Rent a bike in Uganda or Tanzania or Kenya?
 

Hello all, do you know where to rent a bike in one of the three countries in the subject?

I'm starting to think about the next year trip. I've just started to "study" and I would understand the shipping costs and the available alternatives.

Thank you.

Coming from a non biker, I might get slaughtered fro this, but I have noticed a few interesting things in my last 3 months driving around East Africa.

1: All local bikes are between 125 and 250cc.

2: All biker overlanders with big bikes really struggle to get spares.

3: You normally don't go faster than 80km/h in East Africa.

Now, what I thought was GENIUS was a French guy I met in Jinja in Uganda. He flew into Entebbe and bought a second hand "Boda-Boda" (Baja 200cc I think), strapped some soft paniers to it and spent the next few months riding it around. His idea was to sell it again when he leaves.

That would be my advice. They only cost about £600 new. Spares are in every village and your fuel bill will be next to nothing.

Check out 2wherever for a blog about someone that has done a trans africa on one of these bad boys.

Try Jock Boyer in Northern Rwanda. Hes got a few 650 Dakars he loans out. You can get him at teamrwandacoach@gmail.com

Thank you very much for your interest.

It would be a great idea but, as you say, that French could spend some months around: I have to escape from my life to have some months to spend on a motorbike! Next year I'll have only 2 weeks of holidays, maybe 3, and the buyback option is less interesting for short periods of time.

Jock Boyer is on Wikipedia... He was a good cyclist, but I see he had a recent experience with a motorbike. If you say he can rent some motorbikes, I'll try. Rwanda was not planned, so first I'll try something on the itinerary, but there is time to change our mind.

Bye

I cant recommend Rwanda highly enough, even if you don't hook up with Jock. Its got a completely different vibe to the rest of East Africa and the people are extraordinary. Its also recommended as THE best place to see mountain gorillas. I had a fatastic experience their.

Take care
Boomer

Jock here in Rwanda, I do have several 650GS BMW's, two 650GS Dakar BMW's one 1150GS and a 1150GS ADV. Prices are about $125-$150/day depending on the length of your journey and gear you get with the bikes..
Feel free to email me.. teamrwandacoach@gmail.com if you are interested...
All the best.. and thanks Boomster for the recommendation..
And ps, anyone on two or 4x4 wheels are welcome to hang out at our houses here .. got internet and limited lodging.. very overland welcome..
Jock

Sorry, sorry, sorry for the long delay. As I wrote, at the moment we don't plan to visit Rwanda next summer, but never say never. This apart, I write to thank you for your offers: if we'll change our mind, I'll contact you for sure.
Bye

Hello Jock, are you still there? I sent you an email, is the address still active?
Bye

Info
 

Hi Jack,
i'm thinking to do the same trip this summer.
Have you rent a bike or shipping your bike?

Hello Stefano, yes, I was in Uganda in 2011 and around Lake Victoria starting again from Uganda in 2013. As I had short holidays, I preferred to rent some bikes in Entebbe.
So, if you don't start your trip from Rwanda where you can contact Jock, in Uganda you can contact Jacques of Uganda Bike Safaris | Bike Safaris
Don't expect brand new motorbikes, they are not exactly perfect, but they take you everywhere. Let me know if you need more info.
One question: are you from Italy?
Bye

In Kenya, on facebook, there's https://www.facebook.com/groups/3150...46783/?fref=ts or Dusty Helmets. Netta is the person who rents them so I hear.

Hi Captain,
thanks for your informations.

Two year ago I rented a gs 800 to travel alone around south africa - namibia and botswana. The bike works very well, but it was very expensive.

yes i'm italian, from the north.

Thanks Lorraine!!
maybe kenya is more up for me.

Hello Stefano, I did something like you in 2008: from Johannesburg to Lusaka and back with 2 friends and 3 GS650 rented at Karoo Biking (I hope this is not considered spamming, I write their name only because I was very satisfied with them).
But South Africa is different from Uganda, and the motorbikes rented too: you can consider about half the price you could have spent in SA.
Shipping the bike is not cheaper than renting it, but obviously it depends on how long you can stay abroad. Furthermore, with an eastern african rented bike, you avoid lot of border crossing hassles, first of all the CDP that I hate.
Greetings from Emilia.

Thanks Jack!
i also rented the bike from karoo biking for my trip in 2012!good guys..

Uganda
 

I'm wondering if anyone has new ideas about renting or buying a decent bike in Uganda to tour there, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania?

What kind/size bike?

I have some great contacts in Uganda, you might even be able to order a used one from Japan, then they ship them to Entebbe.

Or you can buy a bunch of different 100cc to 250cc options, new or used. I chose a great buy from Taiwan, the Hartford.

Or, you can rent. There's a nice guy here, raised in UK will probably offer some thoughts. ;-)

Hi guys !

I live in Kampala at the moment so if you need any kind of support or help let me know.

Free camping, kitchen and shower also no problem just send me a private message ! Bike parking is safe as we have a gated compound, a car will fit too ! ( if there is space in the living room you could also sleep there no worries )

You can get a Bajaj Boxer BM 100 here used in good condition between 1,8 - 2,5 million ugandan shilling just for reference. These bikes are to be found all over Africa and will give you no troubles at all + you´ll find spares in every little village inclueding a mechanic that knows these bikes extremely well.

@ lorraine :

Could you please pass me your contact here in Kampala ? Thank you, could be also helpful to me to meet up for a beer.


Cheers from Kampala,
Chris

If you're in the north of Tanzania you can rent a motorbike from Moshi Easy Riders.

I rented a BMW 1200 GS from Ayas Ali ( https://www.facebook.com/ayaz.ali.165 ) at Uganda Motorcycle Adventure ( Uganda Motorbike Adventure ) ( https://www.facebook.com/ugandamotorcycleadventure/ ) a few month´s ago and I am very pleased with their service. We rode the bike in Uganda and Rwanda for three weeks :-)