Harare then Kariba ... East or West from there???
So in June I am riding up to Harare to watch my son play rugby against a couple of Bob's school teams (that Bob Mugabe, not Skinstad!!). After the rugby I am heading up to Kariba for a day or two ... then I will turn East or West!
I wanted to know if any of you have done either of the routes ... from Kariba to Vic Falls and then down through Botswana and the pans OR from Kariba to the Cahora Bassa and onto Mozanbique coast and down to SA.
Thanks
Ross
Hi Ross,
I know that area relatively well and we did Vic Falls to Kariba , in my 4x4, in June 2010, following a road that basically runs east-west, just south of the lake. At least half of that road, the half which is in Matabeleland, is not maintained and is very rough…for a 4x4. Wouldn’t be a problem for a competent bike rider though.
You’d just need to make sure you had enough fuel, first available is in Binga. Also make sure that you are completely self-sufficient, there are not many vehicles using that road and the further west you go, the less you see. The locals in the Matabeleland half of the road use ox drawn carts for transport.
East of Kariba, below the escarpment, is a wildlife area, beautiful, but not sure that they would allow bikes in there…you’d need to check with Zim National Parks and Wildlife in Harare.
If you would like more information, just let me know, I’d be happy to have a chat with you and tell you what I know about the area.
Andre
Two of us did the route from Vic Falls to Kariba, hugging the lake, on 1200gs's in April 2010. THe Zambizi was coming down in flood but we had no rain.
The road was Hectic but was the highlight of our 9500km trip through Zim, Zambia, Malawi, Bots and Nam.
THe people in that area are very poor but were some of the best we encoutered and were very special.
it took us two days and we sleeped in the bush east of Binga. ( later to discover it was a reserve) THis is no problem and perfecly safe ( from People!)
THere is a hunters road cutting a short cut around the east of the lake to Kariba but it was getting late and we were advise not to take it. maybe you can enquire?
We wanted to take the road past Mano pools to Cahora Bassa were we believe there was a ferry which could take you acrocc into Moz. No one could confirm if the ferry was still running. Also Bikes are not allowed in the parks and as theZambizi was in flood, we could not do that. Would like to know if this option was still possible?? We parked our bikes at the gate and got a lift into the park for a few days.
We came back through Bots were there are a number of options. Wanted to cross the Pans but due to the rain, was forced to do a 600km detour.
Let me know if you need more info.
you can contact me on 0828994348
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