East African Destinations - Mombasa bike life

Out and about in Mombasa this morning. It's the second day back to work after the recent Kenyan elections. The schools have gone back and people are going to work and about their normal lives. I always take a couple of shots as we drive along, there's always something interesting to look at!

Local matatus

To ward off other drivers and reassure potential passengers the local matatus (passenger carrying pickups and minibuses) put up slogans. The vehicle crew, usually a burned out driver and a couple of lads to help with fares and bundling passengers into a confined space, take great pride in their wagon!

If you've got any classics then feel free to share them here!

East African destination ideas

This is Mombasa harbour in the morning sun. It's low tide and the locals come down to the beaches and swim, run and exercise. In the day they get a 'boda boda' taxi into to town for work or to see their mates. These are Chinese copies of CG125s; the local bike industry is increasingly dominated by Asian imports. They seem fine so far.

As destinations go Mombasa is a good one to finish at or, equally, a good waypoint. There's an international port to ship your bike if required (enquire with Seaforth Shipping locally) and an international airport.

If you ride in or out then the road north will head through Nairobi's urban jungle to the dry plains of Northern Kenya and then up through Ethiopia. Challenging riding with off road tracks, difficult navigation and limited fuel stops.

If you ride south then it's black top highway into Tanzania and on. Perfect African riding.