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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #16  
Old 10 Sep 2016
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No bikes allowed in parks in Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. Or for that matter almost all parks in SA. Namibia and Malawi are a little more flexible in some parks which are primarily "scenic". Thats not to say that some of the larger parks don't have major roads transecting them (including Mikumi and Chobe) which any vehicle can use.

The rules aren't because a cat would try and take down a moving bike, because it wouldn't. The risk from cats is if you get stuck/break down/come off and have no refuge. The main risk is actually from elephants. You often don't see them until you're on them, they don't like engine noise and unless you are confident you can maintain 40 mph through deep sand, will not hesitate to run you down. A car is bigger, more intimidating and can turn the engine off to diffuse the situation whilst keeping the occupants safe.

We used to live and work in an NP where a lot of the locals rode bikes. It was 60 km from the camp to the gate and when we were on a trip into town we would have locals on bikes in convoy with us so that in the event of a problem they had some protection. These are people who live in these environments from cradle to grave and understand the risks.
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  #17  
Old 11 Sep 2016
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Good post above.

I asked these questions before my recent trip and had a close call with elephants in QEH (Uganda), where the answer was yes you can. The question when it comes to the parks is not just 'can I' but also 'should I'.

My view now would be 'no problem in open terrain but not a clever plan in dense bush'.
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  #18  
Old 5 Oct 2016
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Hi,

This Friday I'm leaving on a 3 week trip by 4x4 in Namibia and Botswana.

Depending on the conditions I would like to cross Chobe from Kasane down to Maun.

Is there any recent advice on the condition of the trail I am talking about?

And does anyone have a recommendation for a affordable campingplace in Savuti (or another camping place which is half way down the trail).

Cheers!

Donkey
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  #19  
Old 5 Oct 2016
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This is the best forum to ask this kind of information.

Botswana

Lots of forum members travelling that way on a very regular basis. I think you will find it is very dry at present but be prepared for deep sand (deflate your tyres) and long stretches where two cars can't pass without getting off the track up into the bush which can be tricky.

Savuti only has very expensive tented accommodation (several hundred dollars) or a campsite for $50 pppn. However, the campsite is generally fully booked up many months in advance. There are some other options beyond the gate but it will be a very long drive from Kasane. You may be better off going via Nata, much further in km but on tar and outside the park so lots of affordable camping options. Check out Elephant Sands, Woodlands, Planet Baobab. Anyway ask on the SA 4x4 forum above. They will give you all the details.
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  #20  
Old 6 Oct 2016
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Thank you!
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  #21  
Old 18 Oct 2016
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The Chobe Transit Route is open for all traffic, including motorcycles. But is very dull. Tarmac now as well. It was a bit more challenging before being tarred. I've been through there a few times but only saw one small herd of Roan. That's frustrating when you consider just how much game is packed into the Chobe river front.

Camping at Ihaha Campsite on the Chobe river front is proper hardcore adventure. No comforts. No fence. Animals come right into the camp. I can remember it being a particularly long walk from the tent to the toilets - at night. Awesome. Deadly. We also got mildly interrogated by the BDF anti-poaching patrol - quite rightly they trust nobody.

As for driving through the park by 4x4, you do need to be fully equipped and experienced. Take a big tank of water. Two spare tyres etc. Make sure someone is expecting you at the other end, and tell them your route. It's not like most other parks in Africa. There are many unpleasant ways in which you can die out there. But that's part of the fun.

Even driving for a short distance in Chobe, not far out from Kasane, is quite challenging. My father-in-law once got stuck in deep sand with buffalos near by. He made himself a sand ladder with elephant bones!
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  #22  
Old 22 Oct 2016
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Chobe
We just came through that way a month or so back.

We went in on a bike from Zambia, crossed the river into Bots at Kazangula and rode to the park to camp. You can't go in on bikes. As someone has already said, you take a boar ride out to see lots of stuff. However, if you're going on to Vic Falls, take the boat ride there. Chobe is crowded and commercial. The boat trips from VF are much better.

The roads around there are all fine. My mate went south to Nata then west, I went west into Namibia's Caprivi Strip. Take spare water and spare fuel (coke bottles are great).

Have fun.
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