PikiPiki Overland: two South Africans, one Suzuki and a trip that never ended

PikiPiki Overland is the travel blog of Michnus and Elsebie, two South Africans who set out on motorcycles in 2010 and, in their words, have been riding on a semi-permanent basis ever since. The name is Swahili: pikipiki is the word for motorcycle.

A trip that stopped at Ethiopia

Their first journey was planned as a 6-month expedition through Africa, and they only made it to Ethiopia. It was enough to turn a plan into a way of life. For more than a decade they have been exploring as much of the world as they can, and they say plainly that the point is not to set records or collect a passport stamp. If they like a place, they stay.

Travelling light, and paying their own way

The FAQ is practical. They plan carefully what to carry, aim for the lightest and most compact equipment, and try to keep their gear to 30kg each, everything except riders and fuel. They normally carry dried food and enough water for 2 days in case something unpleasant happens. Their message to readers is that travel need not be a bank breaker.

They also explain why they take no sponsorship. In their view sponsorship is a double-edged sword, and their opinions and reviews must be sincere, unbiased and trustworthy. That shapes the blog: gear and bike write-ups come from their own use, such as the review of the CFMoto 450MT after 10,000 km, or the guide to preparing a Suzuki DR650 dual-sport for a round-the-world trip.

Turkana Gear

Alongside the blog, Michnus and Elsebie have Turkana Gear, their motorcycle luggage and adventure gear company. It grows from the same experience of packing a bike for long distances that the blog documents.

What the site holds

The blog is organised by country, from Angola and Egypt to Namibia, Uganda, Mexico and Peru, with sections on packing, camping, navigation and paperwork. It reads like the notebook of two people who have made the mistakes first and would like you to skip them.

More about PikiPiki Overland on their own website: https://www.pikipikioverland.com.