About This Route
Wildlife, savannah views, dirt sections.
Why ride Serengeti North Loop
Serengeti North Loop sits in Tanzania, Tanzania, and earns its place on this guide for a simple reason: it gives riders something most roads can't — scenery that genuinely makes you stop the bike, with a rhythm that suits a relaxed touring pace.
Across roughly 130 kilometres of mixed, you'll get a real feel for what riding in this corner of Tanzania is about. It's not the longest route in the region and it isn't trying to be — it's a focused, high-quality stretch that rewards riders who take their time.
What the riding actually feels like
On a advanced-rated road like this one, treat this as a road for experienced riders. Tight hairpins, exposure, mixed surfaces and unpredictable traffic mean it punishes complacency. If you're newer to mountain riding, ride it slowly the first time, take breaks, and don't chase anyone.
Read the road first, then commit. The combination of surface, sightlines and traffic on this route rewards a smooth, relaxed pace far more than aggressive corner entries. The route's twistiness rating of 3/5 and scenic rating of 4/5 give a fair indication of where to focus: more on letting the landscape unfold than on chasing apex after apex.
Best time of year to ride
The honest window is June–October, January–February. In practical terms, this route is one of the rare routes that holds up in winter — just watch for cold tarmac in shaded corners and shorter daylight. If you only have a narrow weather window, aim for a weekday rather than a weekend — you'll share the road with far fewer cars and tour buses, and the popular pull-offs won't be jammed.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Arusha. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Safari lodges are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Lions; Elephants; Dirt roads.
- Wildlife on road
- Park rules
- Private motorcycles are generally NOT permitted inside Serengeti National Park (game viewing is by enclosed 4x4 only, due to dangerous wildlife) — any legal riding must be on public roads around the park, not the game area; the long rains (Mar–May) make the tracks impassable mud and the area is remote with no services — check current conditions and park rules.
Who this route suits
Serengeti North Loop works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, experienced riders confident on technical terrain, adventure bike riders who don't mind the occasional rough patch. Recommended bike types are Adventure, Dual-Sport, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Wildlife viewing incredible
- Game drives