Mozambique
 

Can anybody recommend some interesting biking routes through Mozambique?

Has anybody been there since the major floods earlier in the year? Are the roads passable yet?

Any help appreciated.

JT

hai JT,
I drove a month in Mocambique (may/june '97) with a BMW R80GS. I came in via Swaziland and left to Malawi. Most people drive along the coast because there you can find the best road and some basic accomodation. And the beaches are great (seafood). North of the Zambezi-river is a remote area where you dont see any tourists, also because it is very difficult to go there. It is a different world. Even the coins I took from the south where not accepted in the north... The road and Zambezi-bridge you find on most maps is fantasy. There is just nothing. A sand track and a collapsed bridge. But if you like adventure and can carry lot fuel: go to the north. I drove from Beira to the Zambezi, sand and sand, in the dry season. There was no ferry just a dug out canoe to put me and the bike over the river. Great to do.
Far north in Moz. the track Pemba-lake Malawi is also very interesting but difficult. On every worldmap you can find this road but it is a track without fuel for 450 km. Again in the dry possible, but I would not do it again alone.
Ask me more if you like, and have a great trip,
Peter

[This message has been edited by peter theuwissen (edited 18 July 2000).]

Hi, we travelled by Motorbike and sidecar in Northern Mozambique in 1990 (from Mocimboa da Praia to Dar es Salaam, crossing the border river, Rovuma, by a local fisherboat). The road from Mocimboa was surprisingly fine, all new tarmac then (the president had planned a trip to the province, but never made it. The road was built for this reason) for at least 100 km, afterwards it was an alright sandtrack, but partly deep sand.
Now we plan a new trip in Mozambique, from Maputo up tp malawi- but are very doubtfull about the roads, now after the floods. Please, anyone with recent information: answer!!

We travelled length of moz a few months before floods (Oct/Nov). I believe that floods were mostly south of Beira, so might not affect the northern region which is the tougher part (but check on this). North is impassable in dry season but great fun in dry.

Basically - north is brilliant. Cross Ruvuma river between Tanzania and Moz by dugout canoe. Diving off Pemba is cool; Isla de Mozambique excellent.

Please let me know if you are still plannig to go to Mozam. I have been there with my girlfriend on a XL 600 this summer. We drove from Chimanimani (in the east of Zimbabwe) to the north of Mozam and drove some amazing tracks. We crossed the Ruvumu river (which is also possible by ferry since this summer!!) by sail boat. If you're still interested, I can provide you with some good information,
Best wishes, Harm