MOTORCYCLE-TOURS · AFRICA
Transafrika GO WEST Motorcycle Expedition through Africa
The Transafrika GO WEST is a 55-day guided motorcycle expedition along the western route through the African continent — roughly 9,321 miles (15,000 km) from Southern Europe to Cape Town.
The Journey
Trans Africa Bike: 55-Day Motorcycle Expedition
This is an expedition, not a package tour. OVERCROSS organizes and leads this trip but does not guarantee specific stages, accommodations, or route segments. Changes are part of how expeditions work.
You participate at your own risk. Every rider is responsible for their own vehicle, gear, and safety. Physical endurance and mental resilience are required.
Before booking, review travel advisories for all route countries at auswaertiges-amt.de. This trip is not subject to EU package travel law (§651a BGB).
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
Stage 1: Europe → Ivory Coast → Ghana
The first major leg runs 21 days from Southern Europe south through Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, and Ivory Coast to Ghana — approximately 3,452 miles (5,555 km) of Sahara transition zones, Atlantic coast tracks, and West African inland roads.
Stage 1: Europe to Ghana via West Africa
The expedition departs Southern Europe and heads south. You ride through France and Spain toward Gibraltar, or your bike has been shipped ahead and you fly into Marrakech to join one day after departure. Either way, the convoy assembles and moves. The Sahara is still weeks away, but the Atlantic coast and desert fringes begin almost immediately once you cross into Morocco. Stage: ~5,555 km / 3,452 miles total for this leg, paved and sand.
Senegal: Atlantic Coast Camp
You cross the border into Senegal and ride through Saint-Louis, a former French colonial city at the mouth of the Senegal River on the Atlantic. The route continues south through the Sahel — the dry transition belt between the Sahara and the savanna. Camp is directly on the Atlantic coast. The food here is one of the best meals of the entire expedition. Stage: variable, paved and sand.
Stage 2: Trans-Equator
The second and hardest leg covers approximately 5,523 miles (8,888 km) over 29 days. The route crosses the equator through Nigeria, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, DRC, Angola, and Namibia before the final push to Cape Town. Remote tracks, difficult border crossings, and fuel stretches exceeding 600 miles (1,000 km) define this stage.
Nigeria / Lagos: Into the Deep
You cross into Nigeria. Lagos is the largest city in the country — dense, high-energy, and operationally complex. A local contact meets the group on arrival and provides routing advice for the Nigeria transit. Overnight in a 5-star hotel. Stage: variable, paved road.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
Cameroon Border: Out of Nowhere
You leave Nigeria at a remote border post with no signage beyond a flag. Twenty kilometers in, a village hut flying a flag marks the Cameroon entry point. There is no official entry stamp at this crossing. The group rides on, finds overnight accommodation with difficulty, then pushes toward the capital Yaoundé. Stage: variable, paved and dirt track.
Republic of Congo: Gorilla Encounter
The group crosses the Republic of Congo on well-maintained roads to a bush camp near one of the last remaining silverback gorilla habitats in the region. A gorilla tracking excursion is available — the population here is critically endangered and rarely encountered. Stage: variable, paved road.
Namibia to Cape Town: The Finish
Past the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, through Keetmanshoop and the granite formations of southern Namibia, you reach the Orange River border crossing into South Africa. From there the route continues through the Swartberg Mountains toward Cape Town. This is the planned end of the expedition — not a guaranteed one. Stage: variable, paved and gravel.
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Trip includes
- Pre-departure group meeting with all expedition participants
- Experienced expedition guide, on-site and connected via satellite tracker throughout
- Guide vehicle with full expedition kit: satellite phone, tools, cooler
- Daily routing for the group, or individual routing on request
- Weekly status and location updates to family and friends via satellite (on request)
- Route maps and navigation material for the full Africa crossing
- Visa guidance: checklist, contacts, process support
- Tour pack with expedition preparation information
- Equipment and packing list for the full journey
- Post-expedition meeting
- Carnet de Passage support in partnership with ADAC
- Expedition entry fee (start fee)
- Insolvency protection certificate per BGB §651r — included with all OVERCROSS expeditions
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The official start point is Málaga, Spain. Rental motorcycles are available for pickup there. Riders shipping their own bike or flying in meet the convoy in Málaga before departure.
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No. If you're riding your own motorcycle, you ship it to OVERCROSS in Germany (Tübingen). Transport from Tübingen to Málaga costs approximately €290, paid separately. After the expedition, OVERCROSS coordinates return shipping from Cape Town to Europe — approximately €590 via shared container through a partner in Cape Town.
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Yes. You can join on a rental Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally (picked up in Málaga) or ride as a co-participant in the OVERCROSS support 4x4 vehicle. US citizens can also participate in a rental 4x4 off-road expedition vehicle. Contact us before booking to confirm availability for your departure.
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Visas are required for all countries on this route. For US passport holders, there are specialized visa service providers in the US who handle the full application process — OVERCROSS shares their contacts in the pre-departure preparation package. Start the process at least 3–4 months before departure.
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After booking, you receive a full visa checklist and support contacts from OVERCROSS. Some visas — including Senegal — can be obtained en route. Details and current procedures are covered at the pre-departure group meeting.
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The DRC visa is typically obtained at the Congo-Brazzaville embassy, usually within one hour of arrival.
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Book at least 3 months before the tour start date. This allows time to complete visa applications, ship your motorcycle to Germany if applicable, and work through the full preparation package.
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Yes. This expedition is dangerous. Before inquiring or booking, read the current travel advisories for all route countries at auswaertiges-amt.de. Active warnings apply to multiple countries on this route.
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On paved roads, yes. Off-road, no. Loose terrain is a separate skill set. In 2024, one circuit racer completed the expedition to Cape Town but described it as the hardest physical challenge of his life.
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Yes. Your bike can be transported from Namibia to Cape Town for a fee, then shipped back to Europe in a shared container. Direct return from Windhoek is significantly more expensive.
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Yes. OVERCROSS coordinates return shipping through a partner in Cape Town. As of 2023, motorcycle return transport to Europe costs approximately €590.
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Yes. After registration you receive a full preparation package: timeline to-do list, equipment details, visa checklist, medical kit guidance, tool list, paperwork, GPS and navigation recommendations.
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Yes. The guide maintains 24/7 satellite connection. Family members can receive weekly status updates and have a direct contact line. Note: satellite connectivity is limited in certain regions including DRC and Angola.
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The cost reflects 55-day expedition logistics: guide and online support for 90+ days including prep and post-expedition work, fuel logistics across stretches with no resupply over 600 miles (1,000 km), and inflation in both Africa and Europe.
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For long-distance riding on and off paved roads, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 works well — light, capable off-road, and manageable over distance. The KTM 890 Adventure R and Honda Africa Twin are solid alternatives. Your comfort with your own bike matters most.
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OVERCROSS offers the Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally with your choice of soft luggage or aluminum panniers. Pickup is at the start point in Málaga, Spain.
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Officially, no. In practice, depending on terrain and available space, the driver may accommodate small items — entirely at his discretion. The support vehicle carries diesel and gasoline. OVERCROSS accepts no liability for damage or theft of items stored there.
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