Latest Photos Photo Archive
D100…..Goodbye.
It is with very mixed emotions that I finally sign off. A small group of non bikers have crossed the unbikeable on motorbikes and have survived. We are now back Read more…
D100….The Plight of Wildlife in Africa.
Some time ago I penned this note on the ‘Plight of Wildlife in Africa’. Here are some personal thoughts and observations on the decimation of all large mammals in Africa. Read more…
Christmas Cake
A big “Thank you” to Dot Klerk for her wonderful, special Africa100 Christmas Cake, which cleverly reflected the events and characters of the journey. Anyone wanting to see more details Read more…
Day 98… Statistics, statistics and more damned statistics.
A few statistics for the trip: Distance ridden 13,500 kilometers. Longest day 469 kilometers. Azura to Gorongosa in Mozambique. Longest off road day 437 kilometers. Sossusvlei to Bethanie in Namibia. Read more…
Day 97…..Kites
A breezy ride on the bikes, down the coast, to an endless sandy beach to the North West of Cape Town. And then we lined up on the beach for Read more…
D96…..Solitary.
I shall continue this blog until 100 is chalked up, but it will be a little less adventurous than some I must confess. It is difficult to write passionately about Read more…
D95….Christmas
So different. Blue skies, hot, the world laughing and jostling down at the beach. But we embraced the change. We took the bikes out for a ride instead of our Read more…
Wakame Reastaurant
2. A big “Thank you” to Victoria at Wakame restaurant in Mouille Point in Cape Town. We had a wonderful evening nbso and she was easily the best waitress on Read more…
Papkuilsfontein Farm
1. A big “Thank you” to Mariette at Papkuilsfontein Farm in the flower country of Niewoutville. This is a beautiful part of South Africa on the borders of the Karoo. Read more…
Day 91… Gobby
After 91 days you would think we would be a bit more orientated on our bikes than some seem to be. In the morning we all gathered in the car Read more…
D93…..Shake Violently.
We are pulled up by the side of a single road, mid morning, in the Cederberg Mountains. The temperature is climbing. Whilst we partake of tea and coffee Nick and Read more…
D92…..Washed Out.
South Africa has certainly put in a bid to rival parts of Namibia for off roading today. We biked a great dirt road that has recently been washed out with Read more…
D91……Goodbye Namibia
Whilst I write this in the warm early evening, sat on my bedroom steps, the team are busy stripping the bearings from all the bikes” rear wheels. It is quite Read more…
Hats off…
There was a starling in the rafters. But was it the pale winged or the red winged? Why not throw your cap at it so it flies and we can Read more…
D90….Easy Rider
Blissfully easy riding today. No skill required. And no one is complaining. Perfect gravel roads of many colours. At one stage we had a pale sage coloured road, bordered by Read more…
Numbing through Namibia
We are getting towards the end of our “epic” journey and for us it has been quite an adventure. In particular, these last days in Namibia have tested everyone to Read more…
D89….The Stigma Unveiled.
A fabulous riding day today. The scenery was simply stunning. And so difficult to describe. I recall there was one moment mid morning when we were driving across an endless Read more…
Africa 100 – Thanks Jim.
By the time I re-joined the team for the second leg of my Africa 100 adventure the first leg already seemed to be a fading memory. It was Rob’s “Reflections Read more…
Day 88 – Big Daddy.
This morning, after a negotiated start time (the guides were keen on a dark wakeup call!), we headed off to Sossusvlei. Apart from Angelina”s baby this is probably the most Read more…
Day 87 – Fishtailing.
Overcast skies welcomed us to a new dawn. A sea mist had developed overnight. It was a subtle reminder of what lies in store for us when we return to Read more…
Day 86 – Seals and Sandboarding.
An ever so gentle start to the day. We drove from Swakopmund down to Walvis Bay and then around to Pelican Point. Walvis Bay is the only port in Namibia Read more…
“Farewell to Imelda”……
What hasn’t already been written about Imelda…..his shopping exploits are the stuff of legends and his many ailments well documented. Perhaps what hasn’t been told is that he is a Read more…
Day 85 – Angelina.
Today was, without doubt, the most fun any of us has had on motorbikes. We headed straight for the sea this morning to take the official Africa West Coast Atlantic Read more…
“Heat, Dust and Sand”…..
A palpable sense of disappointment could be the initial reaction of a settler arriving for the first time in Northern Namibia. It can hardly be described as an “Eden”. It Read more…
Thank you to Namibia Tracks & Trails
Thank you to Martin and his team from Namibia Tracks and Trails for the two excellent camps that they set up for us on our journey through Northern Namibia. They Read more…
Day 84 – Coast to Coast
After almost 7 weeks we finally hit the West coast of Africa. The Skeleton Coast. Big waves rolling in and breaking up onto perfect sandy beaches. It was simply too Read more…
Day 83 – Birthday Boy Boulder and Bike.
If yesterday was a difficult day to create a headline, today we are spoilt for choice, hence multiple blogs. Today is Nicks birthday. He is a youthful 53. Except. He Read more…
Day 83 – Sensational News!
Read all about it! Africa100 exclusive! Never been seen before! A new rider has joined the group. He doesn’t communicate. He shuffles not walks. But he rides like a God. Read more…
Day 83 – 100 Degrees
Today is the 13th December. One year ago we (Sam, George, Chris, Adam and Jim) arrived at the South Pole. 100 years before that Amundsen arrived at the South Pole. Read more…
Thank you Okahirongo Elephant Lodge – 8th -9th December
Thank you to Peter and his excellent team at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge near Purros for a very enjoyable evening and for all their help with our broken trailer.” Best Regards Read more…
Day 82 – Leafless
Long smooth big dipper dirt roads this morning. Bright sunshine, about 28 degrees. Roads well maintained. Speed about 100kph. Easy biking. Except for the bends with loose gravel. And the Read more…
Grootberg Lodge
Many thanks to the staff at Grootberg Lodge in Namibia for an fantastic time, we really enjoyed our stay. In particular, a big thank you to Mesag, Lazarus and Charles Read more…
Serra Cafema – 6th – 8th December
Many thanks to the Wilderness team at Serra Cafema for making our stay at their wonderful camp so enjoyable. Particular thanks to Kallie, our guide, for ensuring that our stay Read more…
D81….Get it Up on Your Own
Well the rhino trekking did not disappoint. Another crack of dawn start. Down the perilously steep track to the road…it must be a 1 in 3 strewn with huge boulders. Read more…
Day 80 – Blazing Saddles
It is only 2 weeks today to Christmas eve, the day we arrive back in Cape Town. Rather like the day of the week (which no one here has any Read more…
10,000 Km
10,000 Kilometres!!!! Nick is the comma, he hasn’t gone gay. 4.30pm 10th December. Palmwag, Namibia.
Jim’s X-Ray
Jim seems to have broken three bones in his foot – but that’s not going to slow things down!
Dr Ratcliffe I presume?
The mother of this little fellow approached Jim asking for disinfectant. After a little investigation Dr Jim found this 10 year old lying on a mattress in the back room. Read more…
D79….Trailer Trash.
We biked 232k today from Serra Cafema to Purros which is due South. Purros is a collection of just a few huts, but it has good telephone reception. The modern Read more…
D78……The Dunebelt.
We had a very different experience this morning. And again it was unforgettable. We set off on quadbikes at the crack of dawn, Nick and I wearing our special protective Read more…
D77…..The Himba.
A very different day today. A day to soak in the splendour of the scenery at Serra Cafema. We look out from the lodge, which sits on the Kunene River, Read more…
D76…..Hartmann’s Valley.
I have exhausted my supply of superlatives. The Hartmanns Valley, en route to Serra Cafima, is from another planet. It is pale yellow, it is pale pink, it pale purple. Read more…
D75…..The Desert Rat and The Doctor.
You come to Namibia for scenery. It is like no other. It is an assault on the senses. We travelled through the most magnificent valleys and through mountain passes. The Read more…
D74…..The Atom Bomb
We were accompanied at breakfast by a lone wildebeest that slowly made its way down to the waterhole just in front of the lodge. Breakfast was a quiet affair, sadly, Read more…
Congratulations!
Many congratulations to TC and Yolanda on the birth of their daughter, Ashley……..we gather there was a bit of nip and tuck, but all round it was a top showing!!
Thank you to Roy’s camp,
A warm welcome awaits the weary traveller at Roy’s Camp in Namibia. Christine and Harold run an excellent establishment. The accommodation is comfortable and the food is good. Christine also Read more…
Day 73 – Etosha
Today we have a day off, and time to visit the Etosha National Park in Northern Namibia. The park, at 23,000 sq km, is half the size Switzerland and larger Read more…
Hungry Python.
Here’s a pic that may be of interest. A python getting to grips with a baby impala. Unfortunately (for the python) it was frightened by our arrival and soon uncoiled Read more…
D72….Beware Meteorites
My goodness a leisurely start. Breakfast at 8!! Gregg is going soft. A gentle 60k on tar, to Grootfontein, kick started the day. Refuelling stop at a very nice Total Read more…
Farewell to Kane….
As we leave Botswana, we say farewell to our resident bushman, Kane. He has been a tremendous addition to our team. Butch, Gobby and Double D particularly enjoyed his company Read more…
Thank you to Uncharted Africa
A big ‘Thank you’ to John & Kirsty and all their excellent team that comprises Uncharted Africa’s mobile camp unit. They made our stay at Aha Hills very memorable, despite the wet Read more…
Thank you to Wilderness Camp at Kings Pool
A big ‘Thank You’ from Tim, Felicity, Charlotte, Sophie, Sam and Aime to Alex, One & Frank and all their wonderful team at the Wilderness camp at Kings Pool for Read more…
“Booming through Botswana”
Botswana has been a revelation in many ways. It is a geographically diverse country from the arid, emptiness of the Makgadigadi to the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta…here we Read more…
D71….Namibia
We were awoken in the pitch dark. We fumbled around in the tents with dim torches and tilly lamps and packed up. Rain gently smattered on the tent rooves. Bacon Read more…
D70….Gathering
Yesterday we hunted, today we gathered. It was quite a different atmosphere. Whilst foraging is the domain of the women, today all the men joined the group. With the men Read more…
D69……The Hunt
It was difficult to know what to expect. A day hunting with the Kalahari Bushmen. We left at 6 am and crossed over to their village, a 5 minute walk Read more…
D68….Roadkill and Skiboots.
Back on the bikes at last. A good breakfast kicked off an early start. We were ferried back to Maun from our hotel, to collect the bikes which we had Read more…
D67…..Running Repairs
There was a very limited showing this morning after a late last night in the traditional ‘boma’. A boma is an area, out in the bush, surrounded by stout stakes, Read more…
People watching – more photos.
Here’s a different take on Africa 100. The Gallery (below) includes shots of the team and friends that have joined along the way. Butch.
More photos from Butch.
A few more images, which highlight the precarious loading of the Cruiser onto the Kariba barge that was to carry our kit and the bikes Westward.
Photos from Biggles
Snail mail was the quickest way to get my album out of Africa. Thanks to my couriers for getting these back to the UK and on-line. Here are a handful Read more…
A view from Africa – by Butch.
Not known for its best internet connection it has taken a while to get these photos out of Africa. I hope you enjoy some of the images from the first Read more…
D66….Ebony and Ivory.
Our last full day in the bush here in the Okavango. The Ineos folk seem to have been thoroughly absorbed by such a new experience. Botswana is the ultimate destination Read more…
D65…..Eruption
The rainy season is certainly upon us. From 45 degrees it is now around 15. The dry sandy roads are now full of deep puddles. The evening backdrop of noise Read more…
D64…..Wheel Wobble
No game drive this morning as we transferred from Mombo to Vumbura. We took the Bell 5 seater which deviated a little and went over some more remote parts of Read more…
D63….Finally a Leopard.
We are on our 63rd day in Africa. We have stayed at the best wildlife camps on offer. We have probably seen 150 lions. We saw 50 white rhino in Read more…
D62….Cross Dresser.
I am afraid these next few days will be a little quieter on the blog as much of the day is devoted to the morning and afternoon board meetings, and Read more…
D61…The Okavango
The Okavango Delta offers the finest game viewing in the world. It is such a verdant place, with huge amounts of water flowing down from Angola, and then fanning out Read more…
D60…..Invasion
We finally bade farewell to Super and the team at Jacks. We dabbed at little water on this giant Zulus cheeks to make him seem more emotional….we did get a Read more…
Reflections of Africa
We have done so much I don’t quite know where to start to give a flavour of the section of the A100 trip that I was a part of, so Read more…
Reflections on the Africa 100 adventure
I am writing this at Jo’burg airport having just left the Africa 100 team after completing my stint of 5 weeks on the road. We have done so much in Read more…
Day 6 – Charlies Day
Day 6 – 25th November Red Letter days come along occasionally and Sunday 25th November 2012 will be remembered as “Charlie’s Day”. She was the first to spot everything that Read more…
Day 5 – “Running with Wild Dogs”
Kings Pool was quiet, not much action. Kane heard over the radio that wild dogs had been spotted in Savuti. He said that we could try and see the dogs, Read more…
Day 4 – “In Search of Leopard”
By far the most elusive of the Big Five is the Leopard. These beautiful animals are very solitary and independent, which makes finding them a challenge. Hunting has had a Read more…
Day 3 – “Walking with Elephant”
The morning’s game drive was to be a bush walk with Kane. Very clear rules were explained and, armed with our new found knowledge, the group departed. Walking in the Read more…
Day 2 – Looking for Lions
Kings Pool capers Day 2 “Looking for Lions” Sophie’s and Kane’s birthdays. Breakfast was dominated by the recounting of the scorpion incident. Many of the ladies were seen to shudder Read more…
Day 1 Sleeping with Scorpions.
Kinks Pool Capers Day 1 – Sleeping with Scorpions. The safari omens were good. Our late afternoon arrival at Kings Pool airstrip was augmented by a fully grown male cheetah Read more…
Kings Pool Capers – Mini Blog
Given that Buspass will be tied up in meetings all week with no time to keep up the A100 blog and the rest of the team are scattered across various Read more…
Farewell to Stelios
Like his biking mate, Sleazy Rider, Stelios revels in a bit of dirt…..the orange colour of his bike has now faded to a muddy brown, which makes him very happy. Read more…
D59….Sounds of Silence.
We are in a very unique place. As I tried to describe yesterday we are next to one of the worlds largest salt pans, the same size as Switzerland. It Read more…
D58…..Razzle Dazzle.
Adjacent to the Makgadigadi lies the Makgadigadi National Park. It is a large, dry, arid place with fried grass, interspersed with the odd shrub and tree. Despite this, it is Read more…
Thank you to Jacks Camp.
A big “Thank You” to KB and his excellent team at Jack’s Camp in the Makgadigadi for making our stay such an enjoyable and memorable one. Jack’s Camp is a Read more…
Jacks Camp
Our visit to the Makgadigadi was considerably enhanced by the presence of “Super”, our 6′ 4″ Zulu guide. He came to Botswana aged 1 and has never gone back to Read more…
Day 57 – Switzerland.
If you look at a map of Botswana there are 2 features that stand out. The Okavango Delta and the Makgadigadi. The latter is an enormous salt pan. It is Read more…
Day 56 – Dr Suffa.
This must be a first. A leisurely start to the day. Despite breakfast scheduled for what seems like midday, actually 8.30 (!), it is impossible to sleep through, even until Read more…
Day 55 – Sand!
For those of you who know a little about offroad biking you will know that the word “sand” strikes fear into the hearts of bikers. And today we found out Read more…
Dogs, cats and impala.
Been lucky enough to see all sorts of fantastic wildlife over the past few weeks but the leopard has hitherto remained characteristically elusive – until today. With the exception of Read more…
Day 54….Top Predator.
We are staying just up from the Chobe River, which runs along the Northern boundary of the Chobe National Park. The Park has been here for 50 years and the Read more…
Chilling Out on the Chobe!!
What could be more enjoyable than a river cruise? Ice bucket cooling in the water, a plate of smoked salmon washed down by a glass or two of cold Chablis, Read more…
The Oasis that is Little Makalolo
An enormous “Thank you” to Ronan and her excellent team at Little Makalolo Wilderness Lodge in Hwange National Park. They made our stay so enjoyable and memorable. We will never Read more…
Costa Kariba
Thank you to the owner, Don Watt, and crew of the houseboat “Return to Eden”. It was our exclusive home for 2 days as we experienced the delights of “Costa Read more…
A post Watershed entry.
Hopefully the children will be in bed by the time you read this as what I am about to report is not for the little ones. Setting off on our Read more…
Hwange – The Struggle for Survival
Hwange National Park is an amazing and beautiful place situated on the western borders of Zimbabwe in the midst of the Kalahari Sands. It is home to 40,000 elephant, together Read more…
Day 53 – The Falls and Country no 5.
5.30 departure. 3 hour drive to exit the Hwange National Park on Landrovers. Bikes all intact at the entrance. 2 hours biking to the airport at Vic Falls to see Read more…
Farewell to TC
How do you describe Tony, our specialist guide for the Mozambique and Zimbabwe legs of our journey? Small, Round and Red are words that have been suggested. Born in Zimbabwe, Read more…
D52….Nature Can be Cruel.
The day started with a 6am game drive. It was a clear warm morning. Quite early on we arrived at a waterhole. Sadly there was another dead elephant, on the Read more…
D51….Iridescent
Even the clever chemists have not been able to challenge the colours of nature. Today we have seen the Violet Backed Starling, the Crimson Breasted Shrike and the Red Headed Read more…
D50….Elephant Graveyard.
It was a hot night. There was no aircon and the rooms sweltered. The boat resumed its journey at 3am in the morning, having moored up on one of the Read more…
Day 49 – Breakfast, Lunch AND Dinner..
And that’s a first for this trip too!! We have spent a whole day chilling. And what fun it is! There is little option whilst travelling on a houseboat. It Read more…
Day 48 – A First.
Bags packed and on the vehicle, the day kicked off at 5am, already in the mid 20s, with a jog through Mana Pools National Park. Never in the history of Read more…
Day 47 – Unforgettable.
It is a real privilege to do the Mana Canoe Trip. It is such a glorious way to see true wilderness and the wildlife along the river banks. The river Read more…
Day 47 – Zooming through Zimbabwe
Travelling through Southern Africa has presented us all with various challenges. For the novices amongst us, Zimbabwe possibly presented the biggest hurdle. Ahead of our adventure, we had all read Read more…
Day 46 – Campfire Music
It is the end of the day and we are all sat in a semicircle around a campfire on the banks of the Zambezi, two buffalo grazing a hundred metres Read more…
Day 46 – Mana Pools Canoe Trail
Canoeing down the Zambezi river, what could be simpler than that? Throw in Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, Buffaloes and the odd Lion and the journey becomes a little more hazardous. Add Read more…
Day 45 – Crocodile came knocking.
The mornings game drive was uneventful so we finished up chatting about the names of the local guides we have known…Super, Shoes, Dollar, Brighton, Exxon, Rambo, Bono, Champion, Lawyer, Lovemore, Read more…
Day 44 – Tigers
A bush day in Mana Pools National Park. Lions mating, lions hunting, lions chasing baboons up trees, big crocs, ellies in abundance, buffalo, eland, and the usual impala, zebra, bush Read more…
Day 43 – Checkpoint Charlie
Coffee in Harare….not at all bad! Breakfast in the centre of Harare kicked off the day with our bikes attracting the usual level of interest. And a splendid breakfast it Read more…
Three days of amazing riding
Having joined the team more recently and only started riding 2 weeks ago and having encountered quite a variety of broken tar roads but the last three days have really Read more…
Day 42 – The industrialisation of Britain.
Today we journeyed through real rural Zimbabwe. At one stage we were 100k from the nearest tar road. We came to a T -junction and were unable to figure which Read more…
Sleazy’s going home……
During his brief stay, he has demonstrated that he is an extremely accomplished rider with a penchant for dirt of any kind……..!! His natural abhorrence of any authority or organisation Read more…
A Double Whammy…
This could be a ‘first’! A double whammy for Buspass! He scoops both DOTD and HTFU Awards in one day……The DOTD Award for his “I want doesn’t get” comment to the head ofcustoms Read more…
Day 41 – Zim.
It was all going smoothly at the border between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, at lunchtime, until customs undertook a cursory search of the trailer. And then they came across Imelda’s bow Read more…
Thank you – Explore Gorongosa.
A big “Thank you” from us all to Paul, Andy, Blessed, Silva and their excellent team at ‘Explore Gorongosa’ for making our stay so interesting and memorable.
Day 40 – Birthday Boy.
Gregg was looking considerably older this morning….I am not sure whether this was because he had just turned 40 or because it was 4.45 in the morning!! We had an Read more…
Day 39 – Crocodile Roll & Snakes
Most of us went for an early bush run of around 12k. I am sure it would have been an unusual sighting in the park with armed landrovers front and Read more…
Gorongosa
Gorongosa is an enormous, relatively unknown, national park occupying over 4,000 kilometres of western Mozambique. It is called “Africa’s Lost Eden”, because in the 1960’s and 70’s, before Mozambique’s war Read more…
Day 38 – Warthogs.
After the Portugese colonials were kicked out in the 1970’s civil war raged for 25 years in Mozambique. It eventually settled down. But places like the Gorongosa National Park were Read more…
Thank you to the team at Azura
Thank you to Thomas Baertl and his team at Azura for a truly amazing 4 days of R&R on Benguerra. We all had a great time in a beautiful location.
Pond life….
Life in the water… [To view these photos properly, click on the images below. They should upload into a viewer and re-size so that you can scroll through a slideshow].
Day 37 – Chinese tar..
We were expecting a tough day today. 470 kilometres of pot-holed Mozambican roads. But no. The Chinese seem to have bought every conceivable mineral right here in return for building Read more…
Village life….
Football, nail polish, rangers and eggs… Village life – A100 style. [To view these photos properly, click on the images below. They should upload into a viewer and re-size so Read more…
On the road…
A few shots taken on the trail…and ferry..! [Click on the images to view the slideshow]
Views of Africa
We have managed to find a decent broadband connection, so I have taken the opportunity to provide an update of the blog photos. The files are loaded into three installments Read more…
Day 36 – Gregg's 40th
Usual stuff…swimming in turquoise water, chilling on white sand, jogging along the beach with myriads of birds and ghost crabs. The evening entertainment was devoted to celebrating Greggs 40th….not long Read more…
Day 35 – Aquarium
We went snorkeling early this morning on 2 Mile Reef…. funnily enough 2 miles offshore. The water was warm, crystal clear and just like swimming in an aquarium The variety of fish and their resplendent Read more…
D34 – Pelicans and Flamingos
Food is in abundance for the sea birds so unlike the Med where birds now are as rare as hens teeth here it is teeming with a whole variety of Read more…
Day 33 – Golden and Turquoise
Well what an extraordinary contrast. From some pretty basic accommodation on the Mozambique coast to utter luxury, not to mention the endless golden sand and turquoise waters. We motored about Read more…
Day 32 – Clutch Triumph
A splendid accomplishment for Sam and Tony. They managed to replace the clutch plates on Alessia’s bike…..not a trivial task in deepest Mozambique. The old ones were completely worn out. Read more…
Day 31 – A simple Day… or so we thought.
A 400k day lay ahead. All on one straight tar road. As simple as it gets. But we lost Chris. Completely. For over 2 hours we had no idea where Read more…
Mishap on road to Maputo.
Good mobile signal today, but no internet, so I’m making the most of it……!! I had an unfortunate mishap yesterday on the road to Maputo. In trying to avoid a Read more…
Day 30 – Crossing the river at Maputo
Maputo (the old Lorenzo Marques in Portuguese times) is situated at the confluence of the Maputo, Tembe and Umuluzi river systems. It is a real contradiction….seething humanity, massive poverty and Read more…
Day 30 – Maputo
We took the rust bucket ferry across the estuary. It was overflowing with humanity. And there we were in Maputo. It is quite the filthiest, smelliest , most overcrowded place Read more…
Day 30 – Boarder Control
We kicked off with 30k of wet sand (considerably easier than dry sand) followed by 60k of fairly good road. Alessia had one small drop in the sand but otherwise Read more…
Day 30 – Bruised ribs.
Good mobile signal today, but no internet, so I’m making the most of it……!! I had an unfortunate mishap yesterday on the road to Maputo. In trying to avoid a Read more…
Day 29 – Rocking up to Rocktail
The day was supposed to commence with a morning game drive but we all awoke to a torrential thunderstorm. 50mm in 2 hours. So we all sat there at 5.45am Read more…
Day 29 – Farewell Hot Lips.
Hot Lips has gone home and about time too! I made the mistake of saying a few complimentary things about him on his last night and how much we were Read more…
Thank you to Singita.
Singita was a truly magical experience. It is a very beautiful and singular place. We had a wonderful time and the game viewing was excellent. The Big Five were all Read more…
Day 28 – Game Drives
Another day of very special game viewing…lions, rhinos the lot…..and now up to 200 bird species
Day 27 – Birthday
Game log for the day: 19 lions 3 white rhino 30 elephants Bunch of hippos and crocs 100’s of buffalo Usual suspects…giraffe,zebra,wildebeest Some fantastic birding…the suicide bird, the iconic Martial Read more…
Day 26 – Lions
I am surprised there is any game left in this area as there are so many lions. Apart from the main pride we came across 2 magnificent maned adult males Read more…
Day 25 – Transfer Day
An early run on the beach for quite a few of us and then a late morning departure to Singita. The little Rocktail airstrip was only 10 minutes away. We Read more…
Day 24 – Rocktail Bay
Rocktail has the finest beach I have ever set eyes on. The Indian Ocean rolls onto golden sand beaches. There are no people, there is no garbage on the beach Read more…
Day 23 – Welcome Party
A quiet drive back out of Umfolozi on our way back to collect the bikes. We saw a few of the usual suspects on the way…more white rhino…51 in total Read more…
Farewell to the Philistine
How do you describe Phil, our specialist guide for the South African leg of our journey? Large, Loud and Red are words that have been suggested. The Philistine is a Read more…
Day 22 – Cobra.
Another day spent on foot in the bush in Umfolozi. A good breakfast,a packed sandwich lunch and off we went. The river was too swollen to cross after the night’s Read more…
Day 21 – White Rhino.
Umfolozi is the oldest game park in Southern Africa. In the early 1800’s it was the personal hunting preserve of King Shaka and later that century earned National Park status. Read more…
Day Twenty – George Returns
A relatively quiet day today. We kicked off with a walk through semi tropical forest in Hluhluwe Game Park, the highlights being two very rare sightings. The first was a Read more…
Day Nineteen – Heart of Zululand
Most of our riding today has been deep in Zululand. This is real rural Africa. Endless groups of tiny houses or shacks dot the landscape. Cattle and goats roam freely. There Read more…
Day Nineteen – Buspass makes new friends.
Driving through a town just as the schools came out, Buspass found himself surrounded by new friends!
View from Africa
The school run and shopping, same issues different approach. Photos of the Tesco supermarket Africa and the local school run across Tegula Bridge. Charles.
Just another day…!
I Wouldn’t want it to seem like I’m moaning but…. this is what I have to put up with every day!
River Bend Lodge at Addo Elephant Park
A100 would like to acknowledge River Bend Lodge at Addo Elephant park. We had an excellent experience made all the better by Steve”s persistence and local knowledge. Steve is the Read more…
Crescent Motorcycle Co in Verwood……..
A big thank you to Adam Barnes and his team at Crescent. You couldn’t wish to meet a more helpful and knowledgeable bunch. Go and see them for your motorbiking Read more…
Note to Imelda……..
Hi Mate, I thought it best just to confirm that I’m not riding your bike and haven’t touched it since Knysna. ………..Gregg is going to check to see if we Read more…
The Zulu Battlefields…….
The Zulu battlefields provoked differing emotions from the historians and non-historians in the team. For me, it was a wonderful day, something that I had looked forward to enormously and Read more…
Honorary DOTD……..
We were joined today by Michael Jenkins on our trips to the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. He kept us waiting in the morning and the afternoon and was Read more…
Day Seventeen – The Siege of Rorkes Drift
The ultimatum to the Zulus expired at the end of December 1878. So in January 1879 Lord Chelmsford led his men through Natal to Zululand to force compliance. On the Read more…
Isandlwana
The cairns in the second picture are just some of the many many burial sites at the scene of the battle
Day Seventeen – The Battle of Isandlwana
In the year of 1879 the Zulus had never killed a Brit, lived on fairly worthless land and had no inclination to fight the British. But the ruling Brits at Read more…
Day Seventeen – Down into the Mist
Breakfast was an edgy affair as we contemplated the descent of the Sani Pass in the wet and the fog. It is treacherous enough in the dry. It was not helped Read more…
Another quite rest day.
After an interesting time climbing the Sani pass, we had a day off. Typically Gregg had other plans for the day. A walk up the highest mountain in Southern Africa. Read more…
Day Sixteen – The Climb – a day off!
An early start for an assualt on the highest mountain in South Africa and Southern Africa…in fact the highest mountain South of Kilimanjaro. We started at the lodge just shy Read more…
COBRA!
Never mind mountain passes with thousand foot drop-offs or charging black rhinos, for me at least, Thursday 4th October will remain indelibly stamped on my DNA following a close encounter Read more…
Day Fifteen – The Sani Pass
This is simply at the limit of what these bikes can cope with. We have attempted nothing as difficult as this over such a sustained period. It is monstrously difficult. Read more…
Day Fifteen – Bike Carnage
The morning was a story of bike carnage. Charles came quite a cropper but is fine thank God, but his bike is unrideable. It needs new front forks and the Read more…
And the HTFU Award goes to… Buspass.
The HTFU is being wheeled out for the second time. And The winner is…. Buspass. He likes to have hot milk in his coffee. It has been a perpetual problem Read more…
Day Fourteen – Man Down
I came around the corner and there were two bikes on their sides hard against the bank. Tim had overcooked a bend and slid with the bike whilst Sam, just Read more…
Day Fourteen – High Winds
High Winds…In both senses of the word. High winds in high places with blasts of wind sufficient to separate man from bike. It made for challenging biking together with unkempt Read more…
Day Thirteen – Potholes and Punctures
A tough day’s riding today, the most tiring we have experienced to date. 270km mostly dirt. We are now firmly inside the Eastern Cape where they must pocket the Road Read more…
Day Twelve – Black Rhino
We had a once in a lifetime sighting today of one of the worlds most persecuted and endangered species in a wildlife National Park North of Port Elizabeth. We had Read more…
Day Eleven – River Crossings
Shortly after leaving our mountain lodge (we all took the rather severe descent conservatively) we passed through the gates of the National Park of the Baviaanskloof. The lady selling tickets Read more…
Day Ten
A day off in the World Heritage site of the Baviaanskloof today (Africaans for BaboonGorge). We had an interesting walk through a canyon in the morning topped off by a Read more…
The HTFU Award
There’s another daily award that will feature from time to time on the Africa100 website. It is the HTFU Award otherwise known as the “Harden The F Up” Award. The Read more…
Day Nine
Its gone strangely quiet today….oh and the girls departed this morning. Gobbys back on his own bike now….Imelda you can always get a new paint job back home. We have Read more…
Sedarkloof Lodge
In the heights of the Baviaanskloof…..You will find Sedarkloof Lodge and a very warm welcome from Thys & Alice and their excellent team. The scenery is spectacular and the views Read more…
Day Eight
A quiet day of R and R in Knysna. We started with a 16k run to a wonderful cafe by Knysna heads where we watched the surf roll through the Read more…
Day Seven
Wet weather gear on first thing. The rain was definitely coming down. The cruiser left early with Shrek and Biggles clutch challenged bikes (and them) for the BMW garage in Read more…
Day Six
A slightly grizzly day began with an ascent of the Swarzberg Pass up a dirt switchback road…again no falling here. It was a frosty 7 degrees on top but Phil Read more…
Day Five
Real Africa for the first time today…..away from farming country in the morning to the vastness of the Klein Karoo this afternoon. We crossed our first serious pass the Rooiberg Read more…
The Retreat at Groenviel
A little jewel in the Groenfontein Valley. We stayed at a wonderfully isolated place called The Retreat at Groenviel. Marie and Grant made us very welcome at their beautiful home and Read more…
Day Four
Great whites galore….leaping completely out of the sea….being locked in the cage was an acquired taste, but when they slashed at the bait next to the cage they were Read more…
Day Three
A run along the shore East of Hermanus (Walker Bay) kicked off the day with countless Southern Right whales surfacing just below us, some on their backs in the kelp. Read more…
Day Two – Cape Town to Walker Bay along the Garden Route
Day two has taken us from Cape Town to Walker Bay along the Garden Route. Strong winds nearly blew all of us into the hedge…especially Etna and DD. We are Read more…
Day Two
Rain and very strong wind made for an interesting day’s biking on our journey to Hermanus. At least one whale spotted in the bay, but the ‘roaring forties’ wind made Read more…
It’s OK Imelda…….
she survived the second day, purring along …….. no need yet to order the new one!
Day One
Better get shopping Chris…..Tim has been a bit rough with your bike…oh and Adam has lost your keys Robin. Great ride to the Cape, 10 bikes in all and 8 Read more…
With love and thanks
Just a quick note to say a big thank you to Beverly for making this all possible for me. Love to the boys and I hope you do well in Read more…
a big thank you to Imelda
For letting Gobby use his bike. All went well on the first day, except for a small mishap in a car park! Bike’s still running OK……….
First day in the saddle
Ok so how has it been? Well I bust my laptop en route to SA so no photos today I’m afraid. 4 of us dropped our bikes -3 whilst stationary, Read more…
A quick thank you!
Thanks to Aimee for all her help and getting me organised for this trip! I would have been without a lot of stuff without her! Thanks. X
Ready to go
Arrived safely and afternoon spent preparing the bikes for our first ride out tomorrow. Everyone very excited and raring to go.
Finally . . .
Can’t really believe it but here we are . . . September 20th. After all the planning and all the shopping we’re finally leaving for the airport for the start of what will surely Read more…
Maintenance Revision
Just spent two days with Gwyn going through basic maintenance procedures. Charles kindly supervised proceedings.
Gwyn Barraclough – the BMW boy
Many thanks to Gywn for the last two days of maintenance tuition. We have learnt nothing and had a good laugh doing it. Truth be told we are all Read more…
Many Thanks to Wheeldon Off-Road Centre in Devon
The Africa 100 team would like to thank the Wheeldon Off-Road Centre, in Devon.
BYE BYE BIKES
Today was a real milestone as all the bikes were loaded onto a truck to be taken to Heathrow. For those present it was definitely an emotional moment and one Read more…
satellite test
Have uploaded this pic using portable satellite – probably quicker than using broadband in Minstead!
Iceland
Some of the team have just spent a fantastic weekend training in Iceland where we encountered miles and miles casino online of black sand dunes and even more miles Read more…
Stelios’ French gaff
The A100 team dropped into a Biker Caf’ on one of their many arduous training runs. It is going to be a hard slog through Africa, so there is just Read more…
A personal touch to petrol delivery – Africa 100 style.
When the Africa 100 team are out there crossing the Savannah, and running on vapour, it is good to know that there will always a helping hand from the local Read more…
Corperformance saves a Bok
Rumour has it that a group of Corporate Athletes have been disturbing the delicate balance of nature as they ride around the African Savannah. Here is just one example of Read more…
Waiting for the next BMW
This chap’s got his tyre levers and puncture repair kit at the ready for anyone who gets a flat below his tree
Your Latest Messages Leave a message
"I know it is a bit late as we have been away for the last couple of days but we could not let the D100 pass without a very sincere congratulatory message - what a fantastic achievement! Best of luck to you all with your re-entry to "normal life" Bill & Joanne"
Bill Madden
"Fantastic!!! Well done to you all-so sorry the blogs are coming to an end,they have made compelling reading for the last 98 days.Happy New Year to you all and a safe journey back to a soggy UK Regards John and Claire P.S. would make a super book,film or documentary!! Will make Richard Dimblebys documentary starting next Wednesday look pretty tame I suspect!"
John and Claire
"So nice to have met all of you and served you at dinner."
Victoria Hofman
"You must be almost there - day 98?. Hope you have a fabulous last couple of days. Lots of depressing rain in the UK but plenty of lovely snow in Courchevel! Louise and Crispin xx"
Louise and Crispin Aylett
"Been thinking about the team all day. Did you make it to Capetown? Can't wait to hear all the stories......sad the blog is coming to an end :( Merry Christmas A100. Imelda"
I elf
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