Since crossing the equator on land is difficult, it’s a fantastic accomplishment for any daring motorcycle rider to cross off their “bucket list.” Equatorial Guinea, which isn’t technically on the equator, is one of just 14 nations that straddle the line that runs halfway between the poles on our globe, and six of those are in Africa. For most riders, the only feasible option is Ecuador in South America, as the majority of the other options are either islands or located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Although we like South America, Sub-Saharan Africa offers an unparalleled variety of landscapes, fauna, and people, making it an excellent tour destination. The roaring Victoria Falls the aroma of Zanzibar’s spices and the barren wasteland of the Skeleton Coast all contribute to Africa’s sensory assault. And elsewhere might you see lions, elephants, dolphins, whales, penguins and all of these creatures in their natural habitats? Over the course of six weeks, cyclists may cross the equator and take in a variety of sights on the “Dark Continent” on one of our favorite African excursions, which we have led at Globe Busters. The route from Kenya to the Cape of Good Hope is also one of our favorites.
Why start in Kenya?
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises avoiding traveling to Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo except in dire circumstances, leaving four equatorial countries: Congo, Gabon, Kenya, and Uganda. It’s pretty easy to fly freight bikes in from the UK to Kenya, which is the most developed and accessible of those. Once you have a carnet de passage (a temporary import/export document for your bike) in place, specialized businesses like Motor Freight can handle all the procedures, so all you have to do is fly in and pick up your motorcycle from the airport.
Nairobi sits on the eastern edge of the Rift Valley and it’s a fast trip north to the Equator. From there you may go south to Tanzania’s Highlands and the Ngorongoro Crater a World Heritage Site where you could witness lions, giraffes, wildebeest, and warthogs. Not a terrible way to begin a journey, but be advised that most African national parks forbid bikers due to the possibility of you being a lion’s meal. Instead, you must travel there in a 4X4 Jeep tour.
Before boarding the ferry to the Indian Ocean’s spice island of Zanzibar (where Freddie Mercury was born), be sure to see Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak with three volcanic cones. By taking the passenger ferry over, you can spend a few days relaxing on immaculate white sandbars in the midst of the Indian Ocean, making Zanzibar a great “off bike” side trip.
If it weren’t for the police, who are strategically stationed at the end of most villages and freshly outfitted with the newest radar and video technology, Tanzania would be a dream nation to travel through. Unless you have a compelling tale to tell, be prepared to pay a “off-the-record” 10,000 Tanzanian Shillings (about £3) each time you are stopped. We’ve heard it’s effective to pose as a Swedish transport minister or a vicar!
When you return to the continent, ride past the coffee farms and into Malawi, which has the third-largest lake in Africa and offers breathtaking sunsets. Not to mention, Malawi boasts some of the most beautiful winding roads—all paved and mostly traffic-free—but be cautious while driving among pedestrians and bikers. Being a bicycle owner puts you at the top of the social hierarchy in one of the world’s poorest nations, where most people walk everywhere, all the way alongside major roads.
The mile-wide Victoria Falls are formed by the Zambezi River plunging over the cliffs near the old colonial town of Livingstone, Zambia, which is to the west of that point. Once you cross the Zambezi on a tiny pontoon, you enter Botswana, the home of the Chobe National Park, renowned for its amazing elephant population and one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife. Here, trade up your bike for a boat so you may spend the afternoon observing animals while cruising down the river.
Here be giants
The Caprivi Strip a long narrow passageway bordered by Zambia Botswana and Angola leads to Namibia.. Although the road is completely paved and rather straight be cautious if you’re tempted to go as quickly as you can since there’s a strong possibility you’ll spot wild elephants by the side of the road.
You’ll have traveled across Africa from the Indian to the South Atlantic when you get to the Skeleton Coast, which is primarily made up of dirt roads! Because the coastal road is made of salt, it is nearly as good as concrete and is manageable for all riders; just be aware of shipwrecks and seals. Returning inland, you ride the Namib Desert’s dirt roads to the beauty of Fish River Canyon, which is 100 miles long, up to 17 miles broad, and about 550 meters deep in some spots, as well as the “moonscape” of the red Sossusvlei Dunes.
It’s safer to ride these roads in small groups just in case. These roads are unpredictable for bikers and are graded every ten days during the high season to try and ensure they don’t get too heaped up with gravel and sand. Despite this, you still need to be alert and watch out for deeper sand sections.
Cross the Orange River to enter the Cederberg Wilderness area of South Africa. The Cederberg is a mountain range that is home to an endangered kind of cedar tree. In the region around one of the oldest cities in the country Stellenbosch you will quickly find yourself surrounded by some of the greatest vineyards in the world! From there it’s a perfect cycling distance to Cape Agulhas which is Africa’s southernmost point. After that, proceed to the Cape of Good Hope by following the coast route around False Bay. Travel down the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak Drive, which hugs a nearly vertical mountainside, and arrive at Cape Town, which is tucked behind Table Mountain. After that, you may ship your bike back to your house and board a passenger plane at the international airport.
What level of experience is required?
Africa is a typically unpredictable place to ride. You’re sharing the roads with people, animals, nature, and some of the worst-maintained cars on the globe, so expect the unexpected from everywhere. Furthermore, you must have the confidence to ride on dirt roads, which are common, especially in Namibia. Unless you have some experience riding abroad, especially long distances in hot temperatures, we would not advise riding in Africa. The same holds true for anyone riding with you if they are a pillion.
When to go
Because Southern Africa is in the southern hemisphere, the best time to go is in the early spring, which is September or October, before the summer rainy season (which, as Britons, we can relate to, brings a lot of rain!). The average temperature is between 25 and 30°C closer to the equator. There’s a probability of rain and a more moderate climate as you go closer to South Africa.
Which paperwork is required?
All you need to do to obtain an electronic visa in advance if you are a British citizen is to apply online. The remaining countries on the list above do not require visas and you may get them at the borders of Tanzania and Zambia. However, you will require a carnet de passage (available from the RAC) for your bicycle. Naturally, the original copies of your driver’s license and passport are necessary.
What currency should I take?
Your credit card won’t really be needed anywhere save in big cities and at upscale hotels. Because the US dollar and the South African rand are connected to several other currencies in the area, we encourage travelers to stock up on both. In the majority of Southern African nations, both are easily interchangeable.
Which motorcycle should I ride?
You need a dependable adventure sport bike with sufficient suspension travel so it can handle badly maintained roads, unless you plan to make the journey a physical struggle. While there are some good tarmac sections in South Africa, most of the trip will be uneven! The Triumph Tiger 800 is a mid-capacity bike that has enough power to go large distances in comfort; its peak speed is unlikely to be very useful on this continent.
You should be good to go if you install some good crash bars and metal boxes (we use Metal Mule). Some nations have limited supplies of gasoline, so having a sufficient tank capacity is crucial. We also always keep a small quantity of additional fuel on the bike in case of emergencies.
