Cross Africa by road?
Know Before You Go. For motorcyclists, 4×4 travellers, campervans, and expedition teams — a complete border-by-border vehicle report.
Start Overland Trip CheckBuilt for every overland traveller
Motorcyclists
Carnet, temporary import, insurance, and border procedures for every crossing.
4×4 & Self-Drive
Vehicle registration, customs declarations, and driving permit requirements.
Campervans & Trucks
Temporary import, deposit requirements, and commercial vs private classification.
Featured Overland Trip
Traveller
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (ordinary passport)
Vehicle
🏍️ BMW R 1250 GS (UK-registered)
Route — 13 countries
Motorcycle Entry Rules — Sample
Verified vehicle rules for countries in our database.
📍 AM
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 180d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Temporary import permit issued at border; mandatory third-party insurance must be purchased.
📍 AR
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 240d)
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Temporary admission requires vehicle title and passport; must be renewed every 8 months.
📍 AG
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 180d)
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Requires import license from Ministry of Trade and refrigerant form if applicable.
📍 AD
High Confidence🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Visitors may drive foreign-registered vehicles for short stays; no formal TIP required for tourists.
📍 AL
High Confidence✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Vehicles must have permanent registration outside Albania. Temporary admission is valid for 6 months within a 12-month period.
📍 AF
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 30d)
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
💰 Deposit: Customs may require a cash bond or deposit for temporary import.
Customs: Strict customs controls; all items must be declared. Prohibited items include alcohol and drones.
📍 CM
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 30d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Customs issues a Passavant de Circulation if entering without CPD. CEMAC/CEMAC-zone regional third-party liability insurance (Carte Rose) is mandatory.
📍 CV
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 180d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Temporary import is exempt from license requirements and duties if for non-commercial use. Vehicles arrive via RORO at major ports like Praia.
📍 BI
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 30d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
💰 Deposit: A cash deposit or bank guarantee is typically required at the border if a Carnet de Passage is not used.
Customs: A 'Passe-avant' (Temporary Import Permit) is issued at the border for those without a Carnet. COMESA Yellow Card insurance is the standard regional requirement.
📍 BF
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 30d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: ECOWAS Brown Card insurance is required and accepted [Motor vehicle Laws Burkina Faso](http://www.lawgratis.com/blog-detail/motor-vehicle-laws-burkina-faso). Motorcycles 50cc+ must be licensed and display a rear plate.
📍 BW
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 14d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
💰 Deposit: Refundable cash deposit or bond required for non-SACU residents if not using a Carnet de Passage.
Customs: Temporary Import Permit (TIP) issued by BURS at border; SAD 500 form required; Police clearance certificate may be requested.
📍 AO
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 30d)
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
💰 Deposit: Customs may require a deposit or bond for temporary entry; reports indicate a 30-day validity for permits requiring renewal.
Customs: Carnet de Passage is not accepted. A temporary import permit (TIP) must be obtained at the border.
📍 DZ
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 90d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: A temporary import document (TPD) is issued at the border and often recorded in the owner's passport. Vehicles must be exported before the permit expires.
📍 KE
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 90d)
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
📍 CI
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 90d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Temporary import. ECOWAS Brown Card insurance.
📍 TG
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 90d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Temporary import permit at border. ECOWAS Brown Card.
📍 GH
High Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 90d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
Customs: Temporary import at border. ECOWAS Brown Card insurance.
📍 NG
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 180d)
⚠️ Carnet de Passage required
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
💰 Deposit: Cash deposit or Carnet. Amount varies.
Customs: Temporary import via Customs. Vehicle must be re-exported.
📍 BJ
Medium Confidence📄 Temporary import required (max 90d)
✅ Carnet accepted
🛡️ Insurance required
🪪 IDP accepted
💰 Deposit: Laissez-passer or deposit at border.
Customs: ECOWAS Brown Card insurance purchased at border.
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Build My Overland ItineraryKey Border Crossings
Real border crossing data from our verified database — procedures, wait times, and traveller tips.
Bir el Ater Border Crossing
Santa Clara / Oshikango Border
Caripande / Chavuma Border
Calai / Rundu Border
Omahenene Border
Jimbe Border
Melloula-Oum Teboul Border Post
Morocco-Algeria Land Border (Closed)
Overland Community Reports
Real experiences from overland travellers — border crossings, road conditions, and vehicle reports.
Warning: RN7 road conditions south of Fianarantsoa are brutal right now
Just finished a drive from Fianarantsoa down to Ihosy and the potholes on the RN7 are absolute tire killers, especially after the recent rain. I saw three trucks stuck with blown tires near the village of Ambalavao, so definitely keep your speed down and watch for the deep patches in the tarmac. Honestly, leave yourself way more time than Google Maps suggests for this stretch.
Taking my GS through the Sahara on the N1 highway
Just wrapped up an epic ride on the N1 highway heading south towards Tamanrasset. The road conditions were surprisingly decent, but keep an eye out for sand drifts covering the tarmac near the border zones. Definitely bring extra fuel canisters as the stations get pretty sparse out there.
Crossing Sani Pass into Lesotho: A truly unforgettable mountain adventure
Man, that climb up the Sani Pass is no joke, but my trusty 4x4 handled the gravel switchbacks like a total champ. Cleared the South African border at the bottom and the Lesotho post at the top without any hassle, just make sure you have your vehicle registration papers handy for the officers. The view from the top while sipping a beer at the highest pub in Africa made every bit of the bumpy ride worth it.
Be careful on the N1 road heading south toward Tamanrasset
Just finished the drive from Ghardaïa to Tamanrasset and the N1 is pretty rough in patches right now. There is a lot of shifting sand on the asphalt about 200km before you hit the city, so take it slow if you're in a standard car. Honestly, keep your tires pressure checked at every station because the heat spikes are brutal.
Easy passage at the Amdalai border crossing into The Gambia
We crossed from Senegal into The Gambia at the Amdalai border yesterday. The process was straightforward, and we paid a small vehicle fee of 5,000 CFA per bike without any major issues.
Epic journey driving through the massive dunes of Southern Algeria
Driving the N52 through the Sahara was the highlight of our trip. Make sure you have at least 60 liters of extra fuel capacity, as petrol stations are extremely sparse between towns.
Overland Preparation Checklist
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Overland Preparation Checklist
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Documents
Safety & Insurance
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Connectivity
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