Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Hi Sweetrolls,

My very first reaction is "you're too optimistic". Not a bad attribute generally, just not the appropriate one in this instance.

The "common" recommended distance for off-road riding is 300 - 350km per day.

1. Agulhas to Vioolsdrif (Orange River) ~ 860km
   ​This is not going to be fun, so I would suggest you split it over 2 days.
2. Vioolsdrif to Luderitz, excluding the FRC ~ 450km
3. Vioolsdrif to Luderitz via FRC & Seeheim ~ 570km
4. Vioolsdrif to Luderitz via FRC & Rosh Pina ~ 660km
   ​Add to this actual time at the Canyon and you're looking at another very exhausting day.
5. Luderitz to Sesriem is reasonable
6. Sesriem, Spreetshoogte, Swakop is beautiful.
7. Unless you're just going to look at Dune 7 for 10 seconds and carry on, you're going to run out of day near Spitskoppe. You also want to really look around and take a few decent breaths at Spitskoppe before you head off to Brandberg, which is a decent distance from Spitskoppe.

I don't have personal experience of the area north of Brandberg.

Have you plotted these routes on a map and measured the distances? If not, I strongly advise you to do so. Namibia is extremely beautiful. Give yourself the opportunity to experience it!

Hi SweetRolls

Last year I planned a trip to Namibia. I put my ideas on the forum and the feedback I received, especially from Mwendo was so valuable, it was unbelievable. If I had followed my initial planning, we would have ended up "chasing the sun" on a daily basis.

Instead, by taking in the awesome advice, we had an absolutely amazing trip. South Africa and Namibia are 2 countries that are, aesthetically speaking, too beautiful to rush through.

After all, if you want a race then sell your BMW and buy a superbike. It's all about the quality and not the speed. I have planned a trip to Die Hel for when I get back to South Africa next week and it's a 5-day trip so that we can enjoy our ride.

Wishing you an awesome and safe trip

Mwendo, 

thank you for your feedback. 

so my idea is to ride to Lithuania from here... I do not have 6-9 month... i do not have 5 months even... i could probably do 4 ...

It's a short time frame i realize. It seems that there is so much to see/do in close proximity to SA that perhaps it's better than i skip some things (leave it for potential trips) in favor of spending more time in more distant countries like Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia ... 

It appears i am way too ambitious :) or my time frame is too short :) 

with regards to to far location like Epupa Falls, i've read that they are spectacular when water i high. that's the reason i included it. 
It is probably better that i adjust my expectations : orange river, fish river canyon and onto Keetmanshoop... Keetmanshoop to Sesriem ...there onto swakopmund in some shape or fashion... and then onto Rundu and onward to Livingston

that cuts out probably 4-5 days out of my stay in Namibia ... I'd love to pack a lot, but upon further thinking and feedback... i just don't have enough time :) so it seems.

Thank you for any further suggestions / thoughts ... it's been helpful and it is appreciated 

Mwendo is a balanced experienced traveller, His advice is worth heeding. Whilst reading your post the thought went through my mind, Why the rush? If you do not have the time go the surfaced roads on the east side of Africa, mostly surfaced, from what I have read. Envious, sure, enjoy the experience. 

I appreciate all suggestions :) it helps to hear from more experienced people for sure. 

I guess my goal is NOT to explore africa per se... it's to get to Europe ... and see some things along the way. 

If i come back, i can always make time to explore Nam/Bots ... 

I suppose i'll be pushing the distance some in the beginning. I'll stop at Vic Falls and then push on to Luangwa NP and maybe stop there for a bit.. prior to that couple stops in Namibia... 
then take it a little slower in Malawi, Tanzania , Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya(since i'll need to stop to service the bike etc) and Ethiopia... then push on through Sudan and Egypt ... (ive seen biggest spots in Egypt so i am ok with not spending too much time there.) 

I'd like to visit Ngorongoro, track Gorillas ... get some good coffee ... see some of Ethiopian monuments ... and some things in between :)) 
lightheartedly contemplating joining a group for Kili :))) but that's a very long shot. 

thank you all for suggestions. 

i'd love to get some more for few places to visit along the way. 

thanks in advance