TRANSAFRICA 2008

You may wonder why an italian operator proposes a trip to Africa: you probably do not know that Mototouring organizes trip to Africa since 1985, so we have decided to add the Transafrica trip to the english list and not to the italian one only.

Transafrica has been organized since 1996 every year with italian customers with group of 15 customers up to 34 ( in 2003).

From Johannesburg to Zanzibar, 6000 kms across South Africa - Zimbabwe - Zambia - Malawi and Tanzania. 
A voyage within everyone's reach, routed exclusively on tarmac, except for a couple of legs where the tarmac is in "African" condition, although never too difficult for any average motorcyclist, even with a pillion rider. All nights are spent in top-class hotels except for a couple where no alternatives exist for the suggested hotels. The legs are around 350/400 kms per day and with 4 sizeable rest stops in enchanting places and hotels: Kruger Nat. Park, Victoria Falls, Malawi lake, Mikumi Nat. Park, Zanzibar.

Itinerary
Day 1  - Johannesburg
Day of arrival in Joburg, collection of motorcycles, free afternoon to relax and get confidence with the bike and the South African left hand drive.

Day 2 - Johannesburg - Kruger Park
After breakfast trip to 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.(km 450)

Day 3 - Safari in Kruger Park
Day spent with a minibus at our disposal for the visit to Kruger Park, in the evening back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Kruger - Tzaneen
Departure from Kruger for Tzaneen, area of tea plantations, via the beautiful mountainous region of Drakensberg, the temperature may be, especially in the morning, near zero, arrival at Mogobaskloof hotel.

Day 5 - Tzaneen - Louis Trichardt
After breakfast departure northward, stopping on the way to visit a typical tea farm of the region, in the evening arrival at the last leg in South Africa the town of Louis Trichardt.

Day 6 - Louis Trichardt - Great Zimbabwe
From Louis Trichardt to Great Zimbabwe across the first border of the voyage, thus entering Africa, or rather, a "more African" Africa. Board and lodging, as planned, 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, a magical place, with a local guide, and then on towards Bulawayo with planned arrival in the afternoon.

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 on to Victoria Falls arriving in the evening.

Day 9 - Victoria Falls
Day spent on visits and excursions to Victoria Falls. It will be possible to go rafting on the Zambezi, take helicopter or private plane flights, play golf, and of course visit the falls, besides just simply relaxing around the hotel's swimming pool.

Day 10 - Victoria Falls - Lusaka
Departure and crossing of the second border of our voyage thus entering Zambia and heading for the capital Lusaka, a demanding day of almost 600 kms without alternative, but on roads in good condition. 

Day 11 - Lusaka - Chipata
From Lusaka to Chipata, along a real African road, in bad condition in some parts, a good dose of prudence will be important due to this, to the numerous villages we go through and to the length of the leg which is of quite incomparable natural beauty.

Day 12 - Chipata - Lake Malawi
From Chipata towards the border with Malawi and its incredible scenery. Malawi is a little known country, almost no tourism, only a few South Africans spend their holidays along the splendid banks of the lake which stretches for over 600 kms from north to south, practically covering the whole length of the country.

Day 13 - Lake Malawi
Day of relax at Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Senga Bay, a little corner of paradise on the coast of the lake whose waters are clear and clean, making it possible to swim, snorkelimg and scuba diving.

Day 14 - Lake Malawi - Mzuzu
Back on the bikes to take the coast road as far as Mzuzu, going through a lot of villages and back routes and taking in a real slice of African life, marvellous for those wanting to take some photos, in the evening we return to altitude at over 1000 metres in the Malawi mountains.

Day 15 - Mzuzu - Utengule
The road which leads us to the fourth and last border of our voyage is one of the most attractive though in awful condition, we will need considerable caution to avoid the numerous potholes in the tarmac which is often almost non-existent, arrival in the evening at Utengule, a lodge immersed in the Tanzanian coffee plantations.

Day 16 - Utengule Coffee farm
Day of relax and visits at the Coffee farm, swimming pool and various games will be available.

Day 17 - Utengule - Mikumi Park
Crossing virtually the whole of Tanzania from west to east to arrive in a place where the lions can stroll around the state road, beware of lions !!

Day 18 - Mikumi - Dar Es Salaam
Morning safari by car inside the Mikumi park and in the afternoon on to Dar Es Salaam final destination of our voyage.

Day 19 - Dar - Zanzibar
During the morning we will pack the bike in the container for the shipment back to South Africa, after lunch, flight or ferry to the island of Zanzibar, around 20 minutes by plane and 70 minutes by boat, then transfer to the Serena Inn hotel for dinner and overnight.

Days 20 - 21 - Zanzibar
Free days on the island with various sea and land excursions and visits to places of main interest.

Day 22 - Zanzibar and return flight home.
Day of departure from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam in connection with your flight back home.

From saturday 2  to wednesday 20 august  ( without Zanzibar extension )

From saturday 2  to saturday 23 august  ( with Zanzibar extension )

( The dates are the ones of meeting in Joburg and sleep in Johannesburg that night and departure from Dar Es Salaam, make sure your flights match these dates)

Quote per person: USD 4.550 ( without Zanzibar)

including : 
- half board lodging in double room 
- local guide with vehicle for the luggage transport
- trailer for the transport of the motorcycles in case of breakdown
- English speaking guide 
- maps

not including:
- international airfare
- lunches
- visas and local insurances ( roughly USD 150 per person)
- fuel ( roughly USD 400)
- beverages
- transfer from/to airport
- personal expenses

- motorcycle rental with transport back to South Africa

"Zanzibar extension" quote: USD 1.500 

( including boat and plane transfer from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar and back,  3 nights at the Serena Inn 5* hotel with breakfast in double room)

Single supplement quote: USD 1.200 ( without "Zanzibar extension" )

Single supplement quote: USD 1.500 ( with "Zanzibar extension" )

Motorcycle rental quote including the transport from Dar Es Salaam back to South Africa:

BMW 650 GS: USD 3.900

BMW 1200 GS: USD 4.350

The prices of the motorcycles rentals, including the shipment from Dar Es Salaam to Joahnnesburg, may change due to the higher quote for the transport

Picture gallery 500 KB roughly

I would like to book now !