bank road as it was the
only
one marked as paved on the Michelin map: what a mistake.
It's undergoing rehabilitation and was a real mess when we
were
there in October 2006. The north bank road, on the other
hand, is
smooth tarmac all the way to Janjanbureh (Georgetown).
There's
nothing particularly stunning about the scenery, but the route is a
good introduction to rural Africa and the villagers are friendly and
hospitable. Not much formal accommodation available, but the
village headman should be able to arrange something with a local
family. No worries about water, as there are many villages
with
pumps along the way. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Outside
of the
coastal tourist area, there's not much in the way of restaurants.
Omelettes and bean sandwiches are vegetarian staples.
As
mentioned above, staying with people is a viable option, and it is
unlikely that you'll be asked for payment. We
received
invitations from locals we met cycling alongside us, and they provided
us with bucket showers, a comfortable bed and dinner to boot.
At
the end of the stay, we discreetly offered an envelope of cash with the
equivalent of what we would have paid in a basic hotel, mentioning that
we wanted to help with the kids' education. In Bakau we had a very pleasant stay at the Danish-run African Heritage, 114 Atlantic Road. Clean, quiet, comfortable and and you can't beat the view of the fisherman's beach below. A double room off season cost us 400 dalasis (12 euros). |
the locals | There are the usual hassles along the touristy areas of the coast and to some extent in Janjanbureh. Otherwise, Gambians are very polite, open and curious. They love a good discussion and are eager to learn more about life in the West. In rural areas, kids will chase after the bikes and demand pens and sweeties. This phenomena is only aggravated by tourists on their way to Georgetown, whizzing by in mini-buses and showering the kids with candy. |
visas | You can transit this country without a visa. If you want to stay a bit longer, visas are required for French, Swiss, US and Japanese passport holders. We picked ours up at the High Commission in Dakar. If you fill out the application in the morning, you can get the visa in the afternoon on the same day. |
money | 35.8 Dalasis = 1 euro (October 2006) |
biking in guinea-bissau.
routes & roads | The road coming from Senegal
leading
to Guinea is paved and in good condition up until about 30 km before
the border crossing. Then conditions deteriorate
progressively,
until you're faced with a rough (and muddy depending on the season)
track on the Guinea side. The countryside is lush and
pleasant
enough, and there are some old colonial towns worth visiting along the
way. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | We found comfortable and good-value lodging. You may have to ask around, but in some towns there are private guest houses catering to the NGO crowd where you can spend the night. Be sure to take a flashlight with when you venture out after dark, because power is not functioning in Guinea Bissau. If you're lucky, the guest house will have its own generator and you'll be treated to a few hours of light in the evening. For vegetarians, this will likely be your first encounter with potato salad in Africa--found all over Guinea as well. Can be a bit strange with ketchup. There's also spaghetti (make sure to specify without meat) and omelettes, of course. |
the locals | Hard to have many meaningful exchanges, unless you're fluent in Portuguese. You will find that many people speak a bit of French, so you'll be able to make yourself understood for most basic needs--if you speak French that is. The country sees few tourists and accordingly, there are few hassles. |
visas | Everybody needs a visa for Guinea-Bissau. We got ours in The Gambia at the consulate conveniently located in Bakau on Atlantic Road not far from the post office. You can get the visa on the spot. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1euro |
biking in guinea.
routes & roads | Guinea is paradise for
cyclists.
A pleasant climate in the highlands, spectacular scenery and
mountains just steep enough to be a challenge, but gentle enough not to
overwhelm less experienced cyclists. You'll probably want to
spend most of your time in the Fouta Djalon region or in
Guinée
Forestière, but be sure to check the security situation in
the
later as refugees from Liberia and Côte d'ivoire had been
causing
problems there. Roads are not always well-maintained, and if you're coming from Guinea Bissau you'll have 200 kilometers of rough roads before reaching the tarmac just outside of Labé. Bu don't let this put you off, the views are worth it and the hospitality is unbeatable. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | The
Guinean Franc has
been steadily losing value for several years and the country is now a
real bargain for foreign tourists. Outside of Conakry, you
won't
have to pay more than 5 USD for a decent room with en suite shower and
toilet, although more often than not the municipal water supplies won't
be working properly and water will be supplied in a bucket instead.
Ditto for electricity, which you'll find is a real rarity
even
though hotels have all the wiring in place. Guinea is a fertile country and all kinds of fruits and vegetables can be grown there. Unfortunately, infrastructure and logistical problems mean that most produce is only sold locally. You'll find juicy pineapples at rock-bottom prices in Kindia, but just 350 km away in Labé you'll have to scour the market to find one. Potato salad, avocado salad and greasy omelettes sandwiches with a thick coating of mayonnaise will be mainstays for vegetarians. You can also try rice with sauce feuilles (ground cassava leaves), which is generally meatless and a hearty lunchtime filler-up. |
the locals | You'll be hard-pressed to find more hospitable people than the Guineans--in particular the Fula of the Fouta Djalon region. You can expect to be greeted with a polite bonjour madam or monsieur, rather than a request for a gift and your stay is almost guaranteed to be hassle-free. That said, border crossings may pose some difficulties with thinly-veiled requests for bribes. We were easily able to shrug these off and no one really insisted on receiving those extra 'processing fees'. Be sure to carry your international vaccination certificates, as these may be requested at police roadblocks. |
visas | You'll need a visa for Guinea. Ours were obtained in The Gambia at the consulate in Tabokoto. They have moved out of central Banjul. The office is located near the Shell Service Station in Churchill town and the official in charge is often out, so it may pay to call ahead: 990 99 64. The whole set-up is a little unprofessional, but you should be able to get the visa on the same day if you ask politely. |
money | 8000 Guinean Francs = 1 Euro (November 2006) |
biking in sierra leone.
routes & roads | After so many years of civil
war, it's
really not surprising that some of Sierra Leone's roads are in such
deplorable condition. Particularly bad , was the road from
Kabala
across the border in Guinea to Faranah: severely rutted with
many
washed out sections-- and this was at the end of the rainy
season. Nothing really spectacular in the way of scenery, but
no particular challenges either. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Our
outdated guidebook
rates Sierra Leone as a very expensive destination in terms of lodging,
but we didn't find this to be the case. Even in Freetown we
didn't pay more than 9 euros for a pleasant and clean room (Kington
Guest house). Outside the capital the rooms are relatively
good
value, but lack character and are often part of a bar/restaurant
combination. This means noisy nights for tired cyclists. When
no
formal accommodation was available, the village chief opened up a
vacant
home for us on one occasion and on another we stayed with an Italian
priest. There's lots of street food and snacks available and you'll find fried banana chips, peanut butter balls, extremely sweet sugar cookies, fish turnovers (pasties) and soft and sweet British-style bread. |
the locals | Sierra Leoneans are more sophisticated than other West Africans and their culture has a somewhat American influence. They're open to talking about the war and their country's future. Tourists are still a rarity and you'll attract crowds of on-lookers--not just curious children. We never felt threatened, but you will see some groups of rather tough-looking, tattooed teenagers. It is unlikely that anyone will try to take advantage of you or cheat you as a tourist. Sierra Leoneans are warm people and will go out of their way to ensure you have a pleasant stay in their still struggling country. |
visas |
You'll need a visa for Sierra Leone. Ours were obtained in Conakry. Deposit passport in the morning, pick up in the afternoon. Cost 100 USD (bills less than 50 USD not accepted). Valid for a month. Money changers available at the gate to the consulate. |
money | 3700 Leones = 1 Euro (November 2006) |
biking in mali.
routes & roads | The scenery around Hombori
is truly fantastic and not to be missed. Mali
can be a challenging country for cyclists due to the heat, dust, long
distances between settlements and often monotonous landscapes.
You may want to do as the locals, and wear a protective mask
to
keep out some of the particles. The Gao-Niamey route
posed
some real difficulties for us, but its in the process of being paved
and work should be finished in 2008. The inland delta region
around Massina offers good views of the Niger River and you pass by
some
spectacular mosques in the Sudanese style. Depending on the
season and the direction you're cycling, headwinds can be a real
nuisance. The harmattan blows down for the Sahara from
December
to February in a north-easterly direction and kicks up a lot of dust
and can make cycling extremely unpleasant as well as unhealthy with all
that dust being swallowed. There's heavy traffic on the main road between Ségou and Bamako with buses roaring by and tooting their horns as a signal for you to pull over on the shoulder. Otherwise roads are relatively quiet. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Hotels
are pricey
compared with neighboring Guinea and quite basic for the most part.
in rural areas such as in the Dogon Country or Hombori, you
can
expect pit toilets and bucket showers and perhaps a few hours of
electricity in the evening. In towns without hotels, the
mayor or
village chief can usually arrange a stay with a family or in a public
building such as a school or training center. A small payment
is
usually required. If you stay with a family, be sure to clear
up
money issues up front. We failed to do this in one village,
and
were asked to pay a whopping 20,000 CFA (30 euros) for pitching our
tent next to the stables in a family compound! Of course we
didn't pay this ridiculous sum, but the incident left a bad taste in
the mouth. On several occasions when no formal accommodation was
available, we inquired as to the presence of a local church and were
able to camp inside the minister's compound or even sleep in the church
itself. We received a warm welcome and had a peaceful night's
sleep. Street food is plentiful and often quite tasty. For non-meat eaters, salads, beans, macaroni, yams and omelettes will be the staples. Fruit is hard to come by in such an arid country, but you should be able to find bananas, guavas, watermelon, oranges and mangoes in season. Water pumps and taps are often locked as soon as the sun starts to set, and may open late in the morning, so be sure to fill up your bottles when you get the opportunity. Restaurants geared towards tourists aren't particularly good value, and outside of major cities, you won't find many restaurants catering to locals. |
the locals | Malians are open and like to engage tourists in conversation. You'll receive enthusiastic greetings from villagers and from the children, the usual requests for gifts. Don't expect to be invited to a family home as a guest--payment will be expected. If you eat at food stalls, there'll be a gang of young beggars hovering behind you waiting for scraps. This is a heart-breaking situation, and unfortunately all too common in West Africa. |
visas |
Got our visas in Conakri on the spot. Cost only 16200 Guinean Francs (ca 2 Euros ). Valid for one month. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in niger.
routes & roads | Some nice scenery along the
Niger stretch of the Gao-Niamey route with the highway
(in good condition) more closely following the river.
Settlements
are widely spaced, and there's not much available in the way of food
along some stretches, so stock up on provisions. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | We spent just a few days in Niger, but in the towns we stopped along the Gao-Niamey route there was no choice of accommodation. Just one soulless and overpriced hotel in each place we stayed. The Catholic Mission in Niamey is well-located and peaceful, but watch out for the manager who can be difficult to deal with. |
the locals | It seems everyone in Niger expects a cadeau from passing tourists. Fortunately, no one seems to insist, so all the requests are merely a slight irritation rather than a real hassle as in Senegal. The country is desperately poor, and you'll encounter the usual child-beggars around food stalls. They can be exceedingly polite and truly appreciate a little food and a few kind words. Merchants may try to overcharge you in markets in Niamey. |
visas |
We got our visas in Bamako. They said that the Visa Entente valid for 5 countries was not available anymore (a lie, as we later found out). Anyway 20000 CFAs for a one month visa available on the spot. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in burkina faso.
routes & roads | We came into Burkina from
Niamey
and crossed the border at the Kantchari post. For a change
there
was a good, smooth tarmac road linking two countries. We next
turned south towards Diapaga and the Parc National d'Arly. We
were told by another cyclist that this was 'good piste', but would have
to disagree with him, having done quite a lot of pushing through the
sandy parts. We got back on to a sealed road at Pama and then
headed for Ouaga. For a West African capital, traffic flows
fairly smoothly in the city and its nothing like navigating your way
through Dakar or Conakry. From Ouaga we headed towards Ghana, taking in the sights at Tiébéle along the way. This back road, from Po to Bolgatanga, is in fact 'good piste' and you can race along without getting off to push. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Hotels
in
Burkina are decent value and you'll get more comforts (running water
and electricity) than in Mali. We found lots of Catholic
Missions
that had a Centre
d'acceuil, where
we could spend the night. The normal rate is around CFA
7,000 for a
twin room and they are usually very clean, quiet and set in nice
grounds. There are lots of good and cheap Senegalese restaurants scattered around the capital, serving up green beans (fresh!), salads, boiled potatoes in a stew, yams and the old staple--rice and beans. You'll also find tasty yogurt--even in the smaller towns--and some crusty baguettes. In the evening these are served with sweetened-condensed milk as a filling--takes a little getting used to, but in the absence of other deserts, not bad. 656 CFA = 1euro |
the locals | We didn't spend much time in Burkina so it's hard to say a lot about the locals. Friendly, polite and helpful was the overall impression. |
visas |
We got our visas in Bamako. They said that the Visa Entente valid for 5 countries was not available anymore (a lie, as we later found out). Anyway 28000 CFAs for a one month visa . Deposit passport in the morning. Pick-up in the afternoon. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in ghana.
routes & roads | The north is very much like
neighboring Burkina Faso
and there's nothing too spectacular in the way of scenery.
The
road to Mole National park was very rough when we visited--deep
corrugations and lots of sand. The road south from Mole to
Kumasi
is being upgraded and they should be finished paving the Bole-Banda
section in the near future. The Wenchi-Kumasi section is
paved,
but there are road works underway and the highway is a real mess in
some sections. Roads in the south, even those marked as minor
on
the Michelin map, are almost all paved and in good condition.
Traffic is heavy on the coastal road, but there's a
reasonably wide shoulder which is good for riding. The
winding
roads and dense vegetation around Kumasi probably make for the best
riding. The ride to Lake Bosumtwi involves some steep hills,
but
there's light traffic and fantastic scenery. From Accra it's worth heading north towards Akosombo Dam and Hohoé for some fine scenery on your way to Togo. Be prepared for a tough climb on a rough road if you decide to go to Ghana's highest point (Mount Gemi), and the base village of Amedzofe. If you can't make the last 4 kilometers up to Amedzofe, there's a nice government resthouse in the village below. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Hotels
are
fairly good value for money. In the North rooms are
cheaper--we
paid 50,000 cedis for a basic guest house and for 70,000 we had a TV
and
fridge plus en suite bathroom. Camping is also an option at
the
touristy places on the beach--around 20,000 per person. We
found
the food ´disappointing. Staple vegetarian fare is
fried
rice topped with mayonnaise, ketchup and a little shredded cabbage.
There are also yam balls and boiled eggs in the south.
Pineapples are plentiful and very cheap. For
dessert
there's locally made FanIce and FanYogo. The bread is
unbelievably bad, so eat your fill of baguettes in Burkina. Ice-cold water is sold in small sachets along the main roads--very refreshing and cheap at 300 cedis. |
the locals | Ghana is a loud country. The locals like to blast music at all hours of the day and crank the stereo up to the max, so that the music is distorted beyond recognition. You won't find much solitude in the heavily populated south because the villagers will all be calling after you--the Obroni. Everyone seems to want to have a good time, so if partying is your thing, you'll enjoy Ghana. Despite Ghana being an English-speaking country, you may find communication difficult as the locals often can not respond to even simple questions. This is frustrating and hard to comprehend, as Ghana is touted as having a high literacy rate. |
visas |
On the contrary to what some guidebooks say, the visa
is normally not available at the border. If you insist they may give it
to you but at a cost no less than 100 USD. We got our one month visas in Ouagadougou at a cost of 15000 CFAs (12000 CFAs in Bamako). Deposit in the afternoon, pick-up 2 working days later in the afternoon. |
money | 12,000 Cedis = 1 Euro (January 2007) |
biking in togo.
routes & roads | The cocoa triangle of
Badou, Atakpamé and Kpalimé is highly
recommended.
Beautiful scenery, cool air and some nice side trips to
waterfalls and lookout points. Roads are usually paved and in
good condition. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Accommodation is good value for money and normally comfortable and pleasant even in the budget category--enjoy it while you can because Nigeria won't be nearly as nice. Lots of fresh salads available and you'll find yogurt and ice cream too. Reasonably well-stocked supermarkets can be found in the larger towns. |
the locals | The Togolese are friendly enough and they won't hassle you for money or gifts. |
visas |
A six-day transit visa can be obtained at major border crossings for 10,000 CFA. Visas obtained at consulates are much more expensive, for example 25,000 for a one-month visa obtained in Bamako. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in benin.
routes & roads | The coastal road near
Cotonou is very busy and unpleasant for cycling. Otherwise
the
traffic wasn't too heavy and the roads were paved and in good condition. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Benin boasts decent value hotels and a steady supply of water and electricity. Street food was harder to come by than in Togo, and we often had to resort to eating in noisy bar/restaurants where the food was double the price and no better than what is normally sold at the street stalls. |
the locals | You'll be pestered for gifts by almost everyone you meet--this gets tiresome. The people in Benin have something in common with those we met in Senegal, and this is not a compliment. |
visas |
48-hour transit visas are easily obtainable at the border, but for the same price (10,000 CFA) you can get a two-week visa at the consulate in Accra or Lomé. |
money | 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in nigeria
routes & roads | Major roads are dangerous
places, with drivers passing on steep uphill climbs, blind curves and
basically driving all over the road at death-defying speeds.
Secondary roads are all together more pleasant and often
paved.
Road conditions can change drastically,and without warning
the
tarmac may abruptly end and you're left with a sandy piste.
Always try to get advance info from locals regarding the
state of
the road as the Michelin map is not always accurate. The
country
is far from flat and has some spectacular scenery. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Nigeria
is
a culinary wasteland. If you want decent food, you'll have to
hunt hard and pay exorbitant prices. The country's
only
saving grace is the pineapples which are juicy and sweet. If
you're really desperate and on a tight budget, try the instant
noodles Indo Mie--they're
cheap and filling and one acquires a taste for them over
time. Good
Morning Instant Oats
are also a good buy and make a delicious breakfast mixed with a little
chocolate powder and instant milk. The bread sucks. Budget accommodation is often grubby and bucket showers and candles are the norm. We usually paid around 1,000 Naira for a basic room. In Calabar we paid 2,000 for a decent room at the Elinah Guest house (running water, clean, generator, attached bath) but we had to bargain hard for this price. Electricity is seldom supplied by the utility company (NEPA) and generators can be extremely noisy, so check to see where they're located and at what time they'll be turned off if you need quiet for a good night's rest. Water is widely sold in 500ml plastic sachets and it's cheap, which is a good thing, because pumps are hard to find. Lots of communities, even those in not so remote places, still rely on water taken directly from a stream for bathing, washing and drinking--not very hygienic. |
the locals | You'll love the locals. They'll be curious and full of questions and very impressed by your athletic prowess. You may receive small gifts such as fruit or biscuits and everyone will go out of their way to ensure your comfort. If you're looking for a hotel, someone will surely guide you, and there will be no expectation of a tip for the service rendered. In the remote countryside you'll see a fair number of frightened children who will flee at the sight of a white man on a bicycle. |
visas | Can be a bit tricky to obtain a visa. In theory you should have a letter of invitation, but in practice this isn't always the case. Some sort of official looking document, or even a self-written letter explaining your 'mission' will probably do. We went to the French Consulate in Accra and were able to get a 'letter of recommendation' from them. The Nigerian officials will also want to see copies of health insurance coverage and proof of sufficient funds. Here a photocopy of a credit card or travelers checks should suffice. Most travelers seem to get the visa in the end, although it's a bit of a hassle. |
money | 165
Nairas = 1 Euro (February 2007) |
biking in cameroon
routes & roads | Entering Cameroon via Ekang
during
the rainy season is inadvisable due to the extremely poor condition of
the road. Sometimes
giant potholes have to be negotiated, caused by heavy lorries that get
stuck
and have to be dug out, creating walls of sand, mud and rock a few
meters high. There's a tarred section after Mamfé but
then
you'll run into piste again and this is hilly country, so again this
would be difficult if the track turns to mud. Once you hit
Bamenda the road south to Yaoundé is paved and in good
condition. The ring road is still difficult due to the two
bridges that are down. We did the small ring road outlined in
the
Rough Guide, but the direct route between Wum and Fundong is in
extremely bad condition and you'll be pushing over rock beds most of
the
way. Nice scenery on the road between Bamenda and
Yaoundé--paved all the way and traffic isn't too
heavy--watch
out for some steep climbs, though. Also beware of un marked
speed
bumps that pop up in strange places on highways. Eric hit one
of
these at full speed, flipped off his bike, broke his collar bone and
had to spend five weeks recovering in Bamenda. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Cameroon
will
seem very modern if you're coming from Nigeria. Accommodation
is
usually clean and relatively comfortable. Bargaining usually
goes
down well and you might be able to reduce the room price by up to 50%.
We normally paid between 4,000 and 6,000 CFA for a
double room. Avocados are
everywhere and they make a nice salad to go along with a spaghetti
omelette. Bakeries and patisseries are fantastic in the francophone
zone, but in the anglophone areas you'll mainly get Nigerian-style
bread and maybe some spongy baguettes. There's yogurt too,
but a
bit pricey at 300 CFA for a single-serving container. |
the locals | Cameroonians are a mixed bag. We met lots of friendly folks in the anglophone areas but met with some hostilities in the francophone region, in Yaoundé in particular. Unprovoked comments from passers-by such as 'tourists go home' didn't make us feel welcome. |
visas | We
got our visas in Calabar on the same day. You'll need a
handwritten request for the visa, 2 passport photos
and the cost is 50,000 CFA for 30 days. Extensions cost
another
50,000 for 30 days, and if you have a lot of patience, luck and strong
persuasion skills, you might obtain one in Yaoundé. |
money | 500
CFAs = 1USD 660 CFAs = 1 Euro You can use your VISA card to withdraw cash from ATMs in Bamenda and Yaoundé (and lots of other places too, no doubt). Mastercard is not linked to the networks in Cameroon. Apparently there are still some travelers who don't realize that you can't use West African CFA in the Central African zone (ie: Cameroon). You'll get good rates and honest service if you change with Muslim Hausa traders in Calabar, Nigeria. |
biking in equatorial guinea
routes & roads | The government is on a
paving spree
which makes for nice cycling. From Ebebiyin the road is paved
all the
way to Bata. A direct road between Bata and Cogo is in the
process of being paved so there's no need to take the long way through
Mbini if you're heading towards Gabon. When we passed in April
2007, all but the last 70 or so kilometers before Cogo were already
tarred. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Outside of Bata accommodation was between 4,000 and 6,000 CFA. Bata is pricey and most places we checked wanted at least 20,000--ouch! Finally got lucky and stumbled upon a hotel that had neither water nor electricity and let us have a room for 7,000 CFA. Water seems to be tricky to find in towns and cities--most people get theirs from open wells. Better to fill up in the countryside when you find a nice closed source of water. |
the locals | Since the country doesn't see many tourists you'll be a bit of a mystery. On the whole people are friendly and nobody will hassle you for handouts. |
visas | We got or visas in Yaoundé for 37,000 CFA. If you show up in the morning, you should be able to have same day service. |
officials | Entering
the country at
Ebebiyin, we were surprised to receive such a friendly
welcome
and impressed by the efficiency of the officials. Everything
went
well at the following roadblocks until just 25 KM before Cogo, where we
fell prey to a drunken military man. This was the only time
we
had to pay a bribe. At the marina in Coga the official also
demanded we pay a fee of 2,000. We were fed up and
refused
to pay, but the official was very persistent and followed us to the
pirogue and insisted we disembark. Standing our ground worked
and
we got away without lining the pockets of any more corrupt individuals.
Another cyclist who was traveling in the opposite direction was forced to leave his bike in Coga, travel to Bata by vehicle, obtain a tourism and photography permit (25,000 CFA, I think) and then return to Cogo before he was allowed to continue cycling. Very bad luck. |
money | 500
CFAs = 1USD 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in gabon
routes & roads | The road from Cocobeach to
Ntum
is unpaved but pretty well graded. Heavy
rains change everything of course. The road from Libreville to the
Congo border is paved until 50 KM south of
Lambaréné.
The piste is fairly well-maintained, but if there's a lot of
rain
you'll be sloshing about in puddles and wallowing in muck. A
potential problem area is between Mouila and Ndendé where
the
road frequently floods and water can be waist-deep for several days.
From Mouila to the border the road is in better condition. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Restaurants
are
almost all run by West Africans, usually Senegalese or Maliens.
You'll find authentic riz
gras if you're lucky, otherwise just
plain old rice with little flavor. Most items in cafeterias
are
between 1,000 and 1,500 CFA -- everyone seems to have the same
menu: Riz-Poisson, Riz-Viande, Omelette...not very inventive.
Street food is limited to bean sandwiches and brochettes for
the
meat-eaters. Supermarkets can be found everywhere and they're
usually well-stocked but expensive. If you've become addicted
to
Chococam Tartina spread, no worries..it's available all over Gabon at a
similar price to Cameroon. We found lodging to be fairly reasonable outside of Libreville. For a double room we normally paid between 3,000 and 5,000 CFA. Electricity and water cuts are rare. Case de Passage (3,000 CFA) run by Florence in peaceful Ndendé is a nice place to stay before heading on to Congo. In Fougamou try Auberge La Fifa (6,000 CFA), run by a friendly guy from Togo. Les Soeurs Bleues in Libreville allow camping for 3,000 CFA per person. Rooms at the mission are 7,000 CFA per person, although apparently the Africans pay just 7,000 per room. We protested and got to stay the third night for free. It's a peaceful place to stay and not inconveniently located as it says in the LP. Another plus is the use of a fridge. The mission in Lambaréné only offers camping--2,500 per person. Don't go to Hotel Rotin Palace in Mouila if you want a good night's rest free of rats. Hotel Elibana (4,500 CFA)-run by a guy from Mali --is a better bet. Clean and 'urinating in the shower' is forbidden. In many hotels the shower doubles as a urinal--disgusting and smelly. |
the locals | The Gabonese are very polite people and in the villages everyone you pass will greet you with a bonjour madame (or monsieur). Police and immigration are friendly, professional and even helpful at times. You won't be asked to pay any extra formality fees. |
visas | Should be a straightforward, one-day process in Yaoundé. Only requirement is two passport photos. Cost is 35,000 CFA for 3 months. Flip-flops and shorts won't go down well at the embassy. |
money | 500
CFAs = 1USD 656 CFAs = 1Euro You can use your ATM card at several different banks in Libreville--visa only. |
biking in congo-brazzaville
routes & roads | Roads are tough going from
the
Gabon
border to Brazzaville and during heavy rains progress will be slow.
We heard mixed reports about the security situation around
the
Pool region where the Ninja rebels have their stronghold.
This
stretch of road is also notoriously rough, so taking the train, as we
did from Loutete, might be
the best option. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Not
much to say about the food which seems to get increasingly bad as we
head further south.
Outside of Brazzaville prices for lodging are reasonable for
the
region. Best budget option in Brazzaville is the
Sacré
Coeur Mission which offers spacious and comfortable rooms in a quiet
part of town. Renovations were underway in June 2007, so
prices
may go up. We paid 8,000 CFA ($16)for a double which was a
bargain compared with other budget options. |
the locals | The country doesn't see too many travelers, so locals are generally eager to speak with any foreigners they come across. We had some hassles at the border coming in from Gabon where are bags were thoroughly searched and the immigration officials tried hard to get us to pay an extra fee. There are lots of police posts where you will be required to register. This is normally just a minor hassle and officers will probably just ask you to give them a bit of money for a soda or fuel for the generator. We never donated to these needy officials. |
visas | We got our visas at the border for 30,000 CFA--valid for 15 days. This should be standard procedure, but the police wanted us to prove we were tourists. Everything worked out in the end, but you may want to get the visa beforehand to avoid any possible problems. |
money | 500
CFAs = 1USD 656 CFAs = 1Euro |
biking in democratic republic of congo
airports | We can't say much about roads because we flew between Kinshasa and Goma. The airport in Kinshasa is pretty chaotic and services are very limited. Transportation to the town center is expensive--taxi drivers were asking 30 USD. Bravo Air Congo operates a bus service from its office to the airport which is very convenient. |
food & lodging | Pricey. The mission places is Kinshasa were charging 60 USD. A cheap room will be around 20 USD and you won't be getting much for your money. Goma is much more reasonable. Don't miss the Salt and Pepper Indian Restaurant across from the barracks of the UN Indian contingent in Goma if you get stuck in this dusty town. |
the locals | We didn't spend much time in the country it's hard to form an opinion about the Congolese. Friendly enough but a lot of them were looking for a way to hustle us. The officials at the Goma crossing into Rwanda were helpful and professional. |
visas | We got our visas in Brazzaville. Cost was 35,000 CFA. The usual two photos are required and if you drop off the application in the morning, you can pick up the visa in the afternoon. |
money | 500
Congolese Francs = 1USD (June 2007) Dollars are very useful in DRC. ATMs at the ProCredit bank in Kinshasa distribute dollars--max is $500 at the machine and $2,000 if you can inside to see a teller. |
biking in rwanda
routes & roads | Fantastic scenery, smooth
tarmac
and sane drivers--a cyclist's dream. You'll probably can't go
wrong no matter what route you choose. Well, you have to
enjoy
long climbs and there are some killers in Rwanda. It is
probably
the cleanest country we've seen so far in Africa. Villagers take care
to plant flowers and hedges in front of their simple homes and take
pride in their country. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
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food & lodging | We
loved the
all-you-can-eat lunchtime buffets in Rwanda. They're a
bargain at
around 600 francs. You can fill up on salad, chips, rice,
spaghetti, beans, matoke, and various vegetables. Best places
to
eat are the small restaurants attached to budget hotels.
Lodging
is also a bargain, although there's not as much choice as in
neighboring Uganda. Here are some recommendations for those
on a
budget:
|
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the locals | The locals are extremely friendly and welcoming. Kids go mad when they see foreigners, but can be helpful pushers during the hard slogs uphill. | ||||||||||||
visas | Americans receive 30 days at the border for free. Many nationalities, including French citizens, need to apply in advance at an embassy or online (www.migration.gov.rwa). In theory within two days you should receive an 'Entry Facility' form which should then be printed and presented at the border. In practice this system doesn't work very well. Eric applied numerous times online without response. Fortunately, when we turned up at the border the missing 'Entry Facility' was no problem and he was granted a 15 day visa for a fee of $60. This fee must be paid in dollars. | ||||||||||||
money | 550
Rwandan Francs = 1USD 630 Rwandan Francs = 1 Euro (July 2007) |
biking in uganda
routes & roads | Predatory driving is the
main
problem in Uganda. The road between Mbarara and Kampala is
particularly dangerous due to the lack of shoulder and crazed mini-bus
drivers. North of Kampala up to Masindi is far quieter.
Pistes can be in pretty deplorable condition. Lots
of dust
and rocks between Masindi and Kyanjojo. Another very bad 35
Kilometer stretch just after Ishaka/Bushenyi heading towards the Rwanda
border at Kagitumba. Some great cycling nevertheless.
The
minor road along near Lake Bunyoni should not be missed. Ask
locals as this is not indicated on the Michelin map. You'll
see
wildlife cycling through Queen Elizabeth National Park and the road is
flat, in excellent condition and there is limited traffic. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
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food & lodging | Indian
food is pretty widely available in the bigger towns. Chapatis
are
a great filler-up for hungry cyclists and can be found even in very
small villages. Don't miss Masala Chaat House in Kampala, they whip up
a mean thali for lunch (6,000 USH). Chips and omelettes are
standard vegetarian fare and of course the old favorite, rice and
beans. Salads and yogurt aren't too difficult to come across. Hotels are good value compared with West and Central Africa. We normally paid around 8,000 Ush in mid-sized towns and in villages around 4,000 Ush. It definitely pays to take a look around as standards vary considerably from hotel to hotel in the same price range. Below are some recommendations. We go for basic budget places that are quiet and clean.
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the locals | If you don't mind passing your days being chased after by wild groups of children shouting Mzungu, you'll have a great time in Uganda. Locals are friendly but have no concept of time or distance. Forget about asking them how far it is to the next village and how long it will take to cycle there. One guy might say 5 kilometers and the next 50. Watch out for over-charging. Where tourists have passed they'll say a chapati costs 500 shillings when it's really 200 and even trivial things like sweets will triple in price. When you let it be known you didn't just hop off the overland truck, they'll laugh and sell you things at the normal price. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
visas | We got our visas at the border for 30 USD. This must be paid in US dollars--there are people at the border ready to change but you'll get a better rate in Kampala or Kisoro. It's a speedy, hassle-free process. There is no $20 student visa as the Lonely Planet mentions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
money | There
are ATMs
in all major towns. Stanbic Bank has new ATMs in all branches
where you can withdraw 800,000 shillings in one transaction. 1,650 Ugandan Shillings = 1USD 2,250 Ugandan Shillings = 1 Euro (July 2007) |
biking in burundi
routes & roads | We had
good paved roads
from the Rwanda border up to Mabanda, 30 kilometers shy of the Tanzania
border. Very scenic route coming in from Rwanda , but be
prepared
for some hard climbs. The descent into Bujumbura is
spectacular
with 30 kilometers of blissful cruising downhill. There are
villages every few kilometers the entire length of the country apart
from this descent and the area near the Tanzania border. When
we
passed (July 2007) the road into Bujumbara was being patrolled at
regular intervals by
the military . There's lots of traffic, so
probably little security risk. The road south of Bujumbura to
Nyanza Lac is almost all flat. After Nyanza Lac the road
climbs
steeply up to Mabanda, so it's probably better to spend the night in
town and tackle the climb in the morning. The immigration
post, if
you're heading on to Tanzania, is just outside of Mabanda so be sure to
stop there and get your exit stamp. We really enjoyed this
small
country and highly recommend it. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | We
found lodging to be fairly good value. Don't miss the Ganga Guest house
88
kilometers from Butare--great views of the surrounding mountains and a
real deal at 7,000 Francs. In Bujumbura The Rossignol Inn
(10,000 francs)near the Finance Ministry has quiet, good
value
rooms with attached bath and a very friendly family running the place.
There's a basic and not so clean Catholic Resthouse
in Nyanza Lac. Try the wholewheat bread and cakes at Kappa Bakery in
the capital and say hello to the warm-hearted Cypriot owner. |
the locals | We had a great time trying to communicate with the local people. They liked to chat and accompany us as we rode. The kids are a big help if your legs are collapsing on some of the climbs. |
visas | We got our visas at the Kayanza border post. 20 USD for three days. Extensions are straightforward at the immigration office in Bujumbura. Cost is $1 per day with a 5 day minimum. The usual two photos are required and if you drop off your passport in the morning, you can pick up the visa extension in the afternoon. |
money | 550
Burundian Francs = 1USD 750 Burundian Francs = 1 Euro (July 2007) You can change money at the border, but rates are better in Bujumbura. To the best of our knowledge, there are no ATMs that accept international cards. You'll get a better rate at the Forex offices than if you change on the street. If you need to change money on a Sunday try the guys who hand out in front to the Hotel Novotel. They can also give you directions to the Rossignol Inn, but they might tell you its a dirty place without security (untrue!). |
biking in tanzania (western)
routes & roads | We entered Tanzania from
Burundi at
the border post of Manyovu. It's a 66 kilometer ride on a
fairly
rough road from there to the center of Kigoma. We debated
taking
the inland route through Kasula, Katavi National Park and on to
Sumbawanga, but in the end decided against it. We were told
by
expats and locals alike that the road is in extremely poor condition,
the region is very desolate with few villages, there is
little
traffic (perhaps two vehicles a day) and long stretches with no
possibility of finding water. Tsetse flies are also a problem
in
the National Park. One French guy who had done the trip in a
4WD
said it took him an entire day to drive 100 KMs. That said,
we
were in contact with a Swedish cyclist who did the route so it is
possible if you're really hard-core. He said it's definitely
not
easy cycling and he had to resort to getting water from streams.
In the dry season this might not be feasible. Easier travel is via the MV Liemba which leaves Wednesday afternoon and arrives in Kasanga Friday morning. A first class cabin costs $62 ($65 if you go all the way to Mpulugu), payable only in US dollars. Tickets go on sale Monday morning. When we arrived at the ticket office early Monday morning we were told that all first class cabins had already been reserved. After a little insisting that we needed our own cabin the ticket agent scribbled our name in the reservation book and sold us the tickets anyway. Other tourists who arrived the day of departure were also able to get first class cabins. Decent food is available on board for 2,500 schillings per meal. The cabins have a sink and a shower is also available, although our fellow tourists complained of the lack of cleanliness--Amaya found it to be better than a lot of other places we'd endured. There's not much in Kasanga but it's a pleasant enough village and there's a guesthouse and small restaurant. There's a shortcut between Matai and Mpui, so you don't need to go all the way back up to Sumbawanga, as many locals might suggest. This shortcut road is in good condition, in fact better condition that the main 'highway' between Mpui and Tunduma. This is because the shortcut road is narrow so there are no heavy trucks passing that way. Here's a rundown of villages you'll pass: Kasanga Kawala Kisumba-Kasote: Guesthouse here and small restaurants Limba Mkaowe Mbuza It's 67 kilometers from Kasanga to Matai. Matai: try Santa Maria Hotel (it's a restaurant) for tasty food from the friendly Rwandan owner After Matai you need to get on the shortcut road. At the intersection, take a right out of town. Then a couple more kilometers along this road you'll have to take a left towards Munga. If you keep going straight you'll end up in Zambia. The road is fairly flat and there were no corrugations and not too much sand. Here's the list of villages you'll pass: Munga Kalalasi Itegresha Chilesha Kambo Mwazte: Guesthouse and Restaurants, from here there are a couple of roads heading in different directions so make sure you get the road to Mpui--there's a signboard, but you could easily miss it so ask for directions. Musoma Ilembo Mpui From Matai to Mpui it's also 67 kilometers. After Mpui there's quite a bit of traffic and the road is badly corrugated in some places and there are some sandy spots as well. You'll probably have had enough of the piste when you arrive in Tunduma. Laela (35KMs) and Dalambo (120 KMs) are the only towns between Mpui and Tunduma. Getting water can be a problem as there are few villages with wells. Stock up when you can. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
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food & lodging | Western
Tanzania
is
a bargain for lodging. We never paid more than 7,000
schillings.
Food is nothing to write home about. The culinary
highlight
for vegetarians is the Chipsi Omelette. Here are some hotel
recommendations:
|
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the locals | Compared with neighboring countries, locals get much less excited about two passing Wzungu on bicycles. Friendly but reserved was our general impression of Tanzanians. We were very well received in the villages where we camped and there was no expectation of payment or demands of gifts. | ||||||||||||
visas | We
got our visas in Kampala--$50, payable only in US dollars. It
is
apparently possible to get a two-week transit visa for $30 in Kigoma.
At the border you are supposedly able to get 3 days entry
(for
free) enabling you to get to Kigoma and sort out the visa.
This
is what the immigration officers told us, but things change so best to
confirm this before setting out without a visa. If you take the MV Liemba all the way to Mpulunga, Zambia don't forget to get your exit stamp in Kigoma. In theory it's possible to get the stamp in Kasanga, but this could be a very short stop (as it was for us) and extremely hectic. The boat might just pull away will you're still waiting for the officer to find the right stamp. |
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money | There
are ATMs
in most towns. Maximum withdrawal per transaction is 400,000 shillings.
If you're coming from Burundi, change money on the Burundi
side. 1,200 Tanzanian Shillings = 1USD 1,700 Tanzanian Shillings = 1 Euro (August 2007) |
biking in malawi
routes & roads | Malawi has a fairly good
network
of paved roads and is pleasant for cycling. Around the lake
you'll find lots of guest houses(usually run by foreigners) which offer
comfortable accommodation and camping. The rough,
19
hair-pin bend ride up to Livingstonia is worth it. We stayed
at
the Mushroom Farm (run by a friendly Australian) and had a fantastic
camping spot overlooking the lake and the mountains. If you
want
to self-cater, stock up on food in advance, because not much is
available in Livingstonia itself. Malawi has probably got the
best back-packer vibe on the continent, so if you're in to hanging out
with other Westerners, this is the place for you. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | Prices
for
camping are reasonable at between 400 and 600 kwachas per person.
Camping in villages is possible, although the villagers in
the
one we stayed at seemed disappointed when we left. Had they
enjoyed our company so much or were they expecting a little monetary
compensation for fetching us a bucket of water to bathe with?
Supermarkets stock a limited range of goods in most
reasonably-sized towns. In Lilongwe, there's a big Shoprite
and a
Spar where everything imaginable is available, albeit at higher prices
than in South Africa. Along the roadside you'll find many
shacks
selling home-made french fries. A bit greasy, and not as
tasty as
in Tanzania, but they'll fill you up in a pinch. |
the locals | It
seems
everybody loves the good-natured Malawians. The kids,
however,
can try your patience with their constant request for money and pens.
|
visas | Immigration
is fast and efficient and there's no cost for the 3-month visas. |
money | There
are ATMs
in most towns. Maximum withdrawal per transaction is 2000 Kwachas.
150 Malawian Kwachas = 1USD 225 Malawian Kwachas = 1 Euro (September 2008) |
zambia
routes & roads | Major roads in Zambia are in
good condition. The road from
Chipatas to South Luangwa National Park is another story.
It's
rough going with corrugations, sand and potholes. Not much
fun
really. If you want to visit the park consider catching a
lift
with other tourists or using local transport. Zambia is
actually
quite hilly and only really flattens out about 100 kilometers from
Lusaka. The Lusaka-Livingstone stretch is fairly flat with
the
exception of one 'pass' not far from Lusaka. Winds will make
a
difference in how fast you go. If you're heading southwest,
they
should be favorable. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | We
only camped in Zambia because guesthouses are pricey. Even
campsites will set you back $5 per person. Discounts are
possible. Wild camping shouldn't be a problem because there
are
lots of open spaces.
Food is nothing special and the pricey Shoprite in Lusaka is
really only for the rich. But if you want to splurge, most everything
is available. If you're heading south, don't worry because
the
food situation will be looking up soon. Those little roadside
shacks serving up rice and beans start to disappear and self-catering
starts to become the norm. |
the locals | Zambians struck us as very happy people. If you're fed up with all the attention you received in Malawi, you'll be relieved to cause much less of a stir in Zambia. |
visas | Be sure to arrange for a visa waiver before you reach the border. If you're coming from Malawi, contact Flat Dogs or Wildlife Camp and they'll put your name on the waiver list as long as you give them a few days advance notice and provide them with your personal details. Of course you should then stay with them at South Luangwa and book a safari. If you're coming from Namibia, Jollyboys in Livingstone should also be able to arrange a visa waiver for you, although I believe its a bit more complicated process and you must book some sort of package. Visas are expensive at 60 USD a pop, so a waiver is worth the extra effort. |
money | There
are ATMs
in most towns. Maximum withdrawal per transaction is 2,000,000. 3,650 Kwachas = 1USD 4,928 Kwachas = 1 Euro (September 2007) |
zimbabwe
routes & roads | Not much we can say about
routes and roads because we just went from Vic Falls to the Botswana
border. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | When
we visited
Vic Falls in late September 2007 there was food available at the
guesthouse,
but the supermarket shelves were looking pretty bare. |
the locals | We've met lots of Zimbabweans all over Africa and we like them a lot. Too bad the country is such a mess. It seems everybody from Zimbabwe (blacks and whites) absolutely loves the country and can't wait to return. As I said, we've talked with more people from Zimbabwe outside of the country than inside it. |
visas | You can get your visa hassle-free a the border for 30 USD. |
money | Everybody knows about inflation in Zimbabwe so there's not much point in quoting exchange rates. We paid for our guesthouse in USD and brought in all the food we needed, so we never even changed any money. There are people on the street who want to change, but its probably best if you work through the guesthouse where you're staying or slip into one of the shops and get advice. |
biking in botswana
routes & roads | Your main concerns will be
finding water and avoiding dangerous wildlife. Between Kasane
and
Maun, there's really not much as far as settlements except for what is
listed below plus a couple of forestry checkpoints where you can get
water. Ask the locals for exact details as to where they're
located because we forgot to note the kilometers. Stock up on water and
hope the winds are blowing from behind. Most cyclists
traveling
southward have favorable tailwinds, but these can change at any time so
don't count on being pushed along to your next water source.
We
spotted elephants, giraffes and zebras while cycling this route, but
fortunately didn't encounter any lions. They're out there, so
think twice before wild camping.
|
||||||||||||||||
food & lodging | Accommodation in Botswana can be pricey. Camping will be at least $5 per person. Sympathetic lodge owners may give you a discount if you're raising funds for a charity. Several times we camped at police compounds. The officers were very professional and there was never any hassle. Fortunately, food is less expensive than in neighboring Zambia. The cheapest supermarket is Choppies. Kasane, Maun and Ghanzi have large grocery stores, but Nata only has a couple of small shops and a filling station(where everything costs more). Gweta has a filling station located on the main road where you can get some basic supplies and tasty fast food (pumpkin purée). Pandamatenga has overpriced and greasy fast food and a small shop on the main highway. | ||||||||||||||||
the locals | There's a noticeable white population in Botswana. Most lodges are run by them as well as many farms and shops. These people were incredibly kind to us. The (black) Botswanans were also very helpful, especially the police officers and staff at veterinary checks who filled our water bottles up. It's a sparsely populated country, so you just don't run into many people. | ||||||||||||||||
visas | Immigration is fast, efficient and free! | ||||||||||||||||
money | There
are ATMs
in most towns. 6.43 Pulas = 1USD 8.68 Pulas = 1 Euro (September 2007) |
biking in namibia.
routes & roads | If you decide to follow the
main
B1 highway heading south from Windhoek you shouldn't have any problems
finding food or water, but we're told it's almost dead straight and a
very boring ride. Apparently there's lots of traffic and not
much
of a shoulder so riding isn't really pleasant. If you set off
towards the desert, as we did, your main concern will be
finding water, although heat, high winds and sandy roads are other fun
elements to deal with. Not far outside of Windhoek, the road
turns into gravel. Conditions vary widely, and if the grader
has
been through recently you're in luck, if not you may have to push at
some points, as we did. Be sure to carry lots of water.
At
least six liters per rider for drinking, just to be on the safe side.
We were there in October and it was hot! When the
real heat
sets in around December you might want to think twice about following
this route. Stock up on food in Windhoek as not much is
available
in the small towns outside of the capital. The next
supermarket
you'll find is the Spar in Rosh Pinah. All in all, it's
probably
worth it to get off the main road and experience the intense beauty of
Namibia. Below is our route with distances in km from the the
Botswana-Namibia border.
|
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food & lodging | Namibia
is a
relatively expensive country which caters to high-end tourists and
budget accommodation will cost at least 25 USD. Camping is
the
best option, but it's not cheap either--approximately 5-7USD per
person. Given the vastness of the country, finding a place to
pitch your tent shouldn't
be
a problem. The only complication is that most of the country
seems to be fenced off. We normally asked at a farm if we
could
pitch the tent and were never turned down. In fact, often we
were
invited to stay in the house. Like in South Africa, most of
the
farms are white-owned, and these people seem to feel some solidarity
with Europeans. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the locals | Thankfully,
the tension between blacks and whites that
you find in South Africa doesn't seem to have spread across the border
into Namibia. We also camped at farms where only the black
caretaker was present, and were treated with great kindness and
hospitality. In general, Namibians are very friendly people
and
will gladly fill your water bottles if you stop a vehicle or welcome
you into their home if you pull up at a lonely farm. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
visas | Three month visas are available free of charge at the border. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
money | 7.5
Namibian Dollars = 1USD 11.5 Namibian Dollars = 1 Euro (July 2008) Same value as the Rand which is used interchangeably. ATMs in all towns and possibility to pay with Maestro card in supermarkets and campsites. |
biking in south africa.
routes & roads | South Africa is a beautiful
country blessed with a pleasant climate and good infrastructure which
makes it an excellent cycling destination. Most cyclists, and
tourists in general, follow the famous Garden Route along the coast.
We decided to give the crowds a miss and headed inland to
discover the Little Karoo and then the Great Karoo. These
areas
are also being developed for tourists and you'll find comfortable
guesthouses and campsites along the way. Our detailed log available here (Word file) |
food & lodging | In
three months we only paid for accommodation a handful of times.
Lots of people invited us to stay with them and campsite
owners
often let us stay for free after we explained our project and
fund raising for CAMFED. Locals will warn you not
to do any
wild camping and it's probably best to take their advice.
Camping at farms was never a problem for us, and we usually
had
the benefit of a hot shower inside the house. You'll probably
be
doing most of the cooking yourself or eating take-out from
the
supermarkets such as Shoprite, Pick and Pay or Spar. They
have a
great selection of fruits and vegetables and prices are reasonable
compared with Europe or North America. The in-store bakeries
and
delis are also good value for self-caterers. |
the locals | South
Africans are fantastically friendly. Tell them you're looking
for
a campsite or the local backpackers and there's a good chance you'll be
invited home. We arranged accommodation in Cape Town and
Durban
through Hospitality Club and had very positive experiences both times.
All the talk of crime can be disheartening,
but don't let it cast a negative spell over your travel experience.
We never got robbed, but the risk is real so be cautious.
If this had been our first African country and we had taken
to
heart everything the (white) South Africans told us about blacks, we
probably would have never continued further north. |
visas | Three month visas are available at the border at no cost. |
money | 7.5
Rands = 1USD 11.5 Rands = 1 Euro (July 2008) ATMs in all towns and possibility to pay with Maestro card in most shops. |
biking in lesotho.
routes & roads | The main highway is paved
and in
good condition and becomes quieter the further you get from Maseru.
There's one very steep, but manageable, 9 kilometer pass
before
reaching Oxbow, which is not a town, just a lodge and restaurant.
After Oxbow, the road starts gently climbing again and you go
over another series of passes. After Mokhotlong, heading
towards
Sani Pass, the road turns to gravel and is pretty steep in a couple of
places, although nothing like the descent back into South Africa which
is a series of rocky, corkscrew bends which will leave even the
toughest of cycle tourists pushing if he's been crazy enough to attempt
going up in
this direction. |
||||||||||||||
food & lodging | The
Shoprite in Maseru is well-stocked and prices are about the same as in
South Africa. Apart from the backpackers at Sani Top, there's
not
much in the way of budget accommodation, so again camping is the way to
go.
|
||||||||||||||
the locals | We
didn't spend
much time in Lesotho, but the locals we met were friendly and helpful.
The area near the capital, Maseru, is quite developed, but as
you
travel towards the interior, you'll see more poverty and be faced with
a fair amount of begging. We were there at Christmas-time and
the
bars were overflowing with workers on leave from jobs in South Africa's
mines. These drunks can be a menace. When we asked
locals if we could pitch our tent, we received a warm welcome. |
||||||||||||||
visas | Visas can be obtained free of charge at the border crossing. | ||||||||||||||
money | 7,5
Malotis = 1USD 11.5 Malotis = 1 Euro (July 2008) Same value as the Rand. ATMs in all towns and possibility to pay with Maestro card in supermarkets. Better to use Rands as Malotis will not be exchangeable in South Africa. |
biking in india.
routes & roads | There are a mind-boggling
number
of paved roads in India, most of them fairly well-maintained.
A
detailed map is essential if you want to stay off the main highways
where you'll be competing for space on the tarmac with an endless
stream of lorries and buses whose drivers make great use of their
horns. Locally produced maps are sadly lacking in detail, so
be
sure to get a good map abroad before you arrive in country.
India's got a bad reputation for overcrowding and hassles,
but if
you stay off the main roads you'll find cycling in the south
surprisingly pleasant and hassle-free. While many cyclists
prefer
to stick to the flat coastal route, we think the Western Ghats and the
rolling hills of Wayanad and Coorg (Kodagu) regions offer some of the
best cycling around. Here you'll find quiet backroads passing
through forests, rice paddys, spice fields and tea and coffee
plantations with hardly a lorry in sight. But be sure not to
follow the main highways, as again these will be noisy and congested
and you won't see much as you'll be concentrating on staying out of the
way off all the other vehicles. If you like climbs and cool
weather, visiting the hill stations of Munnar, Kodaikanal, Coonoor,
Ooty and Madikeri is a must. These towns are also good places
to
base yourself for day trips into the surrounding countryside.
The
downside is that during the Indian tourist season(mid-April to
mid-June) these places are packed and prices jump up. But
they're
a real haven from the heat if you're traveling during this period and
really your only option for comfortable cycling during the sizzling
summer months before the monsoon hits. |
food & lodging | Eating
in
India is paradise when compared with Africa. You can find
confusingly named
'hotels', which are places to eat--places to sleep
being
referred to as lodges--in even the smallest of villages.
Breakfast normally isn't served before 7:00 or 8:00.
You'll
get iddly everywhere and in bigger towns you'll find tasty masala dosas
and pongal, which is a healthier option since there's marginally less
ghee. A dosa costs between 10 and 20 rupees. In the
south,
coffee is almost as popular as tea and you'll have no problem finding a
steaming cup of the over-sweet Indian variety. Your best bet
for
lunch is 'meals'. An all you can eat bonanza of rice served
with
several different sambars (sauce)s and spicy vegetables plus curd and a
dessert in the
better restaurants. In villages, you'll pay as little as 15
rupees to stuff yourself and a decent mid-range restaurant will only
set you back between 30 and 40 rupees. Dinner is typically
eaten
a bit late, around 8PM. In bigger towns, you'll find North
Indian
restaurants serving up all the old favorites like aloo gobi and palek
paneer. South Indian restaurants usually have a repeat
performance of breakfast, more dosas and parotas plus 'meals'.
There's been an explosion of bakerys over the last few years
and
you can get cakes and sweets almost everywhere. Quality is
variable, but for 6 rupees a slice, who can complain. Lodging is cheap and in any mid-sized town you'll find something to suit your budget. 250-400 rupees should get you a comfortable room. If you're on a tight budget, you can find lodges offering simple rooms with sometimes doubtful hygiene for as little as 150 rupees. It pays to check out a few hotels, because standards can vary considerably. We've had pleasant and clean rooms with hot water and satellite TV for 250 rupees, and have seen filthy cell-like rooms where the manager was asking 400 rupees. In pilgrimage towns such as Kaniakumari and Palani there is accommodation run by the ashram. They offer good-value rooms and a quiet atmosphere. Wild camping is probably not feasible in many part of South India simply because there are people almost everywhere. That said, if you ask to pitch the tent on someone's property, you're unlikely to be turned down. Couples will have a better chance as locals may be suspicious of lone males, especially if they don't look 'respectable'. |
the locals | South
Indians are friendly and helpful. You'll probably not
encounter the hassles North India is so famous for.
They are, however, real sticklers for rules and seem to have
something against allowing bicycles into hotel rooms. They
will
invariably tell you to park your cycle outside and that security is no
concern. You'll have to use your powers of persuasion or
sneak up
the cycles when the manager's gone out for chai. |
visas | We
got
six month multiple-entry visas from the Durban consulate. It took 5
working days and required proof of a return flight ticket. Cost
600 Rands (ca 60 Euros). Visa starts the day it is issued, not the day
of arrival in India. Americans are able to obtain 10 year
visas, but these are normally issued in the USA only. |
money | 43
Rupees = 1USD 68 Rupees= 1 Euro (July 2008) |
biking in swaziland.
routes & roads | Swaziland's main
roads are paved and in excellent condition. It's a hilly
country,
so plan a little extra time to make it to your next destination.
The ride from Mbabane through the Ezulwini Valley is lovely.
We crossed the border into Mozambique at Namaacha.
There is
a big climb after leaving the valley, so be prepared. We were
told the road was flat all the way. Ha, Ha, Ha.
When will
we ever learn? |
food & lodging | The
Grifter's Backpackers in Mbabane is quiet, well-maintained and has
pleasant
grounds. The kitchen is clean and very well stocked.
Self-catering is easy in the capital, as you can stock up at the Shoprite or Spar which both have reasonable prices and excellent selection. There's a big Shoprite in Manzini as well. Definitely stock up if you're heading on towards Mozambique because prices are much higher across the border. Obtaining water shouldn't be a problem. Settlements are fairly close together and taps and pumps are plentiful. |
the locals | Having
spent so little time in the country its hard to form an opinion about
the Swazis. They were friendly enough and seemed very
accustomed
to foreign tourists . |
visas | Visas can be obtained free of charge at the border crossing. |
money | 7.5
Emalengenis = 1USD 11.5 Emalengenis = 1 Euro (July 2008) Same value as the Rand. Notes are used interchangeably but Rand coins are not accepted. ATMs in all towns and possibility to pay with Maestro card in supermarkets and campsites. |
biking in mozambique.
routes & roads | You'll probably be
riding on the National 1 for most of your cycling tour of Mozambique.
The
surface varies from excellent to badly potholed and in dire need of
repair. Fortunately, work is being done and, all in all, the
road
is in fine condition as far north as Inchope. There we headed
towards Tete on the N6 which is also paved and mostly in good
condition. North of Maputo the area is tropical looking with
coconut palms and lovely, well-kept villages and small settlements
every few kilometers. Later this changes to pure bush, and
the
region north of rio Save is very sparsely populated, so be sure to make
sure you've got plenty of food and water. If you're heading
to
the far north, all the way to Tanzania, you're definitely in for some
rough roads and a few crossings in dugout canoes. Check out
this
site for a few pictures and more information: Africa
and Beyond |
food & lodging | If
you're used to cheap street eats, you may be disappointed in
Mozambique. We found very little in the way of roadside
stalls
serving meals. In busier market town near the coast you'll be
able to find fish and possibly salad and some sort of fried mealie-meal
that is made into sandwiches. The only thing we found that
was
really tasty, cheap and readily available was the delicious bread.
Larger towns will have a Pasteleria, but these were mostly
out of
our budget range. Mostly we ate a lot of boiled egg sandwiches, made
better with mayonnaise that we bought along the way and never seemed to
go bad despite the heat. Well at least we never got sick.
The Shoprite in Maputo is very expensive compared with South African prices, although things were a bit cheaper in the Chimoio Shoprite. Be sure to stock up for weekends because everything closes around 2PM on Saturday and doesn't open again until Monday morning. Even simple Pensions will charge around 30-40 USD for a basic room. We normally asked at schools, churches, health centers or in villages if we could pitch our tent and were never turned down. Local people also allowed us to camp in their compounds. There are backpackers places in Maputo, Chimoio and all the beach resorts. The Pink Papaya in Chimoio no longer allows camping and we received a rather chilly welcome there. |
the locals | Mozambicans
are wonderful, warm people. Some of the nicest on the
continent
and they will really go out of their way to help you. Many
people
warned us to steer clear of the police who are known to try most
anything to get a little cash out of tourists. We were never
hassled by them and always treated with friendliness and respect. Except perhaps at the Mercado Municipal in Maputo and in some beach resorts, locals will never try to overcharge you at markets. Mozambicans seem to be very honest people and have not caught on to the idea of squeezing as much money as possible out of tourists. We didn't find communicating in Mozambique to be a big problem. Firstly, most everyone speaks Portuguese to some extent and you will be understood if you can speak a bit of Spanish. If you don't know any Spanish or at least a bit of French, communication will be much more challenging. Fortunately, there are also many Africans from neighboring anglophone countries (lots of Zimbabweans and Malawians) living in Mozambique and they always seem to pop up when you need them. Mozambicans are good communicators and don't get blocked with language barriers. In fact, communication is often easier than in Malawi, where people just don't seem to listen to what you're saying, and Tanzania, where many people expect you to speak Swahili. |
visas | We
got 30 days single entry visas from the High Commission in Mbabane
(Swaziland). We applied in the morning and could pick up the
visas in the afternoon. This 'express service' cost 85 Rand
(about 10 USD). 90 days visas are available for 285 rand
(about 35 USD). |
money | 24
Meticais = 1USD 37 Meticais = 1 Euro (August 2008) Standard Chartered Bank in Maputo near Fatima's Backpackers is a good place to withdraw money using your ATM card. |
biking in malawi: heading north.
routes & roads | Roads in Malawi are in good
condition and heavy traffic isn't a particular problem. |
food & lodging | Your
best bet for lodging in Malawi are the many foreign-run
campsite/lodges
dotting the lake. Local budget hotels, although cheaper than
camping, are noisy affairs and you'll get little sleep with the disco
down the street belting out music throughout the night.
Camping
in villages or finding lodging at a local mission are also good
alternatives. Malawi has lots of supermarkets, the most popular being the People's chain, better known as PTC. The German supermarket Metro also has many branches in Malawi. They often sell fresh bread and have good prices. The only drawback is that you often have to buy in large quantity. |
the locals | Malawians
really are very friendly people, but they have absolutely no idea about
distances so don't even bother to ask. You'll just end up
frustrated. The kids love to be photographed, so take
advantage
because Tanzanians are much more camera shy. Sometimes locals
will try to charge a Mzungu price in shops or restaurants.
Again,
be firm and don't let yourself get ripped off. This just
makes
these practices more common a spoils the trip for others who come later. |
visas | Most
nationalities can get a free visa at the border. |
money | 150
qwacha = 1USD 220 qwacha = 1 Euro (September 2008) At the Mozambique- Malawi border there are a few men hanging around who want to change money. You'll have to bargain hard, but you should be able to get a marginally better rate. There's also an official Forex office. |
biking in tanzania: heading north.
cycling routes & roads in tanzania | On our way
north, we entered Tanzania at Kyela border post and were face with a
long 50Km climb up to Tukuyu. From the Tukuyu the road
continues
to climb gently up to the Mbeya junction. From the junction,
heading east, the road drops quickly and we felt a real change in
temperature and terrain. Gone was the tropical scenery and
tea
plantations surrounding Tukuyu, and the scenery became dry and dusty.
The highway linking Mbeya, Iringa, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam
is
heavily traveled and we found cycling this stretch on the
whole
unpleasant. Some sections are very narrow, potholed and
trucks
and buses pass frighteningly close. Iringa definitely makes a
nice stop along the way. The setting is lovely and you can
spoil
yourself with some decent food. The ride through Mikumi National Park is interesting and we spotted lots of elephants, giraffes and zebras even though we were cycling there during the mid-day heat when animals are typically hard to see. In the village of Doma, a few kilometers after you exit the park if you're traveling east, you can find simple accommodation in a quiet guesthouse. The road between Dar es Salaam is paved and in excellent condition. Once you get outside of the city and its sprawling suburbs, the ride is pleasant with little traffic. The unpaved road linking Bagamoyo with the main highway is in reasonable condition, although a bit hilly at times. The road heading north to Arusha passing through Korogwe, Same and Moshi has less traffic than the Mbeya Dar es Salaam road. Although there aren't as many lorries, buses still speed past and we had a few close calls. The road is really quite hilly until you reach Korogwe, where it flattens out a bit. The 35 kilometer climb up to Lushoto is long, but the spectacular scenery makes it all worth the pain. After about 17 kilometers, you'll reach the village of Soni which has some small restaurants and a guest house. The road actually descends for a few kilometers and then climbs gently to Lushoto. From Arusha to the Kenya border the road passes through many Masai villages and the land has a stark beauty. |
food & lodging | By
the time we left Tanzania, we were thoroughly fed up with Chipsi Mayai
(a french fry omelette) and rice, beans and the green spinach-like
vegetable known as 'Chinese'. In Iringa, check out the "Seafood Restaurant" just off the main road not far from the Dallas Supermarket. This guy doesn't sell seafood, but he used to be the cook for an American missionary family and makes excellent cinnamon rolls, pizza, brown bread and muffins at very reasonable prices. Much cheaper (and better0 than the over-priced Hasty, Tasty too In Arusha, 'Arusha Pizza' at the end of the road near the cheap guesthouses does excellent pizzas at reasonable prices. The local market in Zanzibar also does some good street food after dark. 'Zanzibar Pizza" is on offer for much less than they charge the tourists at the overrated Foodhoni Gardens. Lodging in Tanzania is very reasonable apart from Zanzibar. Here you will pay at least $10 per person for a simple room at a budget hotel. Even in the low season, when many hotels stand empty, owners are unwilling to make discounts. But okay, you only live once and most people fall in love with Zanzibar, so you might as well splurge and visit the famed island. The Shoprite in Dar es Salaam isn't particularly well-stocked and its products are expensive. Some of the smaller Indian-owned shops have surprisingly good selection and decent prices. |
the locals | Tanzanians
are very polite and you'll always be greeted with a welcoming Karibu Sana. It is best to learn at least the basics of Swahili, because there are few English speakers compared with neighboring Malawi or Kenya. Many locals will often ask for payment if you take photos. Masai will almost always ask for payment, even if you ask for permission and they agree to have their photo taken. Even if you're just taking a picture of their village and no people are in the photo. We were friendly, but firm and insisted that taking photos of landscapes didn't require permission or payment. The best advice is to be careful where you point the camera when you're on Masai land. |
visas | We
got 90 day visas on arrival at the border. Cost is $50 for
most
Europeans, but $100 for Americans. Visa fees are payable in
US
dollars only. |
money | 1,200
Shillings = 1USD 1,600 Shillings = 1 Euro (October 2008) ATMs can be found throughout the country. There's a FOREX bureau at the Malawi/Tanzania border and lots of money changers who will give you a marginally better rate. Beware of fast fingers when they count the currency. |
biking in kenya.
cycling routes & roads in kenya | We
entered Kenya at the fast and efficient Namanga border crossing.
There's a Forex bureau if you need to change money.
If it's
closed there will be plenty of men lurking about who will be
glad
to do business with you. We were given a decent rate.
From Nairobi, we headed towards Lake Navaisha since we had decided not to follow the usual Isiolo-Moyale road into Ethiopia. We chose, instead to go via the western shore of Lake Turkana. There is a lot of climbing after you leave the capital, so make sure you get a good start. We were told to take the 'old road' to Limuru and then switched to the 'new road'. Lorries still pass on the 'old road' and we were told there were bandits in the forest as well. There are some security concerns, so its probably best to stick with the 'new road'. You'll have to climb to over 2,000 meters, but the view over the rift valley is spectacular. The western shore of Lake Turkana route had been suggested to us by the German guy who runs Jungle Junction in Nairobi. If you decide to do this route by bicycle, please take care and try to get accurate information on security. The missions are probably the best source for reliable information because the priests are used to traveling to outlying villages. We found the police and military to be quite useless at giving advice. They often have their own interests at heart and may tell you a road is very dangerous and then offer to escort you for an exorbitant fee, just to 'cover petrol costs' they'll say. If you decide to do the Lake Turkana route, avoid using the more direct route via Marigat, Loruk, Kapedo and Lokori. We took this route and strongly advise against it. There are SERIOUS security issues from Kapedo to Lokori. This 100 kilometers of road is uninhabited. Really uninhabited meaning there are no villages, no people, nobody. In a couple of spots the road branches and there will be nobody to tell you which road to follow. I know 100 kilometers doesn't sound like a lot, and somebody might be able to draw you a map, but the road is very sandy in spots and the route we took passed through rocky mountains and we had to push a lot. Plus you never know if the Pokots are lurking around. They come down from the hills to do scouting missions in order to steal cattle and goats later. They are not known to harm Westerners, but an unarmed cyclist might just be too tempting. The villagers in Kapedo did not alert us to these dangers. It was upon arriving in Kapedo that we were told of the risks. So if you want to go via Lake Turkana (some hard cycling but the tribal people are fascinating) you should follow the main road through Kitale up to Lodwar. The road to Kalekol is paved so that's not a problem. Once you leave Kalekol you've got a couple of options. The local people often travel directly on the lake front. Apparently the sand can be quite hard and makes for good cycling. When we passed, in early November, the rains had destroyed the tracks so this wasn't a possibility for us. The road is easy to follow once you're on it. The only difficulty we had was on leaving Kalekol where we took a wrong turn and ended up at a school. The locals showed us back to the road. Apparently there is another road heading off to your left which goes into the mountains. Don't take that one. There is little traffic on the road. You probably won't see more than a couple of vehicles per day. Don't count on just getting a lift if you're fed up with cycling. Oxfam and Merlin are both working in the area, so you will get some traffic. Plus the priests and people from the Catholic Diocese travel quite a bit. There are a fair number of villages where you can get some basic supplies, warm sodas, biscuits and such. Don't count on finding any restaurants or even somebody making tea. The road can be very sandy and you must pass through many (normally dry) riverbeds. For us, the going was very slow. Once you reach Omorate, you've got to cross the river. We hired 3 dugout canoes to take us across, one for us, one for the bags, one for the bikes. We paid 20 Birr, which was probably a pretty good price. If you go via Lake Turkana, you must get you exit stamp in Nairobi. The guys at the border will just take a look at your passport and take down your details in a ledger. They are very friendly on both the Kenyan and Ethiopian sides. Ethiopian formalities take place at the immigration office in Omorate (Kelem). It's apparently open 24 hours a day. Here's a list of places you'll pass:
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food & lodging | Small restaurants abound in Kenya, and food is very good value. Supermarkets also have reasonable prices and good selection. If you decide to go via Lake Turkana, the supermarket in Lodwar is well-stocked and its prices are fairly reasonable. In Kenya we were hosted by couchsurfers and at missions, so we can't comment on hotels. |
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the locals | We
really enjoyed chatting with Kenyans. Most speak very good
English and are surprisingly well-informed about the world.
They
are helpful, polite and knowledgeable. |
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visas | We
got 90 day visas on arrival at the border. Cost is $20 for
most
Europeans. |
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money | 80
Shillings = 1USD 103 Shillings = 1 Euro (October 2008) ATMs can be found throughout the country. There's a FOREX bureau at the Kenya/Tanzania border and money changers and shopkeepers who will also change. |
biking in ethiopia.
cycling routes & roads in ethiopia | We
entered Ethiopia from Kenya at the Omorate (Kelem)border crossing.
Immigration formalities take place in the large compound in
the
town center. In theory, immigration is open 24 hours. From Omorate the road to Turmi is in decent condition. From Turmi you could head towards Dimeka and Key Afar but the road is currently in quite bad condition. Upgrading is in process so the situation will soon improve. From Konso to Arba Minch the road is mostly paved. The road from Arba MInch to Sodo is being improved and is still pretty rough going most of the way. From Sodo, the road to Addis passing through Hosaina and Butajira is now entirely paved. This is a good alternative to the busy, main road passing through Shashemene. There is little traffic and the scenery is beautiful. Be prepared for some long, tough climbs. From Addis we took the main road to Gonder. From Gonder the road to Sudan is now in the process of being paved. Most of the way to Aykel is now tar and there's another section of tar before reaching Shehedi. Once you reach the Sudan border, the road is paved. |
food & lodging | Injera(the
local sourdough pancake-like staple) may not be everybody's favorite,
but we loved it. On Wednesdays and Fridays (traditional
fasting
days) it's served with lots of tasty vegetarian side dishes like
cabbage, spicy potatoes, beans and salad. On other days non
meat-eaters will probably have to stick to Shiro, a spicy dish
made of crushed beans and served with injera. In villages a meal shouldn't be more than 5 birr, better restaurants in towns charge 9 or 10 birr. Tourist restaurants may ask 20 birr for the same thing. The best breakfast food is fuul. Another spicy bean-based dish, it's always served with fresh bread. Cost is about 5 birr. Fresh fruit juices are delicious. Try the avocado, papaya, mango mix. Cost is normally 6 birr in cafes and fruit stands. Excellent coffee is widely available. Even small towns have restaurants with espresso machines. A macchiato costs about 2 birr. Cakes look tempting but are usually tasteless and disappointing. Large supermarkets are uncommon. Shops in Addis, Bahir Dar, Gonder and Arba Minch are reasonably well-stocked and goods are less expensive than in neighboring Sudan. Shops on Gonders main plaza are very expensive. Shops on the side streets and in Bahir Dar offer better deals. Lodging is cheap but quality is often very low. Village guesthouses cost between 15-20 Birr. Toilets are often smelly, fly infested pits. Showers are rudimentary or non-existent. Water is not usually a problem to obtain. We always filled up our bottles in the restaurants where we had meals. |
the locals | Yes,
the children really do throw stones. But not all of them.
What is most annoying are the constant cries of "YOU, YOU,
YOU"
and "GIVE MONEY". It's probably best to just ignore these people as
much as you are humanly able. Outbursts and anger will only
egg
them on. Outside of rural areas your only problem
with
locals will be overcharging, which seems to be something of an
acceptable local pastime. |
visas for ethiopia | We
got 90 day visas in Nairobi. Apply in the morning, pick-up
the same day in the afternoon. Cost is $20 for most
Europeans. Bring the usual 2 passport photos. Visa
fees are payable in US
dollars or Kenyan shillings. |
money | 10
Birr = 1USD 12 Birr = 1 Euro (November 2008) There is an ATM in Addis at the Sheraton Hotel which accepts international visa cards. There are also several other Dashen Bank locations throughout Addis where international ATMS have recently been installed. In Gonder the Dashen Bank now has an ATM which accepts international visa cards. Money can be changed with shopkeepers in Omorate (Kelem) but the rate may not be favorable. There are lots of people who want to change money in Metema. The rate is not good. |
biking in sudan.
cycling routes & roads in sudan | Within
a few months, the trials and tribulations of cycling through the Nubian
will be nothing but history. The last 400 kilometer stretch
of
unpaved road between Dongola and Wadi Halfa is being paved at
break-neck speed and if all goes according to plan should be finished
by mid- 2009. For now there's around 70 kilometers of paved road
outside of Wadi Halfa, plus another stretch of maybe 30 kilometers
north of Dongola that are tarred. In many areas the
foundation of
the road is already in place, so you can ride on a good hard-packed
surface. Plus there are a few stretches of road here and there that
have been paved. The downside of all this paving is that the new road no longer passes through all the beautiful villages that line the Nile. On the new road there are currently no road signs, so it is easy to cycle right past places like Abri without knowing where to turn. The road linking Atbara, Karima and Dongola is now entirely paved so this could be an alternative route to the traditional route passing along the Nile. The road between Wad Medani and Khartoum is very busy and dangerous due to the heavy traffic and lack of proper shoulder. Between Wad Medani and the Ethiopian border the road is entirely paved and there is far less traffic. |
food & lodging | We ate a lot of fuul
(mashed beans mixed with oil and spices)in Sudan. The taste
runs
the gamut from bland to quite tasty and even a bit spicy.
Otherwise there's not much else for non-meat eaters besides
falafel sandwiches, but they're really only found in Khartoum. Things get going rather late in Sudan, so food may not be ready until around 10AM, that's hard for cyclists who like to set off early in the day. Food is relatively expensive in Sudan--normal price for a bowl of fuul is 2 Sudanese pounds, tea is .50 pounds and soft drinks are between 1 and 1.50 pounds. There is no abundance of roadside restaurants in Sudan, so finding food can be a problem especially between Dongola and Wadi Halfa. It is best to stock up on processed cheese ( La Vache qui Rit is available in Khartoum and Wadi Halfa), jam, biscuits and a decent supply of bread. Water is less of a problem because you'll come across villages and water is always available in ceramic containers by the side of the road. This water stays cool, and though it's certainly not very sanitary since everybody's dipping in and drinking from the same germ-infested cup, a few purifying drops should keep illness at bay. Lodging is really a rip off. In Dongola the guy was asking 30 pounds for a very basic double room (Lord's Hotel) but we got him down to 20 and in Wadi Halfa at the Nile Hotel they're asking 7 pounds per bed in shared rooms. This place is really basic with dirt floors in the rooms-- at least it's reasonably clean and the pit toilets not too smelly. Your best bet is camping, certainly not hard to find a place for that in Sudan. We camped at some government type establishments in towns ( nice because showers were available) and also put up our tent in some of the shelters you find just off the main roads. These have the advantage of giving you some protection from the wind. A local family also invited us to stay with them and on two occasions locals opened up empty rooms in towns. We were thankful for the warmth and comfort. |
the locals | Sandwiched
in between the stone-throwing brats of Ethiopia and the aggressive
touts of Egypt, are some of the kindest, most hospitable people on the
planet--the Sudanese. You could turn up on just about
anybody's
doorstep and be welcomed in for a meal and a rest. The
Sudanese
really go out of their way to be kind to foreign tourists, to a point
that is almost embarrassing knowing that many people are of limited
means. Some may offer food out of a sense of obligation, so
it
may be better to refuse two or three times if the individual looks
rather poor. That way he can save face without emptying his
pockets or making his kids go hungry. |
visas for sudan | Obtaining
a tourist
visa for Sudan can be time-consuming and expensive. Getting a
14-day transit visa, on the other hand, is a relatively straight
forward process. In Addis we paid $100($61 for the actual
visa
and $39 for the application form--strange system) and after applying in
the morning, received the visas the following afternoon. We
presented a letter of recommendation from the French embassy,
although this is not mandatory. A Dutch family applying at
the
same time had no letter and still received their visas. You
will
need two color passport photos, plus a photocopy of the passport photo
page and a photocopy of the visa for the country you will be entering
after leaving Sudan. It is mandatory to have this visa (Egypt
if
you're heading north, Ethiopia going south) already in your passport before applying for
the Sudanese visa. You must pay for the visas in US dollars. No local currency is accepted. The embassy in Addis opens at 10AM. There was a long line when we were there, but foreign tourists are normally treated separately, meaning just wait to the side and you'll be let in as soon as the gate opens. According to the posted opening hours in Addis, the embassy receives visa applications only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We've heard you can turn up on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well, so why not try your luck. The staff in Addis can be surly. This is no indication of how you'll be treated in Sudan. After entering Sudan, you are supposed to register with the police within 3 days. Apparently the cost for this varies depending on where you register. We paid 87.50 Sudanese pounds ($40) in Khartoum. Of course more than three days had passed, but this didn't seem to be a problem. We needed to fill out an application, and submit two passport photos plus a letter verifying where we were staying. In our case the Blue Nile Sailing Club provided us with the letter. They seemed quite accustomed to doing this. The wheels of bureaucracy turn rather slowly in Sudan, and registering took an entire morning. The office in Khartoum is located near the American Embassy. If you do decide to enter Sudan on a transit visa and you're cycling, most likely you'll end up overstaying. This was our case (11 days too many) but we had no problems leaving the country or at any of the police checkpoints. Mention was never made of the expired visas. In order to cross the Nile at Dongola we needed a special permit from the police. This is just a simple question of going to the police and showing your passport. Then you'll get a piece of paper authorizing you to board the ferry and cross the river. If you don't have this silly piece of paper you will not be allowed to board the ferry. The manager at the Lord's Hotel can tell you where to go. He will also want to see this paper that the police give you. Don't let him keep it--as he did ours--but insist that he make a photocopy for his records. Sudanese are big fans of meaningless documents, but you've got to play along. |
money | 2.2
Sudanese pounds = 1USD 3 Sudanese pounds = 1 Euro (December 2008) There are no ATMs in Sudan that currently accept international cards. Dollars and Euros can easily be exchanged in Wadi Halfa, Khartoum and Gallabat/Metema. The best rates we found were in the FOREX bureaus in Khartoum. |
biking in egypt.
cycling routes & roads in egypt | Apparently
since December 2008, travelers are no longer forced to go by
convoy when they follow the Nile River, but you will still be subjected
to a fair number of checkpoints and escorts. Between Aswan
and
Luxor we were followed (for our own safety) by the Egyptian police on
several ocassions and found this highly annoying. From Luxor
we
headed inland to the Western Desert. Although distances
between
settlements are fairly long (about 200 kilometers on average) finding
water was never a problem for us. There are police
checkpoints
approximately every 50 kilometers and also ambulance centers known
locally as SAFF. The only area where there are no regular police
checkpoints is between Bawiti and Cairo. This stretch was no
problem for us because we found some ambulance centers and manned
antenna stations. There is a rest area about halfway between
Bawiti and Cairo, but everything is very expensive there and the place
is very dirty and depressing. Of course, it's an opportunity
to
refill your water bottles. I really enjoyed the ride through
the
desert, in particular the White Desert near Farafra. The
stretch
between Bawiti and Cairo is rather dull and with heavy traffic the
riding's not so fun. El Kasr is an excellent spot to rest up
for
a few days and visit the old Islamic city. Winds can be a
real
problem, normally coming from the north and sometimes east.
All
in all, I think it's worth the extra kilometers to make a detour into
the desert. From Cairo we headed to the Sinai via the tunnel at Suez. We were expecting a strong tailwind to push us south, but instead got stuck with crosswinds. The Red Sea Coast is quite developed with lots of resorts dotting the shore. The ride through the interior to St. Katherine's monastery was spectacular and traffic very light. Egypt's roads are all in good condition and we found the drivers to be reasonably safe. Except in Cairo which is sheer chaos. Be sure to allow yourself lots of extra time to traverse the city. |
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food & lodging in egypt | Coming
from sub-Saharan Africa, we found Egypt to be a culinary delight even
though we only ate at simple fast-food style restaurants.
Food is
cheap and shops are well-stocked if in small towns. For us,
the
variety was mind-boggling. In tourist areas you will be
regularly
cheated. Charged double or triple for simple things like
bread
and sandwiches. Very annoying but exhausting to insist on
paying
regular prices.Lodging is good value. In luxor we paid 30
pounds
(about 4 euros) for a comfortable room, with attached bath including
breakfast, use of the kitchen and internet access. Here are a
few
recommendations:
St. Katherines: Bedouin Camp, sheik Mousa Nuweiba: Petra Camp There are plenty of places to camp in the Western Desert. We also pitched our tent near the ambulance stations a couple of times and once at a police checkpoint, thereby having the advantage of readily obtainable water. |
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the locals | Egyptians
you meet that are in any way related to the tourist industry will
probably be trying to get money out of you in some way. Other
Egyptians are nice enough people, but don't particularly go out of
their way to help you as they do in countries like Sudan or Syria.
Women will do well to cover up, even their elbows.
Egypt is
the country in which I've had the most hassles from men, who don't seem
to leave women alone no matter what their age. |
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visas for egypt | We
got our visas in Ethiopia. You'll need to provide the usual
photos and present a bank receipt proving you've changed the
appropriate amount of money currently 235 Birr. A
separate receipt is necessary for each applicant unless you
are
married and have the same name on your passports. In theory
you
should be able to pick up the passport the following day, but the
Egyptians sometimes drag their feet. Politely pointing out
that
you need the visa ASAP will probably cut down on delays. |
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money | 5.5
Egyptian pounds = 1USD 7.5 Egyptian pounds = 1 Euro (January 2009) There are ATMs throughout the country. It is better to change your Sudanese pounds in Wadi Halfa than in Egypt. |
biking in jordan.
cycling routes & roads in jordan | Roads
in Jordan are excellent and well-lit near cities. We chose to
travel on the King's highway as far as Kerak and then swoop down to the
Dead Sea. You'll probably run into a few stone-throwing kids
on
this route. We had quite a few problems, but I think that may
have to do with timing since we were there right after all the
problems in Gaza and people were really stirred up. The
King's
Highway is very hilly so be prepared for some long and sometimes steep
climbs. We had very high winds on several occasions and cold
stormy weather. Be prepared with warm clothes. The
route
along the Dead Sea hugs the coast very closely
and affords some excellent views. The traffic on the Dead Sea
road is quite heavy in places compared to on the King's Highway. |
food & lodging in jordan | We
ate a lot of felafal sandwiches in Jordan. Food is more
expensive
than in neighboring Egypt. A sandwich will cost between 25
and 50
piastres. Everyone will want to rip you off at Petra but
over-charging isn't really an issue in the rest of the country. Lodging is relatively expensive and we only stayed in a hotel at Petra. No one ever turned us down when we asked to pitch our tent and twice we were invited in to spend the night in a family home. |
the locals | Apart
from the stone-throwing kids on the King's Highway and unscrupulous
shopkeepers at Petra, people are generally friendly and helpful in
Jordan. Americans may feel more comfortable claiming another
nationality. After identifying ourselves as French citizens,
many
locals expressed slight anti-Americanism. This is really more
of
an anti-Bush thing, but people also feel very strongly about the US
support of Israel. It is better never to bring up Israel and
change subjects if someone asks you how you feel about the Jewish State. |
the ferry between egypt and jordan |
Apparently the ferry tickets for the ferry from Nuweiba to Jordan go on sale the preceding day between 8-11 AM and after 8PM at the Nuweiba port. Not very convenient opening hours since the town is quite far from the port. We took the ‘fast ferry’ and I don’t recommend it. You’re totally enclosed with freezing air-conditioning and can’t go out on the deck plus they subject you to videos—no peace. The boat was running about 4 hours behind schedule so make sure you’ve got reading material and snacks.Cost for the fast ferry is $70 and $60 for the slow ferry. You must pay in US dollars. |
visas for jordan | If
you enter Jordan from Egypt at Aqaba, the Jordanian authorities will
take your
passport once you get on the boat and it will be conveniently waiting
for
you—all stamped and ready to go—at the port immigration office in
Aqaba. No cost for the visa and it’s valid for 15
days. Apparently, if you go to the
Immigration Office in Aqaba and register with them you won’t have to
pay the
departure tax (although it’s only 5 euros so maybe not worth the
trouble). |
money | .75
dinars = 1USD .92 dinars = 1 Euro (February 2009) There are ATMs throughout the country. There is a bank at the port in Nuweiba where you can change money. You will receive a better rate than if you change on the ferry. |
biking in syria.
cycling routes & roads in syria | Syria has some lovely, quiet
roads for cyclists. |
food & lodging in syria | We
continued to eat
a lot of felafal sandwiches in Syria. Food is cheap and
plentiful
and Damascus has got wonderful eateries. The bakeries are
full of
delcious cakes and pastries, so go ahead and indulge. |
the locals | Syria
gets our vote for 'most hospitable people on the planet.'
People will really go out of their way to make sure you have
a
comfortable stay in their country. Without fail, we were
invited
in to spend the night in villages we passed through and everyone
offered us tea and food. |
visas for syria | Make
sure you have absolutely no trace of a visit to Israel in your passprt
if you want to visit Syria. Even a little sticky patch on the
passport will raise suspicion of a sticker from Tel Aviv that has been
removed.
Although the official sign at the border says you must get
your
visa in advance, we got our Syria visas at the border upon entering
from Jordan and again when we re-entered after having visited Lebanon.
This isn't guaranteed, but it seems most cyclists have no
problem getting visas for Syria at the border. |
biking in lebanon.
cycling routes & roads in lebanon | Roads
in Lebanon range from good condition to pot-holed and dangerous.
Actually all roads are dangerous due to the Lebanese
themselves
who DRIVE LIKE MANIACS. And this is from someone who's just
spent
two years in Africa. |
food & lodging in lebanon | Lebabon is known
for its excellent cuisine. Unfortunately, we were on a budget
and didn't get to try much more than the felafel sandwiches.
They're cheap and tasty and can be found everywhere.
Supermarkets are well-stocked, mostly with products imported
from France which means things are not cheap. Lodging in Lebanon isn't much of a bargain. We stayed at small hotels twice and paid about $15 for a basic room with shared bath. This was off-season after bargaining hard. Campsites are available along the coast, but given the heavy rain we decided to splurge on a real roof. The country is heavily populated, so you'll have to look hard to find a secluded spot for wild camping. |
the locals | We
found the Lebanese mostly friendly but a sometimes a bit snobbish.
The disheveled traveler look doesn't go over so well as
Lebanese are very clothes conscious. |
visas for lebanon | You
can get a visa at the border. |
money | 1.54
Lebanese pounds = 1USD There are ATMs throughout the country. |
biking in turkey.
cycling routes & roads in turkey | Roads
in Turkey run the gamut for smooth tarmac to rough and pot-holed with
very little shoulder to ride on. This is especially
problematic
because trafic is relatively heavy in Western Turkey and there are lots
of lorries speeding by. The best cycling we found was on the Meditteranean coast between Silifke and Gazipasa and the scenic route on the North Aegean Coast. |
food & lodging in turkey | We
found lodging in Turkey to be relatively expensive and spent just two
nights in an inexpensive (15 lira) village guesthouse.
We
were often hosted by couchsurffers and the rest of the time we camped
or were invited by locals. Camping is possible most anywhere.
We asked at petrol stations, restaurants, mosques, schools
and
private homes and were never turned down. Restaurants also seemed quite expensive (we were spoiled in Syria) so we mostly did self-catering. Supermarkets are well-stocked and hypermarkets such as Kipa (a branch of Tesco) and German-owned Metro can be found in most large cities. The offer good prices on in-house brands and wide selection. |
the locals | Turks
have a well-deserved reputation for hospitality. They don't
go
out of their way quite as much as the Syrians, but they will definitely
try to help you if they can. We were often invited in for tea
and even offered accomodation on several ocassions. |
the dogs |
The dogs in Turkey are notorious for their aggressive behavior towards cyclists. This is also a well-deserved reputation. I'm generally quite feareful of large, snarling beasts running straight at me, but with some practice was able to deal with the dogs in Turkey. I found the best way was to confront the dogs head on. That means stopping and snarling back, raising my fists, growling and sometimes shouting phrases such as "Get back you nasty beast." To my great surprise, they normally obeyed. |
visas for turkey | Entering
Turkey for a period of up to three months in no problem for most
nationalities. The immigration procedures are quick and
efficient. |
money | .75
dinars = 1USD 2.22 = 1 Euro (February 2009) There are ATMs throughout the country. There is a bank at the port in Nuweiba where you can change money. You will receive a better rate than if you change on the ferry. |
biking in bulgaria.
cycling routes & roads in bulgaria | We followed the main road
between the Turkish border and Plovdiv. It was extremely busy
and there was not a good shoulder to ride on. The riding was
so dangerous we actually decided to buy helmets. From Plovdiv
to Sofia you can take the old highway which runs parallel to the new
super highway. It's in good condition for most of the way and
we enjoyed some quiet peaceful riding. Getting out of Sofia
can be a big hassle, so allow yourself extra time to navigate in the
heavy traffic. The highway has a good, wide shoulder for much
of the way going towards the Serbian border. And you can
enjoy more flat roads, a rarity around the world. Our route certainly wasn't the best or most scenic, but it was the fastest way to get from A to B. |
eating & sleeping | Supermarkets in
Bulgaria were on par with those in Western Europe as far as selection.
Prices vary greatly . We found Billa to be one of
the best. A bed in a youth hostel isn't cheap, so we lined up couchsurfing hosts in Plovdid and Sophia. Finding a spot to camp wasn't a problem. We asked at the village church and were always allowed to camp there. |
the locals | Some
people say Eastern Europeans can be cold, be we found the Bulgarians
friendly and helpful. |
visas for bulgaria | Bulgaria
is part of the Schengen zone. |
money | The
Bulgarian lev is fixed to the euro, one euro equalling 1.95583 lev. |
biking in serbia.
cycling routes & roads in serbia | Serbia is a good country to cycle in because roads are well-maintained and traffic is reasonably light. One of our favorite rides was right before Nis where we passed through a narrow gorge and a series of tunnels. |
eating & sleeping | Food is quite
inexpensive in Serbia as compared with its neighbors.
Bakeries serve up especially delicious pastries at minimal
cost and ubiquitous Borek makes a quick, filling and cheap lunch.
We stayed with couchsurfing contacts and once asked to camp
at a church and were invited to spend the night in one of the guest
rooms instead. The Serbians take their hospitality seriously. |
the locals | We
really loved the Serbs. They were by far the friendliest
people we met in the Balkans. Probably because they want to restore
their image and put an end to the post-war isolation. The war is still
a sensitive issue, so tread lightly. |
visas for serbia | No
visas are required for EU citizens. |
money | 1
Serbian Dinar = 94.94 euros (May 2009) |
biking in kosovo.
cycling routes & roads in kosovo | Traffic in Kosovo was heavy, especially the road out of Pristina leading to Macedonia. The riding is not particularly nice as one town fades into the next and you are rarely in the open countryside. |
eating & sleeping | Supermarket food
is reasonably priced and the pizza we splurged on in Pristina was a
real bargain at €3. There are loads of roadside motels in
Kosovo. How can they possibly have enough customers
to keep them filled? We spent just one night in Kosovo at the
home of a couchsurfing contact. I'm sure locals will let you
camp on their land if you ask. |
the locals | Very
friendly, especially towards Americans. Lots of cars honk as
they pass and call out welcoming greetings. |
visas for kosovo | No
visas are required for EU citizens. |
money | Kosovo
uses the euro as its official currency. |
biking in macedonia.
cycling routes & roads in macedonia | Macedonia is a beautiful country for cycling. The routes around Lake Ohrid are some of the best in the Balkans |
eating & sleeping | Prices for lodging
are a bit higher around Lake Ohrid, but in the off season you should be
able to negotiate a good price. Many locals will approach you
with offers to rent a room. |
the locals | Macedonia
is becoming a popular tourist spot, but locals still remain friendly. |
visas | No
visas are required for EU citizens. |
money | There
aer plenty of international ATMs throughout Macedonia. |
biking in albania.
cycling routes & roads in albania | Busy roads and a long climb between Elbasan and Tirana meant some tough cycling in Albania. The further you get from the capital the quieter the roads become, but still this is a pretty heavily populated country. |
eating & sleeping | We
continued with couchsurfing because lodging can be expensive in this
part of the world. Free camping near the border with
Montenegro
was no problem. We just asked at a small restaurant and were
immediately welcomed to pitch our tent. Food is cheap in
local bakeries and small restaurants. Tirana is chock full of
pricey cafes and international restaurants. |
the locals | Albanians
are wonderfully friendly people and you'll probably be invited to join
them for a cup of coffee or if you're passing. It's still a
very poor country and if you wander into the villages you'll be
startled by how backwards out of the way places are. |
visas for albania | No
visas are required for EU citizens. |
biking in croatia.
cycling routes & roads in croatia | Everybody seems to want to plan a holiday to Croatia these days. Even in the off season roads are jam-packed with European tourists cruising by on motorbikes or winding their way along the coast in campers. And don't forget about the coaches crammed full of retirees blazing along and blaring their horns at poor cyclists. If you're imagining biking along quiet coastal roads, think again. You'll be sharing the country with more foreigner tourists than any other place in the Balkans. |
eating & sleeping | Ouch.
Everything's expensive in Croatia. Expect prices
more on par with Western Europe than Eastern Europe. Croatia
would be a good spot to dig out your credit card or become an expert at
stealth camping. |
the locals | Anywhere
you have a lot of
tourists you'll have grumpy locals. People were pretty nice
to us
in April, but I imagine by August they've had enough of the tourist
invasion and patience is wearing thin. |
visas for croatia | No
visas are required for EU citizens. |
biking in bosnia.
cycling routes & roads in bosnia | Bosnia sees far fewer tourists than Croatia, so you can find some enjoyable back road riding. |
eating & sleeping | Prices in Bosnia
are also more reasonable than Croatia, but still not ultra-cheap.
We were able to camp at churches. |
the locals | The
locals are great in Bosnia. Very friendly and understanding
if
you ask to camp. |
visas | No
visas are required for EU citizens. |
slovenia.
routes & roads | Slovenia has a well-deserved reputation as a cyclist's paradise. A compact country with stunning landscapes and sane drivers. |
eating & sleeping | Free
camping and couchsurfing are the way to go in Slovenia.
Official
campsites are way out of the budget range for most long-distance cycle
tourers. Discount supermarkets, on the other hand, offer real
deals. |
the locals | Slovenians
aren't gushing over
with friendliness, but they like cyclists and will want to know all
about your tour once you get talking. |
visas | Slovenia
is part of the Schengen zone of EU countries. |
money | The Euro is the official currency in Slovenia. |
italy.
routes & roads | There are too many people and too many towns in northern Italy to make cycling really pleasurable. The best cycling we found was around Lake Garda. It pays to take time when planning your cycling route so you can avoid major highways and stick to the backroads. Get a good detailed map for the most enjoyable tour. |
eating & sleeping | An ice cream a day
should be required eating for all bikers in Italy. Don't miss
the ubiquitous gelaterias.
Plenty of discount supermarkets can be found on the outskirts
of
all towns, so if you're on a budget no worries about food costs.
Of
course if you want to eat well, you've obviously picked the right place
for a cycling tour. Free camping can be tricky, but is
possible
in Northern Italy. Sympathetic farmers invited us in for the
night and we also camped at a missionary training center.
Couchsurfing is your best option if you're on a budget. |
the locals | Italy
is a cycling nation and
you will see hundreds of lycra-clad men speeding by on racing bikes.
They seem to be a little suspicious of cycling tourists,
probably
because we're not dressed in expensive brightly colored lycra cycling
gear. We found Italians to fall in two camps--incredibly
friendly, or a little grumpy. |
biking in switzerland.
cycling routes & roads in switzerland | We loved cycling in Switzerland. What a pleasure it was to have a whole bike lane all to ourselves. It is a beautiful country with an excellent network of cycle paths. Be sure to get a special bikers map so you can find all the right roads. |
eating & sleeping | Everybody
know that
Switzerland is expensive. Again, make contacts with
couchsurfers
or folks from Warm Showers or you'll end up spending a fortune on
lodging. Free camping is tricky because the Swiss tend to be
a
suspicious lot. |
the locals | The
Swiss like and respect cyclists and will be interested in your tour. |
visas for switzerland | No
visas are required for EU citizens. Us Citizens 3 months on
entry. |