The Eye Never Forgets What the Heart Has Seen
For our travel expert Kim, Africa is more than a destination. It is a place that challenges you, humbles you, and leaves a permanent imprint on your heart.
Having already cycled across parts of Africa three times before, Kim returned for her fourth journey with a new purpose. This time, she wanted to share the experience. Not from a luxury safari vehicle or high-end lodge, but once again from the seat of a bicycle, riding north with her partner Hans.
Over 45 days, they cycled 3,650 kilometres from Windhoek to Kilimanjaro. The terrain ranged from smooth tarseal to unforgiving gravel, what riders affectionately call the African massage, and roads that looked like they had craters from the moon. It was demanding, unpredictable and unforgettable.
Kim had three wishes for this journey. To finally tick off Botswana and Zanzibar. And to experience Africa by bike together.
She did all three.
Namibia: Leaving Comfort Behind
Departing Windhoek meant leaving behind the comforts of city life. It did not take long to realise that decent coffee, smoothies and ice cream would not be part of daily routine. But that was the point. If you want what you get at home, stay home. This was about embracing Africa for what it is.
Namibia set the tone with long stretches of open road, endless horizons, heat, wind and silence. The kind of silence that makes you aware of every pedal stroke and every kilometre earned.
Botswana: Vastness, Wildlife and Perspective
Day two in Botswana was 216 kilometres. Flat. Vast. Very vast. Villages were sparse and the quiet was extraordinary. Their guide told them to enjoy it. Soon enough, further north, they would miss that silence.
Botswana also came with a briefing that felt surreal. What to do if you come face to face with an elephant. Because here, elephants roam freely and can appear on the highway at any moment.
Maun and the Okavango Delta
A rest day in Maun delivered one of the most remarkable experiences of the trip. A journey into the Okavango Delta by mokoro, a traditional canoe.
The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few inland delta systems in the world that does not flow into a sea or ocean. Often called the river that never finds the sea, it is a maze of sparkling lagoons, winding channels and lush islands teeming with wildlife.
Even seeing only a small section of this ecosystem was unforgettable. Waterbirds in abundance. Blooming flowers. Cows and donkeys standing knee deep in water. Hundreds of zebra and wildebeest this needs to be removed. The Zebra and Wildebeest were in the Serengeti. A couple of elephants. Plenty of hippopotamus, lots of shy ones and one clearly unimpressed by visitors.
A guided walk introduced the Little Five and the Ugly Five, safari terms that celebrate Africa’s smaller creatures and less glamorous but equally important wildlife. They also learned how local plants and vegetation are used in daily life. It was immersive, educational and grounding.
That evening, over kudu stew and pap at a small local eatery, conversations turned to self-supported kayak safaris and multi day expeditions through the Delta. Africa constantly reveals another layer for those willing to explore it deeply.
Planet Baobab to Elephant Sands
The route continued through national park country toward Planet Baobab, where towering ancient trees dominate the landscape and temperatures test endurance. With days reaching into the high thirties and warm nights offering little relief, every kilometre required resilience.
Then came simple directions. Turn left out of camp. Ride 150 kilometres. Turn right into Elephant Sands.
At Elephant Sands, the reason they had not seen elephants on the road became clear. They were all here.
Around fifty elephants gathered at the watering hole. Bulls, females, juveniles and tiny calves. Accommodation is carefully built around the water, designed to keep elephants in their natural environment. No lights at night. No walking after dark. No approaching the wildlife.
From their tent facing the pond, Kim and Hans watched elephants come and go for hours. It was, in Kim’s words, the best office view of the entire trip.
Botswana left a powerful impression. Friendly people. Flat roads. Strong headwinds. Ancient baobab trees. And plenty of elephants!
Zimbabwe: Power and Perspective
Arriving at Victoria Falls at opening time offered a quieter, more powerful experience of one of the world’s great natural wonders. Sunrise light, rising mist and the thunder of water set the tone before the road continued toward Zambia.
Zambia: Wild and Unfiltered
Zambia had long been one of Kim’s favourite countries to cycle. Smooth roads in parts, campsites where zebra and giraffe roam freely, and landscapes that feel expansive and raw.
A 25 hour overnight ferry across Lake Kariba provided a different perspective on the journey and a brief pause from the constant headwinds.
Malawi: Connection and Culture
Malawi may be one of Africa’s poorest nations, yet it delivered some of the richest human experiences.
Children lined the roads cheering like spectators at the Tour de France. Even when no one seemed around, stopping briefly would quickly draw smiling faces and enthusiastic waves.
Cycling through Africa brings perspective. At home, a bicycle is often recreation. In Africa, it is transport, freight carrier and livelihood. Families, livestock and goods all move on two wheels. While the terrain challenged Kim and Hans with sand, stones and potholes, locals navigated it daily with strength and purpose.
They stopped in villages for drinks, used local currency, shared stories and smiles. They helped pump water, repaired cycle shirts with a roadside tailor, and joined children for impromptu football matches. It was not about passing through. It was about engaging.
Tanzania, Safari and Zanzibar
Tanzania brought long dirt roads and visible change. Motorbikes everywhere. Cold drinks more readily available. A different pace.
The cycling adventure concluded with a one day hike on Kilimanjaro followed by a five day safari through Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
After weeks of independent travel, experiencing safari with an expert guide reinforced something important. Knowledge matters. Understanding animal behaviour, migration patterns and lesser travelled tracks transforms wildlife viewing from lucky sightings into meaningful encounters.
Elephant families with newborn calves in Tarangire. Rhino in Ngorongoro. The vast migration across the Serengeti. Each park offered something distinct.
Four nights in Zanzibar provided a final exhale. White sand, turquoise water and time to reflect on a journey measured not just in kilometres, but in perspective.
Would She Go Back?
Africa is not the Western world. Visas can be complicated. Foreign exchange varies from country to country. SIM cards and connectivity are not always straightforward.
With firsthand experience across multiple African countries, Kim, and many of our travel experts understands the practical realities as well as the romance. Kim remained connected for work purposes throughout the entire six weeks in Africa without it costing a fortune. Knowing how to navigate visas, border crossings, currency and communications makes all the difference.
This is where experience matters.
Africa is not a one visit destination. It evolves with you. Each country, each region and each style of travel offers something different. Kim has now experienced Africa by bike, by safari vehicle, through remote villages, national parks and island escapes.
For adventure travellers considering their first African journey, or those ready to return and go deeper, there is no substitute for lived experience.
Kim and many of our Wanderlust Travel Experts have travelled Africa extensively across multiple countries and travel styles. Whether your Africa is a cycling expedition, a classic safari, a luxury lodge experience or a combination of all three, we are here when you are ready to tick Africa off your bucket list, or more often, to return again.
