South Africa Ride > Cape Town > Vic Falls

[luv_to_ride]

I am currently planning a 2 week ride during July/August'06 in Southern Africa from Cape Town through Namibia to Victoria Falls, riding back through Botswana and Pretoria.
My plan is to ride 2up on a rented GS with my 74year old dad.
If there is anyone out there whom have traveled through some of this tentative route http://www.gone4aride.com/za.htm and have any recommendations or tips I would love to hear from you.

Cheers,

L

[AceRph]

You've got some hits but no responses. I'm gonna move this to Outer Darkness. I'll bet there will be some replies.

Good luck. I wish I could get my dad to ride w/ me.

[luv_to_ride]

Originally Posted by AceRph

You've got some hits but no responses. I'm gonna move this to Outer Darkness. I'll bet there will be some replies.

Good luck. I wish I could get my dad to ride w/ me.

Cheers!

L

[Welshman]

Originally Posted by luv_to_ride

Cheers!

L

R U sure? That is a trip I would love to do, but are you convinced your dad is up to this? I assume you plan on only tar, check your routes carefully, some of that tar is questionable. Only bring your father if he is a very healthy 78. Not negative, but this is not Disneyland!

My recomendation, hit Capetown, do the East Coast then KZN then up to Jo.burg, the route the Edelweis tours use. It is safer, has at least reasonable medical back up etc. You then have a good shot a a good tour.

Welshie

[BigX]

I just PM'ed you.

[luv_to_ride]

Originally Posted by BigX

I just PM'ed you.

Thanks! Just responded.

L

[digby]

I havent done Zims or Botswana but Namibia will be a piece of cake on a GS even 2 up. The roads are good and even the gravel(dirt) roads are easy riding, just long and straight most of the time.

My suggestion is that you ride to the Fish River Canyon (second largest Canyon in the world) as your first stop after leaving Cape Town. Check out the Canyon Lodge, exellent. And by the way avoid public campsites and parks board vacilities, they are poor. The local Germans have established good private accomodation where ever you want to go.

Next stop has to be Sousoesvlei, the highest dune in the world. Remember that dune watching is best at sunrise and sun set.

Next stop should be Swakopmund/Walvis Bay if you have the time. Stunning flocks of pelicans and flamingos at Walvis. From there you will want to visit Etosha PAn before heading on to Zims. No bikes allowed in the park so stay at one of the bush retreats nearby and use their facilities.

Three cheers to your dad!

[Gruebane]

Originally Posted by Welshman

R U sure? That is a trip I would love to do, but are you convinced your dad is up to this? I assume you plan on only tar, check your routes carefully, some of that tar is questionable. Only bring your father if he is a very healthy 78. Not negative, but this is not Disneyland!

My recomendation, hit Capetown, do the East Coast then KZN then up to Jo.burg, the route the Edelweis tours use. It is safer, has at least reasonable medical back up etc. You then have a good shot a a good tour.

Welshie

HAve to agree with Welshie on this one ...the trip you propose is thru some pretty desolate country and medical facilities are few and far between... (dont be fooled by the brangelina baby as far as medical facilities are concerned)

cheers

[shark_za]

I have driven along all those roads (4x4), with the exception of the last bit in the Caprivi Strip up north in Namibia that links to Vic Falls.
If the geezer is in good health, there should be no need for any concern, more worrying is avoiding goats and donkeys along the Botswana sections.
Most of the trip in big highway riding, all through RSA and Namibia till at least Grootfontein.

Seriously, my biggest concern on this trip would be goat in Botswana and Kudu in Namibia.

[fatalerror]

Keep an eye out in South Africa, they will rob you blind.

[Gruebane]

Originally Posted by fatalerror

Keep an eye out in South Africa, they will rob you blind.

oh gee i see you in Florida ,,,coupla years ago Florida was big in the news cos of all the tourist murders there so my advice to you is

keep an eye out in florida ,they will murder you blind ....

i have lived in Africa for 30 of my 40 years thus far and i have not been robbed even once ...oooops i lie i had a vtr1000 stolen 6 years ago.

[fatalerror]

Originally Posted by Gruebane

oh gee i see you in Florida ,,,coupla years ago Florida was big in the news cos of all the tourist murders there so my advice to you is

keep an eye out in florida ,they will murder you blind ....

i have lived in Africa for 30 of my 40 years thus far and i have not been robbed even once ...oooops i lie i had a vtr1000 stolen 6 years ago.

If you look carefully at my avatar, you will see I am a south african, and spent 9 years there as a cop, until we moved to the states in '94. Al my family are still there, and they have ALL been affected by either murder, robbery, housebreaking or some other kind of crime. I don't make this stuff up, ask any south african.

All I can say is good luck, en passop vir daai blerrie hijackings in jou mooi BMW, hoor?

[Welshman]

Originally Posted by fatalerror

If you look carefully at my avatar, you will see I am a south african, and spent 9 years there as a cop, until we moved to the states in '94. Al my family are still there, and they have ALL been affected by either murder, robbery, housebreaking or some other kind of crime. I don't make this stuff up, ask any south african.

All I can say is good luck, en passop vir daai blerrie hijackings in jou mooi BMW, hoor?

Enjoy Florida, I did not, I am with Grue, I can go back to the UK tomorrow to a group job, but will not, the trade offs are not worth it, life is not to be controlled.

I also respect your position, as an ex cop here, you will have seen things no normal person expects.

And as for you Big Fish Shark, I would have no reservations on the 4 x 4 trip version, but it is different doing a pillion.

Welshie

[Gruebane]

Originally Posted by fatalerror

If you look carefully at my avatar, you will see I am a south african, and spent 9 years there as a cop, until we moved to the states in '94. Al my family are still there, and they have ALL been affected by either murder, robbery, housebreaking or some other kind of crime. I don't make this stuff up, ask any south african.

All I can say is good luck, en passop vir daai blerrie hijackings in jou mooi BMW, hoor?

i did see yr avatar and then read yr origonal post , case of cognitive disonance i guess.

its one thing leaving Za an setting up camp in another country , great for you ,but then to diss the country you left over an over again kinda makes one wonder who you trying to convince, us or yourself...i suspect the later...

Kinda ironic really , there was another cop who left ZA and set up camp in Florida ........ his name was Stander

[Doc Rich]

I agree with fatal error- I lived in Sa for 40yrs and still have family and friends living back there including my parents. I don't know a single person who has not been effected by the crime and violence. To ignore that is at your own peril. I don't think he was dissing SA either. We all have choices to make, respect that. The safety of my family is more important to me and probably to him too.

As for that trip to Botswana - sounds pretty cool. I have done most of those roads in my Landie and it is possible although long and for a 78yr old it may just be a little too much. Personally I fancy a trip up to Namibia on my GS !!

Mooi loop.
Rich