Great, just make sure you are in the Southern African countries (Kenya and below) between May and September. from Nov to May its wet, and flooding is common. Ride safe
This is a heart stopping production! A perfect balance of scenic content and practical advise. It showcases prominent parts of our beautiful African continent in a most attractive way. Looking forward to seeing more of these top class documentaries. Well done Craig!
09:30 I find all to often bike channels talk in absolute tyre pressures. I'd rather recommend a percentage tyre pressure of your manufacturer recommended, eg 80% for gravel 50% for soft sand. You recommended no less than 1.5 front and 2 for the rear... According to my manual and plaque my bikes road pressures are exactly that which means I shouldn't deflate at all using that advice. Otherwise great video
Hired from Craig many times and did allot of interesting spots in Namibia solo. If after peak season you are riding a road that hasn't been recently graded you can get in real problems. Can only recommend Craig as the only guy to go to for motorbike hire, trip planning and advice whether it be South Africa or Namibia
Fantastic video. Have ridden as a cameraman with Craig on his Garden Route tours, an exceptional rider and tour guide, and now raised the bar with an informative and beautifully edited video. Good job Mr Marshall.
I’ve hired bikes from Craig in the past, he is a top bloke. That was years ago and we only did South Africa. Would love to do Nambia, but it was always the fear of the unknown that stopped me. Now with his knowledge being shared like this, I am keen to give it a go. Thanks Craig!
No, the reflection is not lie on water.. Its the lack of shadow details in the ruts that's prevents you from seeing the lines of the deep and shallow ruts.
Hi Craig. Love the advice. Would a KTM 990 adventure or KTM 690 enduro be best for Namibia..? I’d be traveling from Johannesburg to CPT- CPT to Namibia
Hi Jethro.... it's not so much about the bike, it's about the rider. Namibia requires an advanced level of off-road skill, preferably with good sand riding experience..
That is a great video. I d love to ho on a trip around Namibia but I don t have a lot of offroad experience. Besides my wife wants to join this trip as well on the back of the bike...
Thanks Thomas... You can still do a lot of Namibia and all the way up to Victoria Falls as it's 100% tar roads from Windhoek... So it's only the Sossusvlei Dunes you have to be careful of... But some of my customers travel the South on the bike's, then go up to Windhoek on the B1 highway. Then rent a 4x4 or SUV to do a 5 day loop from Windhoek to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Spitzkoppe.. Then drop the 4x4 back in Windhoek, grab the bikes and head for Victoria Falls... For example..
@@MSAMotoTravel thanks for your answer. There are so many options and Namibia and SA are so beautiful. Also a trip to the Victoria Falls sounds amazing. We have to think our holiday plans over as soon as the corona crises is over. Cheers Tom
Hi Thomas, yes the Vic Falls trip is also very amazing... my video will be out by Tuesday at the latest..... CPT - Vic Falls is actually about 90% asphalt, and if you dont have the advanced experience to do the central part of Namibia, then you can bypass it and head to Windhoek, from there its all tar to Vic Falls.... stay tunes for the next release... Craig Marshall
Thomas, Namibia is a great place to tour two-up even at novice level. I've ridden there three times (once camping so very heavy) with my wife without major issues as far north as the Kunene River. Stick to C roads if you can and it will be fine, especially if you have decent tyres (TCK80 front and Mitas E-07+ rear on a GS or similar for example). Make sure you carry plenty of water and have the ability to carry extra fuel if you think you'll need it. There is plenty of scope for expert riders to get their kicks on dried up river beds, rocky passes and so forth, but it's generally easy to find a gravel route that isn't super difficult and avoids tarmac. You are most likel;y to fall off riding the sometimes sandy tracks to your lodgings from the main road - learn the 'monkey lift' with your pillion and even that won't be an issue. If you want to go to Vic falls ride down the Caprivi strip, but watch out for elephants! You can stay at a lodge outside Zim in Kasane for example if you want and do a day trip to the falls without bothering to get a bike across the border - isn't worth it for one day.
Hey Thorsten... For solo deep back country trips i agree. But for 2up, with a heavy camera bag, tripod, drone, full size Gimbal, plus 30kg luggage.. The Super Tenere is the beast i choose. Tubless tyres mean 5 min puncture repair. Shaft drive means no maintenance and chain lube. 23 litre tank give us well over 480km range and In 12 years of Renting out and riding the Super Tenere.. We have NEVER had a single breakdown. Ever. Thats the main reason i choose the Super T.
HI Peter, The V-Strom is fine for Namibia, but good gravel tyres and an aggressive front wheel are the most important. MITAS EO10 or EO9 for the front and EO10 or EO7 on the rear is fine.
Hi thank you so much for the info. Can you plz sugest a asphalt road only through Namibia, I want to travel from Upington to Swakopmunt on a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 cruiser. I hope it is possible. Thank you in advance. Kind regards
HI Francois, Yes you can use the N10 from uppington to Ariamsvlei border - and then take the B3 to Karasburg, then Grunau to join the B1 to Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Rehoboth. its all tar to Windhoek and all the way to Swakopmund. Same way back.
Hi there,nice vid's ,have a question, planning to travel africa and namibia for sure,i do prefer to travel on a motorbike but just wondering if and how much do i miss out when traveling on a motorbike because i can't entre the parks...is it better to do it with a 4x4 in a sense of getting into parks and maybe a place to sleep inside when needed??
Hi.. Unless you have a lot of off road and sand riding experience, you can see far more in a 4x4.. The rental rates for bikes are very similar to a fully equipped 4x4 with a roof tent. So your accommodation costs are small. So definitely you can enter all regions and parks... In addition there are so many beautiful places only accessible by 4x4. Thick sand is a problem for bikes of course.. PM me on info@msatravelafrica.com Craig Marshall.
You mention: Sossusvlei & Deadvlei: Extremely bad dangerous gravel/sand roads C19/C27 (Motorcycle Prohibited) Sesriem Canyon: Extremely bad dangerous gravel/sand roads C19/C27 (Motorcycle Prohibited) So can one only enter from Solitaires side on a bike????
Hi Jaun-Pierre, No, its the C27 from Helmeringhausen going up to Sesriem that is the worst road for bikers. you can get to Sossusvlei and Sesriem on the C27 and via the C14/C19 which have much better surfaces and almost no sand except for the last 30km. Bikes are not allow into the Sossusvlei area. So you have to stay at Sesriem and use shuttles into Sossusvlei. Craig Marshall
Hi, by definition an advanced rider can handle all situations, from rocks, to river crossings, sand, both thick and light sand, anticipate the bikes movement and react to the up coming terrain accordingly. If you are the type of rider that slows down for every bump on a gravel road. Namibia is not a country for you. But if you can handle all of the above and be relaxed and comfortable, think quick and be relaxed standing up with the bike moving around underneath you, then you're an advanced rider. Craig Marshall
@@MSAMotoTravel Thank you very much for that clear answer. I am an approx '4 year old' rider. Began after retirement 😲. However, I do ride with intent & purpose. I will formally communicate with you about a tour meant for a 'siver back' with mojo. 👍👍
Can anyone tell me more about the biking Community in Namibia? What is the riding landscape like? Needless to say that your video is inspiring. Less I forget, please share your handle on Instagram.
Hi Olusegun, Im not sure if you have watched this video, because that's what the entire video is about :) Im not in touch with the biking community, but mostly its overseas visitors. please check the links in the comments section for all my social media links.
Doom and gloom! Don't let this person put you off travellling Namibia!! If not on a motorcycle then a regular 2 wheel drive sedan The country is well prepared for tourists. Motorcycle of regular passenger vehicles!
Raymond, I've guided 32 tours on bikes in Namibia, and done over 10 4x4, sedan vehicle trips over the last 20 years - I have to warn fellow bikers about the road conditions and the best options to take. I've seen injuries, deaths and all.... But I guess you know more than me hey ?
@@MSAMotoTravel You make it sound like its super dangerous to travel through Namibia which is not the case. I watched a few blogs on motorcycles riders traveling through Namibia and in the past 2 years solo woman riders have crossed through Namibia without any issue.... Any motorcycle adventure can be dangerous and even more so when they are solo riders.. "itchy Boots did this on a little Honda 250cc bike. and "On her bike" did this on a BMW 800 there are many riders that have traveled Namibia solo without any issues. I do however agree that it is safer to do this in a group for added backup. And if I was doing this I would certainly like to do this in a group ride. But many people have done this and succeeded on their solo riding trip.without incidents.
@@raymondwright2985 Hi Raymond, I agree with all you are saying. Of all the riders I've taken to Namibia, only 2% have fallen, the rest had the best tour of their lives. But its giving those who think they can ride off road, but don't have any sand riding skill, a wake up call. I don't want to create the impression that its an easy country to ride. its not for most riders who have very little off roading experience. Cheers
The people disliking this video is probably concerned wives/mothers of motorcyclists. Awesome video and placed onto my bucket list.
Thank you, you always get some pricks that don't like anything in life.... haters will be haters.... :)
Great … i ‘m riding Nordkapp to Cape Town
Great, just make sure you are in the Southern African countries (Kenya and below) between May and September. from Nov to May its wet, and flooding is common. Ride safe
@@MSAMotoTravel i ride Congo side
God bless this man. Saving lives and creating amazing content
This is a heart stopping production! A perfect balance of scenic content and practical advise. It showcases prominent parts of our beautiful African continent in a most attractive way. Looking forward to seeing more of these top class documentaries. Well done Craig!
Thank you for your kind words...
09:30 I find all to often bike channels talk in absolute tyre pressures. I'd rather recommend a percentage tyre pressure of your manufacturer recommended, eg 80% for gravel 50% for soft sand. You recommended no less than 1.5 front and 2 for the rear... According to my manual and plaque my bikes road pressures are exactly that which means I shouldn't deflate at all using that advice. Otherwise great video
wow thank you for your quick respond, greatly appreciated. God bless and ride save.
Hired from Craig many times and did allot of interesting spots in Namibia solo. If after peak season you are riding a road that hasn't been recently graded you can get in real problems. Can only recommend Craig as the only guy to go to for motorbike hire, trip planning and advice whether it be South Africa or Namibia
Thanks Robert, as soon as all this Corona madness is over we can all get back to some gravel in Africa :)
an absolutely amazing and informative production!
Thank you Ezzat, its highly appreciated :)
Good content Craig 👍
Thank you Hein, glad you enjoyed it.
great info and tons of it, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic video. Have ridden as a cameraman with Craig on his Garden Route tours, an exceptional rider and tour guide, and now raised the bar with an informative and beautifully edited video. Good job Mr Marshall.
Thanks Jeff
I’ve hired bikes from Craig in the past, he is a top bloke. That was years ago and we only did South Africa. Would love to do Nambia, but it was always the fear of the unknown that stopped me. Now with his knowledge being shared like this, I am keen to give it a go. Thanks Craig!
Thanks David.... I remember you. Drop me an email when you want to go.... Best is from May or June to October 2021
Excellent Craig
Thanks Dave... I'm currently editing the next episode on Cape Town to Victoria Falls.... Coming in about a week... Stay tuned 🙏
Outstanding advice and generous in sharing your valuable info.Cheers.JHB-SA
Thanks Bruce, it's been a year in the Making....
Thank you very interesting and informative video
Pleasure Adriaan. It's been a few trips in the making.. 3 trips last year and 2 trips to Vic Falls....
That's next 😁
Good info, Thanks. I'm planning a trip from SA (Pta) in 2024!
Thanks for watching
How your plans coming along..? Are you solo riding ..?
Awesome 😊
Thank you 🙏
I see a few XT1200's in the video. Nice
Thanks ..... Our flagship bikes in the Yamaha fleet. my favourite :)
@@MSAMotoTravel Mine too. I have 1 😁
I am ready to go. How to contact Craig is my next quest.........
Hi Billy... Just pop me an email on info@msatravelafrica.com
8:17 do polarized lenses help? They help reduce the effects of the sun and show surfaces that normally you can't see.
No, the reflection is not lie on water.. Its the lack of shadow details in the ruts that's prevents you from seeing the lines of the deep and shallow ruts.
Hi Craig. Love the advice. Would a KTM 990 adventure or KTM 690 enduro be best for Namibia..? I’d be traveling from Johannesburg to CPT- CPT to Namibia
Hi Jethro.... it's not so much about the bike, it's about the rider.
Namibia requires an advanced level of off-road skill, preferably with good sand riding experience..
That is a great video. I d love to ho on a trip around Namibia but I don t have a lot of offroad experience. Besides my wife wants to join this trip as well on the back of the bike...
Thanks Thomas... You can still do a lot of Namibia and all the way up to Victoria Falls as it's 100% tar roads from Windhoek...
So it's only the Sossusvlei Dunes you have to be careful of... But some of my customers travel the South on the bike's, then go up to Windhoek on the B1 highway. Then rent a 4x4 or SUV to do a 5 day loop from Windhoek to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Spitzkoppe.. Then drop the 4x4 back in Windhoek, grab the bikes and head for Victoria Falls... For example..
@@MSAMotoTravel thanks for your answer. There are so many options and Namibia and SA are so beautiful. Also a trip to the Victoria Falls sounds amazing. We have to think our holiday plans over as soon as the corona crises is over.
Cheers Tom
Hi Thomas, yes the Vic Falls trip is also very amazing... my video will be out by Tuesday at the latest.....
CPT - Vic Falls is actually about 90% asphalt, and if you dont have the advanced experience to do the central part of Namibia, then you can bypass it and head to Windhoek, from there its all tar to Vic Falls....
stay tunes for the next release...
Craig Marshall
@@MSAMotoTravel looking forward to seeing your next video. Can t wait for it ;)
Thomas, Namibia is a great place to tour two-up even at novice level. I've ridden there three times (once camping so very heavy) with my wife without major issues as far north as the Kunene River. Stick to C roads if you can and it will be fine, especially if you have decent tyres (TCK80 front and Mitas E-07+ rear on a GS or similar for example). Make sure you carry plenty of water and have the ability to carry extra fuel if you think you'll need it. There is plenty of scope for expert riders to get their kicks on dried up river beds, rocky passes and so forth, but it's generally easy to find a gravel route that isn't super difficult and avoids tarmac. You are most likel;y to fall off riding the sometimes sandy tracks to your lodgings from the main road - learn the 'monkey lift' with your pillion and even that won't be an issue. If you want to go to Vic falls ride down the Caprivi strip, but watch out for elephants! You can stay at a lodge outside Zim in Kasane for example if you want and do a day trip to the falls without bothering to get a bike across the border - isn't worth it for one day.
You need an XR650L with a long range tank. A 1985 R80 BMW will do good too. XR600R with aforementioned LRT will be fine
Hey Thorsten... For solo deep back country trips i agree. But for 2up, with a heavy camera bag, tripod, drone, full size Gimbal, plus 30kg luggage.. The Super Tenere is the beast i choose.
Tubless tyres mean 5 min puncture repair. Shaft drive means no maintenance and chain lube. 23 litre tank give us well over 480km range and In 12 years of Renting out and riding the Super Tenere.. We have NEVER had a single breakdown. Ever. Thats the main reason i choose the Super T.
Thanks for thr videos. Do you have any details on the border regulations during these times? Entering from South Africa
Hi Callan, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana are all open for local and International travel. Not sure about Zimbabwe....
Hi what bike do you recommend? It's a V-strom 650 be capable?
HI Peter,
The V-Strom is fine for Namibia, but good gravel tyres and an aggressive front wheel are the most important. MITAS EO10 or EO9 for the front and EO10 or EO7 on the rear is fine.
@@MSAMotoTravel Thank you very much
Hi thank you so much for the info. Can you plz sugest a asphalt road only through Namibia, I want to travel from Upington to Swakopmunt on a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 cruiser. I hope it is possible. Thank you in advance. Kind regards
HI Francois, Yes you can use the N10 from uppington to Ariamsvlei border - and then take the B3 to Karasburg, then Grunau to join the B1 to Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Rehoboth. its all tar to Windhoek and all the way to Swakopmund. Same way back.
Hi there,nice vid's ,have a question, planning to travel africa and namibia for sure,i do prefer to travel on a motorbike but just wondering if and how much do i miss out when traveling on a motorbike because i can't entre the parks...is it better to do it with a 4x4 in a sense of getting into parks and maybe a place to sleep inside when needed??
Hi.. Unless you have a lot of off road and sand riding experience, you can see far more in a 4x4.. The rental rates for bikes are very similar to a fully equipped 4x4 with a roof tent. So your accommodation costs are small.
So definitely you can enter all regions and parks...
In addition there are so many beautiful places only accessible by 4x4. Thick sand is a problem for bikes of course.. PM me on info@msatravelafrica.com
Craig Marshall.
@@MSAMotoTravel thanks very much ,thats what i was thinking but was not sure ,i will be buying not renting,this trip can be for a couple of years
OK I see, nice chatting
You mention:
Sossusvlei & Deadvlei: Extremely bad dangerous gravel/sand roads C19/C27 (Motorcycle Prohibited)
Sesriem Canyon: Extremely bad dangerous gravel/sand roads C19/C27 (Motorcycle Prohibited)
So can one only enter from Solitaires side on a bike????
Hi Jaun-Pierre, No, its the C27 from Helmeringhausen going up to Sesriem that is the worst road for bikers. you can get to Sossusvlei and Sesriem on the C27 and via the C14/C19 which have much better surfaces and almost no sand except for the last 30km.
Bikes are not allow into the Sossusvlei area. So you have to stay at Sesriem and use shuttles into Sossusvlei.
Craig Marshall
@@MSAMotoTravel An chance I can contact you directly?
Yes pop me an email on info@msatravelafrica.com
What is your definition of an 'advanced/expert's off road rider?
Hi, by definition an advanced rider can handle all situations, from rocks, to river crossings, sand, both thick and light sand, anticipate the bikes movement and react to the up coming terrain accordingly.
If you are the type of rider that slows down for every bump on a gravel road. Namibia is not a country for you.
But if you can handle all of the above and be relaxed and comfortable, think quick and be relaxed standing up with the bike moving around underneath you, then you're an advanced rider.
Craig Marshall
@@MSAMotoTravel Thank you very much for that clear answer. I am an approx '4 year old' rider. Began after retirement 😲. However, I do ride with intent & purpose. I will formally communicate with you about a tour meant for a 'siver back' with mojo. 👍👍
Can anyone tell me more about the biking Community in Namibia? What is the riding landscape like? Needless to say that your video is inspiring.
Less I forget, please share your handle on Instagram.
Hi Olusegun, Im not sure if you have watched this video, because that's what the entire video is about :)
Im not in touch with the biking community, but mostly its overseas visitors.
please check the links in the comments section for all my social media links.
Enige bike is dangerous ...maak ni saak wa jy ry nie ....span alles in wat j het
Doom and gloom! Don't let this person put you off travellling Namibia!! If not on a motorcycle then a regular 2 wheel drive sedan The country is well prepared for tourists. Motorcycle of regular passenger vehicles!
Raymond,
I've guided 32 tours on bikes in Namibia, and done over 10 4x4, sedan vehicle trips over the last 20 years - I have to warn fellow bikers about the road conditions and the best options to take. I've seen injuries, deaths and all.... But I guess you know more than me hey ?
@@MSAMotoTravel You make it sound like its super dangerous to travel through Namibia which is not the case. I watched a few blogs on motorcycles riders traveling through Namibia and in the past 2 years solo woman riders have crossed through Namibia without any issue.... Any motorcycle adventure can be dangerous and even more so when they are solo riders.. "itchy Boots did this on a little Honda 250cc bike. and "On her bike" did this on a BMW 800 there are many riders that have traveled Namibia solo without any issues. I do however agree that it is safer to do this in a group for added backup. And if I was doing this I would certainly like to do this in a group ride. But many people have done this and succeeded on their solo riding trip.without incidents.
@@raymondwright2985 Hi Raymond, I agree with all you are saying. Of all the riders I've taken to Namibia, only 2% have fallen, the rest had the best tour of their lives.
But its giving those who think they can ride off road, but don't have any sand riding skill, a wake up call. I don't want to create the impression that its an easy country to ride. its not for most riders who have very little off roading experience.
Cheers