Hi All! (This is also being posted on r/bikepacking)
I am in the midst of finalizing my plans for an Africa bike trip starting in Nairobi and ending in Cape Town and would love any advice, route suggestions, and thoughts on my packing list.
I have a flight into Nairobi on July 31st and plan to start biking August 2nd, the first couple of weeks I have planned an average of 40 miles a day and a rest every 5th day to get into touring mode. I assume the route is going to take me ~4 months. I have been on a handful of bikepacking trips (2-4 days) in the Northern Rockies/Canadian Rockies/Utah Desert and typically plan for 40-60 miles a day depending on elevation, Africa will be a lot flatter than I am used to but I still want to keep mileage low at the beginning. I am a female in my 20's and a will be going solo, yes I have talked with other women who have biked solo in Africa and have done many solo trips myself before. I understand the slight extra risk there is so advice is welcome but please do not respond just to tell me I am doomed because that's not advice and is not welcome. Thank You!
Bike:
– I will be on a Trek Checkpoint with 700cx50mm tires
– Arkel 12L Panniers, Full Frame Bag, 12L Ortlieb Handlebar Bag, Stem Bag
Packing List:
| Camping | Cooking | Clothes | Tools/Repair | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA Fly Creek UL2 | Alcohol Stove | 2 Long Sleeve Sun Shirts | Multitool w/ Chain Breaker | Passport |
| Tyvek Footprint | 1L Pot w/ Lid | 1 Short Sleeve Button Up | Spare Tire | Extra passport photos |
| 40F Sleeping Bag | Spork | 2 Unpadded Bike Shorts | Spare Tube | Yellow Fever Vax Card |
| Sleeping Pad | Knife | 2 Sports Bras | 8 oz Sealant | 2 1.5L Nalgenes |
| UL Pillow | Foldable Bowl | 4 Underwear | 3 Tire Levers | 2.5L Platypus |
| Sit Pad | Platypus Water Filter | 2 Socks | 1 Tire Boot | 1L Water Bottle |
| Tent Stakes | Water Purification Tablets | PJ's (T-shirt & shorts) | 2 Patch Kits | Sunscreen |
| Rain Jacket | Dynaplug Kit | Toiltrees | ||
| Lightweight Fleece | Curved Needle & Floss | First Aid Kit | ||
| Swimsuit | Full Chain | Kindle | ||
| Hat | 2 Quick Links | Phone | ||
| 3 Spokes | Garmin Edge | |||
| 1 Shifter Cable | Chargers | |||
| Derailleur Hanger | Plug Adaptor | |||
| Valve Core Remover | Portable Charger | |||
| 2 Valve Core's | Plastic Bags | |||
| Presta to Shrader Valve Adaptor | Extra Voile Straps | |||
| Hand Pump | Zoleo | |||
| Chain Lube | Pen & Notebook | |||
| Cloth & toothbrush | Small Bike Lock | |||
| Electrical Tape | 2 Credit & 2 Debit Cards | |||
| Zip Ties | ||||
by Reasonable-Unit-7977
4 Comments
No real advice to give, but just to say hopefully we’ll see you on the road. Currently in Tanzania, but we’re slow and take a much more meandering route. Join the WhatsApp group for Cairo to Cape Town if you haven’t already, lots of helpful people and up to date information.
I cycled basically this stretch last year. With the exception that I was going the other direction and took the road through central Tanzania in stead. One big highlight for me was the road between Nairobi and Kilimanjaro. There are tiny dirt paths between the A104 and A109 that let you cycle right across the Savannah. Was super cool cycling through herds of zebras and wildebeest, giraffes and ostriches. It might feel a bit ballsy for your first days in Africa and there’ll be elephants that you have to beware of. But it’s very open, you have a great overview of the area. It’ll be fairly easy to stay clear of anything sketchy.
There are some smaller villages in between where you can probably find a place to stay the night or fill up on water or simple foods.
As I said – it’s probably going to feel a bit daring. But if you go for it, it is for sure going to be one of the most amazing experiences you’ll ever do.
Packing list looks solid – you seem prepared and good to go. Best of luck ;]
[My route](https://www.polarsteps.com/TimBjorkenskar/10400145-cykel?s=4db376fd-b2ff-4346-8a02-8c119442e638)
I did Addis Ababa to Cape Town last year following a similar route, but I also went through Uganda and Rwanda. My best advice is to Join the Cairo to Cape Cycle Club WhatsApp group. Consider taking a bus through eastern Zambia and be very carful about cholera there. I went through the middle of Malawi, but wish I had stayed by the lake instead.
My camping setup was similar to yours, but I had a 20 degree bag. It got cold in South Africa and Namibia.
mm careful with weather. Use https://trailcast.app as referencial of how the weather will breakdown on route based on start time and speed. Also double check with different sources, like radar.