Hi folks,
Just looking for some advice on heading through
southern africa. I’m in Burundi at present, heading south and then will take a
ferry from Kigoma, Tanzania to Zambia but then not sure
which way to go. Want to see Namibia and cut out as
little as SA as poss due to costs and the weather by
the time I get there. But not sure which countries to
include and exclude. I’ve been on the road for a while now
and am not determined to see it all. Far from it
really, want to be in Capetown within 3-4 months.
Any ideas on a good route? Just interested to see what other
people have done before. I can’t get hold of a
southern african map here which is a pain so I can’t see
the state of the roads etc. Only have little maps
from southern africa LP.
Any advice would be fantastic.
Cheers
ben
London to Cape Town by bike
I guess you must be heading for Mpulungu then? Assuming you are then you'll probably want to head south to Kasama first. You can either take the main road all the way or take the main road to about 10 or 20km after Mbala, then turn left (heading for Tunduma) and then after maybe another 10 or 20km turn right heading for Kayambi. Makes it a bit further, but much more interesting than the main road. Quite a rough road at times, not much in the way of accommodation options, but not many people so bush camping is easy.
From Kasama you could head west to Mporokoso, Lake Mweru and Nchelenge, then head south to Mansa. From Mansa you could head for Samfya on the main road and then make for the Great North road. The Great North road is a bit boring though. There are alternative ways from Mansa to Samfya, but perhaps without a map you'd find it quite difficult (I got lost even with a map). You can avoid a bit of the main road to Lusaka by turning left just before Mkushi, but its quite a nasty washboard road. You could cut through the DRC to Ndola instead of heading down the main road to Lusaka, but that'd be quite an expensive detour.
After Lusaka the more interesting way to Namibia is west to Mongu then south to Kutima Mulilo (on a very rough road). The road south to Livingstone is busy.
If you're prepared to spend a bit more time in Zambia then you could detour down the Luangwa valley. The Luangwa valley is my favourite place in ZAmbia (and Africa). So from Kasama head east to Isoka and then from Isoka head up the Great North Road a few kilometres before turning right onto a dirt road. South through Muyombe, Chama and eventually to Lundazi and then Mfue. You'd pass through a bit of South Luangwa NP, but even away from the park there's plenty of wildlife, particularly elephants and (for about 100km) tsetse flies. From Mfue there's a dirt road back to Petauke (or the main road through Chipata) and then your only option is the main road back to Lusaka.
Botswana is boring IMO, east Namibia (including the Caprivi strip) is also boring (and expensive) so if I were you I'd spend as much time as possible in Zambia and then just blast south through Namibia.
How were Rwanda and Burundi?
Wow that was loads more info than I'd expected. Thanks iambaisekeli.
Is it not worth heading through Malawi, Zim etc.
Anyone have any ideas about this?
thanks
Hey
I have no info to answer your questions but was thinking about going to Burundi to get the ferry to Kigoma, western tanzania. Im currently in Kigali and wasn't sure about the safety situation in Burundi. Do you think it would be ok for a solo female traveller? I would only be getting a bus from Kigali to Bujumbura and then the ferry...
Any help appreciated!
Thanks
Rachel
Rachel,
I'd say its totally safe. Bujumbura is actually quite a nice place. Good food, loads of bread and cheese and cheap beer. Better value than Rwanda.
BUT there is no boat to Kigoma, I looked into yesterday and It doesn't excist anymore. BUT you can take a bus to Kigoma, I met a couple of people who did it and said it was no worries. I also know one solo female traveler who passed through and said she had no worries either.
I'm staying at the Le Doyen Hotel. Its next door to the Novotel. Its the cheapest in town and quite nice. Has single room for US$10. Its in the LP although the book say its $20.
Look me up if you get into town,
ben
Hey Ben
Thanks for that, its really reassuring to get first hand info about such random places! Currently in Kigali and think I will get the bus to Bujumbura tomorrow morning. Good to know about that hotel as on a tight budget and the LP book does make it out to be really expensive. Do you have any idea how long the bus to Kigoma would take? I guess its quite a way, but good to know about the ferry - I would have wasted hours down at the docks trying to find it out with my terrible french attempts!
Will def try look you up - not everyone has someone to visit in Bujumbura!
Thanks again
rachel
hey rachel,
Not sure about the bus, think its a whole day but no more.
FYO - you can get a 3 day transit visa at the border for $20 and then get a week or more extention here for $10. Was really quite easy even with my lack of french.
Please do look me up and sick as hell and would love some company. Just ask for the sick Mzungu at the Le Doyen hotel.
take care
ben
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