The first stage of the 2010 Trans Africa Tour will start in South Africa and end in Algeciras Spain. Adventurers may join for 1,2 or all 3 legs of this expedition. Either self drive or fully guided.
There are conflicting theories about the origin of the name of the continent of Africa. Some theories suggest that the name originates (a) The Latin word aprica meaning ‘sunny’ or; (b) The Greek word aphrike which means ‘without cold’ or; (c) The Arabic word afar which means dust – something we will see much of during our expedition.
No other continent has captured the imagination of people like Africa has. Even today it is still considered by some as the ‘Dark Continent’. It is still the dream of many to cross the continent to experience the people, animals and other natural phenomena.
The first documented expedition into Africa was in 460 BC. With tales of big lakes and snow-capped mountains on the equator it was enough to lure many Western explorers to the interior. Their hardships and endurance were well documented and thanks to these hardy characters, slavery was abolished and Africa became part of the rest of the world. Then followed the colonial time and Africa was developed, educated and opened up by Europeans to bare the mineral wealth of the continent. Africa gained its independence from the colonial powers and today Africa belongs to the Africans again after a long period of turmoil and hardship.
Guided Self Drive and Fully Guided Expedition.
The 2010 Trans-Africa Expedition will be divided into three stages. Adventurers may join at the start of each leg or sign on for the entire expedition.
Stage I North Bound South Africa to Algeciras, Spain
Stage 2 Link Algerciras, Spain to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
Stage 3 South Bound Sharm el Sheikh (or Cairo if flying in), Egypt to South Africa
GENERAL ITINERARY GUIDELINE FOR THE TRANS-AFRICA EXPEDITION
Stage 1 South Africa to Algeciras, Spain 66 days Western and Northern Central Africa, North Bound
Via Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco,
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Day 1 (1)
BOTSWANA Days 2-5 (4) 990 k’s
NAMBIA Days 6-8 (3) 1160k’s
ANGOLA Days 9-15 (7) 2015k’s
CONGO Days 16-17 (2) 300k’s
GABON Days 18-22 (5) 1410 k’s
CAMEROON Days 23-26 (4) 440 k’s
NIGERIA Days 27- 31 (5) 1650 k’s
NIGER Days 32-35 (4) 680 k’s
MALI Days 36-44 (8) 2275 k’s
MAURITANIA Days 45- 50 (6) 1535k’s
WESTERN SAHARA Days 51-52 (20) 845k’s
MOROCCO Days 53-66 (14) 1830 k’s
This is a guided participation expedition whereby all members will be expected to assist with all camp chores, including setting up and taking down camp, cooking meals and clearing away/washing up dishes, collecting firewood etc etc.
Included -the expedition will be lead by an experienced guide in his own well equippred lead and back-up vehicle. -for all nights camping 2 meals per day -all activities specifically included
Excluded -all meals in hotels/lodges etc -activities not specifically included in itinerary. -due to the many variables involved, the following items have been excluded from these estimated cost calculations: vehicle insurance; malaria prophylactics; yellow fever inoculation, buying a 29 MHz radio; costs involved to get to the start of the expedition, pick up of the vehicle at the RSA harbour (for Leg I ONLY); copies; passport photographs; all optional activities; etc.
The ESTIMATED TOTAL costs are given below and are calculated based on a fuel consumption of 6 km per litre with a cost of R 10 per litre of fuel (except R 8 per litre for Stage 1 ONLY).
1 VEHICLE + 1 PERSON STAGE 1 - South Africa to Algeciras, Spain SAR 176 180 / US$ 20,750
STAGE 2 - Algerciras, Spain to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt SAR 88 120/ US$ 10,400
STAGE 3 - Southbound Egypt to South Africa, SAR 114,760 / US$13,500
ENTIRE TRIP SAR 326,310 / US$ 38,400
Divide the following costs by the number of people per vehicle to give a cost per person)
1 VEHICLE + 2 PERSONS STAGE 1 - South Africa to Algeciras, Spain SAR 266,590 / US$31,400
STAGE 2 - Algerciras, Spain to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt SAR 143 560 / US$ 16,900
STAGE 3 - Southbound Egypt to South Africa, SAR 189 680 / US$22,350
ENTIRE TRIP SAR 531 350 / US$ 62,500
1 VEHICLE + 3 PERSONS STAGE 1 - South Africa to Algeciras, Spain SAR 357 010 / US$42,000
STAGE 2 - Algerciras, Spain to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt SAR 199 000 / US$ 23,400
STAGE 3 - Southbound Egypt to South Africa, SAR 264 590 / US$ 31,150
ENTIRE TRIP SAR 736 390 / US$ 86,650
1 VEHICLE + 4 PERSONS STAGE 1 - South Africa to Algeciras, Spain SAR 447 420 / US$52,650
STAGE 2 - Algerciras, Spain to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt SAR 254 440 / US$ 29,950
STAGE 3 - Southbound Egypt to South Africa, SAR 339 510 / US$ 39,950
ENTIRE TRIP SAR 941 430 / US$ 110,750
Exchange rate calculated at US$1=SAR 7.5
Price for fully guided option travelling in tour operator vehicle US$ 7,350 per person.
Full details of all costs both direct and indirect plus a detailed daily itinerary will be supplied on request to bona fide enquirers.
Scheduled for 2 May to 7 July 2010
The Tour Operator reserves the right to a minimum of 10 participants, to be confirmed not less than 4 weeks prior to the start date.
