Hi guys, looking for advice from the big-distance adventurers on a route from Johannesburg to Rwanda. Plan is to go up to Malawi in April next year and, time permitting, up through Tanzania to Rwanda. Our initial uneducated guess is to circumvent Zimbabwe by entering Malawi via Botswana and then through Zambia. Then take the western trail along the lakes through Tanzania and Burundi to our turnaround destination in Rwanda. The return trip will see us drop down pretty much the way we came back into Tanzania but then return to South Africa through Malawi and then Mozambique.

My guess is we'll have about 3 weeks to do this trip. I would like to include as many dirt roads as possible but happy to hit the tar to make up time if necessary. The trip will have a strong focus on the budget - no fancy five-star stuff but rather tents and camping most of the way - with the odd B&B to keep the Mrs happy - she'll tag along as pillion. This trip is (I hope) a warmup to an eventual Cape Town-London - a lot will depend on how the Mrs enjoys it....

Questions - is this trip doable in 3 weeks?....or should we cut it off in Malawi?
Are there regular places we can camp?
Any suggestions on route?
What kind of budget would be realistic?
Any other advice would be welcome.

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De Colores!

I did a trip last year from Cape Town to Uganda and back solo. Three weeks in my opinion is nowhere near enough time , that's a long way. I did all dirt roads and it was a blast and camped all the way except for the odd occasion. get the app iOverlander and it gives you all the camping spots and maps.me will be of help cause you can transfer the info. my blog on the trip is roysbikesafari.blogspot.com , so that may be of help. I researched route forever and it was amazing , go to Lilongwe NP and turn off at Petauke and take that path up which Lonerider told me about. Anyway let me know if you need anymore info and will be happy to help , if you follow my route you will not be dissappointed , I guarantee that. Just go.

How long might your Cape Town to Cairo trip be?

If it's going to be more leisurely than the 3 weeks you have for April next year, I'd try to not be in a rush on the 'test trip' for your wife because there's a good chance she'll hate it.

As gomgat says, that's a really short period to go all that way. You'll be doing nothing but full days of riding every day.

Personally I'd turn around in malawi, or maybe you can decide when you're already on the road?