Southern africa Namibia to Mocambique
 

planning a trip South africa - Namibia - turn Right to Botswana - Zimbabwe- Mocambique - South Africa

Dates September October 2011
Any suggestions, fellow travelers or Advice welcome

Hi there, if you do get to Mocambique, take the time and ride up North. There is an island called Ilha de Mocambique, which used to be the countries Capital before the government moved all administration to Maputo. If you check the map, you will see Nampula in the north, Ilha is just off to the right. I'm sure you'll get some info on the net. Anyway, the country is gorgeous and is a must see. And I found that it is safe to travel. Greetings, Phil.

I may be following you about 9-10 months later. I want to do the same loop in 2012. My recent hip replacement is holding me back now.
Are you going to do a trip report?
I hope so since it would very applicable to me.
Are you using any other ride report(s) to help you prepare?
Steve

I'm heading that way next month. You can check out my blog. I hope it helps!

Ride safe

Dom

South africa - Namibia - turn Right to Botswana - Zimbabwe- Mocambique - South Africa


Not trying to upset your plans, but Botswana isn't that interesting for bikers. Except for the passage through the Chobe NP in the north, the rest is flat and often very sandy. More the 4x4 choice.

Zim could be a bit rough, politically speaking, so my choice would be to pass through Zambia instead and head east to northern Mocambique. Besides that, the access to the Vic Falls in Zim is a real rip-off compared to the Zambian side.

And don't forget to fit knobblies for NAM. The side roads, which are more rewarding than the main roads, are pretty sandy at times :thumbup1:

Hans

Might be interested in joining you. Have you got dates planned?

I have been looking at the same general trip for late 2011 or early 2012. Was thinking I should check to see if there are enough riders from USofA to put together a container. I am looking at a two month trip then ship home or store somewhere till the next winter. So how many out there with Africa on their bucket list?

Bob:scooter:

bucket list
 

I've got Africa on my bucket list. Rode thru South Africa and part of Namibia a couple years ago, just enough to know that I would like to return and do a more thorough look around. Rode with a friend who was born and raised in South Africa, which made it a little easier to understand the country rather than being just another tourist. Not sure I would ship a bike tho--seems cheaper to buy and sell again. Next fall or early 2012 could fit in for me. And hooking up with another local for at least some of the ride would again seem like a plus in my book if it worked out.

Have not given the idea of buying local and selling much thought, I have found so many countries have such steep import fees that local bikes are just too expensive and the paperwork can be a real pain. I have a friend in South Africa now who just did it so will give it some thought. If I thought that storing a bike there was doable I would rather take mine and leave it there, picking up next year where I left off and head north.

Not too fixed on anything yet, just rattling ideas around in the head.

Bob:scooter:

important information to be shared.
 

Information about the recent situation for riding from S.Africa to Egypt through EAST COAST from a friend who has done it recently.
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Africa is quite safe in general, places to avoid include east kenya on the border with somalia, west darfur in sudan on the border with chad. these are the only potentail dangerous areas.

the best season to start is the end of summer, march or april is good to avoid rains.

if they only have short time then i will advise that they stick to the tarmac roads. from cape town go through south africa into Botswana, zambia and into tanzania following east tanzania to the kenian border. go through kenia with the difficult stretch in northern kenia and into ethiopia, then going into north sudan at metema, and then to wadi half in egypt where they have to catch the ferry that leaves only once a week.

Sometimes its better to use border posts that is not so busy but my average time on the posts was about 40min for the 2 posts.
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Best Wishes

I'm due in Capetown on Sept 19th with my Honda XR600. Not sure of the route yet but I'm open to suggestions.

Cheers, Keith

Hi Keith- I saw your posting on the trip transport thread and was wondering if you had finalized your shipping plans. It looks like we are shipping out of Toronto and should be in Cape Town at the same time you are. I was wondering if you had found out anything about Customs regulations? We are planning to do Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and perhaps Tanzania before heading for India. I'd love to compare notes if we could. PM me if you can (sadly I don't have enough posts to have PM privileges yet).