Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Filled with excitement we left Paarl for the Victoria Falls via Namibia on the afternoon of June the 24^th 2011. Although it was raining heavily we were adamant to realise this dream of ours. Our first goal was just to get out of town and leave the work stress behind. Our first sleepover was on a farm in the Porterville district near the N7, only 120 kilometres from Paarl.

Second day near Porteville

From there we took the road to Keimoes, crossed the border to Namibia at Nakop/Ariamsvlei and spend our first night in Namibia, at Mariental.

 After the rain died out we enjoyed a worthwhile stop at a waterfall only 7 kilometres away from Nieuwoudtville on the Loeriesfontein road.

Waterfall near Nieuwoudtville

The distances we completed each day were as follows: Day 1 to Porteville(122); Day 2 to Keimoes(657); Day 3 to Mariental(750); Day 4 to Otavi(639); day 5 to Divundu-Poppa Falls(585); Day 6 to Kasane, Botswana(465); Day 7, stayed over at Kasane, Day 8 to Lephalale-Ellisras(868); Day 9 to Pretoria(311); Day 10 to Hanover(777) and Day 11 back to Paarl(663). In total 5837km.

Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn

In especially Northern Namibia and the Caprivi region you have local entrepreneurs next to the road’s side selling various beautiful handmade craft. Several pictures were taken on this trip, but all of them with a Sony Ericsson cell phone camera, so no special effects were used to take the photos and you can imagine how close you must be to something to acquire this quality.

Entrapeneurs in Caprivi

At the start of the Caprivi region alongside the Kavango River you are spoilt for choice with regards to the various types of accommodation that are available. The price does not necessary relate to the luxury you can expect. Some of the most expensive are, according to me, a simple tree house far away from  ablution facilities. We preferred the bungalows (with toilet and showers) at the Poppa Falls where we paid $N500 for bed and breakfast.

 After a day on the bike we preferred to stay over in guest houses and hotels. The cheapest was $N300 at Mariental and the most expensive 1710 Pula (with credit card and exchange rate costs about R2000) for two nights at Kasane. Most of them are on suite and with DSTV.

Poppa Falls at Duvindu at the beginning of Caprivi

The border between Namibia and Botswana falls  between the banks of the Kavango River and the beauty was an indication of what was still to come.

Kovango at border between Namibia and Botswana

We drove up through Namibia and then down again through Botswana and exited at Martin’s Drift to South Africa. It was amazing to drive through the Caprivi region and the Chobe Nature Reserve. While driving we saw different type of antelope standing next to the road, and elephants crossing the road a mere few meters in front of us.

Giraph next to the road

Elephants crossing the road

There is little to do in the villages in Namibia, and most of the time we went tired, after a day’s ride, to bed at around 7pm just to be awake around 4am-5am and be on the road at 7am. The temperatures were ranging from -4,5°C in the morning, and rising to up to about 30°C during the day. From 9am you can start taking off all the extra layers of clothes to compensate for the rising temperatures. The coldest we got was on our last day back in South Africa form Hanover to Beaufort West. We took off at -4,5°C and it never got warmer than 4°C.

As the main objective of the tour was to see the Victoria Falls we stayed over for two days in Kasane(Botswana). This beautiful town on the banks of the Zambezi, is perfectly situated to do a sunset cruise, visit game reserves, is near the Victoria Falls and to experience whatever else Africa has to offer. From Kasane we arranged a tour guide for the day to take us to Zimbabwe and the Falls.

Boat cruise on Zambezi-1

Boat cruise on Zambezi-2

Sun set over Zambezi

 I got asked my licence once, and at most of the several road blocks they gave the bike a free pass. To cross the border was in most cases hassle free. In the photo below a tourist bus arrives a few seconds after us and we were again saved from a long waiting line.

Waiting at border between Botswana and Zimbabwe 

On our way back through Botswana we crossed numerous disease controlled areas. Here you have to disinfect your feet, shoes and slippers in your panniers and drive through the disinfectant solution with your bike.

One of several disease control areas in Botswana 

The Zambezi flows strong after the heavy rains. The tons of water fall down into the gorge and as a result a heavy mist develops which feels like a rain storm. If you do not have a rain coat/suite you are guaranteed to get soaking wet.

Victoria Falls

 A definite place to visit must be the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe. The relaxed lazy atmosphere and the stunning colonial arrangement will let you feel like a king.

View from Victoria Falls Hotel

Border between Zimbabwe and Zambia

Throughout Namibia you can pay in Rands. It will be wise to take a few Pula along for paying in Botswana. In Botswana you can pay in Rands, but each trade uses its “own” exchange rate, which can sometimes be rather expensive.

 You need to have a ZA sticker on your bike and be in possession of a clearance certificate from the police. Cross border expenses were as follows: SA-Namibia(R140) and Namibia-Botswana(160 pula or R230-“border post exchange rate”). Because we went with a tour guide to the Falls, we did not need to pay anything at the border post between Botswana and Zimbabwe (you only pay for the vehicle). If you use your own vehicle (bike) it will come to about R390. To exit Botswana at Martin’s Drift border post was also free.

Road travelled

It is wise to travel at the legal speed, because being caught in another country can be uncomfortable and expensive. The 1200RT made me proud. No problems and exceptional driving pleasure. I had the privilege to use a tank of petrol at nearly every speed.

At a speed of 160-210km/h consumption was 13km/l, at 140-150km/h it was 15.4km/l, at 130-140km/h it was 17.6km/l, at 120km/h it was 19km/l and at a speed of 80-90km/h it was 22.2 km/l. The price for petrol was R10,50 in RSA, R9,20 in Namibia and R8,00(7,20Pula) in Botswana.

 What you have just read is an attempt to describe a once in a life time experience but words fail to describe what we experienced on this trip.

 Before we left I posted a few questions on the forum, but with little response. Thanks to atermcd, shaky and rene aka Cheesy for the useful advice. Maybe this report will help someone planning a similar trip.