Okavango, Caprivi, Vic Falls ride, 20 Nov - 1 December

[tifua]

Pics of the the afternoon ride

 

[tifua]

more pics

 

[TVB]

Stunning - I want to do this trip next. When I am back from Gough this is on top the bucket lists!  :laughing4:

 

[Heimer]

I loved reading this

 

[tifua]

Some pics of the camp

Pic 1: the road into camp
Pic 2: Tent I stayed in
Pic 3: Relaxing after long day, chilling on the jetty
Pic 4: The dining hall
Pic 5: Open air shower in the one corner of the property

 

[tifua]

Next day we rode out to an area my dad told us about and drew a map on a piece of paper for us to follow. It was not long after turning off the main road that we found the place. Flood plains, grass, sand, 4x4 tracks, river crossings, mud, foot paths all winding around the Okavango. Was amazing to ride... water is low at moment so we could ride all way up to the edge of the deeper water, deep into the Okavango. Next time I want to get a support car with camping gear and see how far in we can ride. We rode for hours then followed old cattle trail back to main road which gave us about km of really thick sand. Got back and relaxed then decided to take a last boat ride as we would be leaving for Caprivi the next day. Group of hippos and an amazing sunset to end off a great day. Back at camp my dad had organized a braai for dinner.

 

[tifua]

some more pics of the ride

 

[tifua]

more of the good stuff

 

[tifua]

end of a great day

 

[tifua]

Next day breakfast and ride to Namibian border. Smooth process to cross over into Namibia and on our way. Riding to lodge call Namushasha halfway across the Caprivi on way to Kasane for overnight. Nice lodge and after arriving we setup camp then had a relaxing afternoon around pool with a buffet dinner. Next morning was the long ride to Kasane following the lower horseshoe road (be aware of local kids throwing stones at bikes). Refuel in Katima Mulilo then onto Kasane through the Ngoma gate.

Pic 1: the route over 2 days
Pic 2 - 6: Last look at the camp
Pic 7: the loaded bus
Pic 8 - 10: Border crossing and signing into game reserve

 

[tifua]

more pics of resort.
Pic 1: Divundu refuel
Pic 2: Lunch break and leg stretch
Pic 3: Almost there
Pic 4: Campsite
Pic 5: Sunset at lodge
Pic 6: Lodge at night
Pic 7: Dinner
Pic 8: Break time
Pic 9: Refuel in Katima
Pic 10: Leaving Namibia

 

[Snafu]

Cool report!!! sub!

 

[TVB]

My daily fix  :sip:

 

[woody1]

Very very nice.

Thanks for sharing  :ricky:

 

[tifua]

We arrived in Kasane and went to Mowana lodge to get lunch. This was also a chance to decide on where we would go next. Chris wanted to stay in Kasane while the two Americans and myself wanted to see Vic Falls so 3 of us elected to push onto the Kazangula border crossing and then ride to Livinstone and stay at a place called Jolly Boys. I had stayed there 20 years before and while a lot has changed and its moved to a new location it is still one of the best places to stay in Livinstone if you are not he hotel type. 4.5 hours to get through Zambian border control (read about the process here: https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=202823.msg3729441#msg3729441), we finally road into Livinstone after dark with all manner of wildlife, farm animals and people crossing the roads at random. Next morning we caught the Jolly Boys shuttle to the falls, walked over into Zimbabwe and walked around the park looking at the falls. Water was very low but falls is still beautiful. Catching taxi back, the Americans went for a game flight while I stayed and relaxed and looked at my next route.

Pic 1: Ngoma gate border post
Pic 2: On road to Kasane
Pic 3: Signing into the park
Pic 4: Warthog family next to road
Pic 5: Boabab tree in the centre of the Mowana lodge lobby
Pic 6: Botswana border post
Pic 7: Warthogs at the border post (Botswana side)
Pic 8: Waiting for the ferry
Pic 9: Ferry offloading
Pic 10: On the ferry crossing over to Zambia

 

[tifua]

Pic 1: the new bridge being built between Botswana and Zambia
Pic 2 - 10: Jolly Boys

 

[tifua]

Pic 1: Statue of Dr. Livinstone
Pic 2 - 5: Victoria Falls
Pic 6: The bridge joining Zambia and Zimbabwe
Pic 7: Driver crashed (suspect that he fell asleep / was drunk). On the back was 42 passengers and a large number were killed.

 

[TVB]

I did not even know about the bridge being build between Botswana and Zambia.

The falls still looks great even with 'low water'  :thumleft:

 

[tifua]

Next morning I left Livinstone at 5am hoping to catch the border at 6 and get across before it got too busy. The Americans decided to leave later in the day as they wanted to explore the town itself. Crossing over was easier then entering. The usual bunch of "fixers" ran alongside the bike and try to get me to park here and there as well tried to offer me their services including watching my bike. Was getting annoying and the more you say no they more they think it means "not now but if you keep asking then it will be yes so dont give up...". I had no choice but to leave my bike standing outside with a crowd around it as you cant enter through the gate until you have been processed. I walked up to the army guard with the AK47 and offerd him $5 if my bike was as I left it. Paperwork processed I walked out to my bike and found this same soldier standing next to my bike with his gun off his shoulders and in his arms and nobody coming near it. I paid him, go onto the ferry and was happy to enter Botswana again with its control and order.

Rode up to the garage, stopped for a coffee and waited for Chris to join me from his camp site in Kasane. Few minutes later we began the long ride to SA. Apart from getting fined for speeding (73 in a 60 zone) it was uneventuful till Francistown. We stopped for fuel, Wimpy and hit the road again wanting to be in SA before sunset. Bike temp shows 39 degrees outside but the baking sun and heat on the tar roads made it feel more like 49. We pushed on and finally arrived at Martins drift around 5pm. Took 14 minutes to get through both Botswana and SA border posts. Just in SA Chris and I parted ways as he was going to ride back to Centurion while I wanted to explore bit more. I booked a hotel in Polokwane and pushed onwards hoping to arrive with enough time to grab dinner and relax. Last 1.5 hours was riding in the dark through what looked like townships or villages and had to concentrate to avoid hitting people and animals on the road. Arrived at the lodge after 8, tired (Livinstone to Polokwane in one day). They had some big function on so couldnt get dinner so after quick shower I rode to garage for pie.

Pic 1: Sun rising over behind me as I head to Zambian border
Pic 2: Arriving at the Kazangula border post
Pic 3 & 4: Waiting for the ferry to start boarding
Pic 5: On the ferry
Pic 6: Chris arrived and we are about to leave Kasane
Pic 7: Long straight roads between Kasane and Nata
Pic 8: Speed trap just as you exit Panamatenga
Pic 9: temp

 

[tifua]

Next morning, I checked out and road onto Sabie by way of Tzaneen stopping to see Drie Rondavels. GPS took me through forest dirt roads just before Graskop until just by the turn off to Pilgrims rest. Arrived at hotel hot as hell and watching a storm start building over Sabie. Checked in, shower and relaxed before having early dinner and bed. Next morning I rode to Nelspruit then took the scenic road to Kaapsehoop before taking a small dirt forest road and working my way over to Adams Calender. Was clear skies and the views were incredible. Sat there for a while just enjoying my last day of the trip before jumping on the bike for the ride home to the Vaal on the highway.

Pic 1 & 2: Road towards Moria and Tzaneen
Pic 3: Drie Rondavels
Pic 4: Lunch deck in Sabie
Pic 5: Forest road to Adams Calender
Pic 6: Getting closer
Pic 7: Adams Calender
Pic 8 & 9: the view