Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Road conditions: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Road conditions: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Italy
Posts: 55
Road conditions: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania
Hi all, I'm starting to plan a trip around lake Victoria and I need to understand how the road conditions are.

As we don't have lot of time (2 or 3 weeks), our "must see" are: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls, Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

I need information about roads because I have to understand how to travel. First choice is me, my girfriend and our luggages on 1 motorbike, but I wonder if it's possible/safe. If it isn't, I'll study some alternatives.

The starting/ending point could be Kampala, but we could change depending on where we'll find a motorbike to rent or where we'll can send our own motorbike in the cheapest way.

The period would be between mid-june and (more likely) august.

I'm not a totally unexperienced rider (I already rode gravel and rough roads in Southern Africa and South America) but I don't like to risk for free. Namibian gravel roads would be ok, but I don't want to try something more difficult with a motorbike loaded with 2 people and their luggages.

Thank you in advance!

Mirco
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Oct 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
Mirco,

I assume you know that you will not be able to take your motorbike into the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorogoro parks?

You can ride Kampala - Nairobi - Arusha all on tarmac. If you plan on heading south of lake Victoria into western Tanzania (and thus heading into Arusha from the west), some of the roads are badly corrugated and fairly rough. All of which is possible two up, but may not be particularly fun.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Oct 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Africa
Posts: 162
Guides will give you some fresh info...
__________________
Dawie du Plessis
www.pictureafrica.org
www.photographersa.co.za
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Italy
Posts: 55
Thank you very much for your help.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Roach View Post
Mirco,

I assume you know that you will not be able to take your motorbike into the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorogoro parks?
Yes, I plan to do as I did in Botswana and Namibia: we organized our park visits with the campsites/lodges where we stopped, using their vehicles.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Roach View Post
You can ride Kampala - Nairobi - Arusha all on tarmac.
At the moment the idea is to stay closer to the lake entering the parks from west, without arriving to Nairobi.
The Track4Africa map says that closed to the lake there is a mix of tar and gravel roads.
Kampala-Nairobi-Arusha could become a simple, mainly tarred solution.

I've some doubt about entering Tanzania from west, as Italian Foreign Office discourage to pass near Burundi for safety reasons. I need to understand if it's an excess of precaution or not.
As you add that roads are possible but bad, I don't exclude to do only an half ring around the lake. Normally I'm careful, but with my girlfriend on the bike I'm still more careful.

Quote:
Originally Posted by freeflyd View Post
Guides will give you some fresh info...
Your website already was in my bookmarks... But I need some more info about roads condition, at the moment.



Do you know something about Kampala-Bwindi NP-Murchison Falls road (by lakes Edward and Albert, or again by Kampala)?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Oct 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Africa
Posts: 162
Sure...

Kampala to Murchison was mostoly tar and good gravel at the end.

Murchison down the lakes to Fort Portal was mostly good dirt. In a 80 series LC we did that trip in about 5 hours.

Fort Portal to Bwindi is a mix of tar and gravel. Good tar from QE NP all the way south.

Most roads in Uganda were good, but don't rush, it had been our favourite country by far!

If you check the Blog section on my site you'll get full stories of our Uganda adventures about a month ago.
__________________
Dawie du Plessis
www.pictureafrica.org
www.photographersa.co.za
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Oct 2010
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
As other people say the roads in Uganda are pretty good.

The roads in western Tanzania is worse and if it rains a lot I don't think it's possible to go there, if the weather is good the roads are okay but a bit slow.
I have only traveled the route Ugunda - Kahama - Nzega - Manyoni - Dodoma but I'm not sure if it's possible to arrange a safari something from the west-side of the park. It's probably possible to go further east via Lalago or Mbulu and then enter the parks.

Safety has always been a concern in western Tanzania but it's a fascinating area if you like remote places.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Italy
Posts: 55
Thank you for your suggestions, now I think more clearly about the itinerary.
Yes, I'll don't rush: the more I study, the more I think it's better to shorten the trip to better enjoy it. I'm asking to myself if it would be better to leave Serengeti and Ngorongoro for a future trip. I could focus this trip on Uganda, maybe with an extension to Masai Mara. I keep studying...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
Rent a bike in Uganda or Tanzania or Kenya? CaptainJackSparrow sub-Saharan Africa 19 14 Nov 2019 15:30
tanzania - uganda to mwanza lake victoria west route andrew4x4 Route Planning 2 13 Oct 2009 18:56
Uganda-Tanzania: Up to date info needed. NAMSA sub-Saharan Africa 3 5 Aug 2007 14:54
route-DRC to Uganda/kenya in dec-ish Galloping Gazza Route Planning 2 25 Apr 2003 16:48
Sudan to Kenya/Uganda Ian Route Planning 3 19 Jul 2001 05:41

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 04:09.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top