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



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Sirakor

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Nov 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
Route Choice? Nam vs Moz

Hi,

Im leaving on a trip to Amsterdam from Cape Town via East Africa 1 year from now...

Was hoping someone could explain why most people choose to go through Namibia rather than Mozambique?

Are the roads worse? Scenery better? Accomodation availability issues in Moz?

Would really appreciate some insight!

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Nov 2014
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,046
Roads are certainly better in NAM than in MOZ. Besides that, the Vic Falls are on your way. There is a low threat from terrorism in MOZ - clashes between government troops & Renamo fighters, but apparently nothing really serious.
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
I could imagine any combination of the below:

- String out the end of the journey (don't want to finish quite yet)
- Moz visa is difficult to get on the road (if you want to go, get the 6-month multiple entry at home before you leave)
- Namibia is awesome and has some very nice places (pistes, red dunes, fishriver canyon, Himba, Kolmanskoppe, Epupa, ...)
- Victoria Falls is on the way
- Botswana with its many sights (Okavanga, Chobe, animals, Kubu island, ...) is on the way
- Namibia/Botswana/Zim etc are english speaking
- Zambia's South Luangwa is kind of on the way (great for game spotting from outside the park/across the river)
- There's recently been some shootings/ambushes etc in Moz
- Some of the roads in Mozambique are not so nice (better than Moyale/Turkana though)
...

On the other hand, I can see the following reasons for choosing Mozambique:

- you are a beach person (and start missing the Indian Ocean coast, start missing the beaches of Kenya/Tanzania, and find that Malawi's beaches didn't quite make up for it)
- Swaziland is on the way
- Krueger NP is on the way
- you have business in Joburg
- ZA wild cost/garden route/Drakenberg/Bavians cliff/... are on the way (would require a detour coming from Namibia)
- you like/speak Portugese (Edit: fixed, no idea why I put French there first)
- you prefer places with little/no tourist infrastructure (having said that, it's easy to stray from trodden paths in Nam)
- ...

Take your pick :-)

Last edited by Sirakor; 25 Nov 2014 at 09:22.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Nov 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North Yorks, UK
Posts: 9
"You like/speak French" ...

Eh??? Last time I was there, they all spoke Portuguese!!! Has something happened that I don't know about???

In answer to the OP's question: NAM is easier to get around than MOZ. But MOZ is more exotic, the coast's prettier than NAM and the seafood is better (arguably...).
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Nov 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 13
I can't really give a balanced opinion as we took the Namibia route, and I know little of Mozambique, but Namibia was possibly my favourite country, I highly recommend it.

To give you a better idea of the place here's a blog I just got round to writing about our trip through, and here's a .

Some of the best parts for me were:

Away from the main tarmac roads the gravel riding is brilliant. Uniform enough to enjoy some pace while having your mind blown by the unique scenery.




Free camping feels safe and private:




A "Living Desert" tour leaving from Swakopmund was fantastic:


You can visit the world's largest meteorite (Hoba Meteorite):


Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are impressive:






Kolmannskuppe the ghost mining town is pretty cool:




I'm sure Mozambique would be great, but I don't think you'd regret heading through Namibia.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Stockton-on-Tees England
Posts: 139
These pics say it all and there is more .

margaret
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 234
Hi there,

Really depends what your expectations are...

Namibia is a magical land indeed, the riding can be pretty rough ( well, at least when you are cycling ) but the desert-type landscapes are mind-blowing. By African standards it is a very easy place to travel, the country being geared up for tourism, even in its most remote corners... People are nice enough but to me it felt a bit un-African. Don't expect Namibians to come greet you and chat with you as soon as you step off the bike, you will have to break the ice first. You will have more interactions with the locals in the unfenced north than in the sparsely populated south.

Mozambique is completely different. I only rode in the north ( coming from Malawi and exiting in Tanzania ). Roads/tracks are rather rough and there is an absolute lack of tourist infrastructure away from a few places along the coast. Communicating with people ( and cops ) can be a problem if you don't speak a fait amount of Portuguese, but Mozambicans are a friendly bunch and will strike up conversations as soon as you stop, at least in the rural areas. There is an absolute lack of street food. You will have to wild camp or ask around for places to stay.

You could actually visit both if you take the time. Say, drive up to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and southern Malawi, then across the border to Moz. From what I have been told the Moz visa is actually rather easy to get in Malawi or right at the border and the political problems/ambushes have subsided with the recent general elections.

Hope that helps,

Levelo.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boomslang 1962 View Post
"You like/speak French" ...

Eh??? Last time I was there, they all spoke Portuguese!!! Has something happened that I don't know about???

In answer to the OP's question: NAM is easier to get around than MOZ. But MOZ is more exotic, the coast's prettier than NAM and the seafood is better (arguably...).
You're right of course, I guess my mind was somewhere else when I wrote the post. I edited the post above.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
Quote:
Originally Posted by deankruger View Post
Hi,

Im leaving on a trip to Amsterdam from Cape Town via East Africa 1 year from now...

Was hoping someone could explain why most people choose to go through Namibia rather than Mozambique?

Are the roads worse? Scenery better? Accomodation availability issues in Moz?

Would really appreciate some insight!

Cheers
Come to think of it, that's a lot of planning ahead, 1.5 years out ;-) If you're set on the East coast, in my opinion the only thing you need to do upfront, is figure out how you will get onto the African continent. Plus maybe get the Moz visa (it's comparatively cheap anyways). Then just make it up as you go along. South of Ethiopia all visa except Moz are easy to get on the road, most at the border, no planning ahead required.

As to getting onto the continent: unless you are flying in half-way, things will probably change once you approach your departure date (Egypt, Libya, Syria, ...), so you'll probably want to have more than 1 option available.

@ KiwiMat: great pics!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25 Nov 2014
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
I went through Mozambique...

My travel mate at the time went through Nambia.

We met up again in South Africa.


He spent days and days riding boring desert roads. And after Tanzania, no thanks !!

I spent weeks riding through tropical forests in Moz. I loved the Portuguese influence. It was really interesting. I spent every night on pristine beaches and relaxing in the warm clear ocean. Swinging in hammocks.

And Maputo is an amazing city.


Check out my blog post/pics and see if it helps.

www.touringted.com/2011/01/30/mozambique
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Nov 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North Yorks, UK
Posts: 9
Touring Ted has summed it up pretty well. Comparing Namibia with Mozambique is like comparing apples with pears...... both are fine but they're different.

Both have pluses and minuses but asking which is better is a bit like asking which one of your children you prefer. Having been to both, I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite.

Namibia is easier to get around (dunno if that's good or bad, from your point of view...) and the cops there are honest, unlike Mozambican ones, who are all worse than the criminals. Don't get me started on Moz cops....

Ideally, you want to do both. If you really, really cannot do both then I guess it depends on whether you want semi-desert (lots of it) or palm-fringed, white sand beaches and the sub-tropical vibe. Your call then.......
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 25 Nov 2014
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
I have been to both Mozambique and Namibia. I've returned to Namibia but not to Mozambique.... On the other hand northern Mozambique might be a challenge.

If you just want to cross Namibia it might get boring, but there are so many highlights if you step away from the main-route. KiwMats great pictures shows some of them.
Okavango delta (a "small" detour...) it's also a great experience.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 26 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
I did South Africa and 7 other southern African countries including Namibia and Mozambique (some southern parts of it only, Maputo to Inhambane) on a rented motorcycle in 2001/2002. Was a long time ago, but yeah, I´m with most people here, if drawing a route from Cape Town towards Cairo, I´d probably head to Namibia. It is a hauntingly beautiful country, and then you´d also get Vic Falls and a few great national parks nicely on your route.

That said, I did very much love my short stay in Mozambique, too, and I remember thinking, that although the latitude is almost similar, these two countries are like they are on different planets altogether. Not an expert, but I think a big difference comes from sea currents, a warm one brings moisture to Mozambique, and a cold one creates arid conditions to the coastal parts of Namibia.

So, both very well worth a visit, but if I absolutely had to pick just one, it would be Namibia. (Note, that I did not visit northern Mozambique, though).
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
Mongolia - Northern Route in June 2014 Up The Junction Ride Tales 6 29 Jul 2014 09:27
Choice of vehicle for Atlantic route South DavidZweig North Africa 2 22 Aug 2013 14:14
Nuvi 270 not recognising OSM map or route dave.m Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 3 13 Feb 2013 19:45
Route advice for Indonesia/Malaysia Panny West and South Asia 15 4 Nov 2012 01:58
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 16:51

 
 

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 13:44.