Tour code: Et3.2.ArBe Departure: Addis Ababa

Day by day itinerary Price & Departure Special notes & info

The Black Elephant Motorcycle Tour
Omo and Gambela National Parks from Ethiopia
Addis Ababa departure

Highlights
Ride through the magnificent Menagesha National Forest at altitudes ranging from 2300 to 3000 meters
Bebeka plantation, a small paradise nested inside lush green forest.
True wilderness – Omo National Park, the largest in the country and Gambela National Park – one of Ethiopia's true tropical zones with all the elements of the African safari.

Day by day itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cultural evening in one of the best restaurants of Addis. Overnight in Addis.

Day 2 – Day 5: Ride through the magnificent Menagesha National Forest at altitudes ranging from 2300 to 3000 meters in a mix of road and off-road riding. Stop at the Wonchi Crater Lake an extinct volcano that reaches 3386 meters. Here we can see fine examples of Gurage homes (one of Ethiopia’s most remarkable and industrious people) with roofs that almost touch the ground on each side. The road on these first 3 riding days varies from really good to very stony, with some parts worst than others. Yeahp! You will have fun! Visit the Gibe Water Falls on the way to Jimma.

We will stop at the Bebeka plantation, a small paradise nested inside lush green forest. See the various coffee strips at various stages of development and visit the only rubber plantation in Ethiopia alongside fields of cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla… (262 km off-road / 478 km paved).  
Overnights in double occupancy accommodation.

 

 Day 6 – Day 10: This is what you really came here for: after Bebeka, the landscape changes dramatically as we get closer to the Omo National Park and Omorate. On the first day the ride will mostly be good but the first 44 km are very, very bad. Come prepared to curse!

The Omo National Park is the largest in the country, with an area of 4068 square kilometers. It is a vast expanse of true wilderness, adjacent to the Omo River, which flows southwards into Lake Turkana and is one of the richest and least-visited wildlife sanctuaries in Eastern Africa.  Ethiopia is often referred to as the 'water tower' of eastern Africa because of the many rivers that pour off its high tableland, and a visit to this part of the Rift Valley, studded with lakes, volcanoes and savannah grassland, will give you a true safari experience.

Eland, Oryx, Burchell's zebra, Lelwel hartebeest, buffalo, giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, kudu, lion, leopard and cheetah roam within the park's boundaries and you may even be able to ride the Omo Savannah alongside them.

Visit the Nyangatom, Dasanech and Surma tribes. If lucky witness the Surma Donga fights (come of age ceremony).

Lots of sand, bushes and open fields riding, where you will have lots of fun with your bike (686 km off-road).
Overnights: Camping

Day 11 – Day 14: This is where the ride to the remote and swampy Park of Gambela starts. It is one of Ethiopia's least developed parks and has no facilities. Nevertheless, the large conservation area contains many species not found elsewhere in the country, such as the Nile lechwe and the white-eared kob. Roan antelope, topi, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and the unusual whale - headed stork are also to be found here.

We will take one day to visit the Park and will either visit the area inhabited by Anuwak fishermen and Nuer Pastoralists whose lifestyles are still virtually untouched from western influences or head to more remote areas for game viewing. Due to poaching, game in the park is shrinking alarmingly but it can still be seen.

This is one of Ethiopia's true tropical zones and here all the elements of the African safari are to be found, enhanced by a distinctly Ethiopian flavor. Lost in the endless undulating plains of high Sudanese grass, it's a place of exciting adventure and one of the few remaining challenges to the explorer (445 km off-road / 321 km paved). Overnights: camping and basic lodgings.

Day 15: Departure to Addis Ababa. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants of Addis. There are many good Restaurants, Bars, Discos, Jazz Live Music and Cultural Dance venues to offer if you want to extend your stay (330 km asphalt/under rehabilitation).
Overnight: in Addis.

 Day 16: Flight Home

 

Price and departure

Black Elephant Tour
Departure dates		Price based on a minimum    group of 4 riders*
May - June - 2016	Prices/rider**	€5120
	Own bike	€3600
	Passenger in a support car	€ 2,499
	Single room surcharge	€ 210

*Minimum 4 riders required
**Price is based on 2 people sharing a double room

Price includes:
Expert multi-lingual tour leader and mechanical support

Transportation:
– Airport collection and drop-off.
– Motorbike Rental (KTM 640 and 690 LC4 Enduro;no fuel), bike insurance against third parties and theft.
– Support car for luggage and passengers

Accommodation:
Double occupancy accommodation (note: single occupancy incurs an extra-charge)
Camping fees, camping equipment, preparation of campsite where no hotels are available.

Meals:
Dinner on the arrival day and lunch on the departure day
Breakfast, lunch and dinner from Day 2 to Day 15

Entry fees:
– Entry fees to parks monuments and other sites (except Addis)
– Local guides and local fees/taxes

Others:
– Satellite phone for use in case of emergency and medical kit.
– Luggage storage
– CD with photos of the trip

Not included:
– Bike fuel, Beverages and snacks (except water in the car throughout the trip), Personal items, Passport and visa fees, Laundry, Telephone calls, Room service, Travel insurance, Personal and Accident insurance and medical expenses, Emergency evacuation/Hospitalization, Flight tickets, Tips, souvenirs, photo and video fees and spending money.
– Protective riding gear: helmet, riding suit, gloves, kidney belt and boots are mandatory; back protector and/or armour, earplugs and sunglasses strongly advised.

 

Notes and information:
Duration of the tour: 16 days
Riding days: 14 days
Total distance: Approx. 2,522 Km/ 1,567 miles
Skill level: 4
Riders who have ridden for years and are comfortable riding in almost all conditions, but would like to work on techniques that need improvement. The rider may or may not need help on more advanced skills, such as cornering in sand, riding through whoops, climbing steep hills, riding dunes and on rocks, doing jumps or wheelies.
Lodging type: Hotels and Camping sites

Tourism infrastructures are almost inexistent in the Parks, therefore for accommodation we will rely almost exclusively on camping, some of it wild. Come with an adventurous spirit and be prepared for some amazing riding in the Omo and Gambela plains alongside its wildlife. Meet some of most remarkable, fascinating and less visited tribes in Africa and if lucky witness their come of age rituals - a spectacle few have witnessed.....

– At request we can refund the full amount of deposit paid if there isn't a minimum number of 4 riders attending the tour.
– The tour company reserves the right to cancel this calendar tour if no bookings are made 45 days before the tour commencement.
– Prices for passengers on support car may change if an additional car is needed to transport all passengers.
– The single room surcharge will apply to the last rider booking for the tour when double occupancy is not possible.
– We only offer third party liability & theft insurance. There is no CASCO (comprehensive insurance) option in Ethiopia for our business.

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Media Mentions
We're pleased to say that Adventure Motorcycle Tours  - Transylvania Live has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts
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