About the weather
I was traveling in South Africa in the end of May and the beginning of
June, almost winter. During the days the temperature was around 20 degrees
Celcius but at night it was sometimes almost 10 degrees freezing!
Next time, I'll try to go in the end of April or the beginning of June because
the weather should be better then.
About the bike
The Harley Lowrider is an FXR type Harley. The best Harley to ride. The roadholding
was very good, comfort on long trips was perfect and fuel consumption doing
100 to 120 km/h was 22 km on a liter. Not bad at all.
The bike was fitted with forward controls. On long straight roads, leaning
on my backpack that I had on the backseat, it was very comfortable but on dirt
roads and in Johannesburg traffic, I would rather have "normal" footpegs for better
control.
Reliability was a bit of a problem. The speedo cable broke halfway the trip. I
had to push start it several times because of a bad battery and it started to
run bad during the trip. Later this turned out to be a loose intake manifold. A few
screws where missing and it is difficult to get US type screws in South Africa.
It did bring me back home but I was glad I did not drive it to Namibia alone.
Driving the Harley on a lonely road, leaning back with my feed on the forward
controls and listening to the V-twin sound was a great feeling, like beeing the
star in an Easyrider movie ;-)
About security
I have been to South Africa twice. Both times I have been driving a motorbike,
alone most of the time and I had no unpleasant encounters. I have not been robbed,
not been shot at and the only incident was children throwing stones in Lesotho.
The advantage of traveling with a bike instead of a car are;
- Most criminals are absolutely not interested in bikes but very much in cars.
- You are not a rich tourist in their eyes. If you are rich, you buy a car.... ;-)
- and a bike is much more fun!
Disadvantages are;
- Unless you have a bike with hard lugagge, it is hard to lock your luggage away so
you have to keep an eye on your parked bike is there is luggage on it. Remember that
there are people there who in their whole life will never earn as much money as your
new video camera is worth!
- If things does get nasty, you have no protection. (but a bike can speed away very
quickly)
If you take normal precautions and don't behave as a rich tourist, South Africa is a
very nice country to ride a bike.
About the roads
Most roads are good tar roads but even dirtroads are well maintained and easy to drive
on. Even on a non-offroad bike like the Harley Lowrider.
If you have a good map, it's easy to find your way and there are plenty of gas stations
if you have a range of 200 + kilometer on a tank. Lesotho is an exception. I found NO gas
stations in Lesotho except in some border towns.
There are normal traffic rules in South Africa but it is not as protective as in Europe.
You have to be careful, keep your eyes open and take your responsibility. Driving is very
relaxed most of the time. It is nice to see a 120km/h speed limity sign on a dirt road :-)
Be carefull with heavy loaded trucks, taxi busses and people, cattle, wild animals and lots
of other things on the roads.
Try not to drive at night. Most cows and goats don't have head and tail lights but can
damage you and your bike seriously.
One thing I have not seen anywhere else is a junction with a "STOP" sign on all streets
leading to it. You are supposed to stop at the line and the first to arrived is the first
to drive. It works very good!
About Lodging and food
Lodging Bed & Breakfast style is cheap for European standards. I payed R190 (+/- 22 euro)
for a night in a small room with a toilet and a shower and even a TV! Food is cheap too.
R25 to R100 will buy you a nice lunch or dinner at a fast food or regular restaurant.
I wouldn't bring a tent. Just look on the internet or the local tourist offices for cheap
accomodation.
About the people
Most people I spoke to where very friendly. Most black, colored and white people I met are
proud to live in South Africa. I think it is an advantage to be a Dutchman in South Africa
because I noticed that Holland is a populair country for South Africans.
About health
If you go to the Kruger Park or places like that, you have the risk of malaria but only for
a part of the year. As long as you stay in South Africa, there are no other real health risks
as far as I know. For neigbouring countries like Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia you need a few
vaccinations. You should go to your docter for advice a few weeks before you leave home
because situations may change.
About money
In South Africa most towns and shopping centers have an ATM. Even in Game parks like the
Kruger park, some camps have an ATM.
Hotel bills etc. can be payed with a credit card but at gas stations you should
pay cash.
Always have a few one and two Rand coins in your pocket for tips.
|
Rehoboth Guesthouse
