The best option for Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya is the East Africa visa also called EATV. The visa is valid for all 3 countries with multiple entrée; also you can pass into Tanzania and come back (note: Tanzania is not included, you need to pay for that separately).
When we were traveling East of Africa by motorcycle we already applied online EATV visa and we paid more than what we were thinking. Because when we were applying we didn’t know that we could go to DRC, which country out of East Africa visa. So, just please read details and don’t do same mistake.
How to get the visa;
If your first enter is from Rwanda you can apply online and pay at the door. The costs are 100 USD (cash only in USD) for the visa. (If you want to have each countries cost will be 130 USD; Rwanda 30 USD single entry 30 days, Uganda 50 USD single entry 30 days and Kenya 50 USD single entry 30 days.)
For Uganda you need to apply online as well and you need to pay online too. The costs for the visa are now 103 USD as they charge 3% for the payment, you cannot pay on arrival
For Kenya you don’t need to apply online you can just get it on arrival at the bigger borders, you pay cash 100 USD for the visa.
The visa is valid for 90 days and you cannot extend it.
Important Note : If you leave from East African countries you lose your EATV. For example, You want to visit Virunga Park in DRC. When they put exit stamp on your EATV on the Rwanda border You cant turn back with same visa. You have to pay 30 USD to single entry visa to Rwanda or apply again online EATV. It is same for Ethiopia or Burundi as well.
To be honest, we couldn’t enjoy that much in Tanzania because of people behavior or had a lot of problem on the road with our motorcycles.
First stop was Tukuyu
Border crossing took almost two hours because of paper works. We just leaved from the border the rain and wind started to go crazy. We were going to Tukuyu which was 50 km from the border therefore we didn’t bother the rain that much and we got totally wet.
We stayed in a little village where they made a little camping next to an old school garden. We changed closed set up the tent and played with the kids for a while. The night was cold, foggy and so much humid. I couldn’t sleep well because I suppose I got cold and my stomach wasn’t good. In the morning, we were planning to see “The bridge of God” and “Ngozi Crater Lake” but we skipped it and decided to go Mbeya to find a hotel to get rest and change the clutch pads from my motorcycle.
So hard to understand people sometimes
We arrived to Mbeya and find a nice African style hotel. We just entered and started to rain again. That moment we were lucky. J A couple of hours later, the rain stopped and we went out to find a place to work on our motorcycles. Land Rover service was so friendly. They told us “Come here and work. We like to help you.” Next day, we went there to work on the motorcycle but couldn’t finish in a day because we never change clutch pads before. Everything went good but the clutch wasn’t good. The mechanic guy, from Land Rover, called his friend to look motorcycle who knows motorcycle well. Of course not! We opened and closed many times my motorcycle after that he said just tied to cable from clutch. Fine, we already know that! They told us our motorcycle could stay there because they have security and safe.
Next day, we went back closed all parts of motorcycle and got ready to leave. When we were saying bye and thank you to help they said that we must pay for mechanic. Pardon! They said that they don’t charge for night parking but that wanted 60.000 TSH because we worked there. Also, we must pay 60.000 TSH to motorcycle mechanic who came and look…. Are you crazy? He didn’t do anything. We were really surprised because when we were in Western Africa people were really helpful when we asked them how much we need to pay, they were getting upset about it because they want to help not for the money.
After barging about the price we paid 60.000 TSH only and than we left there. Before leave from Mbeya we went to the local bazaar to buy some fruit and got ready to hit the road. They were looking us and saying more than double price. Before Tanzania, we never have experience like that in Africa except in Morocco.
When we were talking each other one person came and told with us friendly and said sorry to people behavior. What he told us we were surprise because “we are white, it means we have a lot of money!”
Going to Iringa
Next day morning we woke up and got ready to hit the road. We decided to put everything behind what happened in Mbeya, start again. J
We were only far 50-60 km from Iringa He said that something happening on his motorcycle, he can’t see total km, time or speed anymore. Everything got disappear. How is that possible! We stopped and turn of-on motorcycle again. Everything was working well only total km wasn’t there anymore. He made 56.500 km but motorcycle was saying he made only 24 km! We couldn’t understand what is going on. Just keep continue to camping site to check motorcycle. Of course so hard to have guess for us how and why total km can turn back zero.
In the night, the rain started and didn’t stop. It was 11 am when we could leave from the tent. The rain didn’t stop just it was light. We collect everything well before get wet.
And than he turned on the engine but motorcycle didn’t work. It was look like battery finished. I pushed him two time but we couldn’t turn on the engine. I was already sick and I got more because I got totally wet again when I was trying to push the motorcycle. We wanted help from some people who was working in there. Finally motorcycle worked. After change our clothes we hit the road again. Normally, we were going to Dar Es Salam and than Zanzibar. But we were upset for the motorcycle and we didn’t know how long it would take to fix the problem. We didn’t want to be rain season in Eastern Africa. So, when we were riding and talking on intercom we suddenly changed our road to Dodoma.
By the way, we paid 10 USD pppn for the camping side, just set up the tent on the grass, no ablution block, hot shower, cooking area….etc also wanted to 2 USD for an hour wifi. Crazy!
We got a little happy in DodomaJ
After one and half hours, we stopped motorcycles to have a break. Our imagination was the battery could be charge in that time. We turn on his engine but didn’t work. I pushed him and than we were on the road again.We did same thing every break to turn on the engine and than finally we arrived to Dodoma before sunset.
We found basic local hotel, which was clean and only 12 USD one room. When you compare to Iringa camping it was nothing with private bathroom and hot shower. Next day we started to search in Dodoma where we can find odometer to calculate volt on the motorcycle. But we couldn’t find anywhere. Our other option was find a charger cable. So, we could start his motorcycle with my motorcycle battery. They had only for car, which is so big for us and it was 15 usd.We found a little motorcycle shop. We told them what we were looking for. Of course they didn’t have but they were so helpful. I was in front of the shop he went somewhere with another guy to find the cable. They didn’t find but they came back with cables and some other stuff. The guy made for us what we were looking for and didn’t want to take any money from us. It was just help! After a couple of days experience in Tanzania we were surprise for it and happy.
Actually, people were more friendly in Dodoma and happy to see us in their city. We stayed there two days and than decided to go Arusha where we can find some stuff to fix motorcycle or go to Nairobi from there is only 280 km.
I was on the phone and talking with my brother to explain what was going on with the motorcycle. My brother came with an idea. Change the batteries! We couldn’t find odometer so if change the batteries we could understand what is wrong because my motorcycle was working well. If his battery empty I could charge. So, the problem can’t be from his battery. If my battery gets empty means his motorcycle starter relay doesn’t work well.We can try it!
Going Arusha became a nightmare for us…
We changed the batteries and started to ride. We didn’t stop engines two hours and than had a break time. It was look like his battery dead because when I turned on the engine my motorcycle didn’t work. Also, it was look like a problem with his started relay because his motorcycle didn’t work with my battery. Pushed two motorcycle and ride again to go Arusha. 🙂
The road was full Masai people and villages but we couldn’t stop. We were just trying to keel continue. LLast 30 km to Arusha, my motorcycle stop suddenly when I was riding and than turn on engine again. Also I lost my entire panel to see speed, time, km…etc. It means the battery dead. But it was coming sunset and we can’t stay on the high way in the night. After 10 km later, my engine stopped. We were looking where we can go? What we can do? We saw a camping site only 7 km far from us. But I didn’t want to push my motorcycle and try to ride again. Because feeling was my baby suffering with the pain and I don’t want to see it like that. So, we changed to motorcycles. I was riding his motorcycle; he was riding mine. He opened the gas, didn’t stop checkpoints and arrived to the camping site.
Mario and Lills from indonesia. Wheelstory!
We were so tired and upset. We must find somebody who can help us to go Arusha and fix motorcycles. Our Indonesian friends were there whom we met in Swaziland and travel together in Mozambique. They gave a number to us from Moshi. They already talked with him who name is Sam (The garage Moshi) he was ready to help us. We took his phone number and called him. Sam was upset to here we stuck somewhere and welcome to help.
Before keep continue to our problem I would like to write about camping side. 10 USD pppn and nothing to give only a grass to set up the tent. Camping sites are so expensive in Tanzania and they don’t have good ablution block and no electricity… etc. We really miss South African campsite. They were amazing and so cheap when you compare to Tanzania.
In the morning, he took my motorcycle and went to Moshi, which is 100 km from the camping site. At the same time Mario and Lilis (Indonesian couple) came to stay with me. He came back in two hours with one of Sam’s motorcycle and with my battery.
We put the battery his motorcycles. I ride his motorcycle, he rides Sam’s motorcycle and Mario was riding his motorcycle. J We searched everywhere in Arusha but couldn’t find battery.After that we went to Sam’s place, which is called The Garage Moshi. He has a garage but at the same time has ‘bed&breakfast’. He has a garage right, so has odometer. J We knew that his battery already dead but we must find the problem why did total km ‘zero’ and why the battery went dead. To be honest, we couldn’t find anything wrong. Look like something happened but passed.
Sam found a new battery for us from Dar Es Salam and said that somebody brings it to Moshi on the weekend. Means, we must wait 5 days. I wrote before I was sick and couldn’t get rest with all problems. That’s why my body collapsed and I stuck to the bed three days there. I suppose that I wasn’t still well but we decided to climb Kilimanjaro, which was my dream. It is another story and we will write in other article.
When we turned backed from the Kili his battery was arrived to Moshi. We charged it and than went for a test ride. Actually, we went to a Oasis to get enjoy a little. We stayed with Sam total 10 days. He was so nice and we are so happy to have a good friend from Tanzania now.
We had a lot of funny things there. Sam was going to market and buying a something that is 1.500 TSH. We were going to buy same thing and is 2.000 TSH for us. I don’t want to say more about it J
What do we want to do more in Tanzania?
I was planning to go Serengeti when we started to travel on November 2016. Finally we were around Serengeti. But we didn’t go. L It was already the 6th of February and we had only 3 weeks more to travel Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya before go to Ethiopia. The rain season starts middle of March on Lower Omo Valley and we want to visit tribes there. Therefore we must be there latest time 2-3 of March. Also, Serengeti is crazy expensive. Only stay in the park 24 hours is 110 USD (park fee and public camp price only) for each person.Actually, it was hard decision for us but I told him “We have a reason to come back Tanzania one day to visit Serengeti, Mafia and Zanzibar Islands”
Bye Tanzania.
We leaved Moshi and ride trough to Rwanda. It was more than 1000 km. So, it took 3 days for us.We stayed in Singida,Nzega and Nyakanazi.We paid each motel-hotel 7 USD per night. All of them were clean and with private bathroom but no hot shower. They also had their small restaurant and bar so, we ate nice cheap delicious food.
It was so nice for us to see a little local people behavior in Tanzania who has been living out of the touristic areas.
When I was backpacker I didn’t worried that much my passport to I can lose it but now I have to take care my driver license and motorcycle register as well.
When we came to Africa we hear a lot of stories about bribes. (Good thing, we did not pay any bribes yet) For example, they took driver license or register and didn’t give back until people paid money in some checkpoints. Other exam, they took the driver license in the office to write detail, after 30 minutes later they said that they lost it. Common how can possible! But it is true.
Easy way, you should have an extra fake one :). You should make a colorful copy of your vehicle register and driver license on a thick paper. After that make it plastification. So just make a copy of your documents. We have been carrying copy of register and driver license in our pocket when we ride. Most of the time, the checkpoint just wants to see our documents. They can check and than we can keep continue. Most border crossings we use the original one. (Depends on how much they have bribe) To be honest, we are in Africa 15 months now and only one checkpoint wanted to see original documents. 🙂
But please never ever do this in Europe, North America or Australia you can have serious problem! Anyway, you don’t need second documents in these continents to safe your paper. 🙂
Also, carry a copy of your documents, which are passport info page, driver license, vehicle register…etc. Most borders wants to have also some checkpoints want to have it.
Another note; have a photo of your documents send to yourself by email. If you lose them the photo or email can be more helpful when you are in the embassy or consulate.
We made a short video for our Africa journey, roads, life… We hope that you like to watch :
If you are planning to go Morocco,Western Sahara orMauritania you should make your life easy and carry a document with a lot of copy, which is called ‘Fiche’ papers.
In the beginning we didn’t have one. Every checkpoint was asking “FISH”. 🙂 We can’t speak French, just a few words. Therefore when they said the name sound was for us “Fish”. It was a little weird to somebody saying something like that. After a while we figure out that it is a French word “Fiche”
If you are on a motorcycle like us you don’t want to wait 15 minutes under the sun with all motorcycle gears. Almost every city center enter has three checkpoints, each 5-10 kilometers when you enter and when you exit.
Fiche paper is just your info to give them and save a lot of time. You can make it in your home and than get fifty copies with you. 🙂
We made it on the road. With handwrite and then made copies. What the paper need to write about you and your vehicle:
About you
Your name and surname
Passport number
Birth date and country
Your nationality
Your passport issue date and place
Passport expire date
Your home country address
Your mother and father name
Your job
Family situation
Extra
Date of entree (country)
Place of entrée (country)
Motif for travel
About Vehicle
Mark
Model
Plate number
Color
That’s it…. But please don’t forget it; I am writing English to explain but document has to be in French!
We don’t know when you travel by bus any checkpoint ask about the Fiche documents. If you are backpacker we can recommend that have some copies of document like that or have copy of your passport.
Enjoy your trip in North West Africa…. If you have any question you are free to ask.
Note, the visa starts the day you apply!
We made a short video for our Mauritania journey, roads, life… We hope that you like to watch :
Small details (things) always make life easy and cheap when put in packing list for backpacking, camping or road trip.
I suppose when you travel with a car, camper or caravan the life is more easy then cycling, motorcycle or backpacker to have electricity anytime, make a hot drink and safe food. We are on the motorcycle so maybe our life can be easier than cyclist and backpacker. 🙂
Some little things can make life easy and save a little money on the road as well.
Little solar panel
When we ride motorcycle we can charge a lot of things with our USB charger, which is nice but not when we camp. We bought one little panel to charge our electronics. I can’t charge my laptop but I can charge all others, which needs min. 12V. It was discount so we paid around 25 USD.
Let’s explain why we have;
Some camping site doesn’t have plug to use next to it, we need to walk the bar/restaurant but we don’t want to leave all our staff behind because off safety or monkeys/baboons …etc.
Some camping sites wants to money to use power. It is a little silly because I must pay 3-4 USD to charge my phone. They don’t give a different price how much camper needs power or how much I need. Must pay same price!
Sometimes, when we found a nice bush / wild camp spot we want to stay a couple of days. So, we need to charge phones, cameras, tablet to take photo or watch movie. 🙂
Some countries has electricity problem. We never know when they can have it and we can use it.
We also have a power bank. If we want to charge it we need to wait a couple of hours for it. So, we need plug for it or solar panel.
After all these experience we decided to have one. We like it. It is small and light, easy to carry. If you are backpacker, cyclist or rider and on long term travel or world trip like us we can recommend to you should have one small solar panel. Just make sure how much power / watt/ volt you need your electronics.
With a water boiler we don’t buy a coffee or tea
I don’t know how much you like to drink coffee or tea but we love it so much. When we camp we can boil water easy on the stove but we can’t open petrol stove when we stay in a hostel or hotel. At the same time, we are lazy to open the stove on the road just for coffee and then clean the stove.
We are always careful with our budget to spend money a lot. Looks like coffee or tea is cheap to buy but average taste cost you minimum one dollar. Two persons, two cups in a day means four dollars in a day. Of course, we never pay it!
We bought two water boilers; one is for motorcycle and other one is for plug. We paid three dollars two of them. And we bought one metal mug for them, which we paid five dollars. Total we spent 10 USD to make happy our self any time. 🙂
When we are on the road we use the water boiler with cigarette socket on the motorcycle. It is small therefore takes two minutes to have hot water.
When we are in hotel, hostel, camping site with power plug we use the other water boiler. We can have hot/boil water in a minute.
I suppose most vehicle traveller with a water cooker in the car because has power J they are small and saving money. When we found them I was thinking why I couldn’t find them when I was backpacker because I could save more money 🙂
Soft cooler sometimes work well
We didn’t have any cooler in the beginning because we didn’t need it in Norway. 🙂 When we came to Guinea Bissau we couldn’t keep continue without any cooler. We were riding on the sand under the 45 degrees. We bought ice water to drink cold. Never happened because they were going to coffee water in 1,5 hours. Therefore we bought 5 liters hard cooler. It was amazing the water so cold also we could carry some vegetables with us to keep fresh.
It was nice to have it but carry the hard cooler was taking a lot of space. When it was empty I can not get roll or small than put somewhere. Therefore we skipped it in South Africa but we had it soft 10 liters cooler. Soft cooler doesn’t well as hard cooler but enough for us. Buy ice or cold water and vegetables put in it. It can stay cold all day. We use it most of time when we were going like nowhere. 🙂 If you don’t like to drink hot water to feel fresh you should have something similar. Just make sure when you don’t use it; you can collect and get small.
They are little things but nice things to have to save time, space and money.
A small travel collector bag can really help to put all your cables, plugs, earphones, charger in one bag and find easy.
In the beginning we didn’t have one because we were thinking we never ever need. But didn’t correct.. Sometimes we were taking out everything form our side-bags to find a little cable. We have been using collector bag more than six months now. Believe me we are so happy to have it.
They are small and can not take more space in your bags but can safe your money or make happy yourself if you don’t forget this king of things to add on packing list for backpacking, camping or road trip. 🙂
We had some questions in our mind which was so important for us, How to find water? , How to filter water in the wild? or How to carry water on motorcycle easily?
So, we have been traveling around the world by motorcycle when we were in Africa we passed from desert, sometimes we only find water from lake or underground. You can imagine that sometimes how can be hard to find drinkable water in there but we survived. 🙂
What is most important our body to be healthy: WATER! Do you think that easy to find drinkable water everywhere or just drink from the tap? Unfortunately, you do not find it everywhere in the world.
We drink minimum 2 liters in a day and need 1,5 liters for coffee and cook. So we need to find daily total 5,5-6 liters water. If we look for a challenge and go somewhere like nowhere we must carry minimum 15 liters with us.
We always ask first the water is drinkable or not. If we can’t we can look markets to find water. But some places, we couldn’t find in Africa. We are on the motorcycle so must be easy to carry 5 liters bottle each. Sometimes not easy to put top of our bags or hang on them when we were fighting with sand or mud.
How to find water?
It is good question how to find water in a desert? We knew that we were going some roads, which pass in the desert and we would be there a couple of days. When we told people, who passed there before us they said that no chance to find. So, we couldn’t get risk for it because if we could have any accident or something wrong it could be so hard to find water. We could drink less to survive if we have it. 🙂
Therefore, we have two water bags; 4 liters and 6 liters MSR dromedary bag , with us. If we don’t carry water we can roll them, they don’t take space which is good for motorcycle trip. So, easy to carry 10 liters also we have two camel bag to carry water, which is each 2 liters. Most of the time, we carry them full because we never know what can happen in Africa.
(Sometimes we use one of them to have a shower. If we go to bush/wild camp for couple of days with humanity weather we love to have a shower of course. 🙂 The MSR dromedary water bag works fine for it. )
Yes, they are a little expensive. When we were buying we were complaining about it as well… First we bought 4 liters bag and used a year. After that we bought 6 liters MSR bag and that time we didn’t think about money. 🙂
How to filter water in the wild?
We have tablets and a straw with us to filter water and safe our life. 🙂
Water tablets: One box of tablet has a hundred pills in it. We bought two of them. We can have 200 liters water with that. If we don’t trust the water is drinkable we use a tablet. Just need to wait 30 minutes before drink. To be honest, I don’t like the pills because of water taste but if we have to we do that.
Filter life straw: I like filter stick more than pills. One life straw is for 1000 liters, which is a good deal. Most of the time, I use it with river or lake water. He likes more to use pills.
If you are travel with a car or camper you can carry 20 liters jerry can with filter but that doesn’t work for us on the motorcycle. If you are backpacker, rider or biker/cyclist you can have easily tablets, filter stick or one liter bottle with filter. They never take space. 🙂 Our opinion you should have at least one of them if you plan to travel Africa.
Also, you can check what we add in our packing list which are so small but so helpful on the road.
After many years to be a solo backpacker I think that I learn how make backpacking packing list, especially for camping because i have been sleeping in a tent and cooking myself.
Are you planning a backpack travel to cheap way? So, you will go to camp most likely, also cook yourself. I believe that camping gears / equipment is one of the most important things for a backpacker. Because they can take a lot of space in the backpack also they can be so heavy which we don’t like so much when carry our backpack. 🙂 So, please
Before start to buy anything first, plan a little your travel in your mind to:
-Are you going hiking, climbing or trekking?
-Do you plan to camp for weekends or short travels?
-Are you making a plan for a long journey?
-How often will you set up a tent?
-Can you go camping every season or just for summer?
-Do you really like to be in a tent and enjoy the camp? Or is this only for cheapest way for you to travel?
They are just example questions for you. Before start to search your camping gears please, make sure what you really need!
Backpacking packing list to camping gear
Let’s start with a tent:
I asked all questions myself before buy any camping equipment. I was going on a long trip to South America alone. When I searched about the continent what I could do there. Patagonia was number one on my list after that the Amazon river and rain forest. Also, Lencois Maranhenses was looking like incredible. It was means; I was going to a very hot place, long walking distance also hiking and a little bit climbing. Patagonia and Salar De Uyuni could be cold but not crazy. I could see 0-5 degrees in the night but just for a couple of days.
Amazon river boat journey, Brazil
I decided that I need a tent, which must be light for hiking and long walk, easy pack and set up, when it is hot I don’t want t burn inside or when it is cold I don’t want to get frozen. So three season tent could be great for me. Also, need to be good for rain because long travel means you will see different seasons and you will hit rain. It could be great if I can have a freestanding tent. So much rain or so much sun on the beach, I can open only rain protects part I don’t need the inside tent. It can be like an umbrella to protect me from the sun or rain. J I was solo backpacker therefore one-person tent can be great right? Not for me! I would like to have a little more space inside if I must stay in the tent all day. Also I prefer put my backpack inside the tent. That’s why; I wanted to have a two-person tent.
Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil
When I was searching I found a lot of brands and a lot different prices. Some was really cheap some was definitely out of my budget. I want to have a good one to use many years. Don’t buy every year a new one because it goes useless. In a couple of years how much I paid tents I could have new one. Also the help center or customer service is important for me. One company can look to sell their stuff and than when you have a problem you never reach the help center or never turn back to you. Other companies are always there to help you. It doesn’t matter where you are because they like their brand and customers 🙂
After all my searched I choose only three companies and five different tents. Before I buy I wanted to see it. Sometimes they can look different on Internet. I found some camping shop around and visited them. I could see only three of them which I like.
You need to choose your tent what you want to have. I don’t want to tell you a brand or average price because can be change why you are looking for a tent. I just wanted to write how I choose mine to help you a little bit. I have been using many year Big Agnes tents. When I was alone I had one and after that we had another one for our motorcycle journey. 🙂
How can you choose correct sleeping bag and mattress?
After decide what do you need? Why do you need? You can look for it.
I have been using my sleeping bag more than 4 years. I had 3-season sleeping bag like my tent and bought a light one. So I am fine until 15 degrees after that I must wear my thermal clothes. If the degree goes less than 5 I have really trouble for it. But I go rarely a trip in winter time and sleep in a tent with snow. 🙂 After our Africa journey we could have new one, which I look for 4-season and light sleeping bag. Because we will hit snow somewhere in USA.
Ilha Grande, Brazil
So, I suppose that you can easily have guess that I/we have three-season mattress. 🙂 I don’t know we can call a mattress 3 or 4 season. But we have air mattress. Also when I was backpacker I stayed a lot in the tent. I wanted to have thick sleeping pad because of comfort. And I bought large not regular size. Why? Go to sleep after all day hiking, trekking…etc. carry my backpack. I want to feel al little comfortable and that I am in a bed. 🙂
Cooking Stuff:
I suppose you need some kitchen equipment or basic extra camping stuff as well. We are on the motorcycles now but it doesn’t mean that we can carry everything it doesn’t important kilograms. No, it is important! Because a heavy motorcycle is not good on the mud, in the sand or when crossing a river.
To be honest, pack a backpack is one of the most important things for travel. I have no idea how I could have more space every time when I pack my backpack again with same things. Maybe, I was learning how to pack a backpack or my stuff was getting small. 🙂
Yes, I was learning… Funny thing was; I packed my bag well in the home and started my journey. I went to the first hostel and opened my backpack, took everything out because I stayed a week. When I was leaving I couldn’t fit all my stuff in again. 🙂 After a while later I always had extra space after pack.
How To Pack A Backpack For A Trip
Have small bottles: You need a shampoo right! Go to market and look the price; general, big bottles are cheaper than small. It is good to safe money a little but not good to put a big shampoo in the bag because of space. Put it in small bottles and put small pockets on the backpack. You can do this for almost all your crèmes.
Roll everything: Fold your clothes and than roll your clothes. After that look at them, which one has taken less space?
Don’t take so much heavy (kilograms) with you: Are you going to a long journey? Are you planning to hiking, trekking…etc many hours? Don’t carry so many kilograms! If you like you should check what do you need to carry in the backpack for long trip?
Be careful with balance: Sometimes we can forget this detail. Let’s try to explain: You are in a small canoe and everybody sit on the left side or you have two bottles, each is 5 liters and you carry two of them with one hand. Yep, it is same for the backpack. If you put all heavy things up you will feel that your backpack is heavier than normal. Or the left side is much more heavy then right side. A few days later, most likely you will have back problem.
Do you want to cook on the road?: It means you will have pots, plates, mug…etc. They always take more space in the backpack. Therefore, you should carry outside. Use hooks and lines for it, which I suppose you have already on your backpack.
Use rain cover anytime: Most of backpack has rain cover under the bag in a small zip. I was always using it. Because when I hanged on my pots, shoes etc. they were swing all the time. Or when I put them in the luggage of a bus easily they could stuck somewhere and I could lose it. The other reason was if everything is inside the rain cover I don’t need to check my back all the time to make sure nobody took anything.
Easy access can safe time and make you safe: I never like to open my backpack in a bus station, center, park etc. I didn’t want to show what I have. I know sometimes you have too but for what? I got so sweaty must change my t-shirt/socks. I need sun cream. I must use my power bank, when my battery is dead. For all these reason I must open my bag if I don’t put them easy access like small pockets of backpack.
Maybe, they are a small detail but it always helps on the road. 🙂
If you want to travel around the world or only Africa, South America, Asia… etc you need a comfortable backpack because you will carry it for a long time therefore you need to know how to choose a backpack?
First of all, who am I? I am not an expert like working in a center who giving all advises to you.I was solo women backpacker for a long time. I traveled in South and Central (Latin) America 1,5 years after that 2 months in Indonesia.I learned a lot on the road what I need, what I don’t need. Yes, I have been traveling around the world by motorcycle now because When I fell in love everything has changed. 🙂
I believe that maximum 50 liters backpack is more then enough for a long journey. I was traveling 35 liters backpack, which had all my camping gears, clothes…etc. In this article only I want to write about which kind of backpack you need for your travel.
I don’t want to say any brand like a promotion. But if you buy good one you can use it for many years. Means; pay one time, use many times and safe money. I used my backpack more than 10 years. Now it is in the home and still good.
Don’t buy big backpack, which is 80-90 liters: When you start to pack everything you can see that you still have space and you can put more stuff in it.
Make sure the backpack doesn’t stuck your back: If the backpack stuck your back you will get so much sweaty when it is so hot. If you have space between your back and backpack you can have a little bit of wind in between J also if you have extra stuff like sweatshirt, jacket and no space in your bag you can carry there easily as well.
Some extra pocket always help: You make sure that you can have easy access for all you stuff in the back. Because you don’t want to take out everything in your bag to find only one thing. Could be nice if your backpack open bottom and top or from middle with a zip. Also if the backpack has top, bottom, left or right part has some extra pocket. So, you can carry some small things easily there. Like daily pills, creams, cables, socks, small towel…etc
Waterproof or water residence: Most backpacks are not waterproof. You need a rain cover for it. You must be sure that your rain cover is 100% waterproof. Anyway, if you go hiking under the rain your backpack will take water in after a while because the rain cover doesn’t cover all around the back.
Some ropes and hooks always work: Almost all backpack has some lines or some kind of net on the top. Also has some robes to you can hang on or stuck some stuff like your mattress, mug, pots…etc.
Be sure the backpack fits your body: A lot of companies make backpack, which is same but different size. The backpack must fit on your body. For example, your size is “S” but you buy “XL”. Maybe you can say ‘fine’ I can use it but it doesn’t fit correctly. Or other way around; you are “XL” and try to wear “S”. A backpack is same way as well. If you have a backpack that is touching your head or ass you never feel comfortable when you walk with it. Same thing, if it doesn’t fit for your shoulder as well. That’s why, it doesn’t matter who has which kind of backpack or model, they like so much if it’s not the correct bag for your body you will spend money for nothing.
Please, just keep in your mind these six basic things when you buy a backpack for yourself. And don’t forget to check backpack chart size before buy your backpack. Because backpack chart size can tell you to which backpack correct for your body shape. I hope that I could help a little for it.
Please don’t forget always help one small backpack as well to collect all important stuff and carry in front of you. it is better than hand bag. 🙂 You can use any time when you walk in a city or go small walk or in a bus to save your electronic, wallet…etc.
We are in Africa more than fifteen mounts and we really wanted to go to Malawi to get rest for a while. We heart a lot about white sand beaches, amazing lake and beautiful Malawian people. To be honest, who says Malawi is beautiful we definitely agree about it.
Enter Malawi and visit Kasunga
We arrived Malawi from Chipata, Zambia which was easy border crossing. Also, we apply visa for Malawi in Zambia.
Easy way to go to Lilongwe first and than visit Lake Malawi. But we choose to ride a little inland and wanted to see around before enjoy with white sands. So, our first stop was Kasunga. We found a small, nice also cheap hotel to stay. We just arrived there and started to crazy rain. We stayed in the hotel and couldn’t do anything. Therefore, we decided to stay one day more to see the village.
Kasunga, Malawi
People were so friendly. When we were walking around people was so happy to see us in their village. We went to shopping, talked people, visit bazaar… etc. And we found a nice little restaurant for dinner. Always, possible to find restaurants in the capital city or big cities but so hard to find in a little village. It was really nice taste.
Kasunga, Malawi
Most people are cycling in Malawi. Some is good for it but some doesn’t. So you need to be careful when you ride or drive. Suddenly, they can be in front of you. They also use the bicycle as a taxi (including number plate).
Ride motorcycle in Nkhotakota national park:)
After Kasunga we were going to lake Malawi to find a place to stay a while. We came to a door that was closed and writing “you are entering wildlife reserve.” We were surprised because we didn’t know that the road goes directly through a national park. The security came and opened the door with a big smile. He told us that it is Nkhotakota national park and we have to pass in it because the road passes there. And he was explaining us they have a lot of big elephants on the road. Lion could be anywhere. So, we can’t stop we must keep on riding.
Interesting! Until Malawi, any national park never allowed to us go in. Now we must pass. J Already we had rain and the road it’s not a tar road. We learned that it’s a good gravel road and we can go easily. Of course, I don’t want to get stuck in the soft sand and say ‘HELLO’ to a lion.
Ok; don’t stop just go and than when arrive to exit say the security to call we arrive safely. Which he told us, he must know we finish the road or not.
It was 35 km and took an hour. Because, we didn’t ride so fast. J Our one side was saying ‘see a lion can be amazing’, other side was saying ‘are you crazy? What can you do if you see one in front of you’ End of the road we saw some Elephants and buffalos also baboons.
When we arrived at the exit door she was smiling and saying we are late. Who open the door for us to enter the park he already called her and ask if we arrived or not.
We like the rain or hate the rain!
When we were in the park the rain was already started. And than it was a crazy shower. We couldn’t find any place to stop and we had to ride 100 km to find a gas station. We were totally wet and didn’t know what we should do. It pass one hour but the rain didn’t want to stop.
We learned that if we go to Kande bay we could find a little cheap place to stay. If you want to go a place, which is popular of course room price are not cheap. When we arrived to Kande bay He went to the reception to learn the prices and I was looking around. I saw some camping site has roof and weather was wet but not cold. So, we can camp as well and get everything dry. He came back and said that shared bathroom is 35 USD, it is to expensive for us. I showed him the camping site, we could stay there no problem. The price was 7 USD pppn. Better than room price and we can eat dinner as well because we can’t pass our daily budget. 🙂
We stayed two days to dry all our clothes and enjoy a day with the lovely white beach. But we didn’t want to pass New Year’s eve there.
When we were going to Nkhata Bay we met a American couple (Chris and Kathleen) on the road. It was raining so we couldn’t talk that much but we a had break together at the gas station. We decided to go to the same place and talk about journey. All night we share our experiences and told about Colorado. 🙂
Where can we go now, tomorrow is New Year eve!
We came to Malawi to get rest and enjoy. Therefore we wanted to stay in a room on the beach but we must find something in the budget. We knew that Nkhata Bay is so famous and prices are not cheap. We decided to stay in a room for two days after that stay in our home (tent J) It could be fine if we could be next to a beach.
We ride 50 km and arrived Nkhata Bay but all nice places were full who was empty wanted 45-50 USD per night. We were really upset and disappointed. We didn’t know what could do. We ride 30 km more to Mzuzu but nothing around. We stopped and started to talk. I was going to cry. Not because of only we didn’t find a place for new year eve because of after 15 months in Africa something can be so much to handle it.
La exotica lodge, kanda bay, malawi
We decided to go back around Kande Bay to stay next to the beach. So we turn back all the way. End of the day, we made 160 km but we were same point where we started. 🙂 We saw a sign to La Exotica. Why not, just try! We went there and find a nice room include breakfast for 28 usd and private bathroom. Of course we booked it for three days and enjoyed our New Year eve.
Nkhata Bay is really nice stop.
Finally we arrived to Nkhata bay and went to Mayoko Village. We booked a room before when we went the first time for two days. It was 35 USD with share bathroom. It is really nice place and chalet was ok. We just sat on the balcony and enjoy with the view to rest. Two days passed so fast. We decided to stay a couple of days more because it was so nice. We just set up the tent and the rain started crazy way.
We couldn’t move to the tent and some tent was like in the lake in 10 minutes. He went to reception to say we were going to the tent but waiting for rain to check out. No way to rain going to stop. 30 minutes later, she came to us, who work in the reception, said that we could stay in the room with camping price, which is 10 USD. We were really so surprise and happy. The owner didn’t want to we stay in the tent when the rain was like that. We stayed another six day there. We could eat every day dinner in the restaurant, went to boat trip, swim…etc. It was wonderful.
Going Mzuzu.
After eight days enjoy in Nkhata Bay we went to Mzuzu, which is just 50 km far. We must shop because we didn’t have any food. Just finished to shopping and started to rain again. The rain season is really crazy here, please keep in your mind. We decided to stay one night. And met Paul who is from Kenya and has been working more than a year in Malawi. He wrote us on our blog, Facebook to if we go to Mzuzu he wanted to meet us and buy us dinner. We met him and passed lovely evening. Talk a lot about Kenya and our trip. Also we ate so nice dinner.
Next day, we woke up with rain and didn’t stop until noon. So, stay one night more and see what would happen next day. We made our mattress like a seat in the tent became a cinema room for us. Just enjoy with movie what else could we do more with rain.
The owner, who is from Italy and ex-overlander, couldn’t sleep last night well because he was thinking about us how we could manage the rain. So, he told us we could pass to a chalet with same price. Yeap, we did. It was amazing to see how much owners are friendly and helpful in Malawi.
Nice view from Mushroom farm if you can go.
We learned that one of the highlights in Malawi is camping up the mountain at the Mushroom farm, here you are just next to the cliff with an amazing view over the lake. Also we learned that the road towards it is extremely bad. As we told you before we are in the middle of the rain season in Malawi.
After the rain in Mzuzu we where a little scared about the road, would it be doable for us? We ride 140 km from Mzuzu to the turn to Livingstonia, where our road started. We only had a little bit of rain on the road but when we arrived the sun was shining, so we decided to go up. We ride a couple of 100 meters up the hill when her motorcycle decided to not ride uphill anymore! Wow, this was a shock, this is not good. We decided to go back down, as it was impossible to go up, we needed to find a place to camp at the lake. We found a nice place called ‘Hakuna Matata Camp’ owned by a old South African called Willie.
Our problem with the motorcycle is the clutch pad, we knew this was coming at one point and now we needed to change it as soon as possible. Unfortunately Malawi is not a real motorcycle country and when staying at the beach near the lake there is no clean place to work. So we decided to go towards Tanzania as soon as possible. Here we can find a place to do the work and if we need we can find someone to help us.
Last stop in Malawi before leave…
From there we stopped once more in Malawi at the Flouja Foundation Camp, this is a school run by a Dutch couple. It was a nice place at the beach again and for us very nice, the first place in Malawi with free Wi-Fi. We enjoyed the place when it was not raining and made our self ready for a new adventure in Tanzania, this time including a big technical issue on the motorcycle…
Just a small note about our feeling; We have passed 27 countries in Africa until now. If we look a country to live in Africa it can be Malawi. If you ask where can we leave in Malawi? We can tell around Lake Malawi.
We couldn’t move to the tent and some tent was like in the lake in 10 minutes. He went to reception to say we were going to the tent but waiting for rain to check out. No way to rain going to stop. 30 minutes later, she came to us, who work in the reception, said that we could stay in the room with camping price, which is 10 USD. We were really so surprise and happy. The owner didn’t want to we stay in the tent when the rain was like that. We stayed another six day there. We could eat every day dinner in the restaurant, went to boat trip, swim…etc. It was wonderful.
