Day 1 and 2: Jhb to Hlane Swaziland to Sodwana
This trip was planned a few months ago and was supposed to be a proper off road ride up the Kruger Fence the same as we had done the year before. But the week before we decided to change the route completely and rather head for Swaziland and Mozambique. The plan was to enter Swaziland near Barberton and then make our way to the eastern side and stay at Hlane Camp the first night. We left JHB at 5:30 am on Saturday and rode in quite a bit of rain and mist. It was cold and miserable and we passed an horrific accident where a Sentra was ripped in two and which had my mind going for days afterwards.
Just after Belfast we pulled off the N4 and did a little dirt to make things more interesting.
Then we arrived at the border post in the rain and the officials on all sides were extremely welcoming and friendly even though they could not understand why we would ride motorbikes in this weather. We headed towards Piggs Peak and filled the bikes and had a bite to eat. Then we took off and headed to Hlane National Park. The roads were mostly dirt and in extremely good condition – almost boring for us Adventure Bikers!!
We arrived at the Ndlovu Camp inside Hlane and were pleasantly surprised. I asked some dogs the week before where we should stay and the only answer was Hlane. Good advice – really nice place with very friendly service. Ndlovu Camp has no electricity but they provide lots of paraffin lamps in the rondavels.
Next morning we had breakfast and headed out towards the border. We had planned a route South with as many dirt roads as possible and there was one section (I’m sure I can find it on the GPS track if anyone is interested) which was just awesome. From Hlane to the border post we probably did 80% dirt. Again, the border going back into SA was quick and pleasant.
Our original plan for day 2 was to get to either Ponta Da Ouro or Ponta Malangane in Southern Mozambique, but as always happens things were not on our side. About 5km from Mbazwane, Wayne got a puncture on the back wheel. At first we thought foam might work but that soon came squirting out the side and the valve area.
We got the tube out and there was a massive cut across the whole tube. The valve was also ripped out. And this was a thick 4mm tube. We fitted a new tube and after reinflating we could see that the tyre (Karoo 2) was not seating properly on the bead on both sides. We deflated, squirted in some dish liquid soap and re-inflated. No luck.
We decided to ride into town and try at the garage. Wayne pumped the tyre to 4bar and again no luck. By that time we realised there was no way of making the Kosi Bay border and headed into Sodwana to look for accommodation. We found a cheap and comfy room at Maak n Jol and checked in. Then beer and pizzas at Sodwana Bay Lodge (we know Sodwana well from Scuba diving) .
This trip was planned a few months ago and was supposed to be a proper off road ride up the Kruger Fence the same as we had done the year before. But the week before we decided to change the route completely and rather head for Swaziland and Mozambique. The plan was to enter Swaziland near Barberton and then make our way to the eastern side and stay at Hlane Camp the first night. We left JHB at 5:30 am on Saturday and rode in quite a bit of rain and mist. It was cold and miserable and we passed an horrific accident where a Sentra was ripped in two and which had my mind going for days afterwards.
Just after Belfast we pulled off the N4 and did a little dirt to make things more interesting.
Then we arrived at the border post in the rain and the officials on all sides were extremely welcoming and friendly even though they could not understand why we would ride motorbikes in this weather. We headed towards Piggs Peak and filled the bikes and had a bite to eat. Then we took off and headed to Hlane National Park. The roads were mostly dirt and in extremely good condition – almost boring for us Adventure Bikers!!
We arrived at the Ndlovu Camp inside Hlane and were pleasantly surprised. I asked some dogs the week before where we should stay and the only answer was Hlane. Good advice – really nice place with very friendly service. Ndlovu Camp has no electricity but they provide lots of paraffin lamps in the rondavels.
Next morning we had breakfast and headed out towards the border. We had planned a route South with as many dirt roads as possible and there was one section (I’m sure I can find it on the GPS track if anyone is interested) which was just awesome. From Hlane to the border post we probably did 80% dirt. Again, the border going back into SA was quick and pleasant.
Our original plan for day 2 was to get to either Ponta Da Ouro or Ponta Malangane in Southern Mozambique, but as always happens things were not on our side. About 5km from Mbazwane, Wayne got a puncture on the back wheel. At first we thought foam might work but that soon came squirting out the side and the valve area.
We got the tube out and there was a massive cut across the whole tube. The valve was also ripped out. And this was a thick 4mm tube. We fitted a new tube and after reinflating we could see that the tyre (Karoo 2) was not seating properly on the bead on both sides. We deflated, squirted in some dish liquid soap and re-inflated. No luck.
We decided to ride into town and try at the garage. Wayne pumped the tyre to 4bar and again no luck. By that time we realised there was no way of making the Kosi Bay border and headed into Sodwana to look for accommodation. We found a cheap and comfy room at Maak n Jol and checked in. Then beer and pizzas at Sodwana Bay Lodge (we know Sodwana well from Scuba diving) .
