28 Day Guided Motorcycle Tour Around Lake Victoria Across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania

Overview

Nairobi - Naro Moru - Marigat - Kisumu - Migori - Maasai Mara - Lake Naivasha, Kenya; Jinja - Soroti - Gulu - Hoima - Lake Nkurubu - Lake Butoha - Ruhija - Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda; Ruhengeri - Gitesi - Kigali - Akagera, Rwanda; Biharamulo - Mwanza, Tanzania

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Nairobi, Kenya
• Ride through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania on iconic routes
• Experience gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Explore vibrant cities like Nairobi, Kigali, and Kisumu
• Enjoy wildlife safaris in Maasai Mara and Queen Elisabeth National Park
• Cross multiple borders with diverse landscapes and cultures
• Expert local guides
• 27 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival - Nairobi

   Karibu, welcome! You will be picked up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is named after Kenya's first president post-independence. You immediately experience the hectic city life of Nairobi, full of traffic and people on the move. The city of Nairobi has a population of around 5,000,000 people, increasing to 10,000,000 if the suburbs are included. The city is named after the Nairobi River and is located at an altitude of 1.800 meters, which makes the temperature very pleasant and even quite cool at night in the summer months. The city was officially founded in 1899 with the arriv

2. Day 2: Nairobi

   Today, you can explore the city. Zebra Trails will organize a city motorbike tour to get a feel of the city and of the motorbike. You have several options to do in Nairobi, such as visit the Kibera Slums, go to Karen's Giraffe center, go shopping in the Maasai Market, walk along local markets, or have a coffee or beer and just see urban life pass you by.

3. Day 3: Nairobi - Naro Moru (200 kilometers / 124.27 miles)

   Early rise to leave the city. You head north, quickly leaving the main roads and following country roads, driving through small towns. The roads will be a mix of mainly asphalt and some gravel. You will quickly leave behind construction work, buildings, and traffic jams and welcome village life, nature, and lush hills. You will pass the Aberdare National Park and head to Mount Kenya. Its highest peak is 5199 meters high. It was designated in 1978 as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The mountain plays an important role in the culture of local ethnic groups that live around it, such as the Kikuyu, Am

4. Day 4: Naro Moru - Marigat (220 kilometers / 136.70 miles)

   Today, your wheels will touch a lot of gravel as you ride through grassland, passing game ranches and several wildlife conservancies, all while admiring the unique fauna around you. Watch out for possible zebra crossings! But also watch out for the cattle. It is a remote area, so you need to ensure you stock sufficient snacks and drinks, and you will prepare for a simple picnic along the way. Your goal today is to end up near Lake Baringo, a birdwatcher’s paradise whose freshwaters are an oasis in the arid plains. This is the traditional home of the Njemps tribe, a unique people who are the on

5. Day 5: Mariga - Kisumu (240 kilometers / 149.13 miles)

   Today is a long day, where you see the landscape change: as you head toward Kisumu, the mountainous landscape transforms into lush hillsides and vibrant farmland. Kisumu is Kenya's third-largest city, situated on Lake Victoria. You can enjoy fresh fish from the lake and sunset views over the water.

6. Day 6: Kisumu - Jinja (Uganda) (245 kilometers / 152.24 miles)

   Today, it is border day. Cross the border into Uganda at the Busia border post, where the journey continues along scenic roads lined with forests and farmland. Arrive in Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda, known for the source of the Nile and wild white waters.

7. Day 7: Jinja

   Today is a rest day from the motor ride, but not from adventure! You can go rafting in the Nile, bungee jump above the Nile, or do a nature walk along the Nile. You can also put adventure on hold and chill at the hotel/ camp. It is also a good spot for laundry.

8. Day 8: Jinja - Soroti (195 kilometers / 121.17 miles)

   You let the wheels spin again! You will ride into the central northern part of Uganda, into the countryside. You enter the great Lake Kyoga area to find a small village with boats that can take you across the lake. It will be organized in a local style and speed, so you will probably take a simple picnic brunch before the boat ride. Once you have crossed the lake, you need to take a gravel road for a while to get to the main road, and you ride to the small town of Soroti. This town is often used for travelers to continue towards Gulu, Sudan, Congo, or into northern Uganda, where the Karamojong

9. Day 9: Soroti - Gulu (245 kilometers / 152.24 miles)

   Today, you drive the northern provinces of Uganda. This is a lowland area. You will ride through the network of small gravel roads north of the highway, and with bits of asphalt to also progress a bit. Gulu is a thriving city that has long been in the shadow of development due to a long-lasting conflict between the Ugandan Government and the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) during the 1990s up to 2008. It is the gateway to North Congo and Sudan.

10. Day 10: Gulu - Hoima (235 kilometers / 145.98 miles)

    In the past, this was a long route along gravel paths. Today, it is mainly tarmac you see. Oil has been found in Lake Albert, and that gave a commercial incentive to improve the roads. The roads are, however, not very busy, and will take you to pass through rolling hills, many banana fields, and villages. There is a spectacular view of the Nile: turn on the GOPRO, as you are not allowed to stop for pictures near the famous Karuma Dam. Hoima is a lively town, but you stay on the outskirts.

11. Day 11: Hoima - Lake Nkurubu (150 kilometers / 93.21 miles)

    Today, you cross the center of Uganda, driving from north to south, closer to the Congo border. You swindle your way through the tranquil Ugandan countryside, where rolling hills and lush vegetation create a serene backdrop. You ride through small towns and vibrant markets, absorbing local life along the way. As you approach your destination, the terrain becomes more rugged, leading you to the unique crater lake areas of Uganda. You stay at one of the many crater lakes, at a guesthouse site managed by the local community. There are lots of monkeys of different species running around the premis

12. Day 12: Lake Nkurbu - (Twin) Lake Butoha (100 kilometers / 62.14 miles)

    You start with a short gravel road loop around the crater lakes. Back on the main road, you shortly stop at the Kazinga Channel. You will take time for a boat trip over the channel. Many kinds of wildlife can be seen in the shade of the channel. You follow the main road south and branch off using a gravel road for the last bit to Dave the Cave, a local family-run ecolodge and campsite, situated at one of the twin lakes. The owner, Dave, can share stories about the community and several initiatives they work on to empower the people. There is an option to join a chimpanzee track either in Kibal

13. Day 13: Lake Butoha - Ruhija (170 kilometers / 105.63 miles)

    Uganda is still the only country in Africa where you can ride through some nature parks with a motorbike, and today, you start the morning riding. A long, unpaved road runs through Queen Elisabeth National Park. You follow this route and almost certainly see wildlife on the way. After lunch, you get your way into dense rainforest: Your last kilometers will be on a gravel road riding on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of an immense diversity of species but most famous for its Mountain Gorillas. About 459 Gorillas live in the forest, which makes up almost half of all t

14. Day 14: Ruhija with optional gorilla trekking

    You will spend the entire day visiting the Gorillas. You will have arranged the necessary permits in advance for those who requested them. Only 12 people per day are allowed to visit one of three gorilla families. You can stay with the family for a maximum of one hour. A family sleeps in a different place every night. In the early morning, so-called 'trackers' are sent to locate the family. The group of visitors, led by a guide and a few rangers, will then be guided through the dense forest to the family via GPS coordinates. How long you must walk to get to the gorillas is therefore entirely d

15. Day 15: Ruhija - Lake Bunyonyi (120 kilometers / 74.56 miles)

    You leave the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via a gravel mountain road. The road winds through remote villages and lush hillsides. After an hour or so, you hit the asphalt. Then you curl your way to Lake Bunyonyi. The last bit you take a small gravel trail, along the lake’s coastline. The lake’s crystal-clear waters, surrounded by lush islands, offer a tranquil escape, a perfect spot for relaxation after your rugged journey through Uganda’s wilderness. In the afternoon, there is time for a canoe ride or a village walk.

16. Day 16: Lake Bunyonyi - Ruhengeri (Rwanda) (150 kilometers / 93.21 miles)

    You start the engines again and head south to the border - weather permitting, you take an adventurous shortcut. After the border, you quickly leave the highway and ride into the tea plantations region. Depending on the border crossing time, you either ride between two lakes or around two lakes. With clear skies, you have a good view of the first volcanoes.

17. Day 17: Ruhengeri - Gitesi (180 kilometers / 111.85 miles)

    You had to go to Lake Kivu, ride alongside the many volcanoes of the Volcanoes National Park. This gives way to spectacular scenery. Once you arrive at the Lake, you descend south following the coastline. Lake Kivu is believed to be one to five million years old and has a depth of 485 meters. Straddling the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lake Kivu is one of a string of lakes lining the East African Rift Valley, where the African continent is being slowly pulled apart by tectonic forces. The resulting stresses thin the Earth’s crust and trigger volcanic activity

18. Day 18: Gitesi - Kigali (170 kilometers / 105.63 miles)

    You head east to Rwanda’s capital. Your journey takes you through the countryside and village life. You will stop for a simple lunch and slowly get used to more traffic on the way - you approach urban life! Kigali is a big city with friendly inhabitants. The city is scattered over several hills. It is developing rapidly, with shopping malls and office buildings. It is a safe city, and many claim it to be the tidiest urban area in Africa. You are not allowed to bring in plastic bags, and it is inconsiderate to litter on the streets. You stay in a nice hotel to refresh and re-energize ourselves

19. Day 19: Kigali

    Today is a rest day. You can organize your photos, clean your clothes, stay at the swimming pool, or enjoy other hotel facilities. You can also go out and explore the city, stretch your legs, visit the genocide museum, and the hotel Milles Collines (hotel Rwanda from the film of the same name).

20. Day 20: Kigali - Akagera (150 kilometers / 93.21 miles)

    Today, the adventure on wheels continues! Set off from Kigali on a ride through Rwanda’s vibrant eastern landscapes. You ride past terraced hills, bustling roadside markets, and tranquil villages. You will get close to the Akagera Plains, Rwanda’s largest national park.

21. Day 21: Akagera - Biharamulo (Tanzania) (225 kilometers / 139.81 miles)

    An early rise to make your first border crossing, and experience the changing landscape: from the wild savannahs of Akagera to the valleys of Biharamulo. You ride through highlands, bustling towns, and remote mountain passes as you make your way into Tanzania. You stay in a simple guesthouse in a small town.

22. Day 22: Biharamulo - Mwanza (250 kilometers / 155.35 miles)

    You ride along the southeast of Lake Victoria, it is a smooth ride asphalt ride through vibrant Tanzanian towns, and you explore some small tracks along the main road to visit fishermen's villages. Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake by area, the world's largest tropical lake, and the second largest freshwater lake. You will take a ferry just before Mwanza and then check into your accommodation for the night.

23. Day 23: Mwanza - Migori (Kenya) (300 kilometers / 186.41 miles)

    The journey continues! Your longest distance day, so an early rise to jump on your bikes and head towards Kenya. You ride through quiet fishing villages, lush banana groves, and rolling countryside. You cross the Tanzanian Kenyan border at Isebania, where vibrant market scenes greet you. The border formalities normally go much more smoothly when entering the country of origin of motorbikes. You continue to Migori, a bustling town in Kenya’s green highlands. You stay in a friendly family guesthouse.

24. Day 24: Migori - Maasai Mara (150 kilometers / 93.21 miles)

    An adventurous day today! You head east and ride most of the journey over the gravel roads of Maasai County! You drive through a vast part of the homeland of the Maasai tribe. The Maasai are pastoralists and have a reputation as fearsome warriors and cattle rustlers. The Maasai territory reached its largest size in the mid-19th century and covered almost all of the Great Rift Valley and adjacent lands from Mount Marsabit in the north near the Ethiopian border to Dodoma in the center of Tanzania. The landscape opens into vast grasslands dotted with acacia trees and grazing livestock. You will p

25. Day 25: Maasai Mara (game drive)

    People are not allowed to live in a National Park. It is hardly fenced. Apparently, that is enough for a rich animal life. The landscape in the Maasai Mara is splendid. You leave the motors partly at rest and take an optional car safari: You will encounter large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, as well as giraffes and lions crossing the road. You can ride around until late in this magnificent wild park of Kenya. There is an option of a motor safari too! Bring enough power and memory cards for your camera because it is beautiful. The real safari experience!

26. Day 26: Maasai Mara - Lake Naivasha (200 kilometers / 124.27 miles)

    You leave early to spin the wheels of your motorbikes again. In the morning, there are a lot of games along the road. You will follow a long dirt road to reach the asphalt in Narok. Then you get into green country again - the green highlands - as you make your muddy or sandy way to Lake Naivasha. The lake and its surroundings are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. You can find many (Dutch) flower farmers here. You will stay at the lake.

27. Day 27: Naivasha - Nairobi (190 kilometers / 118.06 miles)

    Your last day, but not least. You start with an optional boat ride, enjoying bird life and visiting a hypo-pool. Then you start the engines again. You will ride on a mix of asphalt, spectacular tracks, and dirt roads towards Nairobi. You will pass Mount Suswa Conservancy and ride around Ngong Hills Natural Reserve. The closer you get to Nairobi, the busier it becomes. Air pollution, traffic jams, high buildings, and people on the move. On arrival at Nairobi, you relax with a well-deserved drink to celebrate and share your memories.

28. Day 28: Nairobi - Departure

    Depending on the time of your flight, you either leave very early, or you have the day to explore Nairobi. If exploring Nairobi, there are a range of activities to enjoy, from visiting the Maasai Market or one of the big malls for souvenir shopping, admiring more animals at Nairobi National Park, partaking in a slum tour, or just relaxing in the hotel. Then it is time to say goodbye, kwaheri.

Ride Details

Terrain

mix of asphalt and off-road

Bike

rental bike (Kibo 250 cc)

Mileage

4,085 kilometers / 2,539 miles

Daily rides

100 - 300 kilometers / 62 - 186 miles

Riding gear

Not included: helmet and other riding gears

Meals

all breakfasts

Accommodation

During this trip, you will stay in hotels and tented camps. Some hotels are basic, family-run accommodations, but they are the nicest options in town. In the Maasai Mara area, you will stay in en-suite safari tents, and when visiting the gorillas, you stay in a comfortable lodge.

Food

You will be served daily breakfast included in the price.

Getting There

The tour will take place in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/zebra-trails/28-day-guided-motorcycle-tour-around-lake-victoria-across-kenya-uganda-rwanda-and-tanzania# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/zebra-trails/28-day-guided-motorcycle-tour-around-lake-victoria-across-kenya-uganda-rwanda-and-tanzania# "Zoom out") [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/zebra-trails