Southern Africa on a Honda CTX200 Bushlander

[katana]

I hope you come right Jim  :thumleft:

 

[Vaalseun]

Hey Jim, it's been a few days. Are you OK?

 

[Goggakop]

I see James is in Maun. So the Honda must be sorted. He probably needs some Wi-Fi  or the beer is just to cold!

 

[TechnomadicJim]

Nice trip report TechnomadicJim.
Sorry we missed you when you passed through Windhoek.
Enjoy the Caprivi, it is very nice. When in Divundu stay at Nunda Lodge and make sure you do a sundown cruise on the Okavango.

No worries Thanks for tuning in.  I had dinner at Nunda and a nice chat with the owners. Cool place. Its where Charlie Boorman and his trips stay too.

You living a dream for some of us. Enjoy and keep it rolling.

Yes sir! Thanks for the message.

I think I may be able to manage to find a letter *fingers crossed*. If not, I guess I can try to see if someone at the hostel would be willing too. If you know of anyone who would be willing to help out or has heard of a hostel doing this, please let me know!

Have you heard of any locations in particular that have processed them quickly?

Also, depending if our plans sync, I would be interested in buying the bike from you when you are done. I will be climbing Kilimanjaro/possibly zanzibar with some friends first week of April. I may fly into the SA first just to get the paper started. Lets stay in touch.

Keep it real,
Zo

South African's are a very friendly bunch. You will find someone to do this for you don't sweat it Anywhere apart from Cape Town or Joburg should process it quickly. I'm likely to want to sell the bike around mid June if thats any use to you or anyone else. The bike should be famous by then

Hi there TechnomadicJim,
Great RR. I was in he army around Oshivello also did a stint at a a place called Wenela close to Katima Mulilo  in the Caprivi on the Zambezi river. Very pretty.

I noticed you have not mentioned tyres in your RR are still on the same set you started on. If so that is pretty amazing

Thanks! It is a nice area indeed. I'm going to post a pic of the current state of my tyres and sprockets for inspection etc...

Hi Jim

You seem to be making good progress and it is a pity you could not cadge a lift into Etosha.  Anyway these things happen and it is possibly a good reason to return to Namibia

The first photograph is not meerkats but Banded Mongoose(Mungos mungo) and the other is a of a Damara Dik-dik sometimes aka Kirk's Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii) It appears to be female as only the male has very short horns - 7.5cm long.  I hope this helps with your animal ID.

Before you actually enter the Caprivi proper there is / was a magic campsite on the Kavango River close to the rapids called Popa Falls (close to the village Bagani).  If it is still there well worth a call in and a few days R & R.

Enjoy :thumleft:

Hey Chris! Yeah I did try but Etosha just wasn't happening for many reason's. There should be plenty of other opportunities for game drives. Thanks very much for the Animal ID's. I was hoping someone would chime in and help me out I stayed in a very nice camp site by popa falls mentioned below. Nice chilled area for sure.

Great trip report. Thanks for sharing. We're starting a trip in just over a month, and will use some of the tips and tricks you mention - esp the GPS plugin to update a website.
We looked into spot and delorme insight as solutions to let people know where we are, but there were too many instances of devices failing. And once the expectation is set for an update every 3 days (or whatever you decide) and then it just stops if the device dies... well, that will cause far more panic amongst the family and friends than a manually updated solution, with the expectation that we will update when we can.

Anyway, happy riding, we'll be following the adventure, and returning to the trip report for details when we arrive in South Africa late in 2014.  :thumleft:

You're Welcome Thanks for tuning in. I've seen the spot thing before but like my solution as I have more control over the data. It did require some custom coding to get it working but I really do rate OSMAnd as an app. I've tried a lot of them and it has the best functionality IMHO.

I hope you come right Jim   :thumleft:

Thanks man. I'm working through it.

Hey Jim, it's been a few days. Are you OK?

I'm cool, thanks for your concern Just been tough getting the bike sorted and crossing the border.

I see James is in Maun. So the Honda must be sorted. He probably needs some Wi-Fi  or the beer is just to cold!

Yes Staying at the Old Bridge Backpackers. Nice place.

-----

I'm going to get my ride report up to date as it's out of sync with my recent sump plug issue.

So I left Ondangwa on the B10. It was a LONG 467 km stretch. The road has lots of villages along it and I came across this old rusted VW shell and stopped for a photo :



After about 300km's I was feeling pretty tired and noticed these looming clouds that I was headed to. I had a small down poor to drive through which wasn't too bad but enough to soak me. The sun then came out and I dried myself out only to come into a BIG storm which lasted about 30 minutes and after that I was completely wet through. It started out with some small wind and then it was a real storm and I had to slow down to 40 km's and was nearly blown over. I could barely see anything.



I arrived in Divindu and checked into The Okavango River Lodge. Being soaked through and tired I paid 420 NAD for a single room rather than trying to find somewhere cheaper.

I was going to stay two nights but at the last minute I decided to head to Divundu. The D3402 road which runs parallel to the B8 is a must. Lots of villages next to the river and much more fun than the tar road.





As with yesterday clouds started to appear and I was ready to be drowned again.



Fortunately I made it to Divundu before it really bucketed it down and took shelter outside one of the two supermarkets in town.



I checked out most of the camp sites but decided to camp at Shametu River Lodge. Its run by a South African couple called Cheryl and Mel. They even offered for me to join them for dinner so I didn't have to have my standard pilchards and beans. Very nice people!

I just strung my hammock up in the kitchenette area. The ablution facilities were really nice too and all for 120 NAD per person.



The view towards popa falls from Shametu. I wasn't going to pay NWR 150 NAD just to go and look from their resort!





I spent a couple of nights there and then headed off the Caprivi strip to Katima where I was going to meet some red cross volunteers I met in Swakopmund. I decided to take the C49 instead of the B8 tar road. Unfortunately (or fortunately depends on how you look at it) they are working on tarring the road.



Came across this big fellow crossing just behind me. My first wild elephant!



I arrived in Katima after driving 400 km's and camped in my friends garden. Seeing bikes is rare in Namibia but whilst wandering around town I came across this Honda Trail 11 :



The next day (Saturday) I washed the bike, cleaned the chain and decided to change the oil. This is when I broke the sump plug as mentioned in the previous post.

I had to wait until Monday as everything was obviously closed on Sunday. I trawled round all the local mechanics and even outboard motor shops trying to find a replacement sump plug and ended up meeting a mechanic called Eddie who was happy to jump in and help me out. First he tried the Partleys steel glue and it looked promising but as soon as he tightened it up even a little its just broke again. So next he used some tape on the thread and then sealed it with some sealant :





Eddie then replaced the oil and only charged me 150 NAD for the emergency work. Thanks man! I immediately left for Divundu checking the seal regularly of course and thankfully it held and got me to there.

The next morning on the last day of my Visa I exited Namibia after spending two whole months there.



I entered Botswana via the Mohembo border crossing. Both posts were very friendly and quick so no problems and no accusations of spying! I paid 150 Pula for the Botswana fee's for the bike. They accepted namibian dollars too.



I followed the A35 south on a very boring road full of pot holes and strewn with cattle and donkeys. I stopped for lunch at Dijo Deli where they recommended I visit a crocodile farm on my way down. I arrived in Sepopa where I stayed at Sepopa Swamp Stop. I was the only guest there and the dinner was very good. The place was a bit run down though and could do with an overhaul to be honest especially the ablution facilities.

After a nice breakfast I headed south again towards Maun and stopped off at Krokovango Farm as recommended by the Dijo Deli. It cost 25 Pula and was quite interesting. I recommend it. You can spot it by the giant painted crocodile by the side of the road :









At the end of the A35 where it joins the A3 is Lake Ngami which I thought I may as well try and cross. Not going to happen but the scenery is quite unique with all the dead tress.





The A3 is just as boring as the A35 and after riding about 350 km's I eventually end up in Maun where I'm currently staying at the  Old Bridge Backpackers.

I just got back from trawling all the local bike / spares shops and although everyone was helpful it appears I can't get a replacement plug here. Getting one shipped will probably take a long time too as it will have to go via Gabarone for customs. I think I might just head down to Francistown and try my luck there.

 

[Gerard]

Nice going Jim. Seeing that creepy crawly in the pic under the bike's wheel brought back memories from my army days. Those things(and other goggs) get really BIG there.

 

[MegaPix]

This 2nd last photo is awesome

Well done Jim.  I like those clouds you captured  :thumleft:

 

[TechnomadicJim]

Nice going Jim. Seeing that creepy crawly in the pic under the bike's wheel brought back memories from my army days. Those things(and other goggs) get really BIG there.

heh. Yeah they are very creepy. There are a lot around too!. Glad I'm mostly in my hammock at night!

This 2nd last photo is awesome

Well done Jim.  I like those clouds you captured  :thumleft:

Thanks I got some nice GoPro video driving down there too.

---

Here's the current status of my sprockets and tyres at 11,600 km's.

Front :


Back :


Front (Headenau K60) :


Back (Mitas E07) :


I've got a bit of a seal that's leaking too but not enough to really worry too much about I think :

 

[katana]

Looking good.  That tire will be good for another 10k kms.  :thumleft:

 

[YamaV]

Nice going Jim! Where to next?
Drive safe!  :thumleft:

 

[Man from Nam]

Nice RR and photo's!
Travel safe
:sip:

 

[mox]

Loving this RR, I hope you get that sump plug sorted soon.  :thumleft:

 

[CoolBreeze]

I love these reports and trips with small bikes! It's the way to go if you really want to get in touch with the areas you are passing through IMO  :3some:
I just bought a XR250 Tornado for my fiance and we are following your report.

Good luck and all the best man! :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[oldmannorman]

:sip: Wow, is this RR lasting till June ?















//

 

[TechnomadicJim]

Looking good.  That tire will be good for another 10k kms.   :thumleft:

Cool That extra ridge in the middle will really extend the life I think. I expect a lot of tar from now on so they might not wear so quick as they have since I've been off road in Namibia.

Nice going Jim! Where to next?
Drive safe!  :thumleft:

Hey Vian I'm probably going to Nata where I hope to drive Makgadikgadi Pan like they did in the Top Gear Botswana Special. I hope to camp the night and drive out the next day. Should be cool and make for some epic scenery.

Nice RR and photo's!
Travel safe
:sip:

Thanks Man (from Nam). Will Do!

Loving this RR, I hope you get that sump plug sorted soon.  :thumleft:

Cool, thanks for tuning in! Me too. I'm just going to make my way south until I find out.... Francistown, Gabarone and if I still haven't then I will go to JoBerg. When I get one (will probably buy two!) I can head north into Zim then Zambia etc...

I love these reports and trips with small bikes! It's the way to go if you really want to get in touch with the areas you are passing through IMO  :3some:
I just bought a XR250 Tornado for my fiance and we are following your report.

Good luck and all the best man! :thumleft: :thumleft:

Excellent! I totally agree Thanks to you and your fiancée for tuning in!

:sip: Wow, is this RR lasting till June ?

Yes Its going to a be at least a 9 month trip! My flight back to the UK leaves 30th June from Cape Town. Get comfortable its going to a long one.

 

[TechnomadicJim]

I have been chatting to the locals here and its doubtful I'm going to get the sump plug here in Botswana which means I have to drive down to Johannesburg. The quickest and easiest way to get the part up here is to have it shipped via Air Botswana Freight from Johannesburg to Maun where I pick it up at the local airport.

So here's the BIG ask :

Are there any willing Wild Dog's in Johannesburg who can go to one of the local Honda dealers and pick up TWO (one spare) of these sump/oil drain plugs (WITH O ring) for me :

Then take them to Tambo airport's Air Botswana desk and have them freighted to Maun where I can pick them up.

I will then organise payment either immediately by bank wire (or Bitcoin) or alternatively pay cash on my return at the end of May / beginning of June. I will obviously be VERY grateful too.

What do people think of this idea ?

 

[TechnomadicJim]

OK Scrap the above idea.

Got hold of Honda Gabarone who are going to order one in for me and service the bike as well. Should take 4-5 days provided there's no problems. The Honda website didn't mention any Honda service shops in Botswana. Turns out there is!

 

[CoolBreeze]

:thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Vaalseun]

Jim, I often wondered what I would do in such a situation. Surely the easiest would be for say a Honda dealer in your home country (or maybe Johannesburg in this particular case) to quote you over the phone for the part plus courier cost, and upon receiving your EFT, to courier it to say a particular spot, say a particular dealership where you are, or even a hotel or filling station. I would think that's more do-able than asking someone to drive a part to an airport and hand it over to a dubious airline clerk. Please don't get me wrong, Wilddogs are always willing to help wherever they can, but I still think my idea is more practical. Maybe some of the older and experienced guys could enlighten me.

 

[TechnomadicJim]

You're right, that is probably the first port of call. If you read my following post it is indeed what I did next. The reason I put out a call was on the advice of a local that it would be the easiest way for me to get the part quickly. There was also always the chance that a fellow wild dog might be heading this way too which would have been great.

I wanted to attack the problem from as many angles as possible and see which one worked. Hopefully the guys in Gaberone will get the correct plugs ordered and delivered in 3-4 days like they say. Fingers crossed

Jim, I often wondered what I would do in such a situation. Surely the easiest would be for say a Honda dealer in your home country (or maybe Johannesburg in this particular case) to quote you over the phone for the part plus courier cost, and upon receiving your EFT, to courier it to say a particular spot, say a particular dealership where you are, or even a hotel or filling station. I would think that's more do-able than asking someone to drive a part to an airport and hand it over to a dubious airline clerk. Please don't get me wrong, Wilddogs are always willing to help wherever they can, but I still think my idea is more practical. Maybe some of the older and experienced guys could enlighten me.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Boersoeknbike]

Jim, PM me if you don't come right, I'm not that much on your post. I'm willing to help and know people with family in Gab