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2-3 week stint in Africa 2-3 week stint in Africa
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
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  • 1 Post By mrsgemini

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  #1  
Old 11 Feb 2014
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2-3 week stint in Africa
Where to go in Sub-Sahara Africa to get a 3 week fix of travel on a motorbike?

Based in London, have a job so can't get away for months at a time anymore. I'm a novice motobiker, (although I did west coast to Cape Town on my BMW a couple of years back) so happy with a small bike. Not after overly difficult terrain just the freedom of crusiing around on a bike. A local 125cc would be fine.

Any suggestions or good experiences on where to go on a 3 week jolly?

Like the idea of around lake Victoria (Uganda, Kenya..). Thinking May/June time.

Thks in advance!
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  #2  
Old 17 Feb 2014
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Yup , I have the same problem: Time

I'm just back from Uganda where, due to an enormous cluck up, I didn't get to ride more then 100yds but I can thoroughly recommend it as a place to visit (Good regular BA direct flights to Kampala).

I would probably warn agains hiring a 125cc. They won't be quick enough to keep up with traffic out of town so you could find yourself in the gutter being overtaken by lorries. OK for a day or two but wearing after 3 weeks I'd have thought (In fact that's why I didn't ride - I ordered a 250 but a very shonky 125 turned up)

I'm contemplating a trip from Mombasa, dropping down into Tanzania, looping up to Rwanda and back to Uganda. Should take 2-3 weeks and gives you a variety of countries
If you look on the 'Biking in Uganda' thread, there's mention of a very helpful chap I met in Kampala. I don't want to fall foul of advertising rules on here but give him a call if you are thinking about hiring in Uganda

Do it and you'll have a great time

Pike
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  #3  
Old 10 Apr 2014
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Christ exactly same thoughts! I am also contemplating 2 weeks in SA.

I figured get a friend to buy a bike out there ahead of my arrival:
Gumtree has Suzuki DRZ 400's for around £1500, even few Xt600 Tenere's in great nick for similar money. After the two weeks leave the bike with him to sell for me I'm happy to buy for £1500 and sell for £1000.

Get onto the bike at the Airport and ride out from there. 2 days riding has me in either Ponto Malongane in Moz (Scuba) or Vic Falls in Zim (White water rafting).
From there head off the tarmac Northish and stop when I see Baobab's again and drink a few s

Got to change jobs and negotiate a Redundancy payout first. Hmmmm
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Old 10 Apr 2014
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3 weeks is too short to experience all South Africa has to offer without crossing the border.

Margaret
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  #5  
Old 26 Apr 2014
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Namibian routes
Southern African Adventure Motorcycling Routes - 100% Adventure Riding - Routes, Maps, GPS, Accommodation, Travel Info.

Namibia Tab 4,700 kilometers, 13 days all info here, 80% Dirt riding...
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Old 26 Apr 2014
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You saw a lot but how much did you experience? In my opinion there is a great deal of difference. I don't do 'tick lists'.

Margaret
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  #7  
Old 26 Apr 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsgemini View Post
You saw a lot but how much did you experience? In my opinion there is a great deal of difference. I don't do 'tick lists'.

Margaret
Any time you do a group ride it is a tick list, as you mostly experience other tourists. Locals don't interact with groups. Its like life in a bubble. Most of those organised 'safaris' are also the tick list rides: the baviaans, die Hel, 7 passes etc. You get nice views, together with groups of bikes, 4x4s etc going by each time you stop. It is best to just use google earth, identify tracks to what you want to see, avoiding towns except to refuel, eat and sleep, and avoid any 'must see' places. But hey, Im the kind of person that went to Egypt and gave the pyramids a miss and have no regrets. Met lots of locals though, not the tourist hustling type.
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