This ride report should have been posted almost a year ago, but life happens while you make other plans and with that I almost postponed the posting indefinitely. I feel however it would be shame not to share this trip.
Coming from Namibia and having spent many holidays in Swakopmund, a trip to Swakopmund via the Sossusvlei on the bike, has always been one of those bucket list type trips I imagined when the bike was bought. As one thing lead to another I never really got around to do the trip.
Thinking that this might be the last chance to fulfill this dream, I started planning the trip. I decided to do the “bottom” route via the Augrabies Falls.
Initially there was relative open window in March. As various things happened this trip was done in eight days. In hind sight, this is not recommendable (One would require at least two weeks).
The Route
Day 1 Pretoria to Augrabies (949km)
Thanks to all the ride reports and advice from friends, I quickly had the route laid out. Day one and underway to Augrabies. As usual getting away a little late. Unaware of what laid ahead, I was sure one could make up the time.
Cosmos & Sunflowers - Finally leaving the rat race behind!
Then just after leaving Gauteng, the first of many stop and go’s. Initially I still tried to make up some time. In Kuruman I gave up and hoped that the Falls would open early enough, to fit it into the next days schedule.
Stop & Go (At least they are fixing and improving the road)
Waterwheel in Keimoes
Crossing the Orange at Kakamas
The view from the lodging
Day 2 Augrabies to Canyon Road House (Fish River Canyon) (685km)
Relieved to find out that the Augrabies Falls Park already opens at seven am, leaving bright and early.
Compared to the last time I was here, there was still a lot of water. Seeing what damage was done to the viewing platforms, its hard to imagine how much water must have gone past here earlier this year.
Next up was Poffader and Springbok. This piece of road was unbelievable straight, though not the last one on the trip. I enjoyed the wide open spaces.
Border, Not our queue though
A pleasant surprised at the boarder with friendly officials and efficient processing at both posts.
Crossing the Orange:
WELCOME TO NAMIBIA
Filed up in Namibia (±R 1,00 cheaper) and cooled down with a milkshake.
Moving out of the Orange River Valley, it was surprisingly dry with very little vegetation. But soon this changed
Straight road (once more)
Here the adventure starts!!
Deflating the tires
At this point I have to mention, that I had never done any substantial distances on gravel together with a pillion and even on my own I only did about 3 trips with longer gravel sections. I was pretty nervous how things would turn out, especially if I could maintain a pace to stay within the schedule as well as my limits. Non the less, gravel is what adventure riding is about!
Canyon A Teaser, still some distance to go
Rain in the distance
There was at least one rain shower on the route. Not bad, considering traveling through the oldest desert.
There are many pictures of the Fish River Canyon, but none do it justice. It is just impossible to take it all in at once. Natured added to the drama, as the clouds gathered, the skies darkened and the thunder increased in frequency.
The last stretch to the Canyon Road House became a race against the rain, the rain won. Soon I realized, that unlike in the Lowveld, the roads here are not at all slippery when wet.
From an accommodation point of view (Paid accommodation, as nothing beats staying with friends), this was certainly the highlight of the tour. What a lovely setting, friendly staff and good food.
Coming from Namibia and having spent many holidays in Swakopmund, a trip to Swakopmund via the Sossusvlei on the bike, has always been one of those bucket list type trips I imagined when the bike was bought. As one thing lead to another I never really got around to do the trip.
Thinking that this might be the last chance to fulfill this dream, I started planning the trip. I decided to do the “bottom” route via the Augrabies Falls.
Initially there was relative open window in March. As various things happened this trip was done in eight days. In hind sight, this is not recommendable (One would require at least two weeks).
The Route
Day 1 Pretoria to Augrabies (949km)
Thanks to all the ride reports and advice from friends, I quickly had the route laid out. Day one and underway to Augrabies. As usual getting away a little late. Unaware of what laid ahead, I was sure one could make up the time.
Cosmos & Sunflowers - Finally leaving the rat race behind!
Then just after leaving Gauteng, the first of many stop and go’s. Initially I still tried to make up some time. In Kuruman I gave up and hoped that the Falls would open early enough, to fit it into the next days schedule.
Stop & Go (At least they are fixing and improving the road)
Waterwheel in Keimoes
Crossing the Orange at Kakamas
The view from the lodging
Day 2 Augrabies to Canyon Road House (Fish River Canyon) (685km)
Relieved to find out that the Augrabies Falls Park already opens at seven am, leaving bright and early.
Compared to the last time I was here, there was still a lot of water. Seeing what damage was done to the viewing platforms, its hard to imagine how much water must have gone past here earlier this year.
Next up was Poffader and Springbok. This piece of road was unbelievable straight, though not the last one on the trip. I enjoyed the wide open spaces.
Border, Not our queue though
A pleasant surprised at the boarder with friendly officials and efficient processing at both posts.
Crossing the Orange:
WELCOME TO NAMIBIA
Filed up in Namibia (±R 1,00 cheaper) and cooled down with a milkshake.
Moving out of the Orange River Valley, it was surprisingly dry with very little vegetation. But soon this changed
Straight road (once more)
Here the adventure starts!!
Deflating the tires
At this point I have to mention, that I had never done any substantial distances on gravel together with a pillion and even on my own I only did about 3 trips with longer gravel sections. I was pretty nervous how things would turn out, especially if I could maintain a pace to stay within the schedule as well as my limits. Non the less, gravel is what adventure riding is about!
Canyon A Teaser, still some distance to go
Rain in the distance
There was at least one rain shower on the route. Not bad, considering traveling through the oldest desert.
There are many pictures of the Fish River Canyon, but none do it justice. It is just impossible to take it all in at once. Natured added to the drama, as the clouds gathered, the skies darkened and the thunder increased in frequency.
The last stretch to the Canyon Road House became a race against the rain, the rain won. Soon I realized, that unlike in the Lowveld, the roads here are not at all slippery when wet.
From an accommodation point of view (Paid accommodation, as nothing beats staying with friends), this was certainly the highlight of the tour. What a lovely setting, friendly staff and good food.
