Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand.
Your Royal Enfield Himalayan adventure will start at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Expect stunning natural scenery every day as you ride through deserts, forests, savannahs and bush and alongside lakes, volcanoes and waterfalls. Tanzania is home to a variety of ecosystems: you’ll be amazed by the wildlife you come across on these vast swathes of land. The Himalayan is perfect for storming through tracks, so you can have peace of mind and enjoy the nature show as we set off in search of Maasai culture. This motorcycle tour is a childhood dream come true! We’ll spend most of our time (65%) on the Great Rift Valley tracks, which means one thing: feeling a sense of freedom riding across extensive savannahs. From Mount Kilimanjaro to volcanoes and huge lakes, and passing by the Ngorongoro Crater, get ready for a motorcycle adventure that’s out of this world!
You’re met at the airport and taken to your hotel in a calm Arusha neighbourhood, with beautiful views of Mount Meru overlooking the city. You’ll also meet your tour leader and other riders in the evening for a quick brief on the impending adventure.
Our Royal Enfields eat up the first miles of a superb tarmacked road in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. On the way, we’ll skirt around the impressive Mount Meru (4,565 m altitude) and arrive at our lodge in the green hills of Matadi. This first day will end on a high note with breathtaking views of Africa’s highest peak. Although, due to its own microclimate, seeing Mount Kilimanjaro's peak is quite rare.
We leave Kilimanjaro’s foothills behind us and cross the vast desert plains of north Tanzania. At the helm of our Himalayans there’ll be many chance encounters with the local residents, including antelopes, giraffes, zebras, and more. The afternoon is set to be epic as we ride between volcanoes. Some sandy stretches make today a little more intense than normal.
We spend the day on the banks of Lake Natron, just a short ride away from Kenya! In the morning, we explore the Ngare Sero Gorge. We return to the east side of the lake to spot flamingos and other aquatic birds: expect a mesmerising display of vibrant pinks reflecting against the rich blue water. We hit the tracks and set off to discover one of the last authentic Maasai villages.
Today, we experience a complete change of scenery! We leave Lake Natron’s warm waters behind us and venture into the Great Rift Valley. It’s time to get closer to the spectacular Ol Doinyo Lengai and discover the incredible Tanzanian savannah. We’ll ride through several Maasai villages. We spend the night at Lake Manyara, a picturesque setting and personal favourite of Ernest Hemingway.
We’ll spend the whole day exploring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. A UNESCO heritage site since 1979, this crater is home to an intact ecosystem that is bustling with exceptional flora and fauna. With a spectacular concentration of wildlife, it supports one of the largest animal migrations in Africa, including gnus, zebras, lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, gazelles and flamingos.
We spend the morning between hard-packed tracks and sandy stretches on our way to Lake Eyasi. We’ll get to our lakeside lodge around midday depending on how the group advances. We spend the afternoon riding around this soda lake located in a fault that runs through Great Rift Valley.
We’ll enjoy another day exploring off the beaten track. We endure bumpy roads for the first few miles before getting back on to smooth tracks before midday. The next stretch requires a bit of technique. You’ll understand why we call this an “adventure tour”!
We savour this last day skirting Lake Burunge and on to Arusha. The vast, arid landscapes gradually make way for the hubbub of the city. We spend one last evening together going over the best bits of our adventure while we enjoy a local feast.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time to enjoy Arusha for a few more hours. You’re transferred to the international airport.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the best of our travel inspirations
Please fill in the following information
Please fill in the following information
Please fill in the following information
Please fill in the following information