Sierra Leone to Belgium by Motorcycle

I've been studying this route for months. Not casually browsing — studying. Marking waypoints at 3AM. Reading border crossing reports from riders who've done it. Calculating fuel ranges between Saharan stations. This isn't a dream anymore — it's a plan with a timeline.

The open road through West Africa — where the real adventure begins.

Why This Route

The story that lit the fuse comes from two riders — Philip Tonks and Sven Vandenbroucke — who actually did it. They shipped their bikes to Sierra Leone, prepped for months, dealt with COVID delays, and finally left on a 9,000 km journey from West Africa to Europe. Their story was published on Motorcycle-Diaries.com and it changed how I think about what's possible on two wheels.

They called themselves "Pumwee" — a Mendé word from Sierra Leone meaning "man from on the other side of the horizon." That's exactly what this ride is about. Getting to the other side of the horizon.

"At one point we were lucky there was a ferry. However, because of the dry season, it could not reach the riverbank. We had to ride the first part through the river over very slippery stones. With a fully loaded 300kg bike, it was a bit of a gamble."

The Route Plan

9,000 km of dust, borders, and the vast silence of the Sahara.

What I Need to Prepare

Philip and Sven's prep list taught me what matters and what doesn't. The essentials:

• Bike choice: Something between a Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Honda Africa Twin. Has to handle sand AND pavement. Sven chose the Ténéré — lighter, more agile in off-road. Philip went with the Africa Twin — more power for loaded touring. I'm leaning Ténéré.
• Fuel range: Minimum 400 km range for Saharan stretches. Jerry cans or auxiliary tank mandatory.
• Water: 10-15 liters minimum for desert segments. Hydration bladder in the riding jacket.
• Documents: Every border has different visa and carnet de passage requirements. Guinea alone required "very important stamps" and some creative diplomacy.
• Tires: Practiced tire changes before departure. Dual-sport tires — not full knobbies, not full road.
• Navigation: GPS + offline maps on phone. GPS was unreliable in parts of Sierra Leone. Paper maps as backup.

The Challenges I'm Planning For

Border crossings: In West Africa, borders aren't just checkpoints — they're negotiations. The Guinea border officers told Philip and Sven about a "very important missing stamp" while knowing it was a bluff. You need patience, local language skills, and sometimes just a smile and small talk.

Terrain: The route includes everything from laterite mud to Saharan sand to European asphalt. Bridges marked on maps may not exist anymore. River crossings may require ferries that can't reach the bank in dry season.

Heat: 40°C+ in the West African plains during afternoon. You ride early, rest midday, ride again in late afternoon. Hydration is the difference between adventure and emergency.

Visibility: Behind logging trucks in Guinea, you can't see five meters ahead. Overtaking on dusty roads with oncoming traffic is a calculated risk.

My Timeline

I'm targeting this route within the next year. Dry season in West Africa runs roughly November through April — that's the window. The plan is to ship the bike ahead, fly in, and start riding south of Freetown.

Total estimated time: 3-4 weeks if everything goes well. 5-6 weeks with border delays and mechanical issues — which are guaranteed.

3-4 weeks if everything goes well. 5-6 weeks with border delays.