Border Hopping (Day 8)

Before we drove into Zambia we stopped at the Victoria Falls (30U$ for Germans) and took a nice little walk in our motorcycle boots around the falls. All other visitors walked in flip flops but we insisted in sturdy footwear. Stupid idea for a 3km walk.

The falls compared to some other falls are amazing but I guess thats depending on the time of the year. While waiting and secure the bikes the other two fellows walked in without the motorcycle boots. In front of the motorcycle parking a local dance and singing crew joined us while waiting. As they were facinated by our boots and how heavy they are – they wanted to test them and have a look at it. These guys are the only specias on earth wanting to have stinking boots.

After the tourist program the African experience got new impressions. Crossing the border from Zimbawe to Zambia. A longhaired guy from South Africa warned us that it will be time consuming up to three and a half hour. But as friendly as we are – it was not that bad. Only minor organization issues stopped our approach to cross as fast as possible. Missing local currency and organization of road insurance got a bit of a mess. (For bikes carbon fee 280 Kwacha, Insurance per bike 300 Kwacha). Ended up in CAMP Nkwazi an unbelievable well organized camp with amazing food and good red wine and cold beer. Best dinner so far and roaring lions to hear.

Chicken disaster (Day 3&4)

Mochudi – Mahalapye – Serowe

After our first impression of South African and Botswana hospitality we started early in the morning without a breakfast (Guest house just opened three month before and had no time to organize that – This is Africa!) to the next fuel station. Luckily a SPAR supermarket – next to it. So we could get our daily rate of Ground beef Chakalaka, bread and today because it was Sunday with pickels.

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Confusion: Gpsies / Komoot / Garmin / Maps.me / Google Maps / Google Earth / T4Africa

Without any preparation and spontaneously a motorcycle ride with limited fuel and water supply may be adventurous, but possibly stupid. Thus, we have been dealing for some time now with the various possibilities of route planning without risking the spontaneity of off-road travel. You can read a lot on the forums about Tracks 4 Africa , we ordered the paper map and the map for the GPS. After the first sighting comes the disillusionment. The maps are good and informative but not as up-to-date as online services and the internet.

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DHL Freight Service

A German is well organized and plans his trips quite extensively. Not for nothing there are companies like GLOBETROTTER which have a nice turnover with “the first German Black Forest Expedition”. Well, we also belong to this species and plan and think about how our trip is well organized. One of the considerations was not to ship the bikes’ keys with the bikes. We wanted to prevent people from thinking silly and preventing the loss.

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