1

Hi,

well, we did not cycle but drove the way from Kariba to Mana Pools and Mana Pools to Harare.
The beginning will be challenging because you have lots of hills, and it can be really steep.

But it is a road in a very good state, quite boring though.
You will be quite a while on the road.

Cheers
Gilles

2

Thanks! I appreciate the information greatly.

-J

3

I emailed a person involved in the road cycling community in Zim, and he sent this reply which I thought would be helpful to anyone searching this topic down the road:

In regards to your cross Zim route. I have wanted to do this for ages as
well but have not done it due to safety reasons. I rode Harare to Kariba in
1994 but since then the quality of the roads and drivers has got drastically
worse and when I departed from Makuti the locals warned me and my ridding
partner that lions were a big problem on the last section of the road. We
did it anway!

I know of many people that run and ride on the Makuti - Kariba section. They
are always accompanied by a vehicle, I assume Chirundi - Makuti will be the
same.

The problem with the Harare - Chirundu section and Harare - Mutare section
is that they are main highways and the trucking business in Zim is huge.
Sadly the Makuti - Chirundu route would be a no no for me for this reason
alone. Also the Harare - Makuti section has no shoulder to the road and you
would spend your time riding among the trucks.

So my advice would be to not do it or at least come for a drive and have a
look for yourself. The one route that I am considering and a couple of guys
do for a fund raiser is ride from Bulawayo to Vic Falls. I have not done
this but there is very little trucking done on this route so it should be
safer.

Hope this information is useful?

On another note we do a very enjoyable tour in the Eastern Highlands, called
the Tour of Nyanga. This normally takes place in May and is a great part of
the country to see with lots of climbing. Always a good alternative.

4

I am around this area quite often and would say there are three issues, wild animals, trucks and the road.

There are plenty lions on this road, not to mention elephant and buffalo. There are also a lot of trucks and given the fact that the road is in bad condition, the trucks don't drive so well. There is an accident daily. The road is pretty hilly and winding and surface bad.

Depending which side you coming from, I suggest taking a ride in a car/truck/taxi first before attempting the section. Would be great to ride, but some dangers involved!

Mark

5

Marky,

Thanks. Your point of view is pretty much the icing on the "not doing this route" cake! Back to the drawing board.

-J

6

Do the other Route suggested or from Kariba take the across to Vic Falls or close enough to ride, then to Harare..... Would be a fabulous trip

7

Thanks Brianna, I will look into it.

8

On cycling in Zimbabwe -- we'll be in Masvingo this coming March-April and would like opinions biking from Masvingo to Chimanimani and then north to the Vumba and Mutare. Any comments, suggestions? Thanks in advance.

9

I would definitely go for it. Masvingo is a little bit of a 'hot' spot, but you should be fine. Definietly coming up to Chimamni will be beautiful and the Vumba is out of this world. Never seen anything so beautiful in my life! Go down from Mutare through Vumba to Leopard Rock, will blow your mind!

10

I am planning a trip bus from johannesburg to Harare bicycle-Hippo pools-cohora bassa-Tete-Quelimane bus back to South africa in december 2012.Any advice is welcome.

11

Well tomorrow i am off. Lets hope all goes well. Will be testing some of those back roads of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.Have had the mountain bicycle serviced and extras added.Lets hope the rain does not wash me out.

12

Have a safe trip!
Curious to read about your experience

Cheers
Gilles