The mountains in Swaziland.

I rode through Botswana without any problems and was suprised to see elephants along the road in areas that I thought were not national parks. I felt a bit exposed on the motorcycle as when I stopped to look at them they seemed to move closer and my thoughts were, do not have a flat tire or a breakdown.

On crossing the border to South Africa it felt like I was home. I made for the north of the country as there was much of South Africa I have not seen and I visited with some friends in Nelspruit. We did a day trip to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique and also saw some of the sights around Nelspruit.

On leaving Nelspruit I made for Swaziland and rode through some stunning mountain scenery and as it is a small country and I was able to do the ride within a day. After crossing the border back into South Africa I made for Johannesburg to visit with another friend and left the next morning in the pouring rain as I headed south on the N1 to Bloemfontein to meet up with Andrew who was joining me for the last couple of days of my adventure.

Andrew and I in Fouriesburg

Andrew had ridden up from Cape Town on the N1 to join me in Bloemfontein and we were going to explore the Drakenberg and make our way south along the coast.

In the foothills of the Drakensberg.

The scenery around the Drakensberg was stunning and I realised that there were many parts of my own country that I have not explored and that many of the best sights that I had seen on my journey through Africa was in South Africa.

Stopping for some refreshments after a long cold wet day on the bike. I am sure many of you know how good this one tastes.

Having tea and milktart after crossing Prince Alberts Pass.

Packed and ready to go.

We spent a night at my mom,s holiday place in Wilderness and made our way to Oudtshoorn.

On top of the Swartberg Pass.

My friends in Cape Town arranged a welcome home party for us and this was officially the end of my trip through Africa. Thanks Grant and Marlene for a great party.

The gps was zeroed when I left Dubai and this was the reading when I stopped and the ride was officially over. I had left Dubai on the 18th January and arrived in Cape Town on the 20th March, a total of 61 days and had covered sixteen thousand six hundred and sixty six kilometers.

A ride up Chapmans Peak in Cape Town.

When you have completed a journey/adventure like this people tend to ask you what it was like and the best way I could explain it is a continues bombarment of your senses by the elements, the landscapes, the people that take you through the full spectrum of emotions that you could experience and therefore remind you that you are alive.

I would urge any of you out there that have been considering doing a similar trip to get out there and do it as the longer you postpone the more difficult it gets. You could ask any of the many travellers we met in Africa and they would all say it was worth the sacrifices that had to be made. Africa is changing and I think that the days of true adventure are numbered on this continent.

It was a great experience and who knows I may be out there again in the not to distant future.

This is me signing off till the next time.

Safe riding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lionel Haggard