Transafrica 2023
The Transafrica motorcycle tour gives a good idea of 5 African totally safe countries and you may wonder why an Italian tour operator proposes a motorcycle tour to Africa ?? Simply because Eligio Arturi, the owner of Mototouring, has been organizing trips to Africa since 1983. The experience of over 30 years of tours in Africa give us the knowledge to organize the Transafrica totally confident of a great success every time !!
The Transafrica tour has been organized almost every year since 1996 in groups consisting of 15 up to 34 persons (in 2003). The last time was on the 2017 with 11 bikes and 16 people plus 3 staff, another great enjoyable tour !
From Johannesburg to Dar Es Salaam is a 5500 kms tour across South Africa – Zimbabwe – Zambia – Malawi and Tanzania.
This bike tour is within everyone’s reach, routed exclusively on tarmac. The exception is a couple of legs where the tarmac is in “African” condition, although never too difficult for any normal motorcyclist, even with a pillion rider. All nights are spent in top-class hotels except for a couple where no better alternative exists in the area. The legs are around 350/400 kilometres per day with 4 sizeable rest stops in enchanting places and hotels: Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Lake Malawi, Mikumi National Park.
We will never phisically enter the parks with the motorcycles being forbidden for security reasons but we will stay in beautiful lodges just at the edge of the parks entering with game drive vehicles to spot the animals.
What bike will I use ?? Our fleet is composed by different bikes of all ages, some “old new” bikes, old for the age, new for the mileage, like BMW 1200 GS , Honda VFR, Ducati ST4S, some vintage bikes like Morini 350, Honda 500 Four, BMW R 60/5, some new bikes like BMW 700 GS, you can choose among the list, price is the same for each bike. In case you wish a very new bike like the last model on e market of a BMW or a Ducati we have access to a large fleet but there will be an extra to pay depending on the model.
After the arrival in Dar es Salaam we strongly propose a 3 day extension to Zanzibar a spectacular and really exotic place with wonderful hotels and great tropical , ask for more informations to our office.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Johannesburg Day of arrival in Johannesburg, collection of motorcycles, followed by a free afternoon to relax and gain confidence with the bike and the South African left hand drive.
Day 2 – Johannesburg – Kruger Park After breakfast we make our way to the Kruger Park, one of the biggest in Africa and one of the most spectacular for the number of animals to be found there. We will dine and spend the night near the park gates. (450 km)
Day 3 – Safari in Kruger Park Day of safari spent in a 4×4 car with local guide/driver at our disposal for the visit to Kruger National Park, we will return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Kruger – Tzaneen Departure from Kruger for Tzaneen, area of tea plantations, via the beautiful mountainous region of the Drakensberg. The temperatures may go down to close to zero, especially in the morning. Arrival at the Mogobaskloof hotel.
Day 5 – Tzaneen – Louis Trichardt After breakfast we depart northward, stopping on the way to visit an exciting crocodile farm. In the evening we’ll arrive at the end of the last leg in South Africa, staying in the town of the former Louis Trichardt now Makhado.
Day 6 – Louis Trichardt – Great Zimbabwe From Louis Trichardt to Great Zimbabwe and across the first border of our tour, entering Africa, or rather, a “more African” Africa. Be patient at the border as this is the longer border crossing, 2 hours planned, at least ! Board and lodging at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel, practically within sight of the famous ruins.
Day 7 – Great Zimbabwe – Bulawayo – After breakfast, we have planned a two-hour visit to the Great Zimbabwe fortifications with a local guide, a truly magical experience, and then on towards Bulawayo with planned arrival in the afternoon depending on timing we plan the visit to Matopo Hills tonight or tomorrow morning.
Day 8 – Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Morning visit to the Matopo Hills, a marvellous national park where Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe), is buried. In the afternoon we move on to Victoria Falls, arriving in the early evening.
Day 9 – Victoria Falls Day spent on visits and excursions to the Victoria Falls. It will be possible to go rafting on the Zambezi, take helicopter or private plane flights, play golf, and visit the falls. Just simply relaxing around the hotel’s swimming pool is a good option too.
Day 10 – Victoria Falls – Lusaka Departure and crossing the second border of our journey, thus entering Zambia and heading for the capital Lusaka, A demanding day of almost 600 kilometres without alternative, but luckily the roads are in good condition. Arrival at Lusaka the capital and main city of Zambia, traffic is not too bad and the hotel is quite easy to reach
Day 11 – Lusaka – Chipata From Lusaka to Chipata, along a real African road! The road is in decent conditions but a good dose of prudence will be important. There are numerous villages we will go through and endless landscapes which is incomparable in its natural beauty. Another great African day !
Day 12 – Chipata – Lake Malawi From Chipata towards the border with Malawi and its incredible natural scenery. Malawi is a little known country, with almost no tourism except for a few South Africans that spend their holidays along the splendid banks of the lake which stretches for over 600 kilometres from north to south, practically covering the whole length of the country.
Day 13 – Lake Malawi Day of relaxing at Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Senga Bay. This is a little corner of paradise on the coast of the lake where waters are clear and clean, making it possible to swim and snorkel.
Day 14 – Lake Malawi – Mzuzu Back on the bikes to take the coastal road as far as Mzuzu. Going through a lot of villages and back routes, we take in a real slice of African life. This is a marvellous opportunity for those wanting to take some photos before we return to an altitude of over 1000 metres in the Malawian mountains.
Day 15 – Mzuzu – Mbeia The road, which leads us to the fourth and last border of our journey, is one of the most attractive and in great conditions, just repaved. Some parts are in African conditions and need caution . Arrival in the evening at Mbeia, a small Town in Tanzania overnight in a simple hotel in town.
Day 16 – Mbeia – Mikumi Park Crossing virtually the whole of Tanzania from west to east to arrive in a place where the wild animals can stroll around the state road. Beware of lions!!
Day 17 – Mikumi National Park Day of relax and safari at the Mikumi N.P.
Day 18 – Mikumi – Dar Es Salaam Last riding day to get to Dar Es Salaam around lunch time, the final destination of our journey, bike drop off and vist to the city in the afternoon, farewell dinner and overnight.
Day 19 – Dar es Salaam – Flight back home During the morning we will pack the bikes in a container for the shipment back to South Africa, sorry your holiday is over, thank you for joining us in this wonderful African adventure !!
Map
Dates and Cost
From Monday the 31st of July to Friday the 18th of August 2023 (The dates are the meeting and overnight in Johannesburg and the departure from Dar Es Salaam, book your flights consequently)
Quote per person: USD 4.500
Included:
- lodging in double room with 12 dinners included
- local guide with vehicle for the luggage transport
- trailer for the transport of the motorcycles in case of breakdown
- English speaking guide
Not included:
- international airfare
- lunches
- visas and local insurances (around 350 USD per person)
- fuel (roughly USD 500)
- beverages
- transfer to/from airport
- personal expenses
- motorcycle rental with transport back to South Africa
Single supplement quote: USD 1.200
Motorcycle rental quote including the transport from Italy to South Africa and back of one of the motorcycles in our fleet: USD 3.500
The prices of the motorcycles rentals, including the shipment from Italy to Johannesburg and back from Dar Es Salaam and the Carnet, may change due to the different quote for the transport.
MOTORCYCLE TOURS
Tel. +39 02 2720 1556
Fax. +39 02 2720 1140
Operation Hours
Monday to Friday: 09:30 - 18:00
Saturday and Sunday open upon previous arrangement.