Brandon Bosch Memorial Ride - Africa 2021

[DASKOP]

Before leaving Mporokoso, I stopped at the police station to inquire about the road conditions to Sumbu. All fine the very friendly officer told me.

Then I saw these. What a restoration opportunity. They had been standing like this for years.

Off to Sumbu.

 

[DASKOP]

The road to Sumbu was great for me and Matilda.

Not so much for some others.

 

[Knucklhead/knuckey]

maybe a kak question ...did you get punctures? if i go by the posts none for many km's .. :deal:

 

[DASKOP]

It was good to see some undisturbed forests and big trees.

It was getting hot, but the road was good, and I could nail it.

There were very few compounds along the way, but as they started appearing, I knew I was getting closer.

 

[DASKOP]

maybe a kak question ...did you get punctures? if i go by the posts none for many km's .. :deal:

Not at all my mate, I have been very fortunate, in over 200 000 km of Adventure Bike riding, I have had one, and that was outside Hankey, many years ago.

But I am not even half way through this RR, who knows what may happen?  :

 

[DASKOP]

Then, Lake Tanganyika and Sumbu.

 

[DASKOP]

I had been corresponding with Elise, owner of Ndole Bay Lodge on the lake, and she assured me that the road was great.

Well, not the last 7 km from the main road to the lodge. That section took me nearly 30 minutes.

I was initially planning on camping and the arrival area is not impressive at all, but through the gate? The setting was so amazing, I thought I would treat myself and stay in a chalet. How much, Elise?

US $100 per night. That is not going to work for me on my budget.

I brought up the the fact that she said the road was fine, which it was not, obviously over exaggerating my effort in getting to the lodge and she gave me a deal.

US $50 per night including breakfast, lunch and supper. Another major blessing!

Thank you Lord.

I will get back to the road story later.

The photos are not that great, but I will make up for it.

 

[DASKOP]

My supper and bed for the night, definitely beats camping.

 

[DASKOP]

18 June 2021

Just to quickly get back to the road to the lodge. This is merely the last section up to and into the lodge. Tyre cut and puncture potential?

I am in no way complaining about it, I actually enjoyed the challenge, it is just not the type of road that you would expect leading to a US $100 per night chalet.

 

[DASKOP]

The campsite.

My chalet and the view from it.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the campsite, I was just feeling so blessed and thankful for Elise's generosity.

 

[DASKOP]

This is the biggest donkey I have ever seen. It is no longer used as they have been connected to the grid.

 

[DASKOP]

Lunch served on the beach.

 

[DASKOP]

Some photos before really chilling.

 

[DASKOP]

The food at Ndole was amazing.

 

[DASKOP]

19 June 2021

The sunrise at Ndole Bay Lodge over Lake Tanganyika was worth getting up early for.

Imagine sitting outside your chalet with coffee watching this.

 

[RobCrouch]

Brandon would be proud of you Marius. Sterkte. :thumleft:

 

[DASKOP]

There has been a long standing border dispute between Zambia and the Congo in the area north of Sumbu.

A survey team were there to re-survey and submit the details to both governments. They saw me with my Africa Road Atlas hard copy and asked if they could take a look at it. They must have spent an hour going through it. They had never seen one before and actually ordered a copy for themselves on line while sitting there. I just found it very odd.

Then they decided to go for a snorkel and I joined them. I had some shells from the lake bed.

 

[DASKOP]

Brandon would be proud of you Marius. Sterkte. :thumleft:

Thank you. I was proud of him.

 

[DASKOP]

What a way to spend the day.

 

[DASKOP]

Throughout the day, this is really the place to chill.