Old Legs Tour 2024 to Angola – The Route

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes before the various Old Legs Tours head off on another epic adventure.  One of the vital aspects of the success of the tour is, of course, the route!

Adam has wanted to follow Livingstone’s exploration journey, plotting the Zambezi from sea to source, for many years.  That was the inspiration behind this year’s particular route, and planning for it started a whole year ago, even before the last tour started.

It may seem like a random line on a map, but it takes a lot of drawing and redrawing to get it right –   we work closely with the Embassies of each country we travel through, and build a GANTT Chart, which starts with the route, a budget and then we flesh it out from there.

There are always things we need to consider that don’t show up on the map – for example on this upcoming tour to Angola, landmines are a real consideration, and we have had many meetings with Halo Trust, who are a landmine-clearing company, to make sure we don’t stray into dangerous territory.  Then there are the language barriers and difficulties getting information about places that aren’t on the well-tramped tourist maps.  Thank goodness for the Angolan Embassy, who have been fantastic.

Once we’re on our way,  Adam is the Tour Leader in all aspects of cycling and Linda is in charge of Camp.  We are usually very lucky to be welcomed by so many hospitable people along the way, and they are essential to keep us pedalling!

This year’s route heads North out of Harare on Saturday 20 July,  climbing the Dyke then heading across country passing Caesar Mine and Mazvikedai . Saucey Sue’s hamburgers will fortify and protect against the tokolosh, mermaids and witches of Gandaravoyi Falls.  From there they cross the beaten tracks across Gokwe to incredible the Sengwa wormhole, a narrow river canyon whose walls have been rubbed smooth by the passing of elephants through the tight gap over millennia.
Next comes the Gwaai River oxbow lakes just north of Lupane and back into the wilderness and awesome forests between Hwange and Vic Falls, 7th wonder of the world, for some adrenaline rush- as if it was needed!
The upper Zambesi will lead the way past spectacular Kazungula, the Barotse plains, and ever upwards to the Zambezi Source near Ikelenge.
As they cross into Angola they tiptoe along the watershed that divides Zambezi and Congo catchments. This is the border between DRC and Angola and as wild and remote as it gets.
The natural wonders of Angola will lure them ever westward past incredible waterfalls and mysterious rock formations of the Pedras Negras and through ancient forests, never-ending mountain passes, and beautiful old Portuguese towns and villages. The Atlantic will bring a new dimension (and seafood tastes) as they build the tempo in preparation for the biggest physical challenge yet- to climb up the magnificent Serra de Leba pass to give thanks at the feet of Christ at the towering Cristo Rei statue of Lubango – their ultimate destination.

The final route covers a distance of 5,208 km (3,500km of which will be covered on mountain bikes by the intrepid Old Legs), with a total ascent of 27,580 km across the entire route,  and will take exactly a month.  

The highest point is 2,243 m and the lowest is 2m above sea level.  The longest downhill is 27.3km and the longest uphill is 32.5km.  Total height gain of 2,241m. 

That’s #Epic !

Join us this Saturday 20^th July for the Big Send Off, 6 am at Isuzu Autoworld, Harare Drive, Pomona as we go #EvenMoreEpic