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In this episode, the new season of Itchy Boots is finally beginning! I have waited for this moment for months but finally my Honda CRF300Rally 'Alaska" has arrived back from Alaska and I am ready to kick off new adventures!!
This episode is my first ride in Morocco! I am quickly leaving Tanger Med, and I am riding to Chefchaouen, through the beautiful Rif Mountains. Riding a motorcycle in Morocco in February means chances of encountering snow, so I have to ride carefully! But will I even make it up the Rif mountains if the toll gates don't open?
In this episode, I am riding to the small town of Bhalil, just south of Fez. Almost nobody visits this place and there is only one guesthouse in town. I am trying to reach the guesthouse but with these tiny alleys and stairs everywhere, that's a bit of a mission! Kamal tells me that no motorcyclist managed to reach his guesthouse before..!
In this episode, I'm headed towards the High Atlas mountains of Morocco. But in February, it's still deep into winter here! Especially high up in the mountains, it gets very, very cold...
In this episode I am riding from the High Atlas Mountains, straight to the Saharan sand dunes - what an epic ride! Outside of the sand dunes, the desert is mostly flat and I am not sure which track to follow as I am surrounded by endless desert on all sides. To my surprise, there are people living in harsh places like this and I meet several Amazigh, who point me into the right direction.
In this episode, I am exploring Erg Chebbi, the sand dune field at Merzouga. I am riding over 100 kilometers into the desert and try to ride some sand dunes along the way. I am inexperienced with sand dunes and my CRF300L Rally is heavy - Even though I didn't bring much luggage, a full tank of fuel will do the trick and I soon get buried into the sand with my rear tyre.
In this episode, the manager of the guesthouse where I am staying is showing me around the oasis that was created here and explains how water is managed to sustain the life of the people here. The way the community works together in the oasis, the women and children centre and the community bakery is fascinating to see. In environments like these, you have to work together when resources are scarce!
In this episode, I am riding 300 kilometers off-road, first through the desert and then back into the Atlas mountains. I find the most amazing dirt track and I feel like I have just entered Mordor (Lord of the Rings). What an incredible place to ride a motorcycle!
In this episode, I am riding from Todra Gorge to Dades Gorge, via the highest road in Morocco. There! It's cold, it's snowy and it's mind-blowing. There is also a tiny mishap with my chain guard.. all part of the journey!
In this episode, I have plotted myself a route straight through the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The day turns out to be extremely challenging as I find myself on a steep downhill path which is washed out and very rocky. With steep cliffs on the side, I am just trying not to slide off the mountain entirely.
In this episode, I am still trying to get out of those insane mountains, when I realize that I bent my gear shifter.. Struggling to get it over 3rd gear, I am limping back to find a mechanic, which turns out to be 150 kilometers still to Ouarzazate!
When I want to clean my air filter and open up my airbox of my motorcycle, I'm in for an unpleasant surprise... I need the help of the local mechanics in Tata, Morocco.
In this episode, I finally manage to leave Tata. There has been a strong cold and rain front that went over Morocco, causing heavy rainfall and snowfall. The usually dry riverbeds, the wadis, turned into raging brown rivers, resulting in the closure of roads. On top of that, strong winds cause more sand to be picked up in the air, and reducing the visibility. Somehow, I decide to ride 640 kilometers though!
In this episode I am riding to Dakhla. I start in Esmara and will cross straight through the Sahara desert, off-road. One of the most memorable days of motorcycling of my entire journey.
In this video, I'm exploring around Dakhla, but I'm in for a few surprises..
In this episode, I'm crossing the border from Morocco into Mauritania!
In this episode I am starting my adventure to follow the Iron Ore Train, which runs 700 kilometers through the Sahara, in Mauritania. But before I ride to a remote part of Mauritania, I need to make sure I bring enough cash with me. The ATMs don't work, so I have to change all my US dollars for local currency, at the border of Morocco and Mauritania..
This episode is part 2 of a crazy desert adventure where I attempted to follow the train tracks of the Iron Ore train that runs 700 kilometers through the Sahara. About halfway, I crash, and my motorcycle doesn't start anymore. Time for plan B. Or C, or D. Any plan really.
In this final part, I follow Ahmed through several dune fields, past Ben Amira and other incredible rock formations, to finally reach Atar.
In this episode, I am starting the big adventure to try and reach the Richat Structure, also known as the Eye of the Sahara or the Eye of Africa. An incredible feature that lies in the remote Mauritanian desert. I decide to team up with Ahmed, who I met earlier and is very knowledgeable about this part of the country. He also carries my 40 liters of fuel, all the water, my luggage and camping equipment, so my bike is much easier to handle through the sand and over the steep rocky mountain...
In this episode, I have to climb the mountain range that I was riding parallel to in the previous days. The track is steep, with extremely loose boulders and quite technical.. How far still till I reach Atlantis?
After days of riding through the desert, and facing thick sand, dunes and steep rocky mountain climbs - I am finally at the Richat Structure and able to ride straight through the Eye of the Sahara. UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
In this episode, I reach Chinguetti! This was the final destination of my desert adventures with Ahmed. From here on, I'm continuing on my own again. Chinguetti is a fascinating desert town, on the old trans-saharan trade routes and hosts several libraries with ancient books. What an incredible place!
In this episode, I say goodbye to Ahmed and continue my journey through Mauritania on my own. I am trying to make my way to the border with Senegal through a remote route through inland Mauritania, but the route is filled with challenges.
In this episode, I am doing a monster ride from Tidjikja in Mauritania all the way to Saint Louis in Senegal. 700 kilometers AND a border crossing! The reason for this crazy day is that I barely have any cash left and there are no ATMs in this part of Mauritania, and on top of that, once in Senegal I only get 48 hours to have my motorcycle papers stamped in Dakar. So... prepare for a monster day..
In this episode, I finally manage to cross the border into Senegal. But, with the previous video included, I rode 700 kilometers this day, with the river crossing at Bogué and then the hectic customs procedure at Rosso Border. I think I've never been more shattered after one day. BUT - I didn't have much choice. Due to no money (no ATMs or ways to get cash anywhere) and the customs procedure with the passe-avant, I just didn't have any choice but do it this way. As long as the plan works, it's all good in the end!
In this episode I reach DAKAR!! This means that the first leg of this journey around the African Continent is complete and I'll be taking a little break with the channel, to properly prepare for the next leg through West Africa!
In this episode I am getting ready in Dakar for the next leg of my journey around the African continent - my Honda CRF300 Rally needs a service after all the riding in the Sahara. The fine Sahara dust gets everywhere, including the tank and fuel pump!
In this episode I am riding to Fadiouth in Senegal, but I have to leave my motorcycle in Joal, on the other side of a wooden bridge. Even though I could easily ride over the bridge - motorcycles are not allowed on Fadiouth, and they have a very good reason why!
To reach the Saloum Delta in Senegal, I will have to find a boat to take me and my motorcycle across. From the small town of Djiffer, there are lots of boats (called "pirogue") and it's busy with people, animals, boats and all sort of goods. It takes a little time but eventually, I find a boatmen who is willing to bring me across (for a good price of course!)
In this episode I explore one of the islands in the Saloum delta in Senegal. To get here with a motorcycle was not so easy, and so people are not used to seeing a foreigner on a motorcycle! Nevertheless, I was welcomed with open arms and meet tonnes of new people in this episode. What an incredible place, with incredible people..
In this episode I am crossing the Saloum Delta in Senegal, on my way to The Gambia. Another border crossing yes! The border crossing is fine - but the chaos truly begins when I board the ferry to cross the river Gambia! There are many, many, police and army checkpoints in The Gambia and they all ask me tonnes of questions. They don't get to see women on motorcycles here often..
In this episode, I am visiting several villages in The Gambia with Jalamang, a local. But to get there, we have to cross the river Gambia. I have done many river crossings with my motorcycle, but it's just getting a bit ridiculous now. This is starting to look like a re-enactment of Titanic. Jack, I can fly!
In this episode I am going on a small boat with Captain Hippo to look for Chimpanzees. The original chimpanzees were re-introduced here in The Gambia and were all rescued chimps. Now, the third generation of chimpanzees has been born in the wild here.
In this episode, I am trying to leave The Gambia and cross back into Senegal. The immigration post forgot to bring their stamp though because they were running a bit late that morning..
In this video I am crossing the border into Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau was under the rule of Portugal for many centuries and Portuguese is still the official language here. By far the majority of the locals speak Creole or other languages, but since I don't speak those languages, I have to try my best Portuguese here.
In this episode, I cross the border from Guinea-Bissau into Guinea. The border crossing involves getting across a wide river in the middle of nowhere. Next, I ride another 250 kilometers of rough roads through rural Guinea. Exactly the type of adventure that I have been craving!
In this episode, I am riding into the Fouta Djallon Highlands of Guinea. It feels like I entered Jurassic park - I am blown away by these landscapes. Trying to cross these plateaus turns out to be extreme rock riding and I ride over 100 kilometers of rocks!! My motorcycle is getting a real beating, but I hope it's all worth it - wait till you see where I end up in part 2 of this ride, in the next episode
In this episode I am visiting the Echelles de Lelouma - centuries old handmade staircases hugging the steep cliffs of Guinea. There is a fascinating history to these stairs and it baffles me that they are still being used until today...
In this episode, I am riding through the highlands of Guinea and I am visiting two amazing waterfalls. This is just the beginning of the rainy season (so.. the end of the dry season) so both waterfalls don't have a lot of water running down, but that's why I can actually walk ride on top of them - and even, ride my motorcycle over one waterfall!
In this episode I am riding through Sierra Leone after the first rains of the rainy season, on my way to Sierra Leone...
In this episode, I am riding to Freetown, in Sierra Leone because my motorcycle has been making a bad sound for a very long time now, but in between Dakar in Senegal, and Ivory Coast, there are no mechanics to be found that work on bigger bikes...
Unfortunately, this episode is very short, because of an audio issue. I tried to salvage as much as the footage as I could, but unfortunately this video is not up to my usual standards. This is real adventure travel though and I don't record in a studio where you can take several takes! I have one take and if something goes wrong, it goes wrong.. I hope you can still appreciate this episode!
In this episode I am leaving Freetown after a fruitless attempt to have my motorcycle looked at. The mechanic never showed up for work and I didn't think their initial diagnosis of valve clearance was correct. I have no choice but to just keep going towards Côte d'Ivoire, which is the first country where I have a shot of finding a mechanic. Sierra Leone is a small country and in one day of riding, I already pass through more than half of the country! It is extremely lush everywhere and dotted with tiny villages. I am even enjoying an awesome single trail until.. I encounter a rather dodgy bridge..
In this episode, I am exploring the area around Koidu, Sierra Leone's diamond capital. Everything revolves around diamonds here, and almost all inhabitants are working in the diamond mining or trade. Its very hard work for very little money. By far the majority of the people are using hand tools to dig up the diamonds, except for a few large corporations that use heavy machinery.
n this episode, I am riding towards the border of Sierra Leone and Liberia. I need to look again for a mechanic that can work on my motorcycle, so I decided to go to the capital of Liberia: Monrovia. On the way to Monrovia, the problems however, stack up and my motorcycle doesn't want to start anymore...
In this episode, I finally make it to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, after some crazy traffic. I immediately start looking for the motorcycle shop that I found online, but both the location of their website, as well as the address on their instagram page, are not correct. The phone numbers also don't work... After driving around the entire town, I am so desperate that I ask a Lebanese man at a tyre shop if he knows a motorcycle mechanic. He arranges a car to show me the way to a Lebanese car mechanic who also knows a lot about bikes. Many people along the way already told me that in case of mechanical problems in Africa - look for the Lebanese, because they are the best here. I think I can confirm this and they help me out and even refuse payment..
n this episode, I am heading further to the south east of Liberia and it's a long day of motorcycling. Over 200 kilometers of dirt roads through the jungle and now that the rainy season has started, this is becoming more challenging very soon. But the rewards once I reach the National Park make it all worth it !!
In this episode I am trying to make it to the border of Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. The jungle ride is fantastic, until I encounter a stretch of road which becomes worse and worse. This is the day that my ride through West-Africa changes drastically.
In part 2 of the insane mud of Liberia, I get my bike back and realize that my clutch plates are burnt. I still have to do a lot more mud riding, and then another 500 kilometers to reach Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire, where I should be able to get repairs done. But with a destroyed clutch, I'm not getting very far..
In part 3 of one single very crazy day in Liberia, I realize I cannot ride any further. I need to find myself a place to stay, because it's getting late and the weather also took a turn for the worst. A local called Prince, stops and tows me back to Fish Town, straight through the thunderstorm.
In this episode, I need to get my motorcycle to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. This is the only place where I'll be able to get it fixed. But it's still 140 kilometers through Liberia, to the border. And then another 430 kilometers to Abidjan. This is going to be a challenge..
In the episode, I finally made it to Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire, so I can have my bike fixed. It's a little nerve wracking to see my engine opened up outside on a parking lot though...
In this video, I cross the border into Ghana. My original plan was to ride to the north of Ivory Coast first, so I could still explore a little of the country. However, violence is spreading from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and the north of Ivory Coast is therefore not safe any longer either. So I figured it was better to cross the border into Ghana, and visit a small stilt village on a lake, called Nzulezo.
In this episode, I ride my motorcycle to Kakum National Park in Ghana. After a 45 minute hike through the jungle, I reach the canopy bridges. What an amazing experience to walk over the 7 bridges across the canopy and hearing the monkeys and jungle sounds. I then spend the night in a treehouse, surrounded by more jungle sounds..
In this episode, I am making my way to Lake Bosomtwe in Ghana, but on my way there, I ride through the biggest gold mining district of the country. The scale of the gold mining operations is beyond words and both means the livelihood for millions of people, as well as an ecological disaster.
In this episode, I am riding from lake Bosomtwe towards the border with Togo. I have to split this ride into two because I need to catch a ferry that runs only at 10:30 in the morning and I won't make it to the ferry before that time. So I'll spend one night in a town 30 kilometers from the ferry and continue the next day. Unfortunately, my rear tank is no longer connected to my main tank, resulting in all the petrol leaking out of there. Note to self - do not use rear tank until fixed..
In this episode, I am leaving Ghana and cross the border into Togo. It's a stunning mountainous area to cross and the views are magnificent everywhere. After some confusing border formalities, I scale Mount Agou : Togo's highest mountain
In this episode I am exploring the mountains of Togo, West Africa. It's a beautiful area and the motorcycling is amazing here. The rainy season has started though, so I need to find some shelter to hide from a storm, but after that I continue to go and see a waterfall. A few kilometers before the waterfall, there is a roadblock and they do not like my helmet camera.
In this episode, I ride to the north of Togo, and cross the border into Benin there. A full day on tarmac and it's quite different from what I encounter on dirt roads. Many bad accidents with trucks and countless broken down trucks on the road. Riding on tarmac here seems a lot more dangerous then riding on dirt roads! The north part of Togo and Benin are very similar to each other. The people still have traditional Tata Somba houses here and scarification is still commonly practiced.
This is the final episode of my journey through Africa .. for now. The rainy season has gotten too intense, so I will have to wait out some of the heaviest rains. In the meantime, I am going to use this time to go on other adventures and try out different motorcycles!
This episode is about my return to AFRICA! I've returned to my beloved Honda CRF300RALLY "Alaska" after leaving her for 4 months in Benin and I am crossing the land border into Nigeria. There are tons of roadblocks in Nigeria, and some are more legit than others, and I am generally a bit wary of them because you never know what will happen..
In this episode, I start my journey through Nigeria and I'm on my way to Abuja to sort out a visa for Cameroon. On the way, I pass many, many checkpoints - and you never know what the response will be, or who is trying to stop you on the road. So I try to keep riding, but sometimes, I have to stop..
In this episode, I am on my way to Abuja, which I should reach in one day now. But I still have to get across the wide river Niger, and according to the locals, there is a ferry... When I finally reach the paved road, and think that the biggest challenge is behind me, I realize it only just begun... stay tuned for the episode after this!
In this second part of my ride to the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, I think I have reached the main, paved road. Nothing is true and I am fighting my way through probably the worst stretch of road I've ever done in my life. There is no end to the bumpy chaos of trucks, dust and fumes and my entire body is being bashed as I try and get through it. On top of that, a big dark sky suddenly appears and a thunderstorm breaks out. Traveling in Nigeria is hardcore!
In this video, I am riding from Abuja, the capital of Nigeria to the border with Cameroon. It's well over 800 kilometers, so I take two days to do it. Along the way, I pass over 50 checkpoints - mostly with tree trunks on the road, and often with armed guys without official uniform. I try to make my way quickly through Nigeria, because of the security situation. Once I reach the highlands, I get to see a completely different side of Nigeria, and it's like I entered a different world..
In this episode, I am trying to cross the only landborder between Nigeria and Cameroon that is currently open for foreigners to cross, due to safety concerns in the North as well as South. But before I get to the border, I have still some distance to cover on the Nigeria side, and these mountains are hard to get across...
In this episode I am crossing the land border from Nigeria into Cameroon. This year's rainy season has been exceptionally long and intense in West Africa and unfortunately still haunting me. I know I have to cross a river and my worst enemy is the rain, making this river crossing dangerous, as well as the jungle tracks extremely slippery. Once I step out of the immigration office on the Nigeria side, I see dark clouds and the first rain drops are starting to fall...
In this episode, I am riding from Banyo, in the north of Cameroon, to Foumban. Little did I know, they are making the most incredible huge bronze statues, hidden in this small village, behind some houses. Absolute masterpieces and true craftsmanship.
In this video, I am riding from Foumban, to Melong, in Cameroon. Around Melong, I visit the gorgeous Ekom falls, and ride up to Man And Woman lake, on top of a volcano. But the rain keeps on making the journey very hard, and this day is no exception...
In this episode, I am riding to Kribi. On the way, between the towns of Loum and Yabassi - the road turns to an absolute disaster. I have never ridden such a difficult jungle track in my life! I drop my motorcycle in an unfortunate way, and the slippery mud makes it impossible to lift my bike back up on my own.
This is part 2 of the day that I tried to ride to Kribi, in Cameroon. The stretch between Loum and Yabassi turned out to be the most challenging riding I've ever done I think, and there is just no end to the extreme mud, water and steep climbs.. I'm starting to think I'm never getting out of this jungle!
In this episode, I only ride until about 50 kilometers south of Kribi, and change my plans for the day because of... yes, rain! I luckily find a place to stay right at the beach, and decide it's time for a little motorcycle maintenance before I join the beach patrol that patrol the beaches in the nighttime to protect sea turtles. It looks like this time, poachers were here before us...
In this episode I am riding from the coast of Cameroon, to the capital: Yaounde. I have to go there because I want to apply for a visa for the Central African Republic, my next destination! The main ingredient you need for this is patience.. (as well as for finding fuel, ATM's and food!)
In this episode, I start the long journey from Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, to the border with Central African Republic. I choose the northern route, which proves to be a good choice, and the first 430 kilometers is new asphalt and I'm making quick progress. However, as soon as the dirt begins, the challenges start, and when it starts to rain, the jungle track become so slippery - it changes this day into a day, that I did not see coming..
In this part of crossing the Cameroon - Central African Republic border, I get myself into trouble. The rain made some stretches of jungle very, very slippery, and I crash hard. I can't believe that the start button of my motorcycle broke off in the crash!! Everything adds up, and I end up riding in the jungle in the dark still... I need to find a place to stay the night QUICK!
In this episode, I wake up in a small village in the Central African Republic, where I asked to spend the night, because night fell in the jungle and I had nowhere to go. The villagers and their chief immediately took me in, and insisted I park my motorcycle inside the house as well. The people in this part of the Central African Republic are some of the best people I've ever met - and I will never forget their hospitality!
In this episode, I visit Dzanga Bai, within the Dzanga Sangha national park. This natural place is a haven for wild forest elephant, who come here to dig for mineral rich soil. This is hands down the best place in the world to watch forest elephant in the wild and I can't believe I'm the only visitor there...
In this episode, I am going deep into the Central African Republic forests to find a wild gorilla family. It's a dangerous forest, because there are many forest elephant here and you don't want to encounter those while on foot! Luckily I am in the company of some of the best Ba'aka trekkers. They know this forest extremely well and are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. I also go and search for Hassan, who lives around here, as he is the only mechanic in town. The majority of the people here are Ba'aka, and even with my short length, I still tower over most people here. Hassan turns out not to be Ba'aka, but a very skilled mechanic nonetheless!
In this episode, I am leaving the Central African Republic and I start heading towards the Republic of Congo. But to do so, I have to cross back into Cameroon first. I am low on cash, and there are no ATMs or banks here, and to get out of the CAR, I have to pay the police, immigration and customs officers. Upon entering Cameroon, the immigration and customs officer also wants money to stamp me in, leaving me with just enough to buy some petrol. As I leave town, there is another checkpoint, and I get the feeling that they want money too.. It's very common to have to show your passport at checkpoints like these, but never your passport, motorcycle papers, insurance, drivers license and international drivers license.. There are no stamps or signatures required on an international drivers license, so this time, I am holding my ground.
This is part 2 of the day in which I tried to get from the Central African Republic, via Cameroon, to the Republic of Congo. The road was a lot more challenging than I thought, and it ended up being a race against the clock, to avoid crossing into the dark. I make it to the river separating Cameroon and Congo just before dark, but by the time I managed to find a 'pirogue' (a canoe made out of a tree), it's dark. When trying to get my motorcycle across the river, the worst possible happens...
In this episode, I ride 1300 kilometers through the Republic of Congo, all the way until I reach the coast. The road is paved and in good condition and after all that went wrong in the Central African Republic and Cameroon, I am trying to avoid any craziness! Unfortunately, the weather did not agree with that, and on top of that I destroy my navigation tablet, and realize that when my motorcycle fell into the river, water had gotten into the tank...
In this video, I am trying to find a way to get around the DRC - via the Angolan enclave called Cabinda. But, due to a broken crane, I can't take the normal ferry and have to take the cargo boat. However that boat doesn't run on a schedule and only goes if enough cargo is booked for it. Because of that, it often doesn't run for two weeks. I am very anxious to get out of Cabinda and do not want to risk getting stuck there for two weeks...
In this episode, I make the final 400 odd kilometers to Luanda, the capital of Angola. Alaska, my Honda CRF300 Rally is running poorly since the little river incident in the Congo, and tons of other abuse. I've heard good things about this motorcycle shop in Luanda, so let's see if they can fix her up!
In this episode, I am leaving the capital of Angola, Luanda, with (hopefully) a fully functional motorcycle again! But before I really leave the city, I quickly hop past an insurance office to buy a road insurance for my motorcycle and then I head for a small town called Muxima. I hoped to stay the night there, but Angola has different plans with me..
In this episode, I ride from Dondo to the Kalandula Falls - but on the way, I follow an incredible dirt track through rural Angola, I cross the mighty Kwanza river again, and ride past a stunning rock formation which origins still remain a geological mystery until today.. what a day!!
In this episode, I try to explain my choice of route through Angola and why I am taking this route - and then I set off for a monster ride: 640 kilometers to Saurimo. That should be possible, unless you get crazy lines at the petrol stations and get stopped by the cops...
In this episode, I am continuing my journey through Angola, towards Zambia. Along the way, I ride alongside the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), until the roads veers south towards Zambia. All goes well, until I find myself in the midst of the woods... scared.
In this episode, I am finally covering the last 150 kilometers to the border of Angola and Zambia. Being so close to the Zambezi river, there are many small rivers that run across the road, and some very sketchy bridges to cross them...
In this episode, I am leaving the town Zambezi in Zambia and start heading towards the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. That is too far to reach in one day so I try to get to Kaoma. There are two options: the shortcut, and the long way around. I opt for the shortcut - but was that a good idea?
In this episode, I am riding to the capital of Zambia: Lusaka. I am mainly going there because I need good internet, but also to look after my motorcycle 'Alaska'. My bike needs a local insurance, a good wash, fuel and some maintenance. While cruising around Lusaka to get everything done, I meet many locals along the way, showing me the real face of Zambia..
In this episode, I am planning to ride to a small village called Mfuwe, in Zambia, right at the South Luangwa National Park. There is a long dirt road leading there, but that route is not without dangers. It's still rainy season, and the rivers there are full of crocs and hippos and there are no bridges. So I have to figure out if the water levels are low enough so I can cross but I'm getting mixed information from the locals..
In this episode, I cross the landborder between Zambia and Malawi. I'm riding straight to the capital of Malawi, Lilongwe, to catch a flight to... MADAGASCAR! I'll be exploring Madagascar for a couple of weeks on a rental motorcycle, a KTM350. But to get there, I'll have to fly via Ethiopia, which comes with a couple of surprises...
This is my first ride in Madagascar, on a rented KTM350 and together with a local: Didier. I'm not entire sure what I expected of Madagascar but it exceeds all my expectations!
In part 2 of the first ride in Madagascar, the dark clouds finally catch up with Didier and me. There is a hurricane system offshore of Madagascar and that can bring lots of rain. In the meantime, I have flashback to the crazy slippery mud in Cameroon...
In this episode, Didier, my local guide, and myself ride 500 kilometers across Madagascar, the reach the west coast. That means a long hot day on the enduro bikes - but it will be all worth it once we reach the west side of Madagascar!
In this episode, I am riding to Kirindy forest, in Madagascar, together with my local guide Didier. I'm renting a KTM350 but riding here during the rainy season is very, very tricky. The water levels are about waist high, but since you can't see the bottom, it's a gamble. Every. Single. Time.
In this episode, I get to see an amazing group of lemurs up close in the wild, in Kirindy forest. Next, my local guide Didier and I ride back to Morondava, where I visit a place where they've rescued several different species of lemurs and look after them. Itchy Boots is friend of lemur!
In this episode, my local guide Didier and I start riding south along the west coast of Madagascar. It's the rainy season and the swamps and rivers are not easy to cross.. Somewhere along the line, Didier and I get separated and I have no clue where he is or what's going on..
In this episode, the Kawasaki of my local guide Didier, no longer wants to start.. and we are stuck in a remote village that is not reachable by car. The only way to get out of here with the broken motorcycle, is by boat. So we have to get to another tiny village, about 5 kilometers away, that is built right on a sandbank and try to catch a boat at high tide..
In this episode, it's attempt #2 to ride south along the west coast of Madagascar. After the Kawasaki of Didier broke down, he got another motorcycle to ride.. but, this specimen comes with it's own set of troubles.. But first, we are spending 2 days on a 'tuff-tuff' to Morombe, where the sand begins...
In this episode, I unlock an absolute paradise in Madagascar. The west coast is incredibly beautiful and a paradise for enduro motorcycles! Thick sand, dunes, but none of that is a problem if you have a powerful, light bike and I am loving it. To top it off, I get to go on one of the local sailboats and experience some local fisherman's life - what a magical place...
In this episode, I reach Toliara, a larger town on the west coast of Madagascar, and this means the end of the dirt ride... It also means the end of the ride with my local guide Didier, from here on, I continue alone! And because it will be tarmac from now on, it's time to say goodbye to the awesome KTM350 and trade it for something completely different...
In this episode, it's time to start heading back to the capital and because it will be tarmac from now on, I continue on a pretty much vintage Africa Twin. I say goodbye to Didier and I'm on my own again: mixed feelings! The incredible town of Fianarantsoa is all worth it though!!
I can't believe this is already the last episode of my adventures in Madagascar... Time flew by! On top of that, I have to race to get back to the capital of Madagascar in time, because my flight out of the country is this evening and I still need to cover 450 kilometers over not-such-good-road (understatement!).. In the end of this episode I explain the unfortunate reason as to why I now have to rush like mad...
In this video, I am back in Malawi, after spending several weeks in Madagascar, and I am reunited with my motorcycle "Alaska", a Honda CRF300 Rally! It's time to start exploring Malawi, and there is only one logical place to go: Lake Malawi!
In this episode, I meet up with my best friend Mandy, who happens to be in Malawi at the same time as me, for breakfast, and then I continue the long and crazy ride up to a small town called Livingstonia. This road is... INSANE!
The rains in Africa continue to chase me around and on top of that, I accidentally left my rain jacket behind at the place that I stayed. The risk of falling down and breaking something in the process, while going back down that slippery trail had me decide not to go back for it. The ride continues!
In this episode, my plan was to make one last loop through the mountains of Malawi. But the road is tough and my plans take a few turns during this day...
This day did not go the way I had planned, but has big consequences. This means an end to my journey through Africa and the end to Season 7.
This is unfortunately the last video of this season - for reasons that become clear in this video. Thank you so much for joining me this season.
