3 Day Enduro Heaven Lake Natron Guided Motorcycle Tour in Tanzania

Day 1: Good dirt trail, some sand, and dust, 220 kilometers / 137 miles (first 80 kilometers on tarmac)

The safari starts in Arusha and your introduction to African trail riding begins in the Maasai village of Longido. Here, in the shade of a large thorn tree, you have a briefing, check the bikes, set up your gear, and set off. The trail begins on a well-maintained dirt road, so you have a chance to get familiar with the machine and the terrain.

Loose gravel and a little sand will ensure you have some fun and build your skills and speed. You ride through the rolling countryside with scrub and scattered thorn trees and you will see colorful Maasai herding their cows and goats. You may also see antelope and zebra, and if you are lucky, perhaps a predator.

Day 2: Rest and explorations

After a night under the incomparable star-filled African sky, you will wake up refreshed. First, enjoy a hearty breakfast and then you set off to explore the gorge that houses the campsite. A trail leads over boulders and through narrow chasms. In some places, you cross the torrent and scramble up rocky walls. In some spots, you find strange cactuses clinging to the hot rock, and in others, you see lush ferns and palms in the damp shady gorge bottom.

You duck under waterfalls and pass bubbling Jacuzzi-like pools and chutes where the brave can ride the natural water slide. Eventually, you arrive at the head of the valley with a huge natural amphitheater cut into the imposing cliff. Here, you can find the source of the waters where many springs gush from the cliff walls and form pools and streams. You can play in the pools, shower in the waterfalls, and enjoy your packed lunch.

You can also have a chance to ride to the hot springs, footprints, and around the lakeshores for a closer view of the flamingos. You return to camp for an early barbecue and then off to bed.

Day 3: Gravel trails, some corrugation, loose gravel, and sand, 65 kilometers / 41 miles (plus 120 kilometers / 75 miles of fast easy tarmac)

You pack up at the camp and follow trails which wind along the base of the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai trading post of Mto wa Mbu. Along the way, you will see Maasai in traditional dress tending their herds. There is a good chance of seeing game animals close to the track. Zebra and antelope are often seen in this area, perhaps you will even see the giraffe or if you are very lucky, you will see the elephant.

You stop for a break at a huge crater and then push on to Engaruka for lunch. After lunch, you will head back to Arusha, where a cold drink will be waiting for you, and you can tell stories from your safari.

Notes

Karanga Adventure Tours and Safari provides good quality protective gear and handguards. The tour leaders are all trained in First Aid Response and Karanga Adventure Tours and Safari always takes a medical kit. Karanga Adventure Tours and Safari takes time to guide you and the tour leader is always available to advise you. You do not need to have a special level of riding skills to participate; the circuit is open for off-road learners.

Bikes available for this tour

The motorbikes are off-road models prepared in Karanga Adventure Tours and Safari's premises (Honda 250, 400cc XR). These bikes are light, maneuverable, and easy to ride, yet has enough power to ensure plenty of fun! All the bikes are kept in top condition and are serviced before every trip.

Karanga Adventure Tours and Safari has a dedicated crew and support car with VHF radio and satellite telephone linked in permanence to the organization AMREF Flying Doctors, where they can provide aerial assistance anywhere and anytime.

It is possible to participate as an accompanying passenger in a 4WD car on the same itinerary. The size of the groups varies from 2 to 10 persons.

The age limit for the bike riders suggested is at least 15 years old to 65 years.

Skill levels required for this tour: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

Beginner

• can ride for 2-3 hours
• minimal riding experience
• assistance required
• comfortable with curves and leans
• basic experience with unsurfaced roads
• short distance ascents and descents

Intermediate

• can ride for 3-4 hours
• average riding experience
• little assistance required
• comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• average experience with unsurfaced roads
• steep ascents and descents

Advanced

• can ride for 5-6 hours
• extensive riding experience
• assistance on demand (if required)
• experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
• comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Your safari starts from Motorbike Safari Tanzania's headquarter in Arusha, a bustling town located on the green slope of Mount Meru. The trip will take you East along winding dirt trails away from the lush area surrounding the mountain and out into the savannah scenery of the Maasai plains.

You will ride towards the wall of the Great Rift Valley at the base of which stands the mighty volcano Ol Donyo Lengai. After exploring this area of awesome, desolate beauty you will ride back to "civilization" at the Maasai trading post of Mto Wa Mbu. There you can choose to join a car to explore the National Parks of Lake Manyara, and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, or head back to Arusha.

Ol Donyo Lengai is an active volcano that last erupted in the 1960s. It is revered by the Maasai as the home of ‘Ngai’, their god. It’s almost perfect cone looms over an area of astonishing barren beauty.

At the foot of the mountain, there is an area of rocky desert. Here you find the cones of a small extinct volcano, and Lake Natron, a huge soda lake, which stretches up to the Kenyan border. Flamingos come here to breed and in the late afternoon sun, the colorful flamingo colonies make a spectacular sight, adding a dash of color against the shimmering water.

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Please provide Karanga Adventure Tours and Safari with any dietary requirements and allergies if you have one.

• Playing in the pools
• Riding around the lake shores for a closer view of the flamingos
• Riding to the hot springs
• Showering in the waterfalls

• Personal meet and greet services
• Private transfers to and from airports
• Bike rental + fuel + service of a guide
• Basic spares, tools, and first aid kit
• Support vehicle
• All park fees, entry fees, and government taxes
• Professional experienced English speaking guide and full-time mechanic
• Bottled water and soft drinks during day time (on the ride)
• Full board accommodations and all 3 meals every day
• Motorbike insurance third party in Tanzania
• Yellow Permit for International Border crossing
• Emergency Evacuation Service for the tour with supporting vehicle

• Driver / guide gratuities
• Bike insurance
• Drinks
• Laundry
• Porters
• Any other items of a personal nature
• Personal travel and medical insurance
• Visas (50 USD) and yellow fever vaccination

• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.