It started when I saw the first edition of the Yamaha Super Tenere, in 2010, in a small Yamaha dealer on the coast of the Atlantic in the Namib Desert, in the small of Swakopmund. I took my V Star 1100 to be serviced and I saw this beauty, freshly off the factory, being showcased there. I test rode it and I fell in love instantly. I told some friends then: " Some day I may go around the world on one of these"...
Well, three years passed, I am ready!!! The 2012 Super Tenere is fully equipped (crash bars, skid plate, wind deflectors, cases, etc), I changed the muffler, added some gadgets, plus all my personal gear (tent, sleeping bag, mattress, kitchen utensils, machette, axe, solar panels, first aid kit, etc), packed and ready to go. I have 500 books on my Ipad, 21 days of music, my GPS is fully loaded with maps, I planned the itinerary (not fully, because I want some unknown as well, but most of the way).
My wife and I worked for the past 3 years to save for this event, we put up with a lot of mockery and envy and questions and doubts, from both friends and family and strangers. In the end, it is our life and we are not 15 years old to listen to anyone, anyway (in our early forties actually).

We lived in Africa for most of the last 20 years, we did some crazy stuff in our lives and this just falls in to our way of life anyway. We camped in the most isolated places, from the Kalahari to the Congo, from the Amazon to the Arctic in the past years... Carmen, my wife knows how to cook in the simplest conditions and now we will put all this expertise to the test.

We have a website and a blog, which will be updated with our progress: Nomad Sports Academy | Zambia
This is not only our website for the expedition but it is one of the reasons for this expedition.

More from the road soon... Riders from across the world, greetings! We look forward to meet you, read from you and write to you...

John Nomad

Here's some info on the route here in Southern Africa, just in case someone needs some help.

If any bikers are on route through Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa and need help or information, write to me, I live in Africa for the past 20 years and I know a few tricks and some amazing places where usual tourists miss.

Also, for those of you trying to enter Zambia from Botswana side at Kazungula ferry, beware of the so called "agents". They harass you until you are sick of it and they will extort large amounts of money for no reason. Everything that needs to be done at the border in Zambia after crossing by ferry from Kasane, Botswana can be and should be done by you, no other person is necessary. They will tell you shit like "the procedures are like this and you have to use us", or "you cannot do it yourself". Do not listen and go to each office (basically it is the visa, which is 50 US for most countries, the temporary import of the bike in the country, the insurance, the council levy and the carbon tax. Once you do that, you are free to ride.

If you do happen to ride through there and would like to have a smoother way, write to my friend, Alus, alusichirwa@yahoo.com, he is an insurance agent, and has been my friend for a long time. Tell him you come from me, John Nomad, and he will make your crossing a pleasant experience.

Do you both ride on the same bike who also carry all the stuff?

You planning stuff sounds very nice! To sail a big part of the trip will be something special!

I`m jealous! I wish you safe travels!

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

I'm also envious. A fantastic adventure awaits you.

Nice website too.

All the best

Keith
[wish I was called John Nomad btw .. ]

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Right Way Round ...

Thanks guys for the support. We will keep you updated.

We are putting the last pieces together. And yes, my wife rides with me together with all the gear. We have done South Africa, Botswana and Namibia fully loaded and the bike performed great.