<p class="title">Bengaluru-based biker Sandesh Gottikere Shivaraju, has always managed to strike a balance between his personal and professional life. A senior data based consultant is embarking on a solo road trip from Durban to Cairo. Sandesh plans to fly to Durban and start his journey from there. The biker talks to Metrolife about his trip and more. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Why did you choose to ride through Africa?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">I chose Africa because it is one of the very few countries in the world that still remain unexplored. The feeling of waking up in a new country every week is something that I look forward to. There are so many new places to see and it is curiosity that drives me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong> What is the duration of the trip and what is the distance that will be covered? </strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">I am planning to cover 10 countries in 78 days. My trip starts from Durban and ends in Cairo. My motorcycle has been shipped and will reach on April 30, and I will retrieve the bike on May 2.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Which countries will you be visiting? </strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">My journey begins on May 3 at Johannesberg then I will travel to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Nairobi and Kenya. After which I will travel to Ethiopia, Sudan and finally Egypt.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong> What were some of the preparations that went into your travel?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">So far what has proved to be the biggest challenge is acquiring the visa. The visa issue is mainly in Sudan and Ethiopia. I will have to go there and apply for it. Further, the fuel stations in Africa do not have electricity to pump fuel, therefore I took a few measures. I will be riding a KTM Duke 390. I have attached two fuel cans of 5 litre each. The bike can take 200 km on a full tank. A luggage rack with a capacity of 48-50 kg has also been attached to the bike by a local mechanic. I will also carry a water bottle that purifies the water when in use.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong> What are the licenses required for this journey?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">You will need an International Driver’s permit along with a Carnet. You need to be a member of the Automobile Association of India to apply for a Carnet.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How often do you go on such trips? Have you travelled such a long distance before? </strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">I travel twice a year. I do a 15-day trip and a 7-day trip. I travelled to the North-East in 2016 and covered a distance of 10,000 km. Many from India have attempted this trip but a solo journey has never been done before.</p>.<p class="bodytext">You can follow Sandesh on his journey to Africa here: www.sandeshshivaraju.com</p>
<p class="title">Bengaluru-based biker Sandesh Gottikere Shivaraju, has always managed to strike a balance between his personal and professional life. A senior data based consultant is embarking on a solo road trip from Durban to Cairo. Sandesh plans to fly to Durban and start his journey from there. The biker talks to Metrolife about his trip and more. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Why did you choose to ride through Africa?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">I chose Africa because it is one of the very few countries in the world that still remain unexplored. The feeling of waking up in a new country every week is something that I look forward to. There are so many new places to see and it is curiosity that drives me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong> What is the duration of the trip and what is the distance that will be covered? </strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">I am planning to cover 10 countries in 78 days. My trip starts from Durban and ends in Cairo. My motorcycle has been shipped and will reach on April 30, and I will retrieve the bike on May 2.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Which countries will you be visiting? </strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">My journey begins on May 3 at Johannesberg then I will travel to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Nairobi and Kenya. After which I will travel to Ethiopia, Sudan and finally Egypt.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong> What were some of the preparations that went into your travel?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">So far what has proved to be the biggest challenge is acquiring the visa. The visa issue is mainly in Sudan and Ethiopia. I will have to go there and apply for it. Further, the fuel stations in Africa do not have electricity to pump fuel, therefore I took a few measures. I will be riding a KTM Duke 390. I have attached two fuel cans of 5 litre each. The bike can take 200 km on a full tank. A luggage rack with a capacity of 48-50 kg has also been attached to the bike by a local mechanic. I will also carry a water bottle that purifies the water when in use.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong> What are the licenses required for this journey?</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">You will need an International Driver’s permit along with a Carnet. You need to be a member of the Automobile Association of India to apply for a Carnet.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How often do you go on such trips? Have you travelled such a long distance before? </strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">I travel twice a year. I do a 15-day trip and a 7-day trip. I travelled to the North-East in 2016 and covered a distance of 10,000 km. Many from India have attempted this trip but a solo journey has never been done before.</p>.<p class="bodytext">You can follow Sandesh on his journey to Africa here: www.sandeshshivaraju.com</p>