9 Day Discover Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour in Tanzania

Overview

Outpost Lodge, 37A Serengeti Road, Arusha, Tanzania Get ready to experience the wild beauty of Tanzania. This unforgettable motorcycle tour takes you across 1,200 kilometers of diverse landscapes, from the vibrant town of Arusha to the slopes of Marangu, through the wildlife-rich plains of Mkomazi, and into the cultural heart of Mto Wa Mbu and Longido.

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Arusha
• Ride through villages, forests, small footbridges, and rivers
• Discover Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Kilimanjaro Mount
• Spot crossing giraffes, zebras, and maybe even elephants
• Climb up to the Usambara and Pare mountains
• 8 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival - Arusha

   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 - Mto Wa Mbu (283 kilometers / 176 miles)

   The tour starts with the longest-riding day. It will be busy getting out of town, but once on the main road, there will be very little traffic left. The first almost 180 kilometers is on a very good straight asphalt road, and you will cover this distance in a few hours. For the second part of the day, you climb the steep ridge overlooking Lake Manyara, which offers a breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding plains. You pass small mountain villages and ride through the edges of the ridge until you come to the straight gravel road to Mto Wa Mbu.

3. Day 3: Mto Wa Mbu - Longido (185 kilometers / 115 miles)

   You leave the small town on an asphalt road, but soon you will turn north and ride gravel roads for the rest of the day. On the left, you will see the outer walls of the Ngorongoro Crater. This is a very deserted area with only a few villages on the way. Just below Lake Natron, you turn towards the east. On this stretch, you are very likely to see crossing Giraffes and herds of zebra, maybe even elephants. This part of the country is Maasai land, and you will see young warriors coming out of the bush, dressed in their typical red robes. Longido is a very small local town. Even though you will

4. Day 4: Longido - Marangu (201 kilometers / 125 miles)

   The morning starts with a rough ride through a sandy but beautiful area. Additionally, you are likely to see wild animals here. After hitting the tarmac, you are at the foot of Kilimanjaro. You follow the ring road around the highest of African mountains. This road will touch the Kenyan border a few times. Kibo is the Maasai Name for the top of Kilimanjaro. On the east side of the mountain, you will go more inland and follow single tracks through the forest, crossing small footbridges and rivers. The car cannot join you for this part of the journey. And if you are not comfortable with this par

5. Day 5: Marangu - Mambo (230 kilometers / 143 miles)

   The first bit is a good tarmac road; you will hit the main road from Arusha to Dar es Salaam and follow this one for most of the day. The last few hours may be the most spectacular of the tour. This is the climb up to the Usambara mountain range. This is a very steep, narrow road, with very sharp bends. And after every bend, the views get more impressive. The hotel on top has similar views which you can enjoy while enjoying your cold after-the-ride beer.

6. Day 6: Mambo - Same (140 kilometers / 87 miles)

   You have crossed the mountain range to the northern side, and you descend again using another road with views over the Kenyan wetlands to the north. This will be the only asphalted road for today. You ride through the lowlands between the Usambara and the Pare mountains. This is Masaai land, you will see them herding their goats aside of the road. The gravel road winds through marshlands with a view of the mountain ranges. In the afternoon, you will climb into the Pare mountains, where the vegetation is greener again. You ride single tracks, through the forests, climbing up the mountain. Same

7. Day 7: Same - Day trip Mkomazi

   Same is not far from the Mkomazi National Park. This park is connected to Tsavo National Park on the Kenyan side of the border. Mkomazi is famous for its Rhino populations. You can use this day to take a safari in this park. Since it is out of the way for most tourists, there will not be as many safari cars around.

8. Day 8: Same - Arusha (240 kilometers / 150 miles)

   The last day of the tour will start with a short ride over the main road. But after the first coffee break, you will climb up the mountains again for a few adventurous routes. You descend on the eastern side to the shores of Lake Jipe, using a gravel and dirt road. You ride the gravel road around the mountain until you hit the main road again for the last stretch back to Arusha.

9. Day 9: Arusha - Departure

   Transfer to the airport for your flight back home, or your next destination.

Ride Details

Terrain

mix of asphalt (60%) and off-road (40%)

Bike

rental bike (Kibo 250 CC)

Mileage

1200 kilometers / 746 miles

Daily rides

140 - 283 kilometers / 87 - 176 miles

Riding gear

not included

Meals

most breakfasts

Accommodation

During this tour, you stay in comfortable hotels. Some hotels are basic, family-run places.

Food

Breakfast is included in most but not all places. Other meals and drinks are at your own expense.

Getting There

The tour will take place in Tanzania. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/motor-trails/9-day-discover-highlights-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-tanzania# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/motor-trails/9-day-discover-highlights-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-tanzania# "Zoom out") [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/motor-trails/9-day-discover-highlights-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-tanzania# "Zoom in") [−](https://w