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MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · AFRICA
Equator Motorcycle Trip Go West - Accra to Cape Town
This equator motorcycle trip takes you on a compact stage along the west coast of Africa - from Ghana to South Africa. A motorcycle adventure that we conduct only once a year with rental motorcycles for a limited number of riders.
How long?
29 Days
When?
January
Price
€ 10,089
/ Person
The Journey
Trans-equatorial motorcycle expedition - Go West
The Equator motorcycle trip Go West starts in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Here you will meet the group and take over your rental motorcycle for the ride along the West African coast to South Africa. Over 7,900 kilometers, you will experience the African continent on one of the most challenging trans-equatorial motorcycle expeditions that we have been conducting as a motorcycle tour operator since 2016. On this route, you can expect Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. After receiving the motorcycles, checking the equipment, and a tour briefing in Accra, it starts - on one of the wildest motorcycle trips across Africa.
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
01
Equator route along the west coast
01
Equator route along the west coast
Travel from Accra to Cape Town along the Atlantic and cross several climate zones of Africa on the equator motorcycle trip.
02
Culture and History of West Africa
02
Culture and History of West Africa
Experience the Voodoo land Togo and make a stop in Ouidah in Benin at the 'Way of No Return', an important site of slavery history.
03
Offroad and bush stages
03
Offroad and bush stages
Crossing through the bush of Cameroon, you travel off paved roads - remote and challenging sections of this motorcycle tour on the West Coast of Africa.
04
Ten countries over 7,900 kilometers
04
Ten countries over 7,900 kilometers
From Ghana through Nigeria and the Congo to South Africa, you will traverse ten countries on this TransAfrica route in one journey.
05
Gorilla encounter in the Congo
05
Gorilla encounter in the Congo
In the Republic of Congo, you will stay overnight in a camp with the gorillas and take a speedboat to the last silverbacks of the region.
Days 1-29
Accra - Arrival and tour briefing
In Accra, the capital of Ghana, you meet the group and your OVERCROSS team. After receiving the rental motorcycles, the equipment check and a detailed tour briefing are on the agenda. This is where your equator motorcycle journey along the west coast of Africa begins, and you prepare for the upcoming weeks between Ghana and South Africa.
Accra - along the Gulf of Guinea
Early in the morning, you leave Accra and ride along the West African coast along the Gulf of Guinea towards the Togolese border on your motorcycle journey. Palm-lined coastal roads and the first contact with the rhythm of West Africa accompany you. At the end of the day, you reach the border crossing where your Trans-Equatorial motorcycle expedition heads for the first neighboring country.
Lomé - through the Voodoo Land Togo
After the border crossing, you dive into Togo, known for its vibrant Voodoo culture. On the narrow coastal road, the motorcycle trip takes you along the West African coast past Lomé and small fishing villages. The traffic becomes denser, the impressions more intense - Togo is a brief but formative chapter of your equatorial route towards Benin.
Ouidah - Way of No Return
In Benin you stop in the legendary Voodoo stronghold of Ouidah. At the 'Way of No Return' you take a few minutes to remember - over 200,000 people were enslaved and transported to other continents here. For your Trans-Africa motorcycle trip, this place marks a symbolic turning point before you continue towards the Nigerian border.
Nigeria Border - Drive to Lagos
Through the heavily trafficked coastal road, you reach the border crossing to Nigeria. After the time-consuming border formalities, you make your way through dense traffic to Lagos. Your motorcycle journey from Ghana to South Africa reaches one of the largest metropolises in Africa here, where Philipp awaits you, who has organized the routing through Nigeria.
Lagos - Rest day in the metropolis
In Lagos you enjoy the comforts of a hotel and take a rest day. You discuss the next stage through Nigeria with Philipp, because in the country there seems to be a checkpoint every ten kilometers. Thanks to the booked escort service, you are allowed to pass these on your motorcycle tour along the West African coast without having to stop each time.
Lagos - eastward through Nigeria
With escort service, your motorcycle journey through Nigeria continues eastward. You pass numerous checkpoints without stopping and make your way through bustling cities and rural areas. The Trans-Aequator motorcycle expedition follows the dense flow of traffic until the landscape gradually becomes greener and quieter as you approach the border with Cameroon.
Eastern Nigeria - Approach to the Cameroon border
The last Nigerian section takes you through the green east of the country towards the border. The roads become more remote, the traffic thins out, and your motorcycle journey along the west coast of Africa approaches Central Africa. In the evening, you reach the region near the small border crossing, where the crossing into Cameroon is scheduled for the next day.
Cameroon border - small crossing
The small border crossing to Cameroon has neither passport stamps nor the possibility to stamp the carnet papers. Your contact person will take care of this later in the capital. Your motorcycle journey in Cameroon begins on secluded paths, and you immediately feel that you have left the densely populated West Africa behind you.
Yaoundé - Arrival and Bike Service
In Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, Fred is waiting for you to service the motorcycles and change the tires. The carnet papers are now being stamped as well. After the dusty trails, the city is a welcome stop on your motorcycle journey through Central Africa, where you prepare both man and machine for the upcoming bush stages.
_1024_1024.jpg "A man pointing at the horizon beside an Overcross support truck under a stormy sky")
Yaoundé - Rest day and route planning
In Yaoundé, you treat yourself to a day off. Together with the team, you discuss the next stage across the bush of Cameroon. The following days will be challenging and lead far away from any notable civilization. You use this rest day of your equatorial motorcycle trip to supplement equipment, water, and provisions for the remote passage.
Bush Cameroon - first bush stage
Now begins one of the most exciting passages of your motorcycle journey in Cameroon: It goes across the bush, on rough tracks and through dense rainforest. Without any significant infrastructure, you are completely reliant on the group and the support vehicle. This bush stage is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sections of the entire Trans-Equatorial motorcycle expedition.
Bush Cameroon - remote tracks
Today, the motorcycle tour also takes you deep through the Cameroonian bush along the West African coast. Mud pits, river crossings, and lonely tracks challenge your off-road experience. Overnight stays are simple, often in a camp with provisions from the expedition kitchen of the 4x4 vehicle. The seclusion makes this section of your equator route particularly impressive.
South Cameroon - En route to the Congo border
The last bus segment in Cameroon takes you through the sparsely populated south towards the border with the Republic of Congo. The tracks remain challenging, but the anticipation for Central Africa’s next country grows. In the evening, you arrive in the border region during your motorcycle journey through Central Africa, where the crossing into Congo is planned for tomorrow.
Border Congo - Asphalt instead of track
After the dusty Cameroon, you reach the border to the Republic of Congo and suddenly glide over well-built asphalt roads. After the tough bush stages, your motorcycle journey in Congo feels almost relaxing. You follow the route through dense rainforest and approach the river where the special gorilla camp awaits you.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
Congo Basin - Gorillas by Speedboat
A highlight of your equator motorcycle trip: You spend the night in a special camp with the gorillas. You travel upstream by speedboat to see the last three silverbacks in the region and experience an impressive species up close. This gorilla motorcycle trip in the Congo offers a rare glimpse into one of Africa's last untouched rainforests.
Congo - Journey towards Kinshasa
With many impressions of the gorilla encounter, you continue your motorcycle journey through Congo. On asphalt and some sections of dirt track, you ride south towards the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The landscape along the Equator route remains lush and green, while the route slowly approaches the million metropolis Kinshasa on the mighty Congo River.
Kinshasa - Arrival in the Metropolis
In Kinshasa, the capital of the DR Congo, the first known HIV case was documented in 1959 - presumably through the consumption of bushmeat. The huge, chaotic metropolis is one of the most intense stops on your trans-equatorial motorcycle expedition. With escort service, you can move safely through the dense traffic and find your accommodation for the night.
Kinshasa - Border to Angola
With organized escort service, you traverse Kinshasa and make your way through the dense city traffic to the border with Angola. Your motorcycle journey along the west coast of Africa thus leaves the Congo Basin. After crossing the border, Angola awaits, a country where the landscape, roads, and rhythm of travel change significantly once again.
Angola border - trip to Luanda
Along the South Atlantic, your motorcycle journey in Angola begins. After the border, you head towards the capital, Luanda, where a supply stop is planned. Angola is a highlight for every biker - among other things, because fuel here costs only about 0.22 euros per liter. You enjoy the coastal road and the wide view of the Atlantic.
Luanda - Coastal drive to Benguela
From Luanda, the motorcycle tour takes you along the West African coast further south to Benguela. Long stages along the South Atlantic, small coastal towns, and cheap fuel characterize the day. Benguela is one of the highlights of Angola and offers you a relaxed section of your equator motorcycle journey before continuing towards Lobito.
Benguela - Stage to Lobito
From Benguela, it is just a short jump to the neighboring port city of Lobito, which is known for its narrow peninsula. You enjoy a quieter day of your motorcycle trip through Angola by the sea, refuel at a low price, and prepare for the long stretches of southern Angola. The Atlantic remains your constant companion on this coastal route.
South Angola - Arrival at Namibia border
The south of Angola becomes drier and lonelier. On long stretches, you drive towards the Namibian border, past vast savanna landscapes. Your motorcycle journey from Ghana to South Africa leaves tropical Africa behind here. In the evening, you reach the border region, where tomorrow the transition into the desert world of Namibia awaits.
Border Namibia - Visa and Entry
The border crossing to Namibia is a bit more complicated today, as Europeans now need a visa, which you have to obtain directly at the border. After that, you will be welcomed by the vast desert landscape of Namibia. Your motorcycle journey along the west coast of Africa reaches southern Africa, where long, easily navigable tracks and clear starry nights await you.
Etosha - Approach to the Westgate
You are heading towards Etosha National Park and setting up your night camp near the Westgate. The landscape is dry and vast, typical for this section of your equatorial motorcycle journey. From here, you are planning an excursion to the legendary Etosha Pan the next day to experience Namibia's famous wildlife up close.
Etosha Pan - on the prowl
From your campsite, you embark on a day trip to the legendary Etosha Pan to see the 'Big Five'. Outside of the dry season, the chances are somewhat lower, but you will almost certainly encounter elephants, zebras, and antelopes. This wildlife day is a peaceful highlight of your motorcycle journey along the west coast of Africa.
Northern Namibia - Course South Africa Border
After the wildlife experience, you pick up speed again and drive through the vast Namibia towards the South African border. Long, straight tracks and gravel roads characterize the day of your trans-equatorial motorcycle expedition. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you approach the Oranje River and the final country of your long journey.
Namaqua - Coastal stage in South Africa
South Africa, the last country of your motorcycle expedition, offers a comparatively relaxed stage. Along the coast, you ride past the Namaqua National Park, which is particularly impressive during the flowering season. Your motorcycle trip in Africa to Cape Town is nearing its destination, and you enjoy well-paved roads and the cooler wind of the southern Atlantic.
Cape Town - Table Mountain and Conclusion
In Cape Town, the 'Rainbow City', your equator motorcycle journey ends. Werner is waiting for you to clean the motorcycles and prepare them for the return journey to Europe. On the last evening, there is time for Table Mountain and a shared meal with tour guide Jürgen in one of the legendary restaurants. This is how you celebrate the conclusion of your motorcycle trip from Ghana to South Africa.
Want a detailed description of all tour days?
Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.
PRICE
from
€ 10,089
/ person
Price Options
Expedition participants
€ 10,089
Additional Options
Rent a touring enduro motorcycle from 700cc Tenere or similar
€ 4,019
Discount for riding in the accompanying vehicle
/ Person
€ 1,030
Service Package PR Services
€ 2,999
Trip includes
- About two days of intensive preparation at the pre-meeting with the OVERCROSS team
- Bilingual tour guide and/or travel accompaniment for the Africa expedition
- Online tour guide connected to the expedition team via satellite
- Provision of a mobile and/or satellite phone by the guide for emergencies
- 24-hour emergency call and rescue service organization of the tour operator OVERCROSS for the TransAfrica tour
- Travel security certificate (insolvency protection according to BGB §651r), mandatory for all OVERCROSS trips
- On request, location and status message to relatives and friends
- Around ten expedition info folders including route mapping and maps for each day stage
- Support with visa questions including checklist and contacts for applications in Africa
- Tour folder with all travel information for preparing the motorcycle expedition
- Proven expedition, equipment, and packing list for the TransAfrica route
- Organizational support including a contact person who organizes the Carnet de Passage for you
- Organization of container collection transport by land and sea in Africa and Europe
- Post-meeting of the expedition
- Organization and cost coverage of motorcycle loading including customs handling, sniffer, security check, and X-ray hand search
- Organization of airport group transfer in the support and accompanying vehicle
- Organization and access to the expedition kitchen of the 4x4 support vehicle
FAQS
-
What driving skills are required?
For this Equator motorcycle trip, you need good off-road experience, as challenging bush stages await you. -
Where will you stay overnight?
The overnight stays are a mix of camping and hotel accommodations along the route. -
What insurance is necessary?
You need travel health insurance as well as motor vehicle liability insurance for the trip.
OVERCROSS note on itinerary
The above travel description is a non-binding online proposal and does not represent a binding travel itinerary. We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the route, schedule, and accommodations (§ 651d BGB in conjunction with Art. 250 EGBGB). The terms and conditions of OVERCROSS apply.Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS
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