Cape Town to the Isle of Man

[ThomTom]

So here we have it.

Dear Willy
 
I have spoken to the Secretary General (Director -General) of the Niger Foreign Ministry and they have indicated that travelling through Niger on you planned route is not possible at this time due to the security situation. I have also spoken to colleagues in Nigeria and Algeria and all have indicated that it's life threatening at this time to attempt travelling though these regions with a car. Travelling by motorcycle is suicidal.
 
I would therefore recommend that you postpone your venture until such time as the security situation has improved.
 
Kind regards
Joe Castle
 
South African Embassy Niamey, NIGER
Avenue de la Radio, Nord-QUEST Cité ORTN
Tel no 00227 2072 6083
Fax no 00227 2072 6082

Now we will have to change our plans bg time as the cost Implications to freight are way to high so now looking at Going East to Zambia and Malawi and return to SA via Moz . Our Vizas for Angola are single entry so we cannot leave and turn around we can only go one way and that is South and get on  plane to go watch the IOM TT. F*ckin frustrating

Turn right and go and see the gorillas in Uganda!  Visit the coast on Tanzania, eat seafood in Mozambiqiue.  when they move your cheese, its not the past what matters, its what you do next that's important.  Like the Nissan advert say, life is a journey, enjoy the ride, and this is your ride....

[White Rhino]

Travelling along the West of Africa has it's challenges. If you can get still visa's in time, why not go East all the way to Egypt and ferry to Europe?

[Racer 97]

Travelling along the West of Africa has it's challenges. If you can get still visa's in time, why not go East all the way to Egypt and ferry to Europe?

       Will there be enough time to make it to the IOMTT ?

[Racer 97]

Willy what is happening ?

[#111]

Driving in Luanda for those that dont know is scary particularly if youare riding with a fully loaded bike and your GPS keeps wanting you to go down one way streets. But we learnt quickly and followed the locals over the pavements, and through the traffic. It was well worth the rdie up just to see and spend 2 days there to get the full African city flavour or smell in this case.
Left Luanda at 6 am this morning and just missed teh major traffic. The country side is absolutely awesome and roads are good. Just the trucks sometimes give you a couple of grey hairs and you sh*t yourself properly.
Have lots of videos today and no photos but will see what i can do.
Arrived in Lobito again this afternoon , had a nice swim to cool down. Fires going Steaks are ready beers are cold so all good.
Tomorrow we are leaving again at 6 to get to Lubongo and willl overnight there back at Casper lodge and then head for our nice piece of 98 km of absoluet choas again and hope to be in Nam by the evening all going well then heading for Livinston to go to the falls for a visit and hopefully go try catch some tiger fish.

Cheers for now

[#111]

A lot of riding since the last report. We stayed in Lubongo over nigth an hot the road early in the morning and headed south to our lovely sterch of enduro road - 98 k`s of af kak. We managed without any spills but had some very close calls.
Arrived at the Border and no problem going back into Nam then stayed teh night at the Oshikango lodge - a very interesting experience. With music blaring till 3 Am we luckily were so kaput that we only heard it when they stopped and it got quiet.
Headed east along the C45 to Rundu and found a place out side of town called Nkwazi lodge on the river banks. Nice over night stop. My GPS sent us on a wild goose chase and we ended up on a 2 spoor snad tarck that saw me fall hard. Apart frm the fal trying to pick the bike up loaded was impossible. so unpack pick bike up and start again. Luckily no damage occured to me or the bike.

Nextx morning had breakfast and headed east again for Katimo Mulilo and overnighted there at teh Fish eagle lodge . Fair price and good food. most importantly beers were cold.

This morning headed for the Zambia border. No problems per say expect that battled to get someone to sign the Carnge de passage and were sent from pillar to post before finally someone directed us to the correct office. Still croosing into Zambia cost us USD 80 per bike.
Now sitting in Livingstone having a noce cold one at the Fawlty Towers lodge - no Bazil is not here - preparing for a day at the falls tomorrow.
Roads so far in Zambia OK you just have to dodge the pot holes. quickly.


So far in 3 days we have covered 1800 km.

[#111]

At Vic falls. for those that have never seen it i suggest you make a plan ASAP to get here and come have a look. Absolutely mind blowing.

Tomorrow we head for Lusaka met a guy and his wife at the guest lodge and they have invited us to stay the night there.
Will need to get new tyres again as the rears are becoming very smooth.

[Fuzzy Muzzy]

If you are doing Bots, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Moz return read my ride report

http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=61231.0

Awesome trip.. I would do it again in a heartbeat.. have a great ride