Dar Es Salaam to Mozambique
 

I am planning (along with 2 others), well at least trying to plan. a trip from Dar to South Africa (Nelspruit) for May/June next year. I have dabbled with offroad bikes most of my life and have just got a shiny new XR 650 Honda. I plan to use this on the trip. Problem is though I am really struggling to get good info on the northern parts of Mozambique. I am new to "adventure touring" and so am really trying to plan meticulously so that my first trip is memorable (which I am sure it will be!). Can anyone help me with info on Northern Mozambique re: Safe camp areas , fuel , water , food!! GPS points, Road conditions, realistic daily km's one can expect to cover ( unfortunately i only have a month!
We plan to ship our bikes from Dubai to Dar to a mate of ours then meet them there and ride to South Africa and ship them back. Any ideas , help etc.. will be much appreciated!

Hello and welcome to the best travel site around!

Ive not travelled the very North of Moz, but have been several times to the south and "middle" of teh country. I really suggest you consider the following route, its one ive done recently and its in my opinion the best part of Africa to see, well almost.. : From Dar follow your choice of roads (choose between easy tar or challenging dirt) to the North border of Malawi and follow this superb country South to Mount Mulanje. Malawi is very friendly, very cheap, has LOADS of accomodation options and is very beautiful. From Mulanje cross into Moz and follow a beautiful and difficult road down to Beira, Land mines are a very real danger here so stay on the road! Then again choose any route down to SA, the main drag is easy riding with only potholes while the small interior roads are sometimes very challenging. Lonely Planet has all accomodation details for Malawi and Moz and SA. Follow East coast of SA to cape Town and call me for a beer and a place to stay! Moz does require visas, get in Dar, Malawi gives them free at border so does SA.

Let me know if you nee more specific details, i need a map ion front of me to be more helpful..

Jim

the coast road was awesome in Sept/Oct '03. there were several tar sections, but the michelin map was very accurate about condition. "partially improved" sometimes means branches strewn on the sand to help traction on the hilss.
I expet they're right about it being impassable in the rainy season. the boats across the rivers were awesome and so was the dust in Tanzania. I camped in villages rather than bush. I met two aussies who camped wherever they felt like it, but I consider that to be a bit risky. great camping at Kilwa Kissiwani and Ihla da Mocambique. nice hotel in Nampula. its all doable in good weather and I hope they haven't made too much progress on the road!!
good luck

I did the reverse route (Maputo to Dar) in December 2004 and although the roads were terrible, (rainy season more than anything), and the lack of infrastructure (you need to be creative about campsites), it was the best part of a 9 month trip around the region. Happy to share details.

Kevin thanks for the note, I dropped you a mail with a bit more detail. I am interested in getting to see your route. Most people go via the Tete corridor and then either Zim or Malawi then Tanzania.The more direct route ie: Maputo straight up the coast to Tanzania seems to be the lesser traveled , maybe I should take the hint here!! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gifI look forward to details of your trip.