Every good idea needs a starting line. Ours was Lydenburg, a small town in Mpumalanga, South Africa. These days it is called Mashishing.
From there, Raj and Hidde pointed two motorbikes north. Five countries and roughly 5,000 km later, they rolled into Doc’s Eco Camp just outside Nairobi. Somewhere along the way, Safari MotoXpedition was born.
This is the route, the stops we loved and what we learned. Planning your own South Africa to Kenya motorbike trip? Read on. Got questions? Ask us. The form is at the bottom of this page.
The Route at a Glance
| Country | Where we stopped |
|---|---|
| South Africa | Lydenburg (Mashishing), Mbombela (Nelspruit), Marloth Park |
| Mozambique | Along the coast, Tofo Beach, Vilankulo, Chimoio, Tete |
| Malawi | Monkey Bay, Mbalame, Nkhata Bay, Chilumba |
| Tanzania | Mbeya, Dodoma, Arusha |
| Kenya | Doc’s Eco Camp, Kitengela |
South Africa: Mountain Roads to the Edge of Kruger
We left Lydenburg on some of the most famous riding roads in the country. Sweeping passes, pine forests and big views all the way down to Nelspruit.
First night: Marloth Park, right on the southern border of Kruger National Park. Zebra, kudu and warthog wander between the houses. Not a bad way to start a trip across Africa.
Mozambique: Coast, Rum and Long Roads North
The next morning we crossed into Mozambique and turned for the coast. No rush. We stopped a few nights along the way.
Tofo Beach was the highlight. Warm water, cold drinks and good people. Some of our best memories of the whole ride are from there.
Next up: Vilankulo, where we discovered Tipo Tinto. It is the local rum and it goes down far too easily. Consider yourself warned.
Then the road turns inland. A night in Chimoio, then on to Tete on the Zambezi River before the border with Malawi.
Riding tips for Mozambique
- Carry cash in meticais for fuel & small stops.
- Expect police checkpoints. Keep your papers handy & stay friendly.
- Ride in daylight. Potholes & goats are hard to spot after dark.
Planning Your Own Ride Through Africa?
Questions about borders, roads or where to sleep? Ask us. We have been there and are happy to help.
Malawi: The Lake of Stars
Malawi is small, friendly and built around one giant lake. We needed a break, so we parked up at Monkey Bay for a few nights and did very little.
Then north along the lake to Mbalame and Fish Eagle Bay Lodge. A beautiful spot. Sunrise over the water and zero reason to leave.
Nkhata Bay came next, then Chilumba. There we heard we had just missed Itchy Boots, the famous YouTube motorbike traveller. Timing is everything.
Tanzania: Highlands, the Capital and Arusha
From the north of Malawi we crossed into Tanzania and climbed to Mbeya in the southern highlands. Then a long haul to Dodoma, the capital, and on to Arusha.
Arusha is beautiful. Green, lively and right under Mount Meru. We stayed a few days and could have stayed a lot longer.
Kenya: Straight to Doc’s
From Arusha it is a short hop to the Kenyan border. We rode straight to Doc’s Eco Camp in Kitengela, just outside Nairobi.
Hot showers, cold beers, a sunset deck and people who understand what it means to arrive after weeks on the road. It became our home base. It still is.
How This Ride Became Safari MotoXpedition
Somewhere between the rum in Vilankulo and the last border, one thought kept coming back. More people should ride Africa like this. On a bike, off the beaten track, with good company at the end of every day.
Most riders do not have weeks to cross a continent. So we built the short version. Kenya’s best roads, a support vehicle and mechanic right behind you and never more than eight riders. That is Safari MotoXpedition.
Tips for Riding South Africa to Kenya Yourself
- Bike paperwork. Check early whether you need a Carnet de Passages or a temporary import permit for each country.
- Insurance. Buy third party cover at the borders, or get a COMESA Yellow Card where it is accepted.
- Visas. Rules change, so check every country before you leave. Kenya asks most visitors for an eTA. More on that in our Kenya trip planning guide.
- Cash. Carry US dollars plus local currency. Card machines are rare off the main roads.
- Fuel. Fill up whenever you can, especially in rural Mozambique & Tanzania.
- Daylight only. Plan your days so you are parked before dark.
- Rest days. Build them in. Monkey Bay & Arusha were ours & we needed both.
Planning the Same Ride? Ask Us Anything
Riding north through Africa or heading our way? We are happy to share what we know about borders, roads, places to sleep and where to find a good mechanic.
Drop us a message below and Raj or Hidde will get back to you. Prefer Instagram? Send us a DM at @safari_motoxpedition.
In Kenya? Come Say Hi at Doc’s
Riding through Nairobi? Stop at Doc’s Eco Camp in Kitengela, 45 minutes from the city. It is built for overlanders: workshop, parking, hot showers, an open air bar and a kitchen that knows what hungry riders need. Tell them we sent you.
Or skip the planning and ride Kenya with us. Check out the Safari Loop. Max eight riders.