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Vic Falls to Nairobi what's the best route ? Vic Falls to Nairobi what's the best route ?
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  #1  
Old 15 Dec 2015
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Vic Falls to Nairobi what's the best route ?
Going from Capet Town to Nairobi by bike alone. Have my route to Vic Falls, but would like some advice on the best route from there to Nairobi with adventure in mind.
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Old 15 Dec 2015
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I've just finished working my route, based upon a range of blogs and guides (so not yet tested by me). Happy to share if it would help.

I'm coming from Zimbabwe, then up Malawi (via Tete in Mozambique), west route in Tanzania (via Kipili, katavi NP), Rwanda, Uganda (lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kampala) and across into Kenya.

From what i have read, from Vic Falls you can either go east in Zambia to Malawi or north into SW Tanzania to pick up that route. (I am actually taking the Kariba ferry across lake Kariba and then down to Harare).


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Old 16 Dec 2015
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Thanks for the route and will map it out. How long were you planning to do that route in and is it on a bike? From what I have read I need a Carnet for Kenya. Thanks again.
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Old 16 Dec 2015
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Quote:
am actually taking the Kariba ferry across lake Kariba and then down to Harare).
Huh- there's a ferry? We rode over the dam- very quiet crossing both sides-we were the only ones there.

If you go through the border at Tunduma from Zam into Tanz and you want to speed things along (it's a mad crossing) then ask for 'MP'. He's a top bloke and very reliable. He can also sort out money for you at a good rate.
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Old 16 Dec 2015
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Not cheap but took it last year the other way and was fantastic. http://www.karibaferries.com




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Old 16 Dec 2015
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Vic Falls to Nairobi what's the best route ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomgat View Post
Thanks for the route and will map it out. How long were you planning to do that route in and is it on a bike? From what I have read I need a Carnet for Kenya. Thanks again.

I am planning to do Mlibizi (boarding ferry in Zim) to Kisumu (crossing into Kenya from Uganda) in 38 days. Riding a KLR650 with a South African Carnet. I believe this is needed for Kenya. Lots of good info on requirements here: https://www.aa.co.za/services/travel...formation.html

(Overall Cape Town to Alex i have around 100 days - I'm on a fixed timescale as my employer has given me 3 months unpaid leave, plus a couple of weeks paid holiday).


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Old 16 Dec 2015
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Not cheap but took it last year the other way and was fantastic. Home - Kariba Ferries
Brilliant! Looks like a tiny wee tub, must have been a hoot.

BTW, gomgat, in Vic Falls if you can swing a microlite flight over the falls it's EPIC.
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Old 17 Dec 2015
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Thanks Temporaryescappee and Reggie for the info. Looks like a great route and will do it. Maybe cross paths along the way ,I leave Windhoek May 16th , except have not got a bike yet , but will be in Cape Town Feb 4 th to get one and prep it. This all transpired a week ago ,so am bit behind the eight ball but oh well. Am in on that micro flight , last time i did Devils Pool swim and that's also a riot.

Safe Travels
Roy in Montana.
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Old 17 Dec 2015
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Vic Falls to Nairobi what's the best route ?
Great - enjoy the trip Roy. I leave CT area June 4th. Might see you for a on route! How long do you have for the trip?

Probably a bit overkill bit I've mapped out a day by day plan with distances, estimated riding times, fuel availability, places to stay etc. If they are any good as a starting point pm me your email address and i'll send them over.

Cheers
Andy


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Old 18 Dec 2015
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If crossing Zambia to Malawi, think about taking the 120 mile dirt from Petauke north to Mfuwe at the edge of South Luangwe park... did that last month, excellent. Camping is like $10 USD or so at Croc Valley Camp 1 mi outside Mfuwe, great times. Then it's easy tar to Chipata.

In Malawi, we rode to Rumphi at the edge of Nyika Park way up north for a great dirt ride to Chitipa (not to be confused with Chipata LOL).... lodged in Chitipa then rode dirt to Tanzania... road begins few hundred meters from the Malawi immigration office in Chitipa, it's not on most most maps, dont worry, it's there, inquire locally. After thd Tanzanian border the first biggish town is Tunduma.

Loved Katavi Park and that area of remote southwestern Tanzania, from Sumbawanga north to Uvinza, great adv moto destination!
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Old 19 Dec 2015
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Thanks Ridefar. How long did it take you to do the length of Malawi and that route you did in Tanzania ? Would be real helpful to get a feel for the time line. Sounds like an adventurous route and how would it be solo ? Did you camp most of the way ? Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Roy in Montana
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Old 20 Dec 2015
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Hey Roy... the route is all doable solo, nothing too technical... only issue would be heavy sustained rain. We had sporadic rain so a bit of mud riding but not too bad.

I think the max day was like 300 mis. and that was all tar, Mfuwe Zambia to Monkey Bay Malawi. So pretty unhurried, just enjoying scenery people and ride.

Not sure of total days without looking it up but lessee here are points of lodging... Petauke Zambia, Mfuwe (Croc Valley Camp outside South Luangwe Park), Monkey Bay Malawi (eh), Nkhatakota, Rumphi, Chitipa, Tunduma Tanzania, Sumbawanga, Sitalike (Riverside Camp, camp or lodge 100 yds from 300 hippos in the river!), Uvinza... and from there due east to Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar, lot of dirt til Manyoni then its all tar.

Good luck, hope this helps
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Old 20 Dec 2015
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Thanks Mark. That helps me a ton and I will follow your advise but I read your other African exploits and that looked like a lot of fun, narly dirt mud roads. Your Tanzania route will do as you commented on how beautiful the S part was. I will go up to Rwanda, Uganda to Nairobi.
Thanks again and safe travels.

Cheers Roy
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