Namibia, Botswana, SA
 

I'm increasingly growing on the idea of a Southern African tour, perhaps for 2-3 months, in 2022 if covid is under control by then.

I'm curious if anyone has information on Namibia and Botswana in particular. Best route through these countries (circular, or point to point), places to refuel, places to eat, and most importantly get water.

Also interested in possible sights. I'm not really one for wildlife or man made object. I like the vastness of nature. I'm guessing the Makgadikgadi Pan or similar salt flats are off limit to motor vehicles though.

I'll most likely be riding solo on an adventure bike, happy (as much as one ever is) to deal with poor roads and some sand.

I saw the image below from a tour company, which gives some incredibly rough idea of routing.

Hi c-m,
here's a link to an overview covering the different provinces of South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia:
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...mewhere-100469
Many of these places are "off the beaten track", so few tourists around ;o)



I haven't written much about Botswana because lots of it is deep sand and, as all game reserves in Southern Africa, these are out of bounds for motor cyclists. I don't know about the Makgadikgadi Pan, as I haven't been there yet. I only rode through the Chobe game reserve on the main road coming from the Caprivi Strip (Katima Mulilo) to Kasane.


Sometimes, linke at the Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth game drives are offered at the entrance to the game reserve. Or, like the Hluhluwe game reserve (Mpila Camp), you can book game drives in the quirky little town St. Lucia roughly 20 kms away.


Petrol and water/food is no problem. Southern Africa has a good infrastructure, so you'll always come across a fuel station within the range of a m/c petrol tank. Of course it is safe to check your road map whenyou're in remote areas, where it may be wise to refuel even when the tank isn't empty yet ;o)


If you need more information just pm me.

I have ridden much of the route on your map and it is a pretty good one, I am not sure what you mean by adventure bike as that is a pretty broad spectrum but a 250-650cc trail bike would be ideal, I was on an 800 BMW and while I obviously survived it would have been easier and more fun on something smaller.

Cool.

I don't really enjoy riding small bikes I don't find them fun. I did Morocco and South America on a 650 single, my 950 Adventure would have been a much better bike for it especially in the sand.

I'll probably have something much lighter than an 800 BMW and more capable so not worried about that.

I was more interested in possible tracks and useful way points info.

Reflections:

Cape Town and area - well worth heading south to Cape Point and coming back via the west coast of the peninsula - nice ride along the coastline.

I would take the coast road north of Cape Town rather than the route shown - you get good views of Table Mountain on this route.

Augrabies Falls is worth a visit - a detour from the main road north.

Richtersveld National Park is amazing and fits your interests - need to check whether you can enter on a bike.

Then north into Namibia, visit Lüderitz as shown then head east to Fish RIver Canyon - make sure you stop at the Gondwana Road House on your way to/from the Canyon.

To Sesriem take D707, not the main road, it takes you along the edge of the desert - stunning area. I’m sure that you can visit Sossusvlei on a bike - however could undoubtedly join a group if not. The last part of the road is soft sand but most of it is asphalt.

I suggest adding on a detour to Epupa Falls, then taking the road which runs along the river bank to Ruacana before heading south again. You could join a tour into Etosha, although you say that wildlife isn’t your interest Etosha is one of the great game parks in Africa.

From here the logical route is to Ngoma Bridge and Kasane. Once again you could take a tour into Chobe (or perhaps as far as Moremi) - one of the best wildlife areas in the world. Victoria Falls is worth the time, and I suggest walking over the bridge to the Zambian side for a few hours as well as enjoying the Zimbabwean side.

From Nata the Makgadikgadi Pans are accessible easily. I believe that you may be able to enter on the bike - if not you could stay at Gweta Lodge and get a day trip.

To get to the South African coast I suggest routing via Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest, Dullstroom, Golden Gate Highlands, and on to Durban. You can then head north to St Lucia and back. Alternatively, from Blyde River straight to St Lucia then south along the coast.

From Durban the key points I would suggest are Drakensberg/Sani Pass, Addo Elephant NP (once again you’d need to join a tour for the park itself), then along the Garden Route to George.

I’d then head away from the coast road into the mountains and head west to Worcester, Paarl, Franschhoek, and through the wine country back to Cape Town.

I have travelled most of these roads, and a lot more in the region, including much on a 500cc ex-police bike, many years ago. You'll have a great trip!

Shame you're not into wildlife, that route takes you near some great spots for seeing Africa's magnificent creatures, especially Etosha and Chobe and of course Kruger.


All of the route is pretty straightforward, I've been to most of the places on the map two up on big GSs. In terms of vastness of nature, Namibia has that with amazing scenery in spades. Botswana is very flat and you don't need to venture off tar, but plenty of people go on the pans. For me the highlight of Bots was the Okovango, but that was done in a mokoro.



I could take or leave the 'Garden Route' bit of it and stay in the Karoo, but Die Hel and Baviaans would be worth doing for sure. The route on the map passes through Oudshoorn which raises the possibility of doing the Swartberg, which is magnificent.


In terms of fuel, get Tracks4Africa loaded into your GPS and refuel evrytime you see a gas statiion, the next one might be out. We generally don't eat during the day, just some nuts/fruit etc by the road. You should carry at least two litres of water, I use a Kriega 3l 'camelbak' which I fill in the morning. Water is usually available along the way from petrol stations if you need more.


For route planning in Namibia, my advice is to stay away from 'D' roads unless you're OK in sand. 'C' roads are usually good gravel.


The South African Wild Dogs forum has a lot of good ride reports - do some research on what you're interested in seeing, like Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei and Spitzkoppe in Namibia for example and join the dots.

Look for "Itchy Boots" on YouTube. She is currently riding around South Africa, doing most of it on backroads and dirt. Well worth a look if you plan on touring SA.