13 Day Kilimanjaro and Northern Tanzania Guided Motorcycle Tour with Stunning Views and Wildlife

Overview

The journey begins in Arusha, the gateway to northern Tanzania’s great plains and national parks. From there, you venture through varied terrain, including rural farmlands, mountainous regions, and the foothills of Kilimanjaro, experiencing both the thrill of the ride and the richness of local life along the way. With a balanced mix of on and off-road tracks, the journey offers an ideal blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and natural beauty, before returning full circle to Arusha.

Itinerary

1. Day 1 – arrival – Arusha (0 km / 0 mi)

   Karibu sana, welcome! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, located between Arusha and Moshi, you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha. As you drive into town, you will notice the scenic views of Mount Meru standing tall in the background, and on clear days, even the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro might appear on the horizon. Arusha is considered the safari capital of Tanzania and serves as the gateway to some of Africa’s most famous national parks. It lies at an elevation of about 1,400 meters above sea level, giving it a pleasant year-round climate, warm during the

2. Day 2 - Arusha - Babati (172 km / 107 mi)

   After inspection of the bikes and securing everything, the riding adventure begins. It will be busy getting out of town, but once on the main road, there will be very little traffic. It will be an easy asphalt ride to Lake Babati along a long, winding road, where you have time to take in your first impressions of the country’s landscape and roadside life. You will pass Lake Manyara, Lake Burungi, and the first Maasai manyattas. You can arrive around lunchtime in Babati.

3. Day 3 - Babati - Lake Eyasi (181 km / 112 mi)

   Today is mostly gravel. You will ride along mountain ridges, wind through the hills, and pass rural villages with spectacular views over lakes and countryside. The lake village is a small town where you will stay in a simple hotel, the best available in the area. The road can be very rough at times. At the top of the lake, you turn off the trail and ride alongside the many volcanoes of Volcanoes National Park, offering spectacular scenery.

4. Day 4 - Lake Eyasi - Lake Natron (182 km / 113 mi)

   Just after leaving the hotel, there is an option to visit the village of the Hadza tribe. This is a unique tribe, and since the San in Namibia have lost this part of their culture, the Hadza are the only original hunting tribe left in Africa. You can see how they live and learn how they hunt in the wild. They speak their own unique language with a distinctive clicking sound. It is impressive to see how their culture has survived over many generations. There are also exciting single trails to explore, while the support vehicle will follow another route. You continue the ride north on a wide gra

5. Day 5 - Lake Natron - Longido (122 km / 76 mi)

   This morning, there is an option to visit Lake Natron. It has stunning scenery and is famous as a key breeding ground for flamingos. The lake has high levels of salinity and alkalinity due to minerals flowing in from surrounding hills, making it so caustic that only a few species of fish can survive. After lunch, you continue towards Longido. The dry plains gradually turn into more wilderness. Watch for zebras along the way and spot giraffes moving through the bushes. You will stay in a simple family-run guesthouse. There is also an option to visit a community project focused on women’s empowe

6. Day 6 - Longido - Marangu (196 km / 122 mi)

   The morning starts with an adventurous ride through a dusty but beautiful area. You ride along the edge of Enduimet Conservancy. There is an option to do a motorbike game drive and shorten part of the route. After reaching the tarmac, you arrive at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. You follow the ring road around Africa’s highest mountain. After a short stretch of tarmac, the road becomes gravel again and more hilly as you climb along the mountain’s edge. This route will cross near the Kenyan border several times. Kibo is the Maasai name for the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. On the northern side o

7. Day 7 - Marangu - Same (157 km / 98 mi)

   You start the morning on a mix of asphalt and gravel roads, heading towards the Pare Mountains. Soon, you leave the main roads and urban areas behind. You follow dirt tracks through the hills and head again towards the Kenyan border, reaching Lake Jipe. It is a remote, swampy lake. You will likely have a picnic along the way before continuing to Same, where you will stay in a pleasant hotel surrounded by greenery.

8. Day 8 - Same – day trip Mkomazi (0 km / 0 mi)

   Same is not far from Mkomazi National Park, which is connected to Tsavo National Park on the Kenyan side of the border. Mkomazi is famous for its rhino population. You can use this day to take a safari in the park. Since it is off the typical tourist route, there are usually fewer safari vehicles.

9. Day 9 - Same – Mambo (131 km / 81 mi)

   You follow a beautiful track through the eastern Pare Mountains. You pass Mkomazi National Park on your left side and may see wildlife along the roadside. The route continues along dirt tracks through bushland and past a dammed lake. You pass small Maasai settlements and a few towns. The route climbs into the hills with stunning views and some challenging bends.

10. Day 10 – Mambo – stay (0 km / 0 mi)

    In this beautiful location, you will have a rest day. You can relax or go on a short trek with a local guide to visit nearby villages and explore the dense Shagavo forest. You might spot a Usambara chameleon and will likely see monkeys along the way. There is also an option for a short ride in the surrounding mountains, or you can simply relax and enjoy the views.

11. Day 11 – Mambo - Orkesumet (184 km / 114 mi)

    Today you ride into the interior of northern Tanzania. You descend from the Usambara Mountains onto a main tarmac road, which you follow briefly before turning off at Hedaru town. Take a short break and ensure your fuel tank is full. From there, the route becomes dusty and remote, with wide gravel roads cutting through bushland. This is Maasai land, known for cattle herding. There are opportunities to go off-track and explore beyond the main route. You will stay in a small crossroads town in a simple guesthouse.

12. Day 12 – Orkesumet – Arusha (191 km / 119 mi)

    Today the road is gravel all the way to Arusha. Along the way, you will notice the landscape changing from yellow and grey sand and bushland to red earth and green fields. As you head north, you approach Tarangire National Park on your left, where you may spot zebras, ostriches, and antelope. The cattle land gradually transitions into agricultural areas. After lunch in Terat, the route becomes more populated, and once you reach the tarmac again, you return to urban Arusha and the hotel where the journey began.

13. Day 13 – Arusha - departure (0 km / 0 mi)

    End of the tour. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Ride Details

Terrain

a mix of asphalt and gravel roads

Bike

rental motorcycle included

Mileage

1,518 kilometers / 943 miles

Daily rides

approximately 120 to 200 kilometers / 75 to 124 miles

Riding gear

not included; helmet is mandatory; riders must bring their own gear; rain protection recommended

Meals

most breakfasts included

Accommodation

You will stay in a mix of comfortable hotels, lodges, and simple guesthouses along the route, offering an authentic experience of Tanzania’s diverse regions. Accommodation is provided in twin or double rooms, with most stays including breakfast.

Getting There

You will journey through the diverse landscapes of northern Tanzania, from the safari plains around Arusha to the remote shores of Lake Natron and the lush foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the way, you will pass through vibrant villages, national parks, and mountainous regions, experiencing a rich blend of wildlife, culture, and scenic adventure. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/zebra-trails/13-