What are the top 5 things to do on a Royal Enfield motorcycle in Tanzania, East Africa?
With so many adventures on offer in Tanzania it can be hard to choose what to do and how to fit it all in. But don’t worry, we have got you covered with our ‘Top Things to do on a Royal Enfield in Tanzania’, highlighting what we feel are the 10 best motorcycling adventures on offer in East Africa (in no particular order as they are all amazing!). We know these will make your Tanzanian adventure the ride of a lifetime.
1. Book a Guided Motorcycle Tour
Tanzania has the biggest land area of any East African country. Mainland Tanzania (the other part of the country is known as the Zanzibar Archipelago) lies just south of the Equatorial line and faces the Indian Ocean to the east.
The Mainland is home to some of the world’s most famous natural wonders. African wildlife conservation areas, which include the Serengeti National Park, Ngoro Ngoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve, and Gombe Stream National Park (famous home to Jane Goodall’s Chimpanzees), to name but a handful of them, are unparalleled elsewhere in Africa for their quality of wildlife viewing and variety of accommodation choices. Tanzania is also home to Africa’s tallest and the world’s most iconic and also tallest free standing mountain; Mount Kilimanjaro.
With an experienced guide leading the way, you can ride through spectacular lush tropical mountain rain forests, visit an old tea estate, meet the locals, view the country’s spectacular wildlife, stop to savour the wonderful mouth-watering local foods, and get off the saddle and into the tropical warm waters or hike to a waterfall, and walk to some spectacular and dramatic off the beaten track view points.
With a good road network consisting of mainly tarred roads and some specifically chosen gravel roads, Mainland Tanzania offers a wonderful motorcycle riding experience. If you want an adventure you will never forget choose one of our motorcycle tours of Tanzania to create untold lasting memories.
2. Rent a Royal Enfield and Explore
We simply cannot think of a better way to explore and experience the beauty of Mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar’s ‘Spice Islands’ than from the seat of an iconic Royal Enfield motorcycle. Explore off the beaten track for anything from 1 day to a couple of weeks.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with the bike on a test drive. Fuel is relatively inexpensive and readily available in Mainland Tanzania and on the island of Zanzibar. In fact the best place to start would be on the Spice Island.
Start in Stone Town, the home of Freddy Mercury and head towards the stunning East Coast… visit spice farms… colubus monkey forests and enjoy sundowners and cultural cuisine while taking in stunning sunsets and sunrises.
On an Enfield in Zanzibar are never far from the idyllic coast with its amazing azure blue seas and white sandy beaches.
Turn the ride of a lifetime into memories you will never forget. You will not be disappointed.
3. Visit Stone Town
Stone Town is a major visitor attraction in Tanzania, making it a must visit when in Zanzibar. Here you will experience the busy narrow streets lined with shops, bazaars and mosques, and the incredible Zanzibar doors, expertly crafted from wood and displaying various symbols that give a glimpse of the history of the former inhabitants. Let the views and life on the street sink in by stopping for a freshly roasted coffee, served street-side, or a refreshing coconut juice straight from the coconut. Zanzibar is also the birthplace of Freddy Mercury so drop in and see the museum dedicated to his life and music. The newly designed seafront offers spectacular views of the port and harbour area, catch a local boat that can take you to the nearby Prison Island or various sand banks.
The seafront also offers up some of the most spectacular buildings in Stone Town, including the House of Wonders, the Old Dispensary and the Old Fort, a 16th Century fort built by the Portuguese. As the sun sets head to Forodhani Gardens for the nightly food market with grilled seafood and other Zanzibari delicacies like Urojo and the Zanzibar Pizza. A visit to Stone Town is highly recommended for those interested in learning more about this unique and historic place and the rich culture it represents.
4. TRY Watersports in Zanzibar
A trip to Tanzania isn’t complete unless you also head across the water to the stunning islands of Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Archipelago in Tanzania is one of the most
famous archipelagos in the world. Made up of the two main islands of Pemba and Unguja – the latter better known as Zanzibar – it evokes feelings of mystery, adventure and a closen
ess to nature. Many visitors include a trip to Zanzibar after a safari in mainland Tanzania, to rest and recuperate on the golden beaches, enjoying the warm turquoise waters. But Zanzibar has so much more to offer so don’t spend to long sunbathing and make sure you get out to enjoy the Indian Ocean and the many water based activities on offer in Zanzibar.
Paje Beach, located on the main island of Zanzibar, is renowned as one of the worlds best spots for kitesurfing. Alongside it’s pristine beaches and ideal lagoon conditions, Paje experiences consistent winds for approximately 9 months of the year. These are perfect conditions for those who want to learn to kite, do a refresher course, or enjoy some tricks and wave surfing. Zanzibar is a great spot for beginners with courses and equipment available. For the more adventurous you can even enjoy full moon night kiting or explore some secret sandbanks and remote beaches that Zanzibar has to offer on a week long extreme kitesurfing live aboard yacht trip.
Freediving Tanzania
If you prefer to dive with the comfort of an oxygen tank then you are also in luck as Zanzibar has some amazing scuba diving expeditions, with the option of heading out to explore the many reefs and small wrecks surrounding the islands. Dive in and discover the diverse and colourful life underwater, you will see a variety of life including coral reefs, barracudas, snappers, silver sweetlips, Napoleon wrasse, groupers, parrotfish, surgeonfish, lobsters, green turtles, and sea stars amongst others.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is currently considered to be the fastest growing water sport in the world and it is taking off in Zanzibar. If you haven’t tried it before then make it a priority in Zanzibar as the coastal waters are a great place to paddle. SUP uses a surf style board and a long paddle, where you stand up and use the paddle to propel yourself forward. So in a way it is like a cross between canoeing and surfing. In Zanzibar you can explore the natural beauty of mangrove forests by SUP, paddle boarding the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, where you see this amazing habitat for 8 species of mangrove tree and a variety of bird and animal life. Weave your way through mangrove tunnels to the sounds of the lapping water and birdsong as your guides teach you how to SUP and show you the mangrove eco-system. This is a SUP adventure that will leave you both exhilarated and at peace.
There are many many more water based activities you can enjoy in Zanzibar including snorkelling, kayaking, surfing, yacht cruising and fishing to name a few. So if you are up for a salty adventure then Zanzibar will be sure to keep you buzzing and topped up with Vitamin Sea!
5. Rent a Enfield Classic 500 Side Car
Riding a classic motorcycle with side car is an experience all motorcycling enthusiasts should vie for at some point. Our side cars care purpose built to be coupled with our Royal Enfield Classic models of motorcycles. They are robustly built to provide a comfortable ride on Zanzibar roads.
These are fun and ideal for motorcycling enthusiasts looking to ride a motorcycle despite having to a small family that would not fit on a standard motorcycle, or anyone looking to try something completely different than motorcycles they are used to riding.
Romantic, fun and safe, try out one of our beautiful side car options to explore Zanzibar.
Our side car rental fleet consists of classic euro model side cars coupled with iconic Royal Enfield Classic 500 motorcycles that are immaculately maintained and prepared for each rental. The rental fee includes both bike and side car.
Available to rent* for single rider or rider with passenger. For more details, see our side car rentals here…
