Zanzibar and back........................but you need a bike first!

[Eisbein]

Very very cool!

Thanks for posting about this - very cool ride report of a very cool ride.

I like how the prospect of the tour kicked you back into biking.

:thumbsup: x100!

 

[Eisbein]

Oh - it is really cool that Ingrid didn't bail out of the prospect but jumped for the opportunity to go with.

To me there's only one thing better than to see new and interesting places from the seat of a bike and that is seeing new and interesting places from the seat of a bike with Vicky right there!

 

[keithk]

What a great adventure this is the reason you are back into riding again and this is the very reason why I am riding but still to experience . Well done and respect to the wife excellent.

 

[Mzee]

I read this story like reading the Bible.  Very interesting.  The pictures speak for themselves.  But also interested because I am planning a similar trip, this time upto Uganda. Sometime in December 2008.

 

[bud500 (R.I.P)]

I loved the report, but please excuse the question. What is the budget for a trip like this approximately?

 

[mountainboy]

now thats my kind of story

no bike??

no prob

nothing stops me

great stuff Andrew!!!

and much respect to Ingrid too!!!

 

[JourneyMan]

Bevange!

 

[koplamp]

Excellent report. Great trip! Thanks for this report.

 

[Maverick (R.I.P.)]

Nice report dude, so many places to see so little time!  8)

 

[YellowFever]

I loved the report, but please excuse the question. What is the budget for a trip like this approximately?

We stopped counting at some point, but all in all probably R16-R18k for the 2 of us. Fuel was offcourse the major thing, in some places R14/litre. Camping is fairly cheap, but being very tired some nights resulted in unplanned hotel/motel accomodation which shot the price up.

Places like vic valls and zanzibar you could spend as much money as you like cause there is lots to do. For the rest it was just fuel and chow, nothing else to spend your money on.

Just wanted to say again, if you are ever in 2 minds about zanzibar, don't be. It's a great place and we are planning to fly back there for a longer stay in the next few years to come.

Bud if you are serious about a similar trip, pm me and I could go scratch a bit more for our budgets and so on.

 

[bud500 (R.I.P)]

Thanks for the feedback and the lekka report.
The estimate is fine for now thanks, my trip like this is still a way off.... :'(

 

[Plothond]

Excellent

Long time since I've been riveted to the screen like this
Enjoyable reading and great photo's

What struck me the most was the easy-going nature of your group (it appeared so) and an apparent ease of the trip

Well done

 

[CrazyPorra]

I loved the report, but please excuse the question. What is the budget for a trip like this approximately?

Did it in 2004/2005 and spent at the most 6K for three weeks all inclusive, but there where no fancy hotels.

 

[Smithey]

Awesome report, absolutely fabulous.

How scary was the bribing experiance and what did it cost.

 

[YellowFever]

Awesome report, absolutely fabulous.

How scary was the bribing experiance and what did it cost.

They wanted $US 150 if I'm not mistaken. They call themselves agents and if they even show you in the correct direction they see themsleves as "appointed". These particular guys were big buddies with the zambian army/police and they didn't want to let us go without paying them. We eventually rode up to the gate where again the guy with the big gun stopped us. We blocked the gate with our bikes so no one could get through from the front or back. After a few minutes of argueing the trucks started hooting and when that happened he was under pressure to let us go through to the tanzanian side. He then told our "leader" that we would not leave tanzania alive. Is funny now, but was not lekker then, especially with your wife at the back and a big gun infront of you.

 

[Tonteldoos]

Nice ride report, how the hell did I miss it in Dec ??? Thanx to Leo picking up the similarity in the aprilia's mishaps  - also a female rider ...

 

[FortyZA]

Awesome report, absolutely fabulous.

How scary was the bribing experiance and what did it cost.

They wanted $US 150 if I'm not mistaken. They call themselves agents and if they even show you in the correct direction they see themsleves as "appointed". These particular guys were big buddies with the zambian army/police and they didn't want to let us go without paying them. We eventually rode up to the gate where again the guy with the big gun stopped us. We blocked the gate with our bikes so no one could get through from the front or back. After a few minutes of argueing the trucks started hooting and when that happened he was under pressure to let us go through to the tanzanian side. He then told our "leader" that we would not leave tanzania alive. Is funny now, but was not lekker then, especially with your wife at the back and a big gun infront of you.

Was the U$D 150 not for Visa's?  I know that a VISA is needed but demanding a bribe when you have a Carne and all, I would expect it from them.  When leaving Dar by plane, it is the same shlep. Seems that they don't want visitors, seing their beautiful country.  I see you did not mention riding through the Baobab corridor (Baobab Forest which stretches for +/- 200 Km). 

My question is the following: What did the Carne cost per bike?
Great report, thanks for taking the time.
40ZA

 

[dustsucker]

Unreall !!

 

[YellowFever]

The carnet was R2000 for a 5 pager and you get R500 back on your return to SA, when you hand it back to the AA.

Nope these okes were black "market agents", they don't work for imigration or border officials. They are however kop in een mus with the zambian army. These agents roam around and try to help you all the time and then asking a fee for it. When ariving at such a post, one should just speak as little as possible not even trying to make eye contact with them.

 

[MellowJo]

Man, I can't wait to get home tonight, to see the pics. I only got some ADSL last weekend.

So YellowFever, when are you taking the rest of us on a follow-up trip, to places you missed on this one. Let us start planning !!!