Motorcycle Tours in Ethiopia: Africa Riding Adventures bike calendar tours, Black Elephant tour

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The Black Elephant Tour (Omo National Park)

If you read our news bulletin of October 2nd 2008 you already know that this is a unique trip to the least visited and accessible park in Ethiopia: the Omo National Park. Following our last news bulletin we've made a couple of tentative itineraries and the one bellow is the longest and the one we will be test-trying. In this itinerary we have also included the Gambela National Park but at this point we do not know if this park will be part of the final itinerary. What will be available to see or do each day will also come out from our scouting trip and we will complete each day's activities with information and photos once we have them. Tourism infrastructures are almost inexistent in the Park, therefore for accommodation we will rely almost exclusively on camping. In addition as you already know this tour will take place during the rainy season and although rainfall is low you will still need to come prepared to do some riding on wet pavement/tracks at least until we reach the park. Unfortunately we will not be able to test try this itinerary before May09 as we have little breeding time between tours at the moment. Pls be patient with us!!

This is a rare opportunity to combine an exceptional riding trip with a visit to one, possibly 2 of the least explored and unspoilt corners of Africa. Pre-book this trip now to avoid disappointment!

	Day 1:	Arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cultural evening in one of the best restaurants of Addis. Overnight in Addis
	Day 2:	Departure to Jimma (239 km asphalt, 116 km off-road) thought to be where the Arabica strain of coffee plant originates. The ride varies from lush forests, high elephant grass plains and more. Plenty of winding roads to have fun in. Overnight in Jima
	Day 3:	Departure to Mizan-Teferi at an altitude of 1,451 metres (229 km off-road). Visit the Bebeka forest coffee plantation where coffee grows under the shade of forest trees. Overnight in Mizan-Teferi, Bebeka coffee plantation guesthouse
	Day 4:	Departure to Muwi Overnight in Muwi (we've heard of the existence of a camping site).
	Day 5:	Today we will visit 3 villages from 3 tribes living in the Park: the village of Mursi and Kibich where we will camp (134 km off-road). If there is time we can make a return trip to the village of Bongoso (120 km off-road). Overnight in Kibich or the park's headquarters, 75km from Kibish where we're told there's a pleasant campsite on the Mui River.
	Day 6:	Departure to Kangata. We will visit some more villages and tribes: the Magodji, the Karo and the Kangata ( 110 km off-road). Overnight in Kangata
	Day 7:	Departure to Kibich through Lake Turkana (previously known as Lake Rudolph). Lake Turkana is a massive inland sea and the largest lake in the world, widely known as the Jade Sea, because of the remarkable, almost incandescent, colour of its waters. At 6,405 sq km is also the largest desert lake in the world. Visit to Omorate/Turkana villages (180 km off-road). Overnight in Kibich
	Day 8:	Departure to Maji situated at an altitude between 2,100 and 2,430 metres. Overnight in Maji
	Day 9:	Departure to Tepi which boasts the 2nd largest coffee plantation in Ethiopia (210 km off-road). Overnight in Tepi
	Day 10:	Departure to Gambela home of the Anwak and Neur ethnic groups (284 km off-road). Overnight in Gambela
	Day 11:	Visit the Gambela National Park originally created to protect the swamp habitat and wildlife. Many of the park's species are representative of neighbouring Sudan and not found elsewhere in Ethiopia such as the white-eared kob. The fauna of the region also includes Elephants, Buffaloes, Monkeys and Parrots (200 km off-road). Overnight in Gambela
	Day 12:	Departure to Guidami riding through mountainous terrain (176 km off-road). Overnight in Guidami (camping?)
	Day 13:	Departure to Mendi (170 km off-road). Overnight in Mendi
	Day 14:	Departure to Nekante (263 km off-road). Overnight in Nekante
	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 (322 km asphalt). Overnight in Addis
	Day 16:	Flight Home

	Route map Prices and Information



















	© Arno Gorrissen (all photos)

Tour: The Black Elephant Adventure Tour
Dates of the tour:	January or May-June 2010
Duration of the tour:	16 days / 14 nights or less
Riding days:	14 days or less
Total distance:	Approx. 2,563 Km/ 1,593 miles or less
Skill level:	probably 4
Lodging type:	Hotels and Camping sites
Prices/rider (based on a minimum group of 4 riders)¹:	Riders: Own bike: Passenger on bike or support car²: Single room surcharge:	€ coming soon € coming soon € coming soon € coming soon
What is included:	• Airport collection and drop-off. • Motorbike (KTM 640 and 690 LC4 Enduro or 525XC Desert Racing - no fuel), bike insurance against third parties and theft • Support car for luggage and passengers • Expert multi-lingual tour leader and mechanical support • Double occupancy accommodation (note: single occupancy incurs an extra-charge) • Camping fees, camping equipment, preparation of campsite where no hotels are available. Every person/ couple will have their own tent • Restoration (dinner on the arrival day and lunch on the departure day; every other day breakfast, lunch and dinner). Beverages and snacks not included • Entry fees to parks and other sites • Local guides • Satellite phone for use in case of emergency, GPS and medical kit. • Luggage storage • CD with photos of the trip • Individual tour T-shirt
What is not included:	• Bike fuel • Beverages and snacks • 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 • Protective riding gear: helmet, riding suit, gloves, kidney belt and boots are mandatory; back protector and/or armour, earplugs and sunglasses strongly advised. • Tips, souvenirs, photo and video fees and spending money

	¹	• Returning clients and clients who book 3 months in advance have a 10% discount when booking directly with Africa Riding Adventures (offer is not cumulative).
		• At request Africa Riding Adventures can refund the full amount of deposit paid if there isn't a minimum number of 4 riders attending the tour. Pls read our terms and conditions for the full text of our policy.
		• Africa Riding Adventures reserves the right to cancel this calendar tour if no bookings are made 45 days before the tour commencement.

	²	Prices for passengers on support car may change if an additional car is needed to transport all passengers.

If you've booked this trip with us bellow is some general information on Ethiopia and on your motorcycle trip. There also some some forms you will need to sign before the start of the trip. Save time by bringing them signed when you arrive.

Client information form | Declaration of responsibility | Tips for safe riding | General Information on your trip

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