Exploring Africa on motorbike

Monday, December 5, 2011

Swaziland, the land of ..

forests, good tarmac roads, mountains, national parks, casinos, music, dance, the king, also poligamy and nowadays also popular MCP*... Also the land of very kind people. It looks very organized country but also very traditional on the other side. It's size can be compared to Slovenia. It is also the last african political system in Africa like I was told and if understood correctly?
*MCP = Multiple Concurrent Partnerships = ... = ....

THE ROAD
From Maputo (Mozambique) I am riding cca 70 kms southwest in direction of Swaziland and SA borders. I decide to turn to Vila Goba. After Vila Goba I enter the land of Swaziland. People on the border are really friendly and organized. I have no problems with documents for motorbike. I decide not to drive to some city too soon so I turn right at the sign for the first national park. I ride for 20 kms on a dirt road and I see impalas, zebras, nyala...s jumping accross the road and also warthogs (kind of big asymetric shaped pig-dog:) After that I enter another national park and I see a girrafa from very close. After that I stop for the night at Hlana Royal National Park. I sleep in my tent while elephants are walking just in the neighbourhood.

First kilometres in Swaziland

First national park

First official

First curves

First train sign

First flower

First turtle

First tomato truck

Hope not my last money

Not my last beer

Hope not last view of my bags

Not first and not last cows

Last bets

Rear wheel

Young shepherd

Right curve

Left trottle

Big Band?

First fire

First really good pizza in Africa

Front door of mia casa

Monday, November 28, 2011

Maputo, a big surprize...

This city changed a lot from december 2005 when I saw it last. I see a lot of new big roads while driving from north to the city direction. I see a lot of new buildings. On the way to Maputo I also saw a brand new stadium in Marracuene. Nice. When arriving, I see Hotel Polana is still here, shining more than ever. I've heard it was renovated recently. Trully a 5-star hotel. Ok, I think I need to buy a new cloth. I look like a warrior from the jungle.:)

Back in Maputo after 6 years

Beautiful Hotel Polana *****

Nice breakfast at Acacia

In front of Hotel Cardoso

Yamaha twins

Streets of Maputo

Hot spot cafe

Route 9-11

Motorbike ride - Route 24.9.11 - 28.11.11 - Mombasa To Maputo

Mombasa to Maputo

Home land Slovenia

Slovenia Vs. Mozambique

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Zongoene lodge, the place to be.

Thank you guys from Zongoene lodge so much for hosting me so friendly.

Inside of Zongoene Lodge

Louis' catch from Limpopo river

Catch of the day

Casper and Zongoene manager

Wake at Limpopo mouth

Jet-ski at Limpopo river mouth

Jet-skiing

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Muddy Waters on the road to Zongoene.

I arrive to Xai Xai in late afternoon and think, ok, it's just 15 km to the sign on the main road and then 35 km from the main road to Zongoene lodge. It's already close to sunset but no problem, it will take me just 45 minutes to get down there. The story turned out completelly different.

A sign.

A road at the start.

A sign after 45 minutes of riding.

Muddy Waters on the road.

It's getting darker and darker.

I hope now it's really close.

Ok, now it is finally really close.

A place to sleep.

Checking the same road
with 4x4 on next morning.
Scary. If I falll to this mud at night
with nobody to help 10km around.

How the hell did I survive this
road at complete dark...
Still no idea... Don't try
this at home, especially at night.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Inhambane to Chidenguele.

I take it easy on a nice autobahn from Inhambane to south (Xai Xai direction). It is raining but I don't bother a lot. On the way I stop at nice padaria, part of a local project. I arrive to Chidenguele at dark. I find some party. Thank you Rogerio Gomes and Paraiso de Chidenguelle for hosting me so kindly at your place.