Out of Africa (Nairobi to Cape Town)

SOUTH AFRICA: NAIROBI, KENYA TO CAPE TOWN

The Out of Africa (Nairobi to Cape Town) Adventure is one of the most unique and all-encompassing African experiences we offer. Spend 34 days riding 5,510 miles through seven countries in Africa, enjoying premium-level accommodations, meals, attractions, and support services the entire way.

The Adventure begins in Nairobi, Kenya and ends in Cape Town, South Africa – one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A collection of world-class, once-in-a-lifetime African experiences has been incorporated into this fantastic journey.

Some of the highlights of this tour include the opportunity to go trekking to see the silverback gorillas. Two nights inside the Serengeti National Park. Two nights in Zanzibar, Chobe National Park, and wrapping up the tour at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town.

This premium-level Adventure is especially suitable for experienced two-up riders. A comfortable support vehicle will be available for non-riding companions (or “sometimes” riding companions). A trailer will be along for transporting luggage and a spare motorcycle.

Guests may opt for a 4-wheel “safari-style” vehicle instead of a motorcycle. Guests are provided the option of securing a vehicle which they may drive themselves, they may share a vehicle with other guests, or they may ride in the 4-wheel vehicle driven by one of our tour leaders. This way, riders can share this unique African experience with non-riding companions or family members.

Highlights of this Adventure include:

• A free day in Rwanda, including an exclusive gorilla safari. It’s a sight experienced by only a few and one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences available.
• Stunning views of the Great Rift Valley, which extends more than 3,000 miles from Syria to Mozambique.
• Several crossings of the Equator, as we pass back and forth between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Two nights inside the Serengeti National Park, including game drives and a safari to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Ngorongoro Crater.
• Two nights on the ‘spice island’ of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.
• Two nights on the shores of Lake Malawi (Africa’s third-largest lake and the eighth-largest lake in the world).
• An overnight stay at Victoria Falls, including a tour of the Falls.
• Two nights in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, including a game drive by 4×4.
• Sunset wildlife boat cruise on the Chobe River, teeming with elephants, hippos, giraffes, and numerous other wildlife species.
• South Africa’s Swartberg Mountains, including the Swartberg Pass.
• The final evening in a luxury hotel on Cape Town’s Waterfront.

Although this Adventure takes place almost entirely on paved roads, road conditions can be poor sometimes. We’ll encounter streets bustling with traffic, pedestrians and animals. Local drivers are not necessarily attentive to their surroundings, so watch the traffic. This tour is intended for experienced riders with a keen sense of Adventure and a taste for the unusual.

Riders must be experienced and comfortable riding in various road and traffic conditions.

At a Glance Your OUT OF AFRICA ADVENTURE

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Welcome to Nairobi! The tour leaders will meet you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. Later in the afternoon, we’ll meet for the motorcycle handover followed by a group briefing providing in-depth information about the tour. After the briefing we will enjoy our first dinner together.

DAY 2 – NAIROBI TO KISUMU ~ 225 MILES

The first day of riding will take us northwesterly out of the city. Our first stop will be a stunning overview of the Great Rift Valley, which extends over 3,000 miles from Syria to Mozambique. We’ll then head west through the rift valley to the town of Narok. From Narok, our route will take us northward through tea plantations until we reach Kisumu. There, we will spend the night at a pleasant local hotel near the shores of Lake Victoria.

DAY 3 – KISUMU TO KAMPALA, UGANDA ~ 195 MILES

Our first photo stop will be at the Equator sign where we will cross from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. We will cross the border from Kenya into Uganda and pass through the town of Jinja, where we will see Lake Victoria to the left and the start of the Nile River to the right – the world’s longest north-flowing river. Tonight, we will stay in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.

DAY 4 – KAMPALA TO KABALE ~ 260 MILES

After leaving the hustle and bustle of Kampala, we will enjoy open roads on our ride toward Kabale and then to Lake Bunyonyi. We will spend the night at a stunning privately-owned lodge nestled on the banks of the Lake. During today’s ride we will again cross the Equator, this time from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere.

DAY 5 – KABALE TO RUHENGERI, RWANDA ~ 115 MILES

Today’s ride will be short as we cross the border from Uganda into Rwanda. The riding in Rwanda is spectacular with its rolling green hills and extinct volcanoes. We will spend two nights at a small lodge strategically located near the entrance of Volcanoes National Park – where we’ll go on our gorilla safari in the morning.

DAY 6 – GORILLA SAFARI IN RUHENGERI

Gorilla Safari! We will get up early to enjoy one of the most amazing wildlife experiences in the world. Led by knowledgeable local guides, we will go into the forest to track the gorillas. We will have an entire hour to spend with these amazing creatures. There will be plenty of time to take photographs and to simply enjoy watching them – from only a few yards away!

Since only a small number of people can participate in gorilla trekking on a given day, the availability of permits is limited. Therefore, our tour itinerary alternates between Uganda and Rwanda based on permit availability.

DAY 7 – RUHENGERI TO KIGALI ~ 70 MILES

Although today’s ride to the capital city of Kigali is short, it will be some of the most exciting riding of the tour. We will ride on stunning, twisty roads and view the most spectacular scenery that Rwanda has to offer.

DAY 8 – KIGALI TO KAHAMA, TANZANIA ~ 290 MILES

From Kigali, it’s a spectacular ride to the border crossing into Tanzania. We will ride through several small towns bustling with animals and children. We will reach the town of Kahama in the late afternoon. The accommodation will be a basic hotel with simple but comfortable amenities for our overnight stay.

DAY 9 – KAHAMA TO KARATU ~ 385 MILES

With a long day of riding ahead, we will set off early from Kahama. Our route will take us through rural areas of Tanzania, along the shores of Lake Manyara. Watch out for wildlife on the road as we ride through part of the game reserve. We’ll also begin to see the Maasai people adorned in their traditional clothing, known as the Shúkà.

On the outskirts of the town, our lodge offers breathtaking views of Lake Manyara.

DAY 10 – INTO THE SERENGETI

Following breakfast, our local guides will bring the safari vehicles and take us into the Serengeti National Park. It’s a full day’s drive to reach our lodge located inside the Park. Along the way, we will stop
at the paleoanthropological site of Olduvai Gorge, where remains of the earliest humans have been discovered.

After Olduvai Gorge, we’ll visit a small Maasai Village.

We’ll have a nice packed lunch in the park while enjoying world-class game viewing in one of Africa’s most famous national parks.

“Serengeti” is derived from the Maasai language, meaning “endless plains”. Spanning an impressive area of 12,000 square miles, the Serengeti is considered one of the top ten wonders of the world. It is home to a diverse array of large and small animals, as well as Africa’s Big Five. The Serengeti is home to hundreds of types of trees and plants.

DAY 11 – GAME DRIVE IN THE SERENGETI

Today, we will have the opportunity for a full-day game drive in the Serengeti, where we can expect spectacular wildlife sightings. The Serengeti is home to the Great Migration, during which tens of thousands of zebra and wildebeest migrate through the park in search of food. We will be able to observe these incredible animals during part of their migration, as well as view the Big Five.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to the lodge for a beautiful dinner overlooking the African plains.

DAY 12 – SERENGETI TO KARATU

Our drive back to Karatu, where we left the bikes, will be a full day’s drive because of the activities included. Along the way, we will drive to the basin of the Ngorongoro Crater, a geological marvel that has its own biodiversity. As we go down the side of the volcanic rim, we will enjoy spectacular views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have a picnic lunch inside the crater while enjoying its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. We will also see the vast flocks of pink flamingos inside the crater. What a spectacular day!

DAY 13 – KARATU TO MOSHI ~ 145 MILES

Today we have a shorter riding day, allowing us a relaxing start in the morning. We will backtrack slightly as we ride through the Lake Manyara reserve on our way to Arusha, where we will have lunch.

From Arusha, we will ride to the small town of Moshi, where we will stay overnight. Moshi is the primary starting point for many hikers aiming to get to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Kilimanjaro from the motorcycle, the highest mountain in Africa.

DAY 14 – MOSHI TO DAR ES SALAAM ~ 355 MILES

We’ll have an early morning start since it will be a full day of riding to Dar es Salaam. The riding will be delightful as we will travel through varying landscapes, farmlands and several very twisty roads. We will pass through several small towns bustling with street vendors, children, and animals along the road. As we leave Moshi, we may be able to see Mount Kilimanjaro on our left-hand side.

Tonight, we will stay at a beautiful ocean-facing hotel in downtown Dar es Salaam.

DAY 15 – DAR ES SALAAM TO ZANZIBAR (BY FERRY)

Today, we will leave our bikes behind and take a two-hour passenger-only ferry to Stone Town, Zanzibar. Stone Town is the old part of Zanzibar City and offers an array of things to do and see. It is also the birth town of Freddie Mercury.

DAY 16 – FREE DAY ON ZANZIBAR

Enjoy sun, sand, and sumptuous seafood, along with nightly performances of Taarab music—a fusion of African, Arabic, and Indian influences first played in the 1820s at the Sultan’s Palace.

Take a cultural tour of Stone Town, visiting the Sultan’s Palace, the House of Wonders, the Old Dispensary Cultural Center, the Old Slave Market, and the Old Dhow Harbor. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely stroll through Stone Town or take the famous spice tour.

You may also want to visit the Jozani Forest Nature Reserve, home to the world’s last sanctuary of the Red Colobus monkey.

DAY 17 – ZANZIBAR TO DAR ES SALAAM (BY FERRY)

A relaxing day with a mid-morning ferry cruise back to Dar es Salaam, where you will have the rest of the day to explore the city and enjoy our luxurious hotel.

DAY 18 – DAR ES SALAAM TO MIKUMI ~ 180 MILES

At Chalinze, turn right onto the A7. The A7 is the main arterial road from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, so we will see a significant increase in traffic, especially trucks and buses. We will also pass through numerous small, lively towns along the main road. We will spend the night in Mikumi National Park. We will enter the park on the bikes (Keep an eye out for wildlife, including buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and antelope).

DAY 19 – MIKUMI TO MBEYA ~ 350 MILES

The first few miles of today’s ride will take us through the last stretch of the Mikumi National Park, so be on the lookout for wildlife.

We will ride through Udzungwa National Park and Sao Hill Reserve. We will also ride through the Baobab Forest just before the town of Iringa, which provides some excellent photo opportunities of the ancient Baobab trees. Tonight, we will enjoy a wonderful homemade dinner at the coffee lodge in the Mbeya Mountain range, followed by a short tour of coffee plantations.

DAY 20 – MBEYA TO MZUZU ~ 250 MILES

Today, we will enjoy a spectacular ride as we travel south from Mbeya through the beautiful rolling hills where the locals grow tea, on our way to Malawi. After crossing into Malawi, we will enjoy more fantastic riding along the shores of Lake Malawi. Despite its poverty and simple way of life, Malawi is regarded as Africa’s friendliest country. It does not take long to notice this because the locals are amiable and are always delighted to see a foreigner riding a bike. We will spend the night in Mzuzu.

DAY 21 – MZUZU TO SENGA BAY ~ 230 MILES

A fun day spent riding on winding roads with spectacular views of Lake Malawi and plantations growing tea, rubber, and coffee. Don’t be shy to stop and spend time talking with the natives. Malawi is a very safe and an easy place to travel. We will spend two nights on the shores of Lake Malawi.

DAY 22 – FREE DAY IN SENGA BAY

The hotel is a great place to sit back and relax as it’s located right on the shores of Lake Malawi and has its own private beach. Of course, you could go out and ride some more should you wish to add some more miles to your tour.

DAY 23 – SENGA BAY TO CHIPATA, ZAMBIA ~ 165 MILES

A short but wonderful day’s ride as we approach the border and cross into Zambia. The Malawi – Zambia border crossing is peaceful and simple. Tonight’s hotel is close to the border, so we will enjoy a nice, easy day and reach the hotel early enough to enjoy its facilities.

DAY 24 – CHIPATA TO LUSAKA ~ 360 MILES

Today is one of the longer riding days of the tour, but it’s also a great ride as we head towards Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. The ride takes us through rural parts of Zambia with little traffic on the road and lots of twisty mountain roads. We will spend the night at a nice inner-city hotel.

DAY 25 – LUSAKA TO LIVINGSTONE ~ 305 MILES

Mazabuka is called “The Sweetest Place in Africa” because of the extensive sugar cane farming and the large Illovo Cane Sugar Processing Plant.

Tonight’s hotel is located very close to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls. We will arrive at the hotel (located right next to the falls—you can even hear them from your room) early in the afternoon. This gives us time to enjoy a walk through the national park, taking in the spectacular views of the falls.

DAY 26 – LIVINGSTONE TO KASANE ~ 55 MILES

It’s a short ride to the border, where we will cross from Zambia into Botswana. We will reach our hotel in Kasane in time for lunch. We will go on a boat cruise on the Chobe River in the late afternoon. We’ll have incredible game-viewing opportunities and take some spectacular sunset photographs.

DAY 27 – FREE DAY IN KASANE

Today, we have the option of enjoying an early morning game drive in the Chobe National Park in an open safari vehicle, followed by a boat cruise again later in the afternoon.

DAY 28 – KASANE TO FRANCISTOWN ~ 310 MILES

It’s a full-day ride from Kasane to Francistown on good two-lane paved highways.

We have often seen elephants and other wildlife along the road between Kasane and Nata and have often had to stop on the road as elephants cross. This is an excellent opportunity to take a photo of your bike with elephants in the background.

DAY 29 – FRANCISTOWN TO GABORONE ~ 270 MILES

We will stop for a photo opportunity at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south). It’s an easy day ride on good two-lane paved highways through rural Botswana, with opportunities to photograph some of the many picturesque native villages within sight of the highway.

DAY 30 – GABORONE TO KIMBERLEY ~ 325 MILES

Just before Kimberley, be on the lookout for flamingos at the Kamfers Dam, where up to 20,000 breeding flamingos are sometimes seen. Today, we will enjoy some easy riding as we go through some very rural and remote parts of Botswana before crossing the border into South Africa. We will stay in the town of Kimberley, home to the world’s largest hand-dug diamond mine. Our hotel overlooks the ‘Great Hole’. It is within walking distance of the Diamond Museum, which explains the history of this part of the world.

DAY 31 – KIMBERLEY TO PRINCE ALBERT ~ 395 MILES

Today is one of the longest-riding days of the tour; however, the entire route is along well-maintained roads, making the distance more manageable. Prince Albert is a pretty little farming town where we will stay at a Boutique Lodge at the end of the town’s Main Road.

DAY 32 – PRINCE ALBERT TO CAPE AGULHAS ~ 275 MILES

It’s a stunning ride from Prince Albert to Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa. There are several incredible mountain passes along the way, as well as many small farming towns such as Ladismith, Barrydale and Bredasdorp.

Before heading to our overnight stay, we will ride to the southern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, for a great photo opportunity of everyone at the beachfront.

Tonight, we will stay at a wonderful, small lodge overlooking the ocean and enjoy an incredible homemade meal.

DAY 33 – CAPE AGULHAS TO CAPE TOWN ~ 165 MILES

Be prepared for one of the most scenic motorcycle rides of the tour as we follow the coast into Cape Town.

We will stay in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. This ideal location offers shopping, dining, bars and several tourist attractions all within walking distance from our hotel.

Tonight, we will enjoy a wonderful celebration dinner at a nearby local restaurant.

DAY 34 – DEPART FROM CAPE TOWN

Following a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, the tour leaders will arrange a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

TOTAL MILES: ~ 5,510 MILES