If you’re gearing up for a motorcycle adventure in Tanzania, having a solid strategy for packing and carrying your belongings is crucial to ensuring you have a great trip. The varied landscapes and climates within East Africa make it that much more important. This article from iRideArusha will help give you some insight into what we suggest to pack for a motorcycle trip in Tanzania. Check out our website to see photos of what some of our other customers have worn.
What to Keep on the Bike When Packing for a Motorycle Trip in Tanzania
On your motorcycle, use a small dry bag or panniers to keep anything you’ll need during the day or right when you arrive at your nightly stop. Although the support truck will do its best to stay with you, unexpected delays happen. Arriving to a lodge, after a long day of riding without a clean pair of underwear is not a world you want to live in! Ensuring you have some basic items will be worth it. Consider packing:
- Clothing Layers: Include items for layering up or down, especially as temperatures in Tanzania can vary. A good rain wind-breaker is a must.
- Riding Essentials: Spare gloves, rain suit, sunglasses, and earplugs. If you are anything like me (A very pale white-guy) SPF is a must!
- Water and Snacks: Staying hydrated and energized is key during long riding stretches.
- Documents: Passport, license, and photocopies (in case originals are lost). It can also be helpful to have the contact info of your home country’s local embassy for a worst case scenario (Lost passports suck!)
- Medication and Toiletries: Keep any important medications and basic toiletries accessible.
- Extra Shoes and Clothes: A comfy pair of shoes and a change of clothes will come in handy if the truck doesn’t arrive on time.
- Camera: Tanzania offers plenty of scenic landscapes and wildlife opportunities you’ll want to capture.
- Cash/Credit Cards: Pro tip, in Tanzania, you will get a better exchange rate if you have $100 bills.
When the support truck arrives, you can transfer any items you no longer need and pick up anything extra for the next leg of your journey.
Packing Strategy
Pack all your motorcycle gear and on-bike essentials into a large, durable bag. This way, you can store the bag at the starting point and have a simpler setup on the bike.
For the support truck, pack the items you don’t need immediately in a waterproof duffel bag for safe transport. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider for each type of bag:
Essential Documents to Pack for Your Motorcycle Trip in Tanzania
- Passport and Driver’s License (plus photocopies stored separately)
- Travel Insurance Info
Riding Gear
- Helmet with a fog-resistant shield (recommended: Klim TK1200 Modular Helmet)
- Multiple Pairs of Gloves: mid-weight, heavy-duty, and waterproof over-gloves
- Jacket and Pants with Armor (e.g., Klim Artemis or Badlands Pro series)
- Tall, Waterproof Riding Boots
- Over-the-Top Rain Suit
- Thick Riding Socks, Bandana, and Neck Buff
Clothing for Off the Bike
- Layers for Changing Weather: quick-dry shirts, fleece or thermal vest, and comfortable after-ride clothes
- Shoes and Warm Hat for relaxing after the day’s ride
- Enough Socks, Underwear, and Base Layers for the entire trip. Like my Mom always said, you can never pack too much socks and underwear!
Other Essentials for a Motorycle Trip in Tanzania
- Toiletries and Medications: pain relievers, allergy meds, and any prescriptions
- Camera Equipment: batteries, memory cards, and a small daypack for outings
- First Aid Items and Headlamp for any off-road adventures
- Sun Protection: sunscreen and lip balm. Sunscreen is super expensive in Tanzania and kind of hard to find, so don’t bank on being able to buy some once you are here.
- Cash and Credit Card: Keep these tucked away securely. I like to keep my cash and credit cards separate so if I lose one, I know I will still have the other.
Final Packing Tips
Be prepared for the possibility that the support truck may arrive later than you do. Having everything you need on your bike lets you kick back and relax while waiting. Enjoy the ride and the beauty of Tanzania! If you have any questions about what to pack for your motorcycle trip to Tanzania. Of course, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a shout at info@iridearusha.com if we can help!