Just a little celebration before we leave on our exciting journey.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
The final countdown ...
Watch this space as we travel on the flats and twisties to Kilimanjaro!!!
xxx
URHURU RIDERS
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Final prep ...
Finalised money for all petrol and accommodation - US$ whooppeeeeeeee! We paid a deposit for the Kili part of the trip at R7, 30 and paid the final amount owing at a stomach wrenching R10, 44.
We realised that a lot of paper work was required for this trip. We had to get the following before we left:
We realised that a lot of paper work was required for this trip. We had to get the following before we left:
- International Drivers Licence
- Carnet de Passage
- Third Party Insurance for Moz (this is also required for all other countries, however these are obtained at the border crossings
- Visa for Tanzania
- Medical Insurance
For health purposes and holiday enjoyment we had all the necessary vaccinations. They are quite costly, however once you have them most will last between 5 and 10 years.
- Hepatitis A
- Meningitis
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever (compulsory)
- Tetanus
- Cholera (big problem at the moment)
Africa is an unforgiving place!!!! ... and there is no discrimination when it comes to disease!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The route up ...
Planning the route took the form of maximising the highlights of each country along the chosen road.
Botswana - originally we were to stay at Nata Lodge, unfortunately the week we wanted to book, the lodge sadly burnt down (tragic!!) so the next logical destination would be Francistown. We move to Kasane (Chobe National Park area) on route to Zambia via the all famous Kazungula border crossing (via ferry) - hippeee bikes do not have to queue with cars and none of us have done this kind of crossing before, so it will be quite memorable.
Zambia - after Kazungula we move to Vic Falls to see it in full flood and finally we camp just outside Lusaka. The next morning we ride along the Great East Road to Chipata through the awesome South Luangwa National Park. Waking up the next day we cross to Malawi via the Mchinji/Chipata border post.
Malawi - THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!!!!! Riding through Lilongwe we reach our first destination, Senga Bay, with a bed as we have been camping for a few days already. We will have the most awesome views - The Lake. After having rested in a soft bed we make our way to Nkhata Bay, riding along the lake's shores. This will be our last night in Malawi.
Tanzania - Finally we have reached KILI country. First stop - Iringa. To get there we would ride through "God's Garden" with its diversity of flowers like orchards. Ooh la la now we are on our way to Tanga by da aquamarine sea. We camp there and the next day we make our way to Karama Lodge in Arusha. This will be "base camp" as we climb our way to 5895m.
We are taking the Machame route up to Kili's peak - here is a brief description:
Day 1 - Overnight at Machame Hut (3000m)
Day 2 - Overnight at Shira Cave (3840m)
Day 3 - Overnight at Barranco Hut (3900m)
Day 4 - Additional Acclimatisation Day
Day 5 - Overnight Barafu Hut. (4600m)
Day 6 - At midnight the trek begins up to Uhuru peak at 5895m. From the summit the trek descends to overnight at Mweka Hut/High Camp. (3000m)
Day 7 - The trek continues down through the forests to the gate.
AFTER KILI - the ladies depart and leave the men to their own devices...
The return route takes them along the coast from Dar Es Salaam to Maputo, where flying fishing in rivers and the sea will be the order of the day. This is a "no-plan" route which may just become the journey of the year.
Distance of round trip +- 10 000kms
Botswana - originally we were to stay at Nata Lodge, unfortunately the week we wanted to book, the lodge sadly burnt down (tragic!!) so the next logical destination would be Francistown. We move to Kasane (Chobe National Park area) on route to Zambia via the all famous Kazungula border crossing (via ferry) - hippeee bikes do not have to queue with cars and none of us have done this kind of crossing before, so it will be quite memorable.
Zambia - after Kazungula we move to Vic Falls to see it in full flood and finally we camp just outside Lusaka. The next morning we ride along the Great East Road to Chipata through the awesome South Luangwa National Park. Waking up the next day we cross to Malawi via the Mchinji/Chipata border post.
Malawi - THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!!!!! Riding through Lilongwe we reach our first destination, Senga Bay, with a bed as we have been camping for a few days already. We will have the most awesome views - The Lake. After having rested in a soft bed we make our way to Nkhata Bay, riding along the lake's shores. This will be our last night in Malawi.
Tanzania - Finally we have reached KILI country. First stop - Iringa. To get there we would ride through "God's Garden" with its diversity of flowers like orchards. Ooh la la now we are on our way to Tanga by da aquamarine sea. We camp there and the next day we make our way to Karama Lodge in Arusha. This will be "base camp" as we climb our way to 5895m.
We are taking the Machame route up to Kili's peak - here is a brief description:
Day 1 - Overnight at Machame Hut (3000m)
Day 2 - Overnight at Shira Cave (3840m)
Day 3 - Overnight at Barranco Hut (3900m)
Day 4 - Additional Acclimatisation Day
Day 5 - Overnight Barafu Hut. (4600m)
Day 6 - At midnight the trek begins up to Uhuru peak at 5895m. From the summit the trek descends to overnight at Mweka Hut/High Camp. (3000m)
Day 7 - The trek continues down through the forests to the gate.
AFTER KILI - the ladies depart and leave the men to their own devices...
The return route takes them along the coast from Dar Es Salaam to Maputo, where flying fishing in rivers and the sea will be the order of the day. This is a "no-plan" route which may just become the journey of the year.
Distance of round trip +- 10 000kms
Monday, November 24, 2008
The test run ...
The best conditions was the worst that we had on our trip from Jozi to Clarens. It rained most of the 676kms, with riders and gear tested. We all passed with flying colours and the equipment didn't do to badly either. The 800GS packed an impressive 220kgs (hey! that included the riders and gear).
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
High altitude training ...
In July we cruised over to Lesotho via Sani Pass - passing the Sani Top Chalet. We had to do some high altitude hiking. We climbed Hodgons Peak at 3250m (keep in mind Kilimanjaro is 5896m) - and it was awesome to look over the Maluti mountains. Most of us were fine, some had backpack problems - but all around - a very good trip. Thank you to Philip, our guide for the day!!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The start of training ...
We decided on the KILI trip sometime in March this year. The very next day we were in research mode and started investigating the various tour operators and where we were going to do our training. Suikerbosrand it was gonna be! What a wonderful training ground.
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