FAQ - please also see the Rider Admin Download

Route

Where does the trip start from?

Currently it is from Kudu Expeditions HQ in Worcestershire - for a map click here.

Do we ride in a group every day?

No - the way in which we run our trips is unique and it means that most days you will not be riding in one big group but you will be free to head out away from the pack to travel at your own pace, stop when you want and have your own adventures. You will be given comprehensive written notes, GPS navigation waypoints and verbal instructions from the Kudu staff telling you where we will be meeting up next. This is usually at lunch, at a key petrol station or at the end of the day's ride at your accommodation. Those who prefer to stay with the Kudu guide are more than welcome to do so however. You will be armed with all of the information you need to be able to summon help from the support crew if you encounter any problems during the day. One stipulation is that all riders must travel in a minimum of pairs, and all off-road rides are done as group rides for obvious safety reasons.

Can you give me a daily itinerary with mileages, locations and times?

Every Paris-Dakar Challenge is different and completely unique - no two routes are ever the same and so we cannot give out detailed itineraries until a couple of weeks before departure at the earliest. You can see a good example of a typical itinerary on the Routes web page.

What route notes and information will I get?

During the trip you will receive comprehensive notes providing you with a wealth of information on all aspects of the route. The detail covering roads, accommodation, food and fuel will mean that you can start the day’s ride confident that you know where you are going, and exactly how you are going to get there. Contingency plans in-case of any problems en-route will also be given to you so that if the need arises you can summon help from the Kudu team as quickly as possible.

What is the typical mileage of each day?

It varies significantly depending on where you are and what the terrain is like. Typically the furthest distance you will ride in one day is 400 miles and this is normally on motorways when crossing Europe. Once in Africa distances are significantly reduced and are typically 150 to 300 miles. Days when riding off-road trails are usually shorter still.

What is the normal start and finish time of each day's ride?

Normally we aim to be on the road for 8am although there are usually a few late starts and half days during the trip as well. You can expect to reach your destination before dark - usually from 4 to 6pm but this is obviously dependent on any problems you encounter during the day.

How many rest days are there?

Normally there are 2 full rest days during the trip, but in addition to this there are usually 3 or 4 half days as well. Please remember that our routes and itineraries change each time we run the trip and so the number of rest days and half days can change slightly as well.

Can I join or leave the trip part way through?

All riders must stay with the trip itinerary throughout for logistics and safety reasons. Riders on their own motorcycles may leave and join the tour but only with prior agreement from the tour organisers and on the understanding that they have formally left the tour and the organisers are no longer responsible for them in any way.

How much off-road riding is there?

At present there is typically about 500 miles of off road riding however this changes with each tour run and also it is dependent upon local weather conditions at the time. Some trails, in particular in the Atlas Mountains, may be taken off the itinerary due to poor local weather. In these circumstances we will always try and replace the missed trail with an additional one in another location further on.

What do I do if I want to opt out of an off-road trail?

This is not a problem and if you like you can go almost the entire distance on perfectly good tarmac. The support vehicles and staff however are committed to being with the off-road riders as that is where they are most needed. This means that when you opt out of a trail ride you will have to make your way to the next meet up point without the Kudu team in support. We will ensure you have all of the information regarding routes, fuel and accommodation to make sure that you can do this, but you must accept that we can't offer you full support during this period. Riders who take this option usually find that they really enjoy getting away from the group and having their own adventures, even if just for a day or two.

 

Payments

How do I book and pay my deposit?

You must submit a booking form and pay your deposit to secure a place. Deposits can be paid online when you submit your application form via the Booking page using Visa or Mastercard. Alternatively you can submit a booking form and elect to pay your deposit by UK Cheque or bank transfer. Once we receive your booking from then you will be e-mailed an invoice with full payment details if you prefer not to make this payment online.

When is full payment due and how do I pay it?

The final balance is due 8 weeks prior to departure and must be paid by UK cheque or bank transfer. We will e-mail an invoice with payment instructions to you at the appropriate time.

What is included and not included in price?

Please see the Prices and Booking page.

 

Motorcycle maintenance and repair

Who is responsible for maintaining my bike ?

Those riding their own bike are responsible for maintaining it, however the Kudu mechanic is there to assist you as and when required with more technical problems - he is there to help all riders, not just those on Kudu bikes. Those on Kudu bikes are responsible for daily maintenance and safety checks as follows:

• Chain lubrication and tension
• Tyre pressures
• Oil and coolant level
• Brake checks
• Light and indicator checks

How you carry out these checks will be demonstrated during the training and orientation day and it is essential that you are fully aware of your responsibilities for making sure that your bike is safe to ride before you get onto it each day. When you take over your bike at the start of the trip you will be required to inspect and sign a handover sheet to say that you received it in a safe and roadworthy condition. The Kudu mechanic will be regularly inspecting the bikes but the ultimate responsibility to ensure that the basic safety checks have been done is you - the rider.

What happens if my own bike breaks down?

You will have access to the equipment and mechanic expertise that comes with the support vehicle and our staff. Assistance will generally be given free of charge but parts and costs incurred to third parties must be paid by the expedition member. We will make every effort to fix your bike ourselves, and if this is not possible, to recover it to a location where it can be fixed or recovered back to the U.K. or elsewhere. You can bring your own spares to keep in the support vehicle at the discretion of the trip leader - please discuss with us what items you wish to bring at the earliest opportunity to enable us to limit weight on the support vehicle.

What happens if my Kudu bike breaks down?

We use the latest well proven, strong and reliable bikes and so significant mechanical problems are very rare. If you do have a problem then our support vehicles are packed with a comprehensive list of spare parts and we should have you back on the road very quickly indeed.

 

Damage to Kudu motorcycles

What damage can I be charged for?

We do not charge for normal wear and tear (worn tyres, chains & sprockets etc) or mechanical failings requiring spare parts. We reserve the right to charge for all damages to Kudu bikes but in reality we exercise discretion where this is concerned. We don't normally charge for scratches to plastics and minor things like broken indicator lenses. We will however normally charge you for broken plastic panels, screens and dented wheel rims. The bikes are very well protected however and in the past the vast majority of riders have not been charged for any damage to their bikes.

 

Bike licenses and riding Kudu bikes

I have a provisional licence - can I still join a trip?

Sorry no - you must have a full, bike licence to take part in the Paris-Dakar Challenge.

I have a restricted licence - can I still join a trip?

Yes, but only on your own bike which must comply with the restrictions on your licence.

I have a non-UK bike licence - can I still ride a Kudu bike?

YES - this is no problem at all.

 

Riding own motorcycles

What pre-trip service preparations do I need to make?

In order to reduce the amount of spare parts you will need to carry we suggest the following as minimum pre-trip preparation for your bike:

• Fit a new, good quality O/X chain and sprockets
• Carry out a full service with spark plug and oil/air filter changes
• Fit new tyres (we recommend Continental TKC80)
• Fit new brake pads and check that the disks have at least 6,000 miles of life
• Have the bike inspected by a trusted dealer – they may notice something crucial which you do not!

What bike modifications will I need to make?

Bike preparation can be expensive but often the modifications aren't really necessary. Treat most of the following as optional extras to consider - some bikes are pretty much built ready to go and require no essential modifications at all.

• Lever guards - non-essential, but strong lever guards such as Bark Busters, mean you don't have to carry spare levers.
• Radiator guard – non-essential but a good idea although your bike may already have a plastic one which can be perfectly adequate.
• Fork seal protectors – non-essential and more for long term wear and tear. Consider Sealsavers.
• Handlebar risers – purely down to personal preference and available form Touratech for most models.
• Engine/Fairing crash bars – non-essential but can be a good idea depending on the bike you are riding. Try Metal Mule.
• Sump/engine guard - non-essential but a good idea for the Tenere in particular if this is your bike of choice. Try Metal Mule's bash plate.
• Taller screen – non-essential and once again down to personal preference.
• Intercom – non-essential but it means you can chat with your riding partners as you go along if they also have one.
• Off-road foot pegs – If you only have rubber pegs on your bike then consider this an essential modification. Aftermarket wider pegs are dependent on which bike you are riding and personal preference. Most duel purpose bikes have serrated metal pegs which are adequate.

What spare parts should I bring?

Provided you have had your bike well serviced and inspected, we recommend that you carry the following:

• 1 front and 1 rear inner tube where applicable (with puncture repair kit)
• 1 clutch lever and 1 brake lever (if you do not have strong lever guards)
• 2 mirror mounting bolts
• 1 x clutch and 1 x throttle cable (if worn)
• 1 x indicator
• 1 x spark plug

 

Accommodation

What is the standard of accommodation like?

In Europe the places that we stay are often family run, very friendly establishments which may be considered equivalent to 2 or 3 star category. In Africa the accommodation varies considerably from Bedouin Camps to city centre tourist hotels, to beach side travellers paradises like Zebrabar in Senegal. Accommodation is selected to be secure, friendly and welcoming to motorcycle groups. The split between hotels and camping is currently 60:40 and most camps are in the wild where there are no facilities whatsoever.

Can I get a single person supplement?

We do not have single person supplements however having your own room is often possible, but not always - many of the places that we will be staying are small and family run establishments where rooms are limited. Single rooms may be taken but must be reserved and paid for by you on arrival. You will have your own designated tent (1 per person) throughout the trip for use when camping.

How does the camping work?

Most camping is in the wilderness where there are no facilities whatsoever. We provide all tents, chairs and communal camping equipment (cooking stoves, plates, cutlery, food etc) and you must provide your own sleeping bag and mat. See the Resources page and Rider Admin Download for more information. You do not need any prior camping or cooking experience - you can learn as you go along! Cooking is done in small groups under the close supervision of the support crew.

Wild camping

I can't cook - will this be a problem?

No - the cooking system is closely managed by the Kudu support team and if you can't cook you will be paired with people who can. As long as you help where you can, even if it is just chopping vegetables or washing the dishes, then it wont be a problem.

I don't want to camp - are there alternative hotels I can stay in?

The wild camping is a central part of the whole experience of the Paris-Dakar Challenge. If you are not prepared to camp then we recommend that you do not book on this trip as there will not normally be any alternative hotels available for you.

 

Food

What food is included in price?

Food taken from the support vehicle (the majority of meals) is included in price, and food from other sources is not. Food from the support vehicle is prepared by trip members on a rotational basis under close supervision (and usually with plenty of help) from the support crew. That means that you will need to pay for breakfasts when we are staying in hotels (although in practice you will sometimes not be charged extra for this).

Can you cater for vegetarians?

It is not a problem and we have had plenty of vegetarians on the trip in the past but it is a good idea to be closely involved most nights in the preparation of your own food. Please inform us at the time of booking that you are a vegetarian.

Luggage

How is personal luggage carried?

The majority of your personal kit is carried on the support vehicle (bikes do not have panniers). All you need to have with you on your bike are your documents, tool kit and personal items such as wallet, camera, snacks and water - we recommend that you bring a small day sack to carry these items which you can wear or bungee to the back of the bike when riding. You will meet up with the support vehicle and your main luggage bags at the end of a day's ride.

How much luggage can I bring?

There are strict limits on the size of baggage that we can accommodate per person. Each rider will receive 2 x tough 40L waterproof bags in which to store their kit and this represents their total allocation of space. If you follow the list in the Rider Admin Download as a guideline you will find yourself well equipped to look after yourself throughout the duration of the trip, and you should easily be able to fit it into your allocated bags. Please be aware, if you arrive at the start with excessive baggage it will not be allowed onto the support vehicle and you will have to make alternative arrangements to send it home.

Insurance

Is motorcycle insurance included?

Motorcycle insurance is only included in EU countries (UK, France, Spain) for those on Kudu bikes. You will need to obtain bike insurance at each border that we cross once we leave Spain and the support crew will show you where and how this is done when required. Riders on their own bikes must provide their own insurance throughout, and once in Africa this will be done at the borders as a group - some insurers will issue a green card to cover the EU and Morocco and so it is worth obtaining this if possible.

What travel insurance do I need?

Get good travel insurance, which includes all medical costs and repatriation if you should become injured. You must make sure that your insurance company is aware of the nature of the expedition, and also that you will be riding a motorcycle and the cc of the bike. Some insurers will cover riders up to 125cc only so make sure you check the small print!

 

Vaccinations and Health

What vaccinations do I need?

You must have a valid yellow fever certificate but apart from that we will not advise you on what vaccinations you need as you must speak to your own doctor concerning this. Tell him/her what countries you are travelling through and they will tell you what jabs you need.

What happens if I have an accident?

Our tours are staffed by an experienced and qualified medic with first aid equipment who will take care of you until we have transported you to the nearest and best medical facility available. This will normally be in the nearest major town or city. Our staff will make sure that you are taken care of properly and that you are getting the medical attention that you need for as long as you need it. It is worth noting that past injuries on this trip have tended to be less serious bangs and bruises relating to off-road spills, where riders can continue on the trip after a quick check up by the Kudu medic or a local doctor.

I have a medical condition - can I still join the trip?

It is your responsibility to make us aware of any ongoing medical issues that you may have prior to booking so that we can make an informed judgement on whether to accept your booking or not. Seek advice from your doctor if you have any concerns. Make sure he knows the true nature of what it is you are undertaking and if you require any further information regarding the trip then don’t hesitate to contact us.

Do I need Malaria tablets?

Southern Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia are all malaria areas. Ensure that you have enough tablets to cover at least the 2 weeks that the Paris-Dakar Challenge will be in the malaria area. We will not advise you on which type of tablet you should use - please consult your own doctor.

 

Money

What extra costs can I expect to incur?

The main non-inclusive costs (other than your own kit and travel insurance) will be fuel, your flight home and personal spending money on evening drinks at the bar or a night out somewhere. Depending on how committed you are to keeping your own costs down you may budget as follows – please remember these are very rough guidelines only:

• Fuel (motorcycles) - £225 (based on 15mpl)
• Personal spending money - £200 to £600 depending on budget
• Road/Bridge Tolls - £80
• One-way flight - £200 to £480
• Third party motorcycle insurance at borders - £90

What currencies should I bring and how should I carry it?

Euros are best and you should carry them in smaller denominations for ease of changing (20 and 50 Euro notes). Although traveller's cheques are a safe way to carry money they can be difficult and time consuming to change, and attract poor rates. It is more convenient to carry a combination of cash and a Visa/Master Card for use in cash machines in towns and cities (please note: Visa is more widely usable than other brands of credit/debit card in Africa). Cards are only really practical for withdrawing money from cash machines once out of Europe and cannot normally be used to pay for items directly from Morocco onwards.

 

Communications

Will my mobile phone work in Africa?

Provided you have set up a roaming facility then it should do however different mobile phone companies have different results when it comes to using them abroad - check with your provider first. By far the cheapest means of staying in touch is to take an “unlocked” mobile phone and purchase sim cards locally which can be easily done in Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia.

What internet access will there be?

Internet cafes are common in African towns and cities and although sometimes slow they are cheap and easy to use.

 

Security

Is crime a problem anywhere we are travelling?

The crime rate in North and West Africa as a whole is low and the people very friendly and welcoming. It is always wise however to use common sense and obey the normal rules when travelling abroad. Keep valuables hidden, don't walk alone at night and keep cash and wallets secure. Incidents of crime are very rare and so far have only consisted of items going missing after carelessly being left unsecured on motorcycles - usually the result of the wondering hands of children.

The official Dakar Rally was cancelled in 2008 after security concerns in Mauritania - is it safe?

The official Dakar Rally is a huge, high profile event involving TV companies, millions of pounds in sponsorship and literally thousands of people spectating or taking part. It inevitably attracted the attention of local groups who were able, by mere threats, to force the organisers to move the Dakar Rally to South America. We however have small, low profile groups and we have never experienced anything other than hospitality and a friendly welcome in Mauritania. We continually monitor UK government advice when planning our routes and although we take this advice very seriously, it is not the only source of information that we look at when assessing the viability of our routes. We also have long standing contacts within the country of local guides and ex-pats and we take advise from them also. At present we will continue to travel through Mauritania along with other similar event organisers like the Plymouth-Dakar Challenge and Heroes Legend, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely and make changes if required.

 

The end of the trip

Where does the trip end?

Currently in Serrakunda, near Banjul in Gambia. The final day's ride is from Dakar in Senegal, over the border to Gambia where it is English speaking and a very easy location from which to fly riders and bikes home. Please make sure you book your flights home from Banjul and you can book using some of the links on our Resources page.

What time will we be arrive at the final location?

The final day's ride is a packed one, with some slow, broken roads, a border and the vast Gambia River to cross. The potential for delays is quite high and so although we normally arrive at Banjul by about 5pm, there are no guarantees that you will not arrive later. Therefore we recommend that you book flights home for the following day.

Is the last night's accommodation included?

Yes - when you arrive at the final location your accommodation is included in price for that night.

Can I stay on for a few extra nights before flying home?

Certainly - Gambia is a great place to unwind in for a few days with plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars to choose from. It is English speaking and a very friendly country indeed. You can book a room on arrival and the Kudu staff will assist you with this.

What is the best way to get to the airport?

You can book an airport transfer at the lodge where your final night's accommodation will be, or alternatively taxis are easily hailed on the street.

I'm on a Kudu bike - what do I need to do?

The Kudu staff will inspect your bike and then take it back from you after which you are free to fly home - it's as simple as that!

 

Shipping of motorcycles

I'm on my own bike, how does it get back to the UK?

Return shipping (Gambia to the UK) is now included in price for all bikes. We will take your bike and documents at the end of the trip and arrange customs clearance and shipping on your behalf. When the bike arrives in the UK we will arrange customs clearance and tell you where you can collect it from which will generally be at the shipping agent's premises. Normally you can expect approximately 10 days transit time, however times can vary considerably.

Can I ride my own bike back to Europe from Gambia?

This is something that several riders have done in the past and it is entirely up to you if you want to do this. By the time you reach the end of the Paris-Dakar Challenge you will know the routes, borders and roads to enable you to ride back to Europe on your own. If you want to get back on the fastest and most direct route then we estimate that it will take between 6 and 8 days to reach Spain.