Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Sep 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Motorbikes in game parks - southern Africa

We are riding from Ndloa in Zambia through Botswana to Namibia and Cape Town October 2012. Understand no bikes in Etosha but any advice on where bikes can and cannot go in the game parks e.g Chobe, Okavango etc.
Also any advice on alternative routes from Ndola to Livingstone (e.g. out towards Kafue National Park) apart from the obvious main road south.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Sep 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Aus. Qld. Mackay
Posts: 474
Southern Africa

We will be riding that route at the same time, so I am interested as well !!!
Cheers
paul
__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 280
Parks you can take bikes into are usually ones without dangerous animals for obvious reasons.

Definitely not possible in Botswana (park rules require a 4x4 - and no riding on a roof or in an open bakkie). Probably OK in some South African parks which aren't all about the game (not Kruger or KTP for example). I'm thinking of Golden Gate, Drakensberg etc.

But you can ride main roads that transect parks eg the road from Mongu to Lusaka that goes through Kafue. You will probably be warned by police not to stop though and do watch out for animals in the road. The road from Kasane down to Nata in Bots is in a very game rich area and there are often elephants around. Take care though. I can think of many occasions where we have come across elephants whilst in a car where I definitely would not have wanted to be on a bike.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Sep 2012
Tiffany's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Lands End, Cornwall, UK
Posts: 675
Thumbs up Animal Watching

A tricky situation to be in. We went to Etosha, but were in Windhoek beforehand where we met up with a couple of backpackers who also wanted to visit a game park. So we shared the costs of a hire car, they paid the fuel up to the gates of the Park, we went up by bike and left the bike with the wardens at the gate- but I know not everyone can bear to let their bikes out of their sight.
Had three fantastic days in the Park and then returned to the bike and continued our journey.

At the Adventure Travel Film Fest I remember speaking to someone who had taken bikes through a game park in South Africa quite recently but I can't remember who it was or which Park. They were told they do so at their own risk It sounded like they saw a lot of animals and not just the "harmless" ones either.
__________________
Tiffany
On the road from...I'm not sure any more
http://www.tiffanystravels.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhV1r-kUo
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Like Tiffany I have joined up with backpackers at both Etosha and Kruger to share car hire and enter the parks, my bike was left at the hostels and was perfectly safe.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Sep 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Aus. Qld. Mackay
Posts: 474
Game Parks

Yes I have already had 2 bad encounters in a park in Uganda, rode into a herd of Elephants & was in soft sand as well, fully loaded on a F650gs twin. Was not fun but I had a GoPro on so got to film it all. Then I came to what I thought was a campsite at Mweya, set up camp no one else turned up except a pride of lions so I lay motionless shitting myself for about 6 hours ( its really amazing how quietly one can breath ) so not overly excited about repeating the experience tho.
Cheers
Paul
__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Posts: 368
Going from Victoria Falls through Botswana and on to Namibia via the Caprivi Strip you have to go through Chobe NP but it's no problem. The main road is sealed and bikes are allowed through. Excellent chance of seeing Elephants here whilst sat on a bike- awesome experience.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
Moremi park at Okavango.
You can drive to the south gate of the park, and the last 40km's are after the buffalo fence. The animals can all come there too (big stuff, but also lions have been spottet there) and then you turn around at the gate ~where they will stop you on your bike.

Botswana: you'll see plenty of elephants on the side of the road

Tanzania: we just drove through Mikuni NP, the main road goes through the park and you do not have to pay anything. We managed to get up early and drove into this park at sunrise. Plenty of elephants on the side of the road, giraffes, buffalo's etc.

Northwestern Namibia: offroad, but plenty of lions and elephants.

Be aware though ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Oct 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NL
Posts: 14
Kafue is fine as already mentioned.

I did it on a bicycle, the rangers hassled me a little but let me through. It was a pig to get through in one day with a serious head wind as I didn't want to stay at an expensive lodge.

Thanks to the headwind the 3 Cheetahs didn't hear or smell me So I saw them at about 30m which was awesome of course. Once they spotted me they bolted as most wildlife does. Another pain with the wind was that I could cycle fast enough to escape the Tse-Tse flies, in the end I had hundreds attacking me.....NOT NICE.

– Wind, Tse-Tse and Kafue

For Etosha I also rented a car, just as well because I spotted some Leopards .

I wild camped most of Namibia (including Caprivi), Zambia, Botswana ( Trans kalahari and west side of Okavango) without problems. Locals often say be careful of Lions but there are plenty of goats and cattle around so I wasn't too worried.

Have fun
__________________
When you've accomplished all your dreams you need new ones...www.shanecycles.com/africa
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Stockton-on-Tees England
Posts: 139
As has been said there are no bikes allowed in Chobe, Moremi in Botswana. they are allowed to travel the transit road to Ngoma Gate but there is no stopping on there. You sign in/out at both ends.
Bikes are also not allowed Kruger and other ZA parks with the big 5 nor in Etosha.

Having said that animals can be seen in many areas and care must be taken with donkeys, cattle warthog etc which roam freely.


Margaret
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
African game parks on a motorcycle jimosse Route Planning 21 18 Dec 2018 11:27
Long-term vehicle storage Southern Africa jorisv Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 0 13 Jul 2012 13:18
space in a container from uk to Southern Africa mat_brook Trip Transport 0 24 May 2012 16:45
Sharing a 40 foot container from Ghana to Southern Africa davidmarcus sub-Saharan Africa 0 31 Mar 2012 13:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:13.