Africa 2011:South Africa, Namibia and Zambia on Yamaha XT and Yamaha Tenerè

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momi20

Puppy
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
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Bike
Suzuki DR350
Hellò, my name is Maurizio (aka Momi) and during last summer I've travelled in Africa on two motorbike, with one I had some mechanical problems in Namibia. In Italy I own a Suzuki DR 350, but ship it to Africa is too much expensive and I had no time to reach South Africa and Namibia overland.
This are two vacation I made with my Suzuki

https://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391963    2008
https://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=536558    2009

and last year in India with a rented Royal Enfield

https://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=741372    2010

why Africa ? Cause I've never been there: always a good reason for visit a country. What I've known about Africa before to start ? Some memories of my childhood, one in particular: two lions (Ras and Lea) that I liked to watch in the public park of my city in Italy, Modena. What a sadness: the king and the queen of the jungle in a prison. The movies with Tarzan, the comics, some tv sequel, documentary ecc... here some link..most of them you can know just if you're born in Italy





https://youtu.be/HuGL4lf1Pg0

Zulu a 1964 movie with a young Michael Caine




Vianello and Mondaini two comic actors of Italian Cabaret on TV

https://youtu.be/17scEMSdlrE



at the time this movie was forbidden to under 18 and so



I had other countries in my mind but suddendly a wonderful offer for a fly Italy - Cape Town went on my screen: Milan-Madrid-Johannesbourgh-CapeTown 600€ (760$). Just a minute and I decided: ok Africa. After some research I understood that just renting a bike in South Africa I will be able to travel in other african countries. Due the help of this forum (https://wilddog.net.za) I was able to find a rent shop with very good fee and not too much big bikes. Even after 3 years I'm not very good with my little Suzuki, and so big BMW were out of my mind.

Craig, the owner of this little company in Somerset West https://www.motorbikehire.co.za/xt660rrentals.htm#  has helped me in any way possible, with fee, suggestion and local support: I heartily reccomend him. Thanks Craig

In Italy I've watched a public slideshow about Namibia and I asked about weahter, because my vacation day will be from last week of June  to mid July, so winter time: no problem told me people, is Africa, at minimum 22° C ( 71,60 F). This time will be low season, so less pices and dry season: is easier to watch wild animals at the watering place.  A think that I'll never forget about Africa  is the cool...dam'n some night in Namibia, with my light tent..unforgettable !!
Here I'm ready to go to the train station to reach Milan Airport
Stuff I 've brought with me in my bags and rucksack
helmet, light tent (I'm going to Africa, always hot), rucksack...yes light, pc ASUS, a pile, 2 jeans, a wind stopper jacket , my usual grey t-shirt, waterproof pants bought in India in my last vacation...ok not really waterproof, but for 3 $. The big news in my equipment is this waterproof suit bought just the night before the start: it was a special offer 60€ (76 $)



as guidebook one on Namibia and one on Botswana, plus one of my personal series, the "JUMP TO" probably the worst in the world



map, bought on Amazon.co.uk, used 4€ (5 $)


The flight has taken 19 hours and at the airport of Cape Town Craig was waiting for me to bring to my hostel in Gordon Bay The Wonkey Donkey: me and Craig


the hostel


In my room ther's a men divorced, but wife has kept house, so he was looking for a cheap apartment. Another guest was "rebuilding" his life: at the moment he's sleeping in a tent in the garden, cheaper instead the room. The third guest was a young guy, a street artist that likes cigarettes without tobacco, but with a good dose of marijuana. His 8 pm, tomorrow I'll got the bike: now I'm going to buy some food at the Pick'nPay supermarket



the manager of the hostel has 2 little dogs always ready to play 24/24 hours



https://youtu.be/eEhHFalkIxo





After dinner went at the hostel 4 non-white guys guides that had finisch a touristic tour. Obviously they sleep in a room themself. Ok formally apartheid does'nt exists no more in South Africa, but during my vacation in Africa I always perceived the presence of an invisible barrier between non white and white population. There are 2 worlds completely separated that both ignore each other. Maybe is necessary wait one or two generations to can see some change. I don't know. Is a situation a little bit similar to the Tibet, between the Tibetan and Chinese population.

One of the guide teach to me how to prepare a very popular food, a kind of mush: the super Maize



after dinner some tv and in the bed.

21 of June

I wake up early in the morning and immediatly I recognize the young street artist: 2 cops had brought him back to the hostel. The manager says no problem, the cops know him.
I go around Gordon Bay, is winter low season very few people
the ocean







In the afternoon Craig comes to bring me at his home to give me the bike, a Yamaha XT 660, the most littel that he rent. A stop in a shop just to buy a more detailed map of Namibia: is necessary, mine isn't enough for the off-road.



a stuff for girls and womens in camping



finally I'got the bike, with lateral panniers: compared to my Suzuki 350 DR this is a starship

.

Two suggestion of Craig: remember keep left when you're driving in Africa and never, never drive in the night. Now is late afternoon, but i try the bike: big 8for me), but semms I can manage it



I spend almost 3 hours to fix my stuss in the two panniers and in the rucksack: put in the left pannier, no better in the right : sure ? maybe in the jacket, why not in the rucksack ? Ok is midnight, time to go in the bed.


June 22

On the road



to reach the border with namibia is simple. follow the N7. Is very difficult at the gas station lose the key of the WC





is a little bit cold, but who cares ? I'mgoing to Namimbia, always hot

The bike is more powerful than my DR, but my travel speed remain the same 90/95 km/h ( 56/59 miles/h)

In Springbook I decided to find a bed. The first cheap motel is scary: 25$ ( 19 €), out of my budget. Often during a travel you must face some "difficult situation, as Calvin, the 6 years old kid of the comics, that in trouble situations become Spacemen Spiff: I'm the same


after half hour I find the Cat Nap just 11€ ( 14$) in the common room ( a former garage) 8 beds, but I'm the only guest.




my first day on the road in Africa is terminated.




 
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