Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Dec 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
How's the road from Rwanda, east across Tanzania (B3) ??

I've heard that the main road (B3) from Rwanda, east across Tanzania has recently been torn up by the Chinese !

Has anyone got any recent info on it ? Is it going to be like the Bandit highway ??

I heard from one biker that it will take four days and is a total nightmare buts its the only road east.

Ted
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Dec 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
A reply I received by email... Many thanks




Hi Ted
I'm not registered at the Hubb so I'll reply to you by e-mail. I have
been driving the road in the opposite direction at the end of October
this year, and it was very far from being a nightmare.
I can tell you about the condition between the turnoff to
Ngara/Burundi Border and Singida.
Turnoff Ngara/Burundi to Lusahanga: Tarmac, some potholes
Lusahanga to Kamaha: Tar but two sections of resurfacing (=your
driving on a parallel dirt road). One section of 20km by the Germans
around Ushirombo/Bukombe and one section of 15km courtesy of the
Chinese just before Kahama. These sections may change/have changed due
to ongoing resurfacing.
Kahama-Singida: Good tarmac
We came down from Arusha to Singida and this part is in fact right now
being surfaced by the chinese between Tarangire NP and Singida. I
can't tell you about going east from Singida from experience but was
told it's all tarmac now. We could drive from Singida to the Burundi
Border in two days with our Truck which is much, much slower than a
bike...

Save Travels
Cheers
Thomas
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Dec 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Hi Ted,
I took a route out of Rwanda into Tanzania and through to Malawi, in July this year.
I visited Lake Tanganyika (Kigoma) which was a great, if a little difficult, ride. I sense you're in a bit of a hurry, but if you have the time I'd recommend it very highly.

More details here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...t_tanzania.php

After that I headed generally eastwards to Dodoma, another recommendation. It's the capital, but is all sand roads except the road with the parliament building and the main road around it. Quite strange. Nice place to stay.

On that stretch I took a wrong turn heading to Singida and ended up on 30 miles of deep talcum powder that took over half a day. That's to say, the whole route is good tarmac but you can find plenty of places to go off-road.

From Dodoma I continued the loop round to Mikumi, Mbeya then south into Malawi.

I think, by a close margin, Tanzania was about the friendliest country of the whole trip. But I was on my own, and in Tanzania you're not allowed to be on your own, so people will always look after you and keep you company.

There's a LOT of road building going on and I seemed to bump into Tanzanian road engineers all over the place, and they know exactly what roads are tarmac and which are still being upgraded. Just mix a lot with the locals and you'll find them!

Have a good trip.
Ken
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 222
I drove the B3 from Rwanda to Dar recently and the road was almost all very good new tar, barring maybe some sections between Dodoma and Dar, but nothing too bad.
made it from Rwanda to Dar in two days overnighting in Dodoma.
__________________
www.simba4x4.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Dec 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Thanks so much for the info. Looks pretty ok then.

Just trying to work out how long it will take me because I want to be in Malawi for Xmas but still having a great time in Uganda

Regards, Ted
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Dec 2010
Moderator, Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lancashire England
Posts: 313
Hi Ted,

so here's me in the depths of a colder than normal English winter and I thought I'd pop into WH Smiths and noticed issue 2 of the Adventure Bike Rider. So I bought a copy, took it home and, as usual started glancing through from the back page and who's ugly mug did I find staring back at me but yours!

Have a great Christmas matey.

Regards

Reggie
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Jan 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cameraman View Post
Hi Ted,

so here's me in the depths of a colder than normal English winter and I thought I'd pop into WH Smiths and noticed issue 2 of the Adventure Bike Rider. So I bought a copy, took it home and, as usual started glancing through from the back page and who's ugly mug did I find staring back at me but yours!

Have a great Christmas matey.

Regards

Reggie
HAHAH ! You can't escape this mug mate

Don't miss the next issue. Apparently I've got an article in there about Sudan..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Road conditions: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania CaptainJackSparrow sub-Saharan Africa 6 26 Oct 2010 20:40
Tanzania road Surfer sub-Saharan Africa 9 23 Nov 2007 22:22
Road to Kigoma from Rwanda? danie3 sub-Saharan Africa 0 10 Aug 2006 17:10
Road to Kigoma from Rwanda? danie3 Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 10 Aug 2006 17:00
How's the Souk doing? nick_horley Website Feedback 4 31 May 2002 23:55

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:04.