East Africa was made for big journeys: crater lakes and coffee towns, volcanic highlands, and wildlife-rich savannas. This 60-day, budget-friendly motorcycle itinerary links Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—riding the Rift Valley, circling Lake Victoria, and ending with a bucket-list Mount Kilimanjaro trek. It blends “living like a local” with strategic wildlife experiences (via 4x4 in parks where bikes aren’t allowed), plus rest days for repairs and good coffee.

Expect friendly borders but plan ahead: Kenya now uses an ETA (apply online), Uganda requires an e-visa, and Tanzania uses an e-visa. If riding across borders, get a COMESA Yellow Card third-party insurance valid in the three countries; carry your bike’s original registration (or authorization), reflective vest, and a basic spares kit. Ride only in daylight and avoid using a motorcycle inside national parks (prohibited in most parks for safety).

Budget-wise (27/100), you’ll lean on guesthouses, camps, and wallet-friendly cafes, tapping VRBO or Hotels.com for longer stays. For the Kilimanjaro climb, join a group on a value route (Machame or Lemosho) and rent gear locally to save. Optimal trekking seasons are Jan–Mar and Jun–Oct; long rains (Mar–May) make some dirt stretches trickier, so add buffer days after storms.

Nairobi

Nairobi is East Africa’s energetic hub—equal parts wildlife gateway and creative capital. It’s the perfect place to source a reliable 150–250cc bike, dial in gear and spares, and test-ride city traffic before the open road. Between errands, you can sip excellent local roasts and meet conservation icons like the Giraffe Centre.

Days 1–5: Touchdown, Bike Setup, and Urban Wildlife

• Getting there (fly-in): Compare regional and international fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) has the most options.
• Bike + gear: In the industrial/Ngong Road corridors you’ll find motorcycle shops for dual-sport rentals, helmets, tubes, chain lube, RAM phone mounts, and puncture kits. Ask for a spare clutch cable, tubes, tire irons, and a 12V pump.
• Practical admin: Sort Kenya ETA, COMESA Yellow Card insurance, reflective vest, and a Safaricom SIM (M-Pesa makes fuel and food easy).
• Wildlife sampler (no bikes inside the park): Choose a budget 4x4 half-day in Nairobi National Park or pair it with conservation stops below.

Handpicked Activities (Viator):

Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour — Observe rescued calves at Sheldrick (11am–12pm) and hand-feed Rothschild giraffes at Giraffe Centre.

Safari Tour; Nairobi National Park — Dawn or dusk 4x4 game drive with the city skyline in the background.

Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour — Shop, cook, and eat like a local; great rest-day cultural immersion.

• Eat & drink: Spring Valley Coffee or Connect Coffee for single-origin pour-overs; Wasp & Sprout for brunch; K’Osewe Ranalo Foods for tilapia and traditional veg; Mama Oliech for deep-fried lake fish; Kenyatta Market nyama choma stalls for grilled goat and ugali.
• Sleep (budget to mid): Kahama Hotel Nairobi (value, central), Fairview Hotel (leafy, classic), Sarova Panafric (reliable city base), or splurge at Hemingways Nairobi (rest days).
• More options: Browse VRBO Nairobi or Hotels.com Nairobi.

Ride to Naivasha: 95 km via A104, 2–3 hours with escarpment views. Fuel stops at Mai Mahiu. Optional busier route via Limuru for cooler weather.

Naivasha (Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate)

Trade city bustle for volcanic cliffs, zebra-dotted plains, and acacia-fringed lakes. Naivasha is a rare place where you can pedal among wildlife (Hells Gate) and boat past hippos at dawn. It’s a great first shakedown ride before the long western push.

Days 6–10: Gorges, Geysers, and Hippo-Dotted Sunsets

• Hells Gate day: Park roads are ideal for cycling or hiking the gorge with a local guide. Keep food sealed—baboons know zips.
• Lake time: Early boat on Lake Naivasha for birdlife and hippos. Consider a Crescent Island walk (guides spot fish eagles and waterbuck).
• Local living: Visit a flower-farm roadside market for fruit and chapati, and swap road stories with long-haul boda riders.

Handpicked Activity (Viator): Small Group Budget Tour to Hells Gate & Lake Naivasha Boat Ride — A cost-effective combo with biking, gorge walk, and a boat cruise.

• Eat & drink: Ranch House Bistro (wood-fired pizzas; sunset over the lake), Fisherman’s Camp Restaurant (hearty stews, traveler hangout), afternoon tea at Elsamere (history of Joy Adamson and Born Free).
• Sleep: Lake-side camps and cottages via VRBO Naivasha or compare on Hotels.com Naivasha.

Ride to Kisumu: 270 km via Nakuru–Kericho–Ahero to Kisumu, 5–6 hours. Expect cooler tea-country air near Kericho; watch for speed checks approaching towns.

Kisumu (Lake Victoria, Kenya)

Kisumu faces the immense Lake Victoria—sunsets, tilapia grills, and a noticeably slower pace. Use it to service the bike, explore hippo-haunted wetlands, and make a day trip to Kakamega Forest’s rainforest trails.

Days 11–16: Lakeside Life and Forest Trails

• Dunga wetlands: Dawn canoe with local fishermen, spot weavers and kingfishers; later, sample fresh tilapia at open-air grills.
• Impala Sanctuary: Gentle walk with lake views; check the hippo outlooks at dusk.
• Kakamega Forest (day ride, 50–60 km): Hike under buttress roots to viewpoints; listen for blue monkeys and turacos.

• Eat & drink: Dunga Hill Camp kitchen (simple grills, great views), Acacia Premier’s Café Acacia and Aqua Pool Bar (lake breezes), city-center nyama choma joints near Kibuye Market (ask locals for the day’s best cut).
• Sleep: Value to mid stays include Acacia Premier Hotel, Kisumu Hotel, and Sovereign Hotel. Or browse VRBO Kisumu and Hotels.com Kisumu.

Ride to Jinja (Uganda): 240–260 km via Busia border and Jinja, 5–6 hours plus border formalities. Carry USD for visas, COMESA card, and a yellow fever certificate.

Jinja (Uganda)

Jinja claims the Source of the Nile and doubles as Uganda’s laid-back adventure town. Off the bike, white-water rafting, SUP, and sunset cruises are easy to arrange; in town, cozy cafes and garden grills make rest days delightful.

Days 17–22: Nile Days, Market Nights

• Source of the Nile: Visit the park and take a short boat to the marker; look for monitor lizards and egrets.
• Water sports: White-water rafting on the Nile is a favorite rest-day adrenaline fix; gentler SUP or kayaking is available.
• Local loop: Ride to Bujagali for village walks and chapati rolex stands; sunset cruise back toward the Jinja bridge.

• Eat & drink: All Friends Grill (burgers, grills, leafy garden), The Deli Jinja (coffee, sandwiches), Jinja Sailing Club (Nile views; order grilled tilapia with kachumbari).
• Sleep: Garden cottages and apartments via VRBO Jinja or value hotels on Hotels.com Jinja.

Ride to Fort Portal: 310–340 km via Mubende, 6–7 hours. Expect rolling farmland and tea estates near Fort Portal.

Fort Portal (Crater Lakes & Chimp Country)

Fort Portal sits under the Rwenzori Mountains and near crater lakes where you can swim, paddle, and hike. It’s also the jumping-off point for budget-friendly chimp-tracking in nearby Kibale (book permits in town).

Days 23–28: Craters, Chimps, and Rwenzori Views

• Crater circuit: Ride to Lake Nkuruba and Lake Kifuruka; hike rim trails and cool off with a swim.
• Kibale chimps (optional): Morning trek with rangers; a more affordable primate encounter than gorillas.
• Rwenzori foothills: Day hike to villages with banana plantations and soaring mountain backdrops.

• Eat & drink: Dutchess Restaurant (wood-fired specials), Andrew & Brothers (Ugandan bakery classics), street-side chapati rolex and fresh pineapples from market stalls.
• Sleep: Lakeside cabins and town guesthouses via VRBO Fort Portal or Hotels.com Fort Portal.

Southwest swing to Kabale (Lake Bunyonyi): 330–360 km, 7–8 hours. Roads twist through highlands; start early and consider splitting the ride if it rains.

Kabale (Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda)

Lake Bunyonyi’s misty terraces and island-dotted waters are a peaceful midpoint on this expedition. Canoe dugouts, farm-to-table meals, and hill hikes set you up for the long haul to Tanzania.

Days 29–34: Canoes and Terraced Hills

• Lake days: Paddle between islands at sunrise; hire a local for birding walks (malachite kingfisher, hadada ibis).
• Hikes: Terrace-to-terrace trails with views toward the Virunga volcanoes; ask your lodge for a community guide.
• Optional gorillas: If budget allows, arrange Bwindi permits in advance (Uganda permits are premium-priced; plan accordingly).

• Eat & drink: Lakeside lodges serve hearty stews and fresh veg; in Kabale town, look for grilled goat with matooke and a roadside cup of spiced tea.
• Sleep: Cabins and homestays via VRBO Kabale or check Hotels.com Kabale.

Cross into Tanzania (Mutukula) and ride to Mwanza: 2-day push: Kabale–Mbarara–Masaka (overnight), then Masaka–Mutukula–Mwanza. Total 600+ km, 10–12 riding hours across both days. Tanzanian e-visa, COMESA insurance, and TZS cash recommended.

Mwanza (Lake Victoria, Tanzania)

Mwanza’s granite kopjes tumbling into Lake Victoria make superb sunset viewpoints. It’s a practical R&R stop for chain service, tire checks, and a lakefront fish dinner.

Days 35–38: Rock Outcrops and Lake Breezes

• Capri Point & Bismarck Rock: Evening walk along the lakeside to famous rock piles; photographs are best at golden hour.
• Local markets: Try fried dagaa and fresh-pressed sugarcane juice near the central market.

• Eat & drink: Tilapia Hotel’s lakefront restaurant (grilled tilapia, coconut fish curry), Ryan’s Bay Hotel restaurant (lake views), simple fish shacks along Capri Point.
• Sleep: Lakeside stays on VRBO Mwanza or browse Hotels.com Mwanza.

Ride to Arusha: 610–650 km via Shinyanga–Singida–Babati–Arusha, plan 2 days (10–12 hours total). Roads are mixed tarmac and can be windy; start at dawn.

Arusha (Safari Hub, Tanzania)

Arusha is the safari capital, perched between Mount Meru and the Maasai steppe. Even without taking your bike into parks, you can join a shared 4x4 to Ngorongoro or Tarangire, then return to street food and excellent coffee.

Days 39–46: Arusha Culture, Coffee, and Optional Safari

• City ramble: Maasai Market (handicrafts), Cultural Heritage Centre (art and gemstones), German Boma Museum (regional history).
• Coffee side-trip: Half-day coffee farm tour at the foothills of Meru, with cupping session.
• Optional shared safari: Join a budget 2–3 day 4x4 to Tarangire/Ngorongoro (motorbikes aren’t permitted inside).

• Eat & drink: Africafe (espresso and pastries), George’s Tavern (Mediterranean plates), Blue Heron (garden pizzas), Khan’s BBQ (legendary grilled chicken served streetside).
• Sleep: City apartments and guesthouses via VRBO Arusha or Hotels.com Arusha.

Short transfer to Moshi: 80–90 km, 2 hours on the A23; Kilimanjaro often peeks out at dawn—plan photo stops.

Moshi (Kilimanjaro Base, Tanzania)

Moshi is a coffee-scented, walker-friendly town geared to climbers. It’s the staging ground for your Kilimanjaro attempt—aim for the Machame route (6–7 days) for a balance of scenery, acclimatization, and cost.

Days 47–54: Acclimatize and Climb Kilimanjaro

• Acclimatization days (2): Easy hikes to Materuni Waterfall and a coffee micro-farm; gear check, rental fitting, and last grocery run (nuts, energy bars).
• Machame Route (6–7 days): Rainforest to Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall, Karanga, Barafu, and summit (Uhuru Peak) before descending the Mweka route. Typical budget group cost: roughly USD 1,800–2,500 including park fees, tents, meals, guides, and porters.
• Safety & ethics: Go “pole pole” (slowly), drink 3–4L daily, consider Diamox if advised, and tip porters fairly.

• Eat & drink (pre/post trek): Union Café (roastery, breakfasts), Indoitaliano (massive carb-loading pastas), El Rancho (Indian/Tanzanian curries).
• Sleep: Budget rooms and apartments via VRBO Moshi and Hotels.com Moshi.

Ride back to Nairobi: 270–300 km via Moshi–Arusha–Namanga–Nairobi, 5–6 hours plus border time. If you need to ship the bike or fly out, check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Nairobi (Wrap-Up)

Back where it began, give the bike a celebratory wash, pick up meaningful souvenirs, and toast the journey with Kenyan coffee or a cold Tusker. If you’ve got a spare day, dip back into wildlife or culture.

Days 55–60: Souvenirs, Service, and Soft Landings

• Bike: Final service, tire check, chain clean, and arrange return logistics.
• Masai culture (day tour): Spend a day learning about homestead building, beadwork, and daily life.

Handpicked Activity (Viator): Maasai Village Experience Day Tour — An immersive culture-forward day with community hosts.

• Eat & drink: Java House (ubiquitous comfort), Artcaffé (pastries), K’Osewe or Road House Grill for one last nyama choma feast.
• Sleep: Value and mid-range back at Kahama Hotel Nairobi or Fairview Hotel. Browse alternatives on VRBO Nairobi and Hotels.com Nairobi.

Optional Detour (Budget Allowing): Masai Mara

If you add a 3-day loop from Nairobi to the Mara (4–5 hours by car), arrange a shared 4x4 and a camp stay. For an unforgettable splurge, consider Angama Mara or the eco-minded Basecamp Masai Mara.

Road Notes for Riders (Save this):

• Fuel & costs: Plan 300–400 km between reliable fuel stops in rural stretches. Expect ~$1.2–1.5/L petrol; a 150–200cc commuter uses 2.5–3 L/100 km.
• Safety: Daylight riding only, high-vis vest, and avoid wildlife corridors at dawn/dusk. Never ride inside national parks.
• Docs: Passport, visas/ETA printouts, COMESA insurance, bike registration/letter of authority, and yellow fever card. Keep multiple copies.
• Maintenance: Lube chain every 400–500 km; check spokes if you hit corrugations; keep spare tubes (front fits rear in a pinch), patches, and a compact pump.

Another Nairobi Activity Option (Viator): Nairobi National Park Half-Day Tour; Free Wi-Fi connection — A final big-cat search before you fly.

Sixty days, three countries, and a lifetime of stories—this loop connects Kenya’s highlands, Uganda’s Nile, and Tanzania’s volcanic giants, all by motorcycle. You’ll live like a local, hike some of the region’s best trails, and stand on Africa’s rooftop. Karibu tena—come back soon.