Road trips in Tanzania

Off-Road Adventure amid the Peaks and Grasslands of Tanzania

The country is situated in eastern Africa and shares borders with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of the country is dominated by the large central plateau, which sits between 900 m and 1800 m, but there are also mountain ranges, beaches and ocean, and several islands. In fact, Tanzania is home to several extreme geographical features on the African continent, including the highest altitude (Mount Kilimanjaro), the lowest altitude (Lake Tanganyika), and the largest lake (Lake Victoria). These landscapes offer amazing riding that will keep the excitement high!

Tanzania has two main types of seasons – dry and wet. The wet season is split into two periods throughout the year. One is known as the short rains, and lasts from October through December, and the other (the long rains), lasts from March to May. The rest of the year is considered the dry season, and generally, the best time to visit for Tanzania tours. Within those periods, the ideal time to venture into the Serengeti for a safari motorbike adventure, or simply to see the magnificent wildlife, is typically January and February when many herds are migrating to better grazing areas.

With so many different cultures and ethnic groups, there is not single food or cuisine that defines Tanzania. However, if one dish had to be chosen, it would likely be ugali, which is made using corn flour and typically accompanies meat and a variety of stews. Some other dishes to try include mtori, which is cooked beef and bananas, and mchicha, which is a vegetable stew made with meat or fish. Mandazi (a donut-like sweet) is on the sweeter side but makes a tasty breakfast along with some coffee.

Other Need-to-Know Information about Tanzania

Tanzania has two major airports. The first, Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, and the second, Kilimanjaro International Airport between Arusha and Moshi. There are no direct flights from North America to Tanzania, but several European cities offer non-stop routes, including Amsterdam, London, and Zurich. Most tourists will require a tourist visa which can be obtained upon landing in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, or other points of entry.

As always, stay alert, use common sense, and travel in groups. Pickpockets and thievery can be quite common. Corruption is also a problem, with police demanding bribes or made-up fines. Illness and disease are by far the biggest threats to travelers. Before any Tanzania adventure, ensure you have all the necessary immunizations and vaccines. You should also be very careful with drinking water and uncooked or undercooked foods. Make sure you drink bottled water and eat foods that have been washed and properly cooked.

What Planet Ride offers for adventures in Tanzania

There are a number of options for a road trip Tanzania and Planet Ride offers several exception Tanzania adventure trips. The 4×4 and motorbike tours provide a much closer connection to the people and the lands you’ll encounter. All of our Tanzania tours feature an expert local guide who will assist with every aspect of your trip once you arrive. Whether you need a mechanic for your vehicle or someone that knows the best spots and how to deal with the locals, your guide will handle it all.

An example of our 4×4 treks is a 13-day trip through Kenya and Tanzania. You can choose from trips with fixed dates, where you join an existing group or have the flexibility to choose your own travel dates and group members. After loading up in a Toyota Hilux or Prado, or Land Rover, you’ll spend several days in Kenya before traversing Lake Victoria and arriving in Tanzania. From there, you will explore Serengeti national park and marvel at the wildlife. Later in the trip, you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ngorongoro crater, see Lake Eyasi, hunt with Hazdabe tribesmen, and more. This adventure is sure to open your eyes to new cultures and cement new memories!

One of our best safari motorbike adventures is the 7-day trek from the lakes of the north into the Great Rift Valley. Once you have settled into the first night’s accommodations near Arusha, and after breakfast the following morning, you’ll set out for Mount Monduli on a Honda 250 XR Baja, or similar enduro bike suited for this type of riding. Along the way, the group will tackle the peak of Mount Kitumbeine before spending the night in the village of Kitumbeine. The next two days will be spent exploring Lake Natron, where you’ll be struck by the diverse colors – from pink flamingos to blue waters, and the Ngorongoro Crater with its lush vegetation. Near the end of your trip, you’ll have the unforgettable experience of visiting the Hadzabes, which are one of the last pygmy ethnic groups living on the savannah. Before returning to Kilimanjaro, you will travel down the Ngorongoro plateau amid herds of gazelle, wildebeest, and zebra.