Find and book motorcycle tours to Tanzania

Motorcycle Tours in Tanzania

One of the most iconic destinations in Africa, Tanzania is an undiscovered motorcycling destination offering so much wild scenery, jaw-dropping landscapes, and sights of the world‘s largest wildlife migration it‘s impossible not to put it on your bucket list of rides. Likely the very cradle of humanity – Tanzania is home to the first emerging homo sapiens – Tanzania today is a country of contrasting cultures, incredible nature reserves, and motorcycling roads to die for. The stunning plains of Serengeti, Africa‘s most recognizable landmark Mount Kilimanjaro, the awe-inspiring Masai people, the Great Lakes of Africa and the Spice Islands of Zanzibar make Tanzania the most quintessential African destination, and experiencing it all aboard two wheels is an adventure of a lifetime.

Motorcycle tours in Tanzania will take you across the mountain country in the Great Rift Valley, past the doorstep of the magnificent Serengeti, around the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and onto the wild shores of Lake Victoria. Endless dirt trails crossing this spectacular corner of East Africa, wildlife sightings, and encounters with the indigenous Maasai people are guaranteed to leave you speechless, and if you time your motorcycle adventure right, you may see the greatest animal migration in the world when millions of wildebeest cross the mighty Serengeti on their journey to summer pastures. Motorcycle tours in Tanzania offer the ultimate African experience, and traveling here is just as much about the culture as it is about nature. Tanzania boasts over 100 different languages spoken in the country, and the population is as colorful and diverse as the landscapes: from the semi-nomadic Hadzabe and Masai communities to the Bantu people, Tanzania is among the most multi-ethnic countries on the continent. However, it’s also among the most peaceful, and the locals in Tanzania are extremely friendly and welcoming. If you want to make meaningful connections along the way, be sure to learn a few basic Swahili phrases, although English is widely spoken here too.

Tanzania’s history predates humankind, and while the country is still grappling with the results of post-colonialism, it’s one of the most rapidly developing success stories in East Africa. Motorcycle tours in Tanzania offer a unique opportunity to experience this incredible country up close and personal, and the time to go is now.

If you’re thinking of going on a motorcycle tour in Tanzania, there’s so much to see and do it’s hard to fit everything into one trip. However, here’s a list of the must-see sites in Tanzania to help you plan:

Motorcycle Tours in Tanzania: Highlights

Arusha
Known as „The Geneva of Africa“, the city of Arusha is Tanzania‘s adventure capital and the gateway into the Serengeti. Once a trading place for the local Wameru and Waarusha tribes, Arusha is now Tanzania's safari and tourism center boasting colorful markets, workshops, restaurants, and street cafes. Most motorcycle tours in Tanzania use Arusha as a basecamp to explore the nearby Mount Kilimanjaro and the plains of Serengeti, and it‘s a great place to get to know the country before jumping on the bike.

Serengeti National Park
Probably the most sought-after safari location in Africa, Serengeti National Park is a must-see destination on your Tanzania motorcycle tour. Along with the Masai Mara National Reserve in neighbouring Kenya, Serengeti hosts the biggest animal movement on Earth: the Great Migration. Every dry season, more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebra, and other African animals gather in the southern plains and cross the Serengeti, a sight so spectacular it takes your breath away. The last remaining unaltered animal migration on the planet, the Serengeti march of the wildebeest is an extraordinary event.

Serengeti is a vast region of grassland plains, savanna, and woodlands so enormous the local Masai people called it the siringet which translates to „the place where land runs on forever“. There‘s simply no place like it on Earth, and going on a jeep safari into the Serengeti is one of the biggest highlights of all motorcycle tours in Tanzania. In addition to the wildebeest and zebra, you may also see giraffe, lions, hippos, rhinos, buffalo, and elephants among other wildlife. To see the Great Migration crossing the Mara River, aim to travel here in July and August, and if you have the time, add guided bush walks and camping in the park to experience Serengeti in all its splendour.

Mount Kilimanjaro
The snowy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest single free-standing mountain in the world, is the iconic African landmark drawing travelers and mountaineers from around the world. Towering almost 6,000 metres above the sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is a sight to behold: standing sentinel above the Northern Plains, the Roof of Africa is a must-see on your motorcycle tour in Tanzania, and if you‘re up for a challenge, there are some excellent hiking trails leading to the summit of the mountain.

Practical Information for Touring Tanzania

Because of its proximity to the equator, Tanzania is a year-round destination. However, most motorcycle tours in Tanzania aim to run between June and September which is the dry season and the best time to see the Great Migration in Serengeti.

Tanzania uses shilling as its official currency, but US dollars are also widely accepted, especially to pay for things like safaris and hotels. For all smaller expenses, have some shillings on you. Tanzania is generally a budget-friendly country to travel, and you‘ll likely spend around $60-$70 a day for food, fuel, and accommodation. However, safari and park fees can be substantial, and beach lodgings in places like Zanzibar may be more expensive.

Tanzania is one of the safest and hassle-free countries to travel in Africa, although it’s best to beware of pickpockets and petty theft in places like Dar es Salam and Arusha. Traveling by motorcycle and going on safaris, however, is safe, and the locals in Tanzania are incredibly welcoming and friendly.

When it comes to bike choices, most motorcycle tours in Tanzania offer off-road options. Your best bet is a dirt bike or a medium-sized dual sport to comfortably tackle all the dirt and dust that Tanzanian trails will throw at you.