How to ship your motorcycle to Africa and start your solo adventure as a woman

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 2022, post-COVID, finding a company willing to transport vehicles for private individuals from one country to another was not an easy task. The pandemic had disrupted the global economy, leading to a container shortage, with many containers stuck in China.

Earlier that year, I had arranged a sabbatical with my employer, intending to spend the entire time in Africa. My dream? To explore the continent independently on two wheels, traveling from one place to another at my own pace.

Planning such a journey required significant preparation, research, and decision-making:

• Where to start?
• Where was it feasible to start?
• What would I need?
• How would I get my motorcycle to Africa?

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION AND PRACTICAL STEPS

First and foremost, I delved deeper into the knowledge shared by my female social media role models, Itchy Boots and Onherbike, and found invaluable insights on their websites and YouTube channels.

Of course, there are plenty of other sources out there, but in the end, you have to piece together the puzzle yourself. My first step was to Google “shipping a motorcycle to Africa.” Many shipping companies came up, but most only handle commercial transactions and categorically do not take on small private jobs. I found almost no personal contact who could assist me with my inquiry. Instead, I received many automated replies, stating that it’s simply not possible for private individuals to ship a vehicle.

Feeling a bit discouraged, I browsed Facebook groups focused on “Overlanding” and came across some valuable posts. Encouraged, I decided to try my luck by posting my own question in one of these groups. I asked the Overlanding and motorcycle community for tips on a shipping company. And I found one! I received the contact information for a Swiss company and immediately sent out an email inquiry.

That very same day, I got a response from Mr. Bianco – personally! No automated email, but an actual human contact. At my request, I received a direct call where everything about shipping a single private motorcycle was explained to me: which ports were suitable, how prices varied, why costs had suddenly tripled post-COVID, and how to properly pack a motorcycle.

I thought of many follow-up questions afterward, and all of them were patiently answered.

HOW DO YOU SHIP A MOTORCYCLE?

Once it was clear which port would be the most cost-effective from Germany or the Netherlands, I decided to ship my motorcycle from Hamburg to Walvis Bay, Namibia, with an additional option to have it forwarded to Windhoek. Why the extra step? Walvis Bay is, of course, a port city by the sea. But 30 days later, when it was time for me to reunite with my motorcycle, I flew internationally into Windhoek, Namibia’s inland capital. It was far more convenient to have the bike delivered there directly.

I informed the shipping company of my desired shipping date well in advance – at least eight months beforehand. They warned me to be patient: I wouldn’t hear anything for a long time, and there was no guarantee I’d get a spot on a ship for my preferred timeframe. Due to pandemic-related uncertainties, there was no way to predict whether ships would even depart as scheduled.

They also assured me they’d keep an eye out for other private individuals looking to ship around the same time. For example, if someone were shipping an off-road vehicle and there was room in the container for a motorcycle, I could have shared the costs, making the whole process more affordable.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of the lucky ones. With the ongoing pandemic, there were fewer travellers – both in terms of Overlanding and regular tourism. I had to bite the bullet and opt for the more expensive option. Still, I kept costs as low as possible by choosing group transport with other goods and ensuring I personally delivered the motorcycle to Hamburg.

THE HARD FACTS ABOUT SHIPPIG

To give you a quick overview, I’ve outlined some essential facts about shipping that will help you understand what to keep in mind:

• Shipping from Hamburg to Walvis Bay takes approximately 30 days by sea. You’ll need to plan your flight accordingly if you’re flying out to meet your motorcycle.
  
  
• A motorcycle may not be immediately released by customs upon arrival. Be prepared to allow extra time and budget for potential storage fees (though Africa tends to be more relaxed in this regard).
  
  
• The motorcycle’s fuel tank must contain only minimal fuel at the time of shipping.
  
  
• You can choose between individual transport or group transport. Costs vary between these options.
  
  
• Vehicles can be shipped in a container or via the Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) method. Prices differ here as well, and this also determines how the bike will be packed.
  
  
• You’ll need to purchase transport insurance directly from the shipping company.
  
  
• The motorcycle can be fully loaded with your gear, but you’ll need an inventory list in English to submit to customs.
  
  
• The Carnet de Passage is essential. This international customs document allows for temporary, duty-free importation of a vehicle into various countries. You can get a Carnet de Passage, for example, from the ADAC in Germany.
  
  
• Obtaining a Carnet de Passage requires a deposit based on your motorcycle’s value. Don’t forget to factor in this cost.
  
  
• The motorcycle must be transported to the departure port. The cheapest option is to ride it to the port yourself.
  
  
• At the port, you’ll hand over your keys and documents to a staff member – you’ll need to trust them.
  
  
• Payment for the transport is only made once the shipping process has successfully begun. By then, your motorcycle will already be on its way across the ocean.
  
  
• Some shipping companies provide tracking links so you can monitor your motorcycle’s location in transit.
  
  
• Back in 2022, the cost for shipping one way, including insurance, was just over €2,000. The return trip from Cape Town to Rotterdam cost around €2,500.

FEBRUARY, RAIN, FROM DÜSSELDORF TO HAMBURG

My motorcycle was scheduled to leave Hamburg in early March to begin its journey to Namibia. So, in February, I rode it from Düsseldorf to the port in Hamburg. Since it was quite cold, I made a stop at my sister’s place in Münster.

At the time, my “better half” thankfully accompanied me in a car and transported my motorcycle bags. That made the final stretch from Münster to Hamburg a bit more bearable. We had breaks with warm tea and snacks.

However, the last 1.5 hours into Hamburg were rough. By the time I arrived at the hotel, I was absolutely frozen and soaked through, down to my underwear. But I had made it!

The next morning, I headed to the port. I barely managed to meet the requirement of having an empty fuel tank. There was still a bit too much fuel left, so I tried siphoning it out with a hose. It was a miserable process and didn’t work as well as I had hoped. Thankfully, by the time I got to the port, my Royal Enfield’s fuel gauge showed “E” for empty.

Fully loaded with two side bags, I handed the bike over to the port staff, along with my keys and the Carnet de Passage. Then, I made my way back home.

BUT WHAT DID I ACTUALLY PACK, AND WHAT WERE MY BIGGEST PACKING MISTAKES?

In typical German fashion, I tried to prepare for everything – spare parts, fuel, tools, water bladders, camping gear, and camera equipment. Way too much.

I had chosen to explore the southern countries of Africa: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique. The first three countries, at least, have good infrastructure, plenty of gas stations, drinking water, and food supplies.

The first thing I said goodbye to was my camping gear.
It turns out I’m just not a camping person. After my first night camping – following an exhausting 8-hour ride – I was so drained that it took all my energy to set everything up, cook, and then pack it all up again the next morning. I ended up giving my camping gear to another camper.

At 38, sleeping on hard ground wasn’t for me. I needed proper beds.
I switched to staying in small guesthouses or at campsites with basic bungalows. That was perfect for me! I could still cook at these places – just not on a camping stove.

What else did I pack?
I brought water bladders of 4 litres and 6 litres each. To be prepared for any situation and ensure I always had water, I carried a 10-liter water reservoir. This turned out to be way too much for the regions and countries I travelled through. Two litres plus a water bottle would have sufficed.

That said, the water bladder was practical. I could easily refill it for free at many places and accommodations. Although the water was unfiltered, it was always clean and drinkable. I never had any stomach issues. Plus, the flat shape of the bladder made it easy to fit into my motorcycle’s side bag.

Sending “extras” back home
When I reevaluated my luggage in Windhoek, I repacked everything and shipped unnecessary items like extra clothes and duplicate gear back home.

Pack only the absolute essentials – one set of clothing for each type of weather condition. It’s better to wash your clothes at camps; it’s cheap and quick. Sending items back home is insanely expensive. In hindsight, I should have just given those things away.

Tools: You should know how to use them
In Germany, I had taken a tire-changing course and had my motorcycle dealer explain all kinds of spare parts to me. Changing a tire with just tire irons is physically demanding, and having only done it once, I wouldn’t have been able to manage it in practice. Looking back, I could have left some tools behind since I wasn’t capable of using them effectively.

That said, it’s still wise to carry some basic tools. On open roads, you can often find quick help from strangers.

Key takeaways:

• Leave space in your side bags for snacks, Coca-Cola, cigarettes, and treats that can be handy during police checkpoints.
• Pack a small to medium soft bag for clothes and toiletries.
• Tools and spare parts, such as oil filters, tubes, engine oil for refilling, and chain spray, should fit in the side bags.
• Use a small tank bag for your phone, documents, valuables, and maps.
• Preload navigation and mapping apps onto your phone!

ARRIVAL IN NAMIBIA

Thirty days after dropping off my motorcycle at the port in Hamburg, I landed in Windhoek on April 1, 2022. Unsurprisingly, my motorcycle wasn’t yet cleared by customs. I had to wait another 10 days before I could collect it.

During that time, I explored Windhoek and met some lovely people at the hostel where I stayed.

When the time finally came to collect my bike, the process was surprisingly smooth. I watched as my motorcycle was unpacked, and I was handed my keys and documents. It even started right up! My first stop? The gas station.

The rest of the journey deserves its own blog post.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH COCA-COLA AND CIGARETTES?

I don’t smoke. My father, however, was a heavy smoker and, sadly, passed away shortly before my departure. In his apartment, he had hoarded hundreds of cigarette packs. I decided to take a few of them with me to Africa.

The first time they came in handy was during my first police stop.
In the middle of nowhere, on a seemingly endless straight road in Namibia, I suddenly encountered a stop sign. There was no intersection, no crossing, nothing. I didn’t see anyone around either. So, I didn’t stop – it didn’t make sense to me as a rule. I slowed down a bit but rolled through.

Then it happened: from the shadows of the trees just past the stop sign, two policemen appeared and flagged me down.
They waved me back, and I had to awkwardly roll my motorcycle backward. I thought, “Oh no, this is bad.”

The officers were very friendly and amused. Only one of them spoke to me, all while cheerfully waving a pen and paper in his hand – though he didn’t write anything down.
He pointed out that I hadn’t stopped at the sign and that this was a €100 fine.

I tried to explain apologetically that it was my first day in Namibia, and I was very sorry. I said I hadn’t seen anyone around, which is why I slowed down but didn’t come to a full stop. I pleaded with them to let me off with a warning.

The officer asked for my international driver’s license and reminded me again of the infraction. He continued to wave his pen and paper but still didn’t write anything, smiling the whole time. Then, he said, “I don’t want to ruin your first day in Namibia with a fine.”

This back-and-forth went on for a few minutes, and I started wondering: could offering cigarettes help me out of this?
I kept pleading and apologizing, then casually asked if they smoked. Both said yes, putting the pen and paper aside. That was my cue.

“Could I offer you each a pack of cigarettes and a lighter?”
“Yes, gladly,” came the response. “Have a safe journey!”

I chuckled about the situation for quite a while on my ride afterward. And just like that, I avoided a €100 fine.

TO GO SOLO OR JOIN AN ORGANIZED TOUR?

If the idea of a solo adventure seems too overwhelming, let me say this: I was terrified before and during this journey! But I still did it and pushed through because that’s how you step out of your comfort zone and grow.

For those who feel more comfortable taking their first step in a group, we offer organized motorcycle tours exclusively for women, with a focus on Africa! Check out the Female Riders section on our website. Besides Namibia and Tunisia, our offerings for women’s motorcycle travel will continue to expand.