A team of cyclists riding motorcycles across Africa has launched their last leg of the journey after spending 75 days covering part of the route, all aimed at raising funds for educating underprivileged kids.
The journey across the continent was scheduled from December 2024 through May of this year.
The group headed by Nairobi Chapel Pastor Nick Korir began their expedition by cycling through Ethiopia and Djibouti towards Africa’s easternmost point. They subsequently traveled southward toward the continent’s southernmost tip at Cape Town before embarking on their latest segment to reach the western extremity of the landmass.
From February 17 to April 1, the crew embarked on the third phase of their journey, covering the regions of South Africa, Namibia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Benin.
The list of countries includes Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and lastly Senegal. This expedition aims to support the LOGOS Endowment Fund, which assists underprivileged children with their education costs. Donations can be submitted via M-Pesa using Paybill number 8060305, with your name as the account holder.
Here’s the section detailing the third part of their journey, as recounted by Korir.
The 28th day of the journey was begun in Cape town, riding to Springbok. After a much-needed three-day break in Cape Town, it was time to hit the road again and headed to north towards Namibia.
However, this day wasn't merely another ride; it involved numerous technical adjustments, heartfelt farewells, stunning vistas, and an unforeseen peek into what lies ahead.
The day started with a technical pit stop—one of the bikes had developed a clanking sound, and after inspection, we found that the chain and sprockets needed urgent replacement.
By the end of the day, we arrived in Springbok and received a hearty reception from the Springbok Bikers. The following morning, we set off on the trip from Springbok to Keetmanshoop.
The border crossing into South Africa was seamless, efficient, and uneventful. Afterward, we traversed the Orange River. Entering Namibia, the border checkpoint was simple without any fuss. It was only when we spotted flags hanging at half-staff that we became aware—Namibia was observing a period of national mourning for their founding president, Sam Nujoma. On day thirty, we hurried from Keetmanshoop directly to Windhoek, which serves as Namibia’s capital city.
Following the intense 43°C desert heat from the prior day, we changed tactics and decided to start early to make use of the more bearable temperatures. We set out at 5:30 am, venturing forth during the predawn hours.
On the 31st day of our journey, we traveled from Windhoek to Swakopmund. Windhoek offered numerous unexpected experiences—however, what stood out this morning was the scarcity of traffic! The so-called ‘rush hour’ hardly had any cars, and even fewer were moving along the roads at an easy pace without congestion.
We started our day with a visit to the Kenya High Commission in Windhoek, located at Kenya House. Ambassador Michael Sialai welcomed us cordially, impressing us with his extensive understanding of Namibia, its inhabitants, and his personal ties to numerous Kenyans residing and working there.
On the 32nd day, we embarked on a relatively brief journey from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay, covering just 35 kilometers along the coast. This leg of the trip stood out as particularly pleasant compared to the longer, tougher journeys we were used to; it felt quick, invigorating, and stunningly beautiful. As we glided down the coastal path, towering golden sand dunes framed one side, while the glistening waters of the Atlantic Ocean stretched endlessly beside us. Moving into Day 33, our adventure continued as we traveled from Walvis Bay towards Tsumeb. During this stretch, we stopped for some necessary tire repairs and ended up spending an extra day before proceeding further. Departing at dawn following our customary morning prayers, we made our way through varied landscapes, passing through places like Oshikango, Santa Clara, and eventually reaching Ondjiva after stopping over briefly in Nagola.
On day 40, I serviced my bicycle and took some rest in Luanda, which is the capital of Angola.
In Luanda, we were warmly welcomed by Kenyan Ambassador Joyce M'Maitsi, who greeted us with an energetic and welcoming demeanor that instantly made us feel comfortable. She had extended invitations to her Ugandan and Zambian colleagues, providing us with a rare chance to meet three ambassadors simultaneously. Meanwhile, the riding team continued their journey for another thirty days across Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon, Nigeria, reaching Senegal precisely on the seventy-sixth day.
On the 76th day, after completing the third stage of the Around Africa trip, three team members had to return to Nairobi because of work-related and personal obligations. As a result, they needed to handle the administrative tasks for shipping their bicycles back to Kenya. Meanwhile, the bikes continuing into the fourth leg underwent comprehensive servicing to ensure readiness for the last part of their adventure.
Over the following four days, we relished a much-needed respite in Dakar, Senegal. This included being invited to accompany the Senegal Bikers for a motorcycle race viewing at the Sindia Circuit in Dakar. We also explored Goree Island and embarked on a motorbike tour around Lac Rose and Saly with members of the Dakar Bikers group.
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