Motorcycle Tour: South Africa to Malawi via Victoria Falls

After a big breakfast, we leave the city and start our Africa motorcycle journey toward Botswana. We cross and explore Limpopo, the northernmost province of South Africa.

Limpopo has great archaeological value. The ancient city of Mapungubwe offers a look into early life in southern Africa. The province is also home to South Africa’s biggest diamond and copper mines, plus one of the largest open-pit platinum mines.

We ride well-paved roads to Bela-Bela, a town known for its hot springs. From there, bumpy side roads take us through villages and some of South Africa’s finest private game reserves. You may spot wildlife right from the saddle.

In the afternoon, we cross into Botswana at Groblersbrug. We then ride to Palapye and end the first stage at a local lodge.

After a restful night and breakfast, we ride back to the paved road and head to Kasane. Most of today’s route passes through the eastern savanna of Chobe National Park — one of the most famous parks in southern Africa.

The park covers 11,700 square kilometers. It is home to the Big Five and a prime spot for bird watching. Keep your eyes open while riding — elephants, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes often cross the road. A leopard has even been spotted here.

In the afternoon, we join a sunset boat safari on the Chobe River. We get close to crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and buffalo grazing on flooded islands. Then we return to the lodge for a hearty dinner.

Today is free. Relax by the Zambezi with a view of the mist cloud above Victoria Falls. On clear days, it rises 400 meters into the sky.

In the morning, we visit the mighty falls on a guided walk. You can also take an optional helicopter or ultralight flight. Everyone who has seen the falls from the air highly recommends it. Let us know so we can plan accordingly. We suggest a morning flight.

The evening brings a dinner cruise on a classic river boat. The food is traditional African cuisine with drinks included. On a good evening, expect a stunning African sunset over the Zambezi.

Today is the longest ride of the tour. We leave busy Lusaka and navigate through morning traffic. Our target is Chipata, made famous by Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Down ride in 2007.

The route passes through African village life and lush green landscapes. After crossing the Luangwa River, we reach Chipata. The newly built road is smooth, but watch for potholes and stalled trucks. Stay focused even when the scenery tempts you to look away.

After breakfast, we ride the paved road back to Chipata. From there, we cross into Malawi. This border is usually calm but slow — and sometimes quite interesting. Procedures that seem simple to Europeans can work differently in Africa.

We stop in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, for lunch at a local restaurant. Then we ride to Dedza. At 1,590 meters, it is the highest town in Malawi. From here, the road drops south. Tonight’s stop is basic — but that is part of the experience.

We ride north across the Phalombe Plateau, a highland conservation area with cultural and natural significance. Bumpy roads lead us to Lake Malawi — Africa’s third-largest lake. It stretches 580 km through the Great Rift Valley. Some say it is up to 700 meters deep.

The lake’s clear water supports local farming and is a paradise for divers and snorkelers. We follow back roads north to Mangochi and cross the Shire River — Malawi’s largest river and the lake’s only outlet. We stay two nights at the Kingfisher Hotel on the lakeshore, north of Mangochi.

After breakfast, we pack the bikes for the last time. We ride back up the Golomoti escarpment, follow the western lakeshore, and turn inland at Salima toward Lilongwe.

Lilongwe is busy — lots of traffic and people, much like Lusaka. In the late afternoon, we unpack our motorcycles and return them to the rental agent. They will be shipped back to Pretoria. The stories and photos start flowing as we recall everything we have seen on this epic Africa ride.