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About Africa Rides
We're the African chapter of Dragon Trails – Asia's most trusted name in motorbike adventures. Now bringing our expertise to the savannas, volcanoes, and valleys of East Africa.
With over a decade of experience crafting unforgettable motorcycle journeys, we combine international standards of safety and service with deep local knowledge and authentic cultural connections.
Our mission is to create life-changing adventures that not only thrill our riders but also support local communities and conservation efforts across East Africa.
Meet our tour leaders
MARCO
In 1991, Marco began traveling as a regular backpacker. He made a one-year journey through America, Australia, and Southeast Asia. After returning to The Netherlands he started working as a tour guide for Koning Aap Travel, a Dutch adventure tour company. For eight years, he guided dozens of tours in many different countries on almost all continents. During his private time, he traveled the entire Asian continent, but most of all Southeast Asia. Vietnam was the country he liked most. By motorbike, he explored the remote mountain areas of northern Vietnam, where you still can find many different mountain tribes, still living according to their traditional customs. He also learned to speak Vietnamese.
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REMCO VAN STAPPERSHOEF
Remco studied business economics at the University of Amsterdam and worked for several years in business. When he worked as a management consultant in Uganda in 2002 and 2003, he became addicted to riding a motorbike in this beautiful country and surrounding countries. During that time, he spends about 20,000 km on a 125cc Suzuki through East Africa. Since then, he has combined his permanent work with travel and travel. For the Dutch travel agency Sawadee, he worked as a tour guide in Africa, but also in the Middle East and Asia. In 2009 he traveled through Latin America for six months on a Honda 650XR, after which he started working as a tour guide for Motor Trails.
JOSEPH MADANJI
Joseph began his career at Motor Trails as a mechanic, boasting a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. His journey commenced when he purchased his first bike, a Kibo 150cc off-road version, igniting his passion for off-road exploration throughout Kenya. This newfound love for biking led him to his current role as our local Kenyan tour leader for motorbike adventures in Kenya and Kenya-Tanzania. He is excited to be part of the team, eager to contribute his expertise as both a mechanic and tour guide to create an unforgettable motorbike adventure.
KO DUIJVESTEIN
In the Netherlands, Ko rides a big Moto Guzzi. However, when he first arrived in Kenya in 2011, he started riding off-road, for the first time, a small and light motorcycle. He fell in love with this continent and continued exploring the continent, always using a small motorbike for easy off-road riding. Ko traveled from Kenya to Cape Town in 2017 on a 200 cc. But before that, he already made countless smaller trips through East Africa. Every year, he goes to the African continent for 3 months to further explore this continent, and to guide our motorbike tours. Ko knows a lot about cartography and computers but is now also very skilled in motorcycle maintenance.
Organization's introduction text
Health and Clothing
HEALTH
Malaria
There is often a lack of clarity about the use of malaria prevention products. To make a well-informed choice, make sure that you obtain information from various authorities on both the standard products as well as alternative remedies. Do not forget that local doctors have far more experience with this disease than doctors in other parts of the world do. The best prevention remains a combination of wearing long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and socks, a good application of mosquito repellent after sunset and making sure that you use a good quality mosquito net over your bed unless air conditioning is used. Regardless of this, for all destinations in Africa, South America and Asia, it is necessary to visit a doctor specializing in tropical medicine before departure.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness is caused by a shortage of oxygen at high altitudes and generally arises only above 2500 meters. Sensitivity to altitude sickness varies per person and symptoms can also occur at lower altitudes. The symptoms are also very diverse. The risk of altitude sickness can be significantly reduced by allowing the body the time to acclimatize and by climbing to increased heights over a period of several days. We try to take this into account as much as possible during our trips. You can find more background information on altitude sickness in the handbooks of the trips for which this is relevant.
Vaccinations
You should have vaccinations for most of our destinations. As a travel agency we are not allowed to give advice on this. Be sure to be adequately informed by your GP or local health authority.
CLOTHING
The climate is different at each destination. At the furthest tip of Tierra del Fuego it can be around freezing, whilst in Cambodia it is rarely below 25 degrees. It is wise, therefore, to base your riding gear on the local temperature. Regardless, the minimum equipment comprises:
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Sturdy long (mountain) boots or motorcycle boots
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Gloves
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Sturdy (motorcycle) jacket with added protection at shoulders and elbow, with or without removable lining
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Helmet
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Sturdy long (motorcycle) trousers preferably with knee protection or motorcycle trousers
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You will find more advice on clothing and riding equipment included in the handbook. The information in the handbook is relevant for the trip for which you have booked.
SAFETY ON TOUR
Adventurous motorcycle trips without any risk do not exist. Even the most experienced and skillful motorcyclist falls sometimes or just manages to prevent an accident. The causes are many and varied, and fortunately, the damage is usually limited. Unfortunately, more serious accidents can also occur. We want to prevent this in as much as it is possible.
How does Motor Trails promote the safety of its motorcycle trips?
In the first place, we do everything we can to prevent accidents (1); further to this, by being prepared, we endeavor to limit the damage as far as possible in the event of accidents happening (2).
(1) To prevent accidents:
Advice to participants before the trip:
- make an estimate of the difficulty of the trip and consider whether your fitness and riding skills are sufficient to participate on the trip with a safe feeling;
- if you have little or no off-road experience, follow an off-road training;
- wear appropriate protective clothing; remember, however, that this clothing cannot really protect, but only helps to limit any personal injury;
- take out travel insurance, inform yourself of the insurance conditions and ensure that evacuation is covered for emergencies;
- if you wear contact lenses, bring a both a pair of prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses as well;
- wear a protective helmet, preferably an integral helmet with visor.
During the trip, the tour guide:
- keeps an eye on everyone as much as possible and offers instructions as necessary;
- elects a end rider for each day;
- avoids driving in the dark;
- off road routes are discussed the day before or before departure on the day itself and the difficulty of the route is outlined by the tour guide as clearly as possible. Based on this information, the participant can decide to ride the route or else to travel in the support vehicle during this route.
What you can do yourself during the trip:
- check the motorcycle: are lights, tyres, brakes, mirrors working well?
- adapt your riding style to the country where you are riding; adjust your speed; keep a distance between each other, not too close together;
- take good care of yourself; drink plenty of water, take regular breaks (indicate when you become tired); sleep enough and do not drink so much alcohol at night that it might affect your driving skills the next day;
- watch out for treacherous road conditions: road surface sand / gravel / mud / washboard road surfaces; dust / rain / fog; unlit tunnels; other traffic, driving on the left; animals / children crossing the road etc;
- wait for each other at difficult obstacles, to help each other (and to take photographs of course).
Experience shows that one’s riding skills can improve by leaps and bounds during the trip, in particular by sharing your experiences and giving each other advice/tips along the way and on arrival at the daily destination.
(2) To limit the consequences of an accident:
The tour guide:
- has followed a first aid course tailored to our trips and has received a certificate for this;
- has followed a resuscitation course and has received a certificate for this;
- has knowledge of local amenities;
- is in possession of the insurance details, contact details of the emergency services and contact details of next of kin for each participant;
- is familiar with the procedures to be followed by the emergency services;.
- has access to an extensive first aid kit in the support vehicle;
- is in possession of a satellite telephone in remote areas without a mobile network;
- carries oxygen cartridges during trips at high altitude.
All Motor Trails tour guides meet every year to discuss experiences concerning safety on the road. Based on this discussion, new guidelines are drawn up which can improve safety on the road and the provision of advance information.
Last but not least, you are advised to read the page, Own Risk
OWN RISK
Liability and responsibility
Motor Trails will try to guarantee the safety of the participants and limit the risk of accidents as much as it can. We offer good advice on the subject of protective clothing and oblige participants to adhere to this. We will also provide the best possible advice regarding driving in traffic. Finally, we try to match the level of difficulty of the off-road routes as much as possible to the level of the participants.
As the participants drive a vehicle themselves, Motor Trails cannot be held responsible for any accidents or for any material or physical damage resulting from any such accidents. We also assume no liability for the driving behavior of local road users who may cause an accident in which participants become involved. Participation in the motorcycle trip is therefore entirely at your own risk. In order to make this liability limitation as clear as possible, Motor Trails must be in possession of a signed 'own risk' statement before departure (see bottom of this page).
As you are personally responsible for (the consequences of) your own driving behavior, we will not oblige you to drive routes or to overcome obstacles that you personally do not feel safe about. In this event, please make this known to the tour guide. In consultation, if possible, an alternative route will be offered. If, which is often the case, an alternative route is not available or if the interests of the group will suffer from it, the tour guide will suggest that you ride in the support vehicle.
Medicines, illnesses and physical condition
If you are dependent on medicines (such as insulin) or if you have certain limitations due to your health, you should inform the tour guide of this at the beginning of the trip. If you are not sure whether you can carry out the trip in a responsible manner with a certain illness or health problem, contact your doctor well before departure. Keep in mind that the journeys can be physically and mentally strenuous and that this can be reinforced if the weather conditions or other external factors influence the journey. We expect each participant to be well-informed about the difficulty of the journey.
You must declare that you are in sufficient good health to complete the trip successfully and without any problems (see bottom of this page). Motor Trails is not responsible for the consequences of your own health and physical condition during the trip. Of course, if possible we will assist you en route for long as possible, provided that the rest of the group does not suffer too much from this.
Weather conditions and natural influences
Our trips are planned as much as possible in the most favorable season. Nothing, however, is as unpredictable as the weather. Especially in the areas where Motor Trails organizes trips, the weather is an important factor in the experience of the journey. The weather can force us to take alternative routes, to adapt the program or, in the event of a very bad weather forecast and in consultation with the participants, to end the trip prematurely. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can also strongly influence the course of the trip. In this event, Motor Trails will offer alternatives and put these into practice in consultation with the group. Motor Trails is not in any way liable, however, for the consequences of these external influences on the trip. In such cases, Clause 9.5 of the General Terms and Conditions will come into effect.
Declaration of Own Risk:
"With regards to driving in traffic, I hereby declare that I participate in the Motor Trails trip entirely at my own risk and that I will in no way hold the organization of this trip liable for damage resulting from accidents in which I might become involved. My participation on this trip is therefore completely at my own risk.
"I declare that I have a sufficiently good physical and mental condition to complete the trip, and in case of doubt that I will consult my doctor. I will not hold the organization of the trip responsible in any way for accidents or damage during the journey resulting from insufficient physical and/or mental condition. My participation in this trip is therefore entirely at my own risk."
If you would like more information about this statement or if its content is not entirely clear, please contact us.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Article 1 - Establishment of the agreement
1.1
Registration for a trip takes place on receipt by Motor Trails of a fully completed registration form via the Motor Trails website.
1.2
On receipt of the registration form, Motor Trails will send a confirmation/invoice that includes a down payment of 500 euros per registered person together with the remainder of the cost to be paid for the trip.
1.3
The agreement comes into effect at the moment at which Motor Trails sends the confirmation.
Article 2 – Payment
2.1
The down payment is part of the cost of the trip and must be credited to the Motor Trails account no later than two weeks after the date of invoice. The remainder of the costs must be in the possession of Motor Trails no later than six weeks before the start of the trip. In the case of late payment, the agreement is deemed to have been canceled as of the date of six weeks before departure. Motor Trails retains the right to charge a cancellation fee. In this event, the provisions of Article 8 apply and any monies already paid will be deducted from the cancellation fee.
2.2
Upon registration within six weeks before the start of the trip, the full cost of the trip must be paid directly.
Article 3 – Cost of the trip
3.1
The cost of the trip is per person. The price includes only those services and conditions stated on the Motor Trails website.
3.2
The cost of the trip is based on the prices, tariffs, exchange rates and taxes known by Motor Trails at the time of signing the agreement.
3.3
In the event of a change to the established prices, tariffs, exchange rates and taxes, Motor Trails reserves the right to alter the cost of the trip. This must be communicated to the participant as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days before departure. In the absence of any such communication, the agreed cost remains valid. If the change means an increase of more than 10% of the trip cost, the participant has the right to cancel the agreement - with a right to a refund of any monies already paid – up to a maximum of five days after receipt of the notification.
Article 4 – Insurances
4.1
The participant is obliged to take out travel, baggage and accident insurance for the duration of the trip. Trip cancellation insurance coverage is highly recommended.
4.2
If a trip cancellation insurance policy is taken out via Motor Trails, the due premium must be paid together with the registration fee.
Article 5 – Documents
5.1
The participant must be in possession of a valid passport. This passport must be valid for at least half a year after the end of the trip and must contain sufficient empty pages for the required visas.
5.2
If the participant drives a vehicle during the trip, the participant must be in possession of a valid driving license and international driving license for the relevant vehicle category.
5.3
The traveler must be in possession of the necessary proof of vaccinations.
5.4
If the participant cannot join or complete a trip because of the lack of necessary documents, the participant is fully liable for all associated consequences.
Article 6 – Changes by the Traveler
6.1
Up to six weeks before departure, the participant can request changes to the agreement which will be implemented insofar as these are possible on the condition that the participant agrees to the new travel price and any costs arising from changing the flight ticket.
6.2
In the revised travel price, the extra costs or refund of the altered travel items will be settled against the original costs plus an amount of EUR 50 per alteration and any administration costs.
Article 7 - Cancellation by the traveler
7.1
In the event that the participant cancels the trip, the participant is liable for cancellation costs. These cancellation costs cover reimbursement of any costs incurred by Motor Trails on behalf of the participant, up to the moment of cancellation, for which Motor Trails does not receive a refund. In the event of cancellation, each participant is liable for the following amounts:
A. on cancellation up to 56 days before departure: the deposit plus any cancellation costs charged by the airline.
B. on cancellation from 56 (incl.) to 28 days before the date of departure: 50% of the trip price.
C. on cancellation from 28 (incl.) to 14 days before the day of departure: 75% of the trip price.
D. on cancellation from 14 days (incl.) up until the date of departure or during the journey: 100% of the trip cost.
All cancellation costs are supplemented, as applicable, by the cancellation costs of any issued tickets.
7.2
Cancellation of the travel agreement by the participant must always be made in writing (by letter or email). We strongly advise you to take out a good travel cancellation insurance. This insurance will compensate the cancellation costs provided that the policy covers the cause of cancellation.
Article 8 - Cancellation and changes by Motor Trails
8.1
Motor Trails only has the right to cancel or alter a trip in grave circumstances.
8.2
Grave circumstances are those that might adversely influence the quality, safety, or implementation of the trip. Insufficient participation is covered herewith.
8.3
Motor Trails is obliged to notify the participant immediately of any important changes to or cancellation of the trip, informing them of the reasons. Cancellation due to insufficient participation will normally take place no later than four weeks before the planned start of the trip.
8.4
Notice of cancellation annuls the agreement. Upon cancellation, however, where possible, Motor Trails will offer as near an equivalent alternative trip as possible. If this offer is not accepted, the fully or partially paid trip costs will be refunded.
8.5
In the case that grave circumstances arise during the trip, Motor Trails is entitled to cancel the agreement for the remainder of the trip. Motor Trails is obligated under such circumstances to arrange the return journey for the participant and to limit, as much as possible, any adverse consequences for the participant. If, as a result of the cancellation, Motor Trails saves any monies that are covered by the cost of the trip, each participant is entitled to their share of the amount saved.
8.6
If part of the services to which the agreement relates cannot be delivered due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond the control of Motor Trails, Motor Trails will endeavor to provide as similar an alternative as possible under the existing conditions so that the trip can be continued.
Article 9 - Liability of Motor Trails
9.1
Without prejudice to the provisions in the other articles, Motor Trails is obliged to implement the agreement in accordance with the expectations that the participant may reasonably have based on this agreement.
9.2
Motor Trails cannot be held liable for damage resulting from:
- not obtaining a visa for a participant for reasons outside the control of Motor Trails;
- the participant not turning up on time at the agreed location;
- failure to comply with the travel conditions established by Motor Trails or instructions given by the tour guide;
- possession of substances or items that violate the law of the countries visited during the trip. If such substances or items are found regardless, those in possession may be excluded from further participation in the trip. All consequences and costs associated with this are to be paid by the concerned participant;
- acts or events which do not conform to or else deviate from the agreements made herein, including any alternatives to the trip as referred to in Article 9, Paragraph 6;
- changes to and/or forced curtailment or prolonging of the trip which result from force majeure, such as mechanical defects, illness, natural and other disasters, political complications etcetera;
- damage, theft, loss or accident suffered by the participant, regardless of the cause or origin of negligence.
9.3
If Motor Trails is liable for the damage suffered by the participant, its liability will be limited to or excluded in accordance with the applicable international conventions. Nor does it accept liability for damage for which a claim for reimbursement exists or would exist under a travel and/or cancellation insurance policy.
9.4
If Motor Trails is liable to the participant for the diminishment of travel pleasure, the compensation will not exceed the cost of the trip.
9.5
Without prejudice to the provisions in the other paragraphs of this article and Article 12, the liability of Motor Trails is, in all events, limited to a maximum of a single cost of the trip, unless there is intent or gross negligence on the part of Motor Trails. In that case, its liability is limited to 10,000 euros.
9.6
Motor Trails cannot be held liable for photos, brochures and other reference material, where these have been issued by third parties.
Article 10 - Liability of the Participant
10.1
The participant is obliged to comply with all instructions of Motor Trails and any tour guidance it has engaged to promote the proper and safe implementation of the trip and is liable for all damage caused by unauthorized behavior.
10.2
Any participant who causes, or who threatens to cause, any nuisance, to the extent that a proper undertaking of the trip is severely hampered as a result thereof or else is made more difficult, can be excluded by Motor Trails from (the continuation of) the trip. All resulting costs are the responsibility of the participant. In this event, no refund will be given on the cost of the trip.
10.3
The participant is obliged to be in a state of good health so as to be able to complete the trip, having assessed the severity of the trip and the risks thereof, without taking the risk of endangering their health. When in doubt about the expected severity of the trip, the participant should ask Motor Trails accordingly. When in doubt about their own physical and/or mental condition, the participant will consult a doctor and will obtain a written declaration of good health, sufficient for participation in the trip. Motor Trails is not liable for the consequences and/or risks of any poor health of the participant during the trip. The participant must sign a "health declaration" and return it to Motor Trails, prior to departure. The relevant statement is attached to the end of this document.
Article 11 – Driving in traffic during the trip
11.1
Motor Trails will take all reasonable care to prepare the participant as well as possible for safe participation in traffic abroad by means of offering clothing advice, giving tips and discussing the traffic situations in advance.
11.2
The participant takes part in traffic entirely at their own risk and Motor Trails is in no way liable for any damage resulting from accidents involving the participant.
11.3
The participant is fully liable for any damage he inflicts on himself or on a third party.
11.4
The traveler is fully liable for any damage to the vehicles rented to him insofar as this is incurred during the rental period and is not covered by the (insurance of the) rental party or the insurance of a third party that caused the damage. The conditions of the vehicle insurance policies are published alongside details of the relevant trip.
11.5
The participant must sign a 'declaration of own risk' and return it to Motor Trails before departure. The relevant statement is attached as an appendix to this document.
11.6
The participant is not obliged to drive all the routes given in the program and/or changes that have been made to the program by the tour guide if the participant does not consider them safe. If, after careful consultation with the tour guide, the participant chooses to drive these particular routes, the participant is responsible for his/her driving skills and any consequences resulting from this.
Article 12 – Help and assistance
12.1
Motor Trails is required to provide help and assistance to the participant as necessary, depending on the attenuating circumstances.
A. If the cause is attributable to Motor Trails, the resultant costs will be borne by Motor Trails.
B. If the cause is attributable to the participant, Motor Trails is only obliged to provide help and assistance to the extent that this can reasonably be required of them. In this case, any resultant costs are then the responsibility of the participant.
C. If the cause is attributable to neither the participant nor to Motor Trails, each person will bear responsibility for any injury sustained by them. For Motor Trails, this includes any additional use of manpower; whereas for the participant, this includes any extra accommodation and repatriation costs.
Article 13 – Complaints
13.1
Any complaints about the execution of the trip should, insofar as this is possible, be submitted in writing to the representative of Motor Trails at the place where the complaint arises. If the complaint is not resolved in a satisfactory manner, details in writing and with supporting evidence must be submitted to Motor Trails no later than two weeks after the completion of the trip. If the trip has not taken place, then a period of two weeks starting from the original departure date will apply.
13.2
Claims on Motor Trails expire six months after the end of the trip or the original departure date.
13.3
The expiry period for a claim is interrupted as soon as and if the participant has submitted their claim in writing.