Into Africa - DASKOP's 12000km drive

[DASKOP]

More of 32 Bat.

 

[DASKOP]

32 Bat ..................... I hope this brings back fond memories to those who served here.

 

[DASKOP]

Leaving 32 Bat.

The rest of the day is beckoning profusely.

 

[n0b0dy]

wats daai gate voor die guard house... pis lellies!?

 

[DASKOP]

wats daai gate voor die guard house... pis lellies!?

Dit is lug toevoer pype vir die manne wat nog daaronder skuil...............Het jy nie "Oh shucks, here comes Untag" gekyk nie?

 

[DASKOP]

WOW  :drif:

Dis mooi  :thumleft:

Ja SB, julle wou mos nie saam kom nie.                :ricky:              Volgende keer ............... begin spaar swaer, ek wil 'n groep opvat volgende jaar.

 

[koekrooster]

WOW  :drif:

Dis mooi  :thumleft:

Ja SB, julle wou mos nie saam kom nie.                 :ricky:              Volgende keer ............... begin spaar swaer, ek wil 'n groep opvat volgende jaar.

What would the budget be for a trip like this?

 

[DASKOP]

Hi Koekrooster.

I started to keep track of the costs, but quite quickly realised that it would cost me a lot more if I did not do the trip. I would always regret it and you can't put a price to that.

To answer your question, I would estimate around R20 000.00 to R35 000.00, depending on what you ride, how far you ride in total, where you stay, what you eat and what attractions you want to pay to see. The amount of border crossings and subsequent permits and insurances, that will be required, also contribute. I did 12000km in 5 weeks through 4 countries and I estimate my total cost to be around R35000.00. 

But, it is worth every single cent and more. I am definitely doing it again, different route, next year.

 

[MURPHY]

MORE RIDE REPORT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :deal:

 

[DASKOP]

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to work to be able to do the next one. Hope I get the RR done before then.............. :laughing4:


So, after 32 Bat, we head off back towards Rundu. Murphy had seen this open air tavern next to the road the previous day and wanted to visit the place.

As we pass the Hombe Supermarket, I spot a GSA parked at the entrance. I catch up to Murphy and we turn around to look up a fellow traveler.

It happens to be Odded, an Israeli, who, 14 months ago, bought the GSA in Germany and then proceeded to travel through Europe and Asia to Africa. He had, at that stage done about 60 000 km in 14 months. What a life........... :ricky:

We invite Odded to join us and we are off to the tavern, sorry, shebeen.

 

[DASKOP]

When we arrived, the car doors were open, the music playing and the locals dancing. They had obviously been there for quite some time prior to our arrival and they greeted us like long lost friends and made us feel right at home.

Next moment the owner arrived, and more of the local population. The bar tender had phoned him and told him about the visiting bikers. He is also the local school principal. Long chats about the old SADF and how they were training the local inhabitants. Very pro-SA. The bigger the discussion, the more beer that was required. They really treated us great.

We were then invited to put up camp right there at the shebeen. Very politely declined the offer, but it was made very clear that we are most welcome and if ever around again, we can camp right there.

What more can I say? Cold beers, hot sun, new friends. Great day in Africa. With our new Israeli mate.

 

[MURPHY]

That was such a lekker day ................... ice cold beers and lots of laughter . The shebeen even had ST Louis larger from Botswana . ccasion14:

 

[DASKOP]

After an amazing time at the shebeen, we head back to Shamethu. We get there just in time to enjoy a sunset drink on the Okavango River bank at sunset.

SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL. Pity you cannot hear the accompanying roar of the waterfalls and the periodic call of the Fish Eagle, or the village drums that had been beating for days.

 

[DASKOP]

Being able to stand there at that time, enjoying our surroundings, cannot adequately be described in words.

 

[JACOVV]

Manjefiek!!

Ek ry tog te lekker saam.

 

[MURPHY]

That first night at Shamwetu reminded me of being in Angola many years ago , most of the night there were gun shots and drums beating in the distance . This was apparently to scare off the elephants that had broken out of the reserve . What a magic place !!!

 

[DASKOP]

I know that it is a bad photo, but it is proof (Dirty XT, Jules, n0b0dy, Swart Baard and the rest) that we tried to do a RR on the trip.

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

I know that it is a bad photo, but it is proof (Dirty XT, Jules, n0b0dy, Swart Baard and the rest) that we tried to do a RR on the trip.

no excused boet. ;D

 

[DASKOP]

Hi DXT.

I'm trying the Imageshack thing that you so patiently tried to guide us through in Murphy's RR. Lets see if I get it right.

It's the 7th of July 2013, day 13 of our journey and we head out of Chivundu, along the Caprivi towards Zambia. Just across the Okavango River, there is a roadblock, that after a few courtesies, we pass through and we are on the road again.

A short distance down the road, we encounter our first elephants in the wild.

 

[DASKOP]

OK, I have got it right, but is there no short cut or faster way? This one at a time is tedious. Practice will make perfect.  ???