Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Cycling from Egypt to Sudan

Interest forums / On Your Bike

Hi All,

I'm hoping to cycle from Cairo to Kartoum at some point in the next few months. Has anyone done this recently, going in either direction? If so, were there any security issues, or were there areas you were told you shouldn't go?

Advice much appreciated! :)

Many thanks,
Bradley

Here is some recent information about the crossing although it is talking about by car and motorcycle, I hope it is of help.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sahara-travel-forum/now-a-road-egypt-sudan-63126-17

1

I can only find a couple of recent(ish) journals on CGOAB (excluding a diary of the organised mass Cairo to Cape Town ride, which doesn't represent normality), which makes me suspect that cycling in Egypt is not very easy at the moment. Cycling down the Nile Valley was always a bit tricky, as the police tended to be worried about what would happen to you, and from time to time prevented it entirely because of security concerns, though they have also from time to time generously escorted cyclists to make sure nothing happens to them.

Here's a 4 yr old journal of cycling in N Egypt, but not down the Nile Valley, so it isn't really relevant, but I don't think you'd do that today because Sinai has become seriously dangerous.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=tS&doc_id=8900&v=J4

And, again 4 yrs old, here's a woman trying to cycle up the Nile Valley and basically finding it was impossible because she was a woman, stoned, groped, etc. She managed to join together with a local group of riders for protection for a while to make one ride. She did a bit of cycling over by the Red Sea - the police told her not to as she'd get shot, but weren't very insistent about it so she didn't believe them and lived. But in general she mostly had to take transport because of the harassment. She didn't get that police protection you sometimes read about.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=tS&doc_id=9722&v=5Q9

2

Here's a guy who did it recently (in the summer!):

http://oneadventureplease.com/

3

PS. I'm considering that as a winter option too - might see you out there...

4

Hi guys,

Thank you for all your messages and useful links.

I'm currently in Kenya, having travelled from Cairo by bike, train, bus, truck and boat! It's been a very memorable journey with some highs and lows, as you would imagine.

If anyone is interested I'm keeping an online journal myself: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/watford2capetown

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to reply a bit more promptly next time!

Thanks

5

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

6