Items tagged with Swaziland

2009-03-19 08:37:34
Written By: Billy van Graan

A collection of all the photos of the update of the trip in one place. Click a photo to view a larger image. You can then navigate the larger photos by clicking Next and Previous buttons in the right bottom corner.

2009-02-21 10:17:03
Written By: Billy van Graan

When I woke up this morning my back was much better but not 100%. We ate some leftovers of the previous evening’s braai and made our way to the border after saying our goodbyes to Loenen. On our way to the border I stopped to get something for my back.

Once through on the Swaziland side we were back on the dirt. We did a bit of tar and then again tons of dirt. I set my GPS to keep us on the smaller roads. These in Swaziland are the dirt roads. I managed to get us a bit lost and when I looked to the GPS for guidance it claimed that we weren’t even on a road. With some help from the locals we managed to get back on track. But all this was taking longer than thought.

After a long day of driving loads of small dirt roads across Swaziland we managed to make the border at around 5:30pm. The next objective was to get to Nelspruit as quick as possible to catch the rugby. We raced the 90km to Nelspruit and once there I consulted the GPS for the nearest pub. We went to the Cock & Bull if I remember the name correctly. We got out own corner inside with enough space to put all our luggage.  Rugby, beers, pizzas and smiles all around.

After the game we asked some locals where we could find a camping spot but no one seemed to know. Then a guy and a girl told us they know of a backpackers that is cheap and they will show us where it is. We had a couple of drinks with them at the backpacker’s bar. The barmen said we can camp in the garden if we like and it would be cheaper than getting dorm beds. After the drinks we were so tired and lazy we just slept outside on a ground sheet.

2009-02-10 10:01:20
Written By: Billy van Graan

Triple D is a short (10 days) motorbike trip of around 3300km through South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland with two of my friend.

Since Lance - one of my friends - got a bike he also wanted to do a trip. After my last trip to Namibia and Botswana last year with my brother Jesse, which was a lot of fun, I've wanted to go on another trip as well. I decided to organize a trip and get some guys to come with. In the end we only managed to get one (I wasn't surprised) more guy - Neil - to come with.

The plan was to travel as many roads that I haven't been on and to go on a couple that I thought would be a challenge and would help better my biking skills. I have only been to Lesotho once before and never to Swaziland so those where easy choices. I also wanted to do The Sani Pass which is South Africa's highest and certainly one of the most challenging passes that go up into Lesotho. Lesotho itself has quite a bit off road riding to offer. On our way we would also visit family and a friend.

The route would also include going to Sodwana Bay and Lake Sibaya (the largest fresh water lake is South Africa). I have been to both these places but wanted to go there with my bike since the roads offers softer sand which I am not very good at riding in.