Caprivi Strip touring?

[Sepia]

Anybody done this and could offer some advice?

Thinking of doing Livingstone to Oshakati unsupported?

Advice will be appreciated very much.

Thanks

[dirtrider]

You will not need a lot of support . Camping sites and lodges are spread all across the Caprivi . Oshakati also got more than just tents now and there are a few B&B's .

[Sepia]

Thanks Dirt.

Yes, it would appear accn is not a problem and things are quite built up these days.

Has anybody been there or even ridden the area?

Anybody with any suggestions?

[dirtrider]

Don't drive at night , don't drink the water in the river , take liver pills and sunblock !! Will you be biking or driving a cage ? How will you get to your starting point ?

[johannrissik]

Get in touch with Shane Little and Peter Gostelow, both are experienced tourers and have been there (and more)

 

http://www.shanecycles.com/africa/

@shanecycles or shane supertramp on FB

@petegost

 

Take care on those roads, Namibian drivers try very hard to be more reckless than their SA counterparts.

PS You'd want to do it in winter

[DJR]

I haven't done it on a bike, but dreamt of doing it while humming along in the Landy. For what it's worth, here's my 2 cents:

 

From Livingstone you can stay on the Zambian side as far as Kazangula and then take the ferry across to Botswana, ride through Chobe and cross over into Namibia at the Ngoma bridge and from there to Katima Mulilo. Pretty straight but 2 border crossings.

 

OR

 

You can stay on the Zambian side all the way to Katima Mulilo where you can cross over into Namibia. Pretty straight with 1 border crossing.

 

OR

 

From Livingstone cross over into Zimbabwe over the Victoria Falls bridge, then take the Kazangula road where you enter Botswana and as above on to the Caprivi. (What I like about this is that you get to do 4 countries in 1 day if you move your butt, there aren't many places you can do that.) Pretty straight but 3 border crossings.

 

From Katima Mulilo to Rundu is a very long very straight stretch but there are several little towns with basic shops along the way. From Rundu onwards I cannot give you much in terms of route advice.

 

There are also some stunning lodges and campsites all along the route. Try stay on the Zambesi somewhere near Katima Mulilo. Along the Kwando River there are some super places as well as along the Okavango River where it crosses the Caprivi. The main route is decent quality tar, so a road bike will work, but if you want to venture off the main road, fat tyres will help for the sandy tracks. The whole route is very near totally flat. I think the elevation difference between Katima Mulilo and Rundu is about 25 metres over 500 km. Heat would be my greatest worry in summer as well as near daily thunderstorms. The roads are wide and straight and the traffic very sparse but the distances between towns are very long. I found the locals extremely friendly and never had a moments worry about safety. Make your calculations very carefully and allow enough time, at least 1 hour, for each border crossing. Also check the times the border posts open and close. I think it would be smart to ride with all you need to bush camp if you have to.

Edited January 20, 2014 by DJR

[Sepia]

Guys you are most helpful.

@Johan: Yes, Winter is when I plan to do it. Would not go at any other time. Thanks for the links. I will make inquiries.

@DJR: Thanks for the most informative reply. Appreciate the time taken to compose the epistle! Very useful indeed.

 

I have a mates going up there end July/August and said they will give me a lift there and I can ride while they do what they would like to do.(Fitting bike rack next week) They will pick me up in Oshakati and bring me back as long as I share petrol costs=bargain! Not sure of their actual plans but this is good enough for me.

Will use my DS touring bike with all the kit and hope to off road at some time. I know a few remote places I would definitely like to visit again.

 

My, but how things have changed since my last visit. It has always been on my bucket list and it is now or never.

Thanks again guys.

[DJR]

Btw, talk to a travel medic about anti-malaria medication and try out whatever you decide on a while before you go. You don't want to get malaria, believe me, and you also don't want side effects of the medication to stuff up your ride. Several different drugs are available that will do the trick and work for you. Whatever you do, take your prophylaxis.

[Sepia]

Thanks, I am to to speed with all that. Having worked in the bush in Tanzania. I know what can and does happen.

Just have to get the Ficksburg - East London training trip out of the way next month. Heat is going to be a settler.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Sepia