MOTORCYCLE-TOURS · AFRICA
Trans-Africa Motorcycle Tour: From Kenya to Egypt
Motorcycle Expedition from Kenya through Ethiopia and Sudan to EgyptThis ride is one of the toughest legs of the Trans-Africa Enduro Expedition. It runs from the Equator to the Mediterranean, and it never lets up. The route crosses the equatorial line and rolls into the cradle of humanity.
The Journey
Pharaoh Expedition, from the Equator to the Mediterranean
We were hunting for a fresh adventure, and Africa was the first place that came to mind. Why not ride across the "black" continent? It holds 54 countries, 1,001 languages, and countless cultures. No other continent pulls in researchers, adventure riders, and the rally scene quite like this one.
So the Trans-Africa Expedition was born. We split it into two halves for riders who cannot take six weeks off at once. Welcome to part two. It will push you hard, and it will fill your life with stories.
People often ask what kind of men join a ride like this. Most are right before or deep inside a midlife crisis. These are guys who find three weeks of dirt and grit with two T-shirts and one pair of shorts deeply appealing. The D-Max and Camel Trophy type, basically.
Service Description: Overcross Expeditions — Important!
This trip is an expedition. It is not a package tour in the legal sense.
Overcross plans and runs expeditions around the world. Our goal is simple. We want to give seasoned adventurers the real taste of freedom, nature, and raw human contact. Rough, wild, and honest.
Important Notice
This is not a standard tourist product. It is an expedition shaped by outside forces we cannot predict. Weather, politics, bike trouble, and rough roads all play a role.
Overcross handles the planning, prep, and running of the tour. But we do not promise fixed stages, hotels, ride times, or exact routes. Changes come with the territory. They can happen at any time.
Character of the Expedition
These trips suit riders with grit, self-reliance, and quick thinking.
An Overcross expedition is not a package deal under EU travel law. It is a shared journey with a trip leader and a logistics base. The unexpected is part of the fun, not a rare mishap.
Services Provided by Overcross
Overcross plans and coordinates each expedition. We provide a seasoned trip leader and guide team. We handle transport and supply logistics. We also help with visas, border crossings, and bike paperwork. Safety and route planning are based on the latest info we have.
Liability and Personal Responsibility
You join at your own risk. Each rider is responsible for themselves, their bike, and their gear. You must come ready in body, mind, and tech skills.
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
Start of the Pharaoh Expedition: Nairobi
You land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. A driver takes you straight to the hotel, where you meet the rest of the group. We spend the evening with a cold Kenyan "Tusker" beer and a plate of "Nyama Choma" (grilled meat). Whatever we cannot finish goes in a doggy bag for the road. Later, we chain ourselves to the bar. Sleep can wait until we are home. For now, the trip begins.
r later. In the evening, we will chain ourselves to the bar; we have enough time to sleep... when we are back home. For now, let's start our vacation!
5,555 Kilometers of Africa
Ethiopia lies ahead on the Pharaoh Expedition, from the Equator to the Mediterranean. Each morning we check the bikes, refuel, and pack food for the day.
1,001 kilometers of pure enduro. 1,001 kilometers across Kenya until the sun drops and we set up camp. The next morning, we run our usual ritual. Bike check, a glass of water, and dry bread for breakfast. Then we ride.
Our travel buddies are elephants, giraffes, and the other crazies on the road, enduro-style. We clock the last kilometers to the Ethiopian border. Ethiopia is the largest landlocked country by population. It ranks 173rd out of 187 on the Human Development Index.
Motorcycle Travel Day in Ethiopia
The barrier lifts at the Ethiopian border. We top off the tanks and ride a few hundred kilometers of asphalt toward Addis Ababa. A quick stop for fuel, food, and water, and we push on. The motorcycle tour heads into the "cold" north, aiming at a harsh desert.
In the urban jungle of Addis Ababa, we grab a short but welcome shower. At night, the city dogs hold loud meetings across the rooftops. Their barking rolls through the courtyards and streets until sunrise. If you have ever slept on an African rooftop, or in a cheap hourly hotel with roaches and fleas, you know the drill. That is why we treat ourselves to a four-star hotel tonight.
On the Way to the Source of the Blue Nile
We roll past Merkato, one of the biggest markets in Africa. It spreads across about 100 hectares and draws a quarter of a million people every day. Stocked up with fresh water and bread, we hit the Ethiopian tracks.
Our next stops are two UNESCO World Heritage sites. First, Lalibela with its famous rock churches. Then Gondar, the first ancient capital, where we end the evening at the Fasilides Fortress. With luck, we catch the Epiphany feast. That is "Three Kings" on the Gregorian calendar. The procession and ceremony mark the baptism of Jesus Christ, and it is a true highlight of the ride.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
From the Bush to the Desert: Ethiopia to Sudan
The next two or three riding days will be long, tough, and dull. We push from the Sudanese border to Khartoum, mostly on asphalt. We reach the capital of Sudan just before sunset.
Then comes the "Sudan Express" across the Nubian Desert. The Copts called this region Taseti, the sandy archland. Tall Hamitic Nubians call it home. Here, we meet ancient pyramids, burial cities, and temple ruins. They are cultural relics from the Kingdom of Kush, which flourished before our era.
Ship Ahoy: The Africa Motorcycle Expedition Reaches Egypt
In schā'allāh, the ferry will be waiting in the early hours. After we clear customs in Wadi Halfa, we carry the bikes on board. Then we enjoy an old-school crossing on a pontoon barge.
We leave Lake Nubia behind. At the border into Egypt, we reach Lake Nasser. The port city of Abu Simbel lies ahead. So does a paperwork marathon to register and insure the bikes in Egypt. With fresh Egyptian plates, we ride on to Abu Simbel for that long-awaited shower.
In the Footsteps of the Pharaohs: Valley of the Kings
We leave Abu Simbel on asphalt, heading north along the Sahara. Volcanic craters break up the desert now and then. But mostly we face shimmering heat and a tarmac road that runs past the horizon.
After 250 kilometers, we reach the Assuan checkpoint. On the Khazan Assuan road, we cross the Nile. Then we follow it north to the Valley of the Kings, the lifeblood of Egypt. Luxor is our last supply stop and the largest city in Upper Egypt. From there, it is just a short hop through Pharaoh country.
On the Road to the Goal: Alexandria
The final kilometers through Egypt feel easy. The route from Cairo to Alexandria runs on smooth, well-built asphalt. It is time to slow down and let the whole trip sink in.
We get a warm welcome in Alexandria and head out for dinner together. The next day, we take the bikes to Egyptian customs. It is a nerve-wracking step, but the container is already there, waiting to bring them home.
Want a detailed description of all tour days?
Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.
from
Additional Options
Trip includes
- All Accommodations (Camping, Guesthouse, Hotel)
- Breakfast and Dinner
- English-speaking Expedition Management
- Support Vehicle
- Emergency Evacuation (insured up to €50,000)
- Satellite Live Tracking for Family and Friends at Home
- Expedition Folder with Packing List, Organization Time Table, Visa, Vehicle and Equipment Tables
- Free Satellite Phone Use
- 4x4 Support Vehicle with Expedition Kitchen
- Online Tour Guide
- Technical Support and Transport in Case of Breakdown
-
Participants should have experience in off-road enduro riding and be in good physical condition.
-
The tour uses specially equipped enduro motorcycles that are adapted to the demands of the African landscape. Participants can bring their own motorcycles or choose a rental bike.
-
The expedition lasts a total of about 3 weeks, with a new stage covered each day, featuring different terrain and climate types.
-
As a participant, you should have travel insurance and health insurance for foreign stays that also covers participation in sports activities. A special motorcycle insurance for the motorcycle during the tour is also recommended.
-
There is constant accompaniment by experienced guides and mechanics who ensure safety during the trip. Emergency plans are in place, and it is recommended to wear the appropriate protective gear such as a helmet, gloves, protection jacket, and pants.
-
For the trip, participants need a visa for each country traversed (such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt).
Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS
Similar Adventures
Featured
Featured
Send request
How did you
hear about us?
