Before starting to theorize where we should go as a species we will have to know where we come from, and the answer to this question will be found in East Africa, the cradle of humanity. If in the previous article we recommend 4 of the 8 destinations that will make you African experience different from what organized safaris and resorts offer, here are the remaining 4:
5. Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
This small country is not only perfect to ride for its mountainous geography and its perfect climate, it also offers us an easy accessibility until two kind of relatives, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. The first ones live in the treetops of the forests of Nyungwe but it will be the close encounter with the mountain gorillas the experience that will make you to understand that we are not so different from them. Mountains gorillas live in families in the forest of Volcano National Park, the volcanoes that also work as a border between the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. In this last country it is where it will be easier to access their meeting. After a walk of 1 or 2 hours through ancient forests, the trackers will take you until a couple of meters from some of the gorilla families that live here. The guide will first approach the leader silverback and through sounds will make him to understand that we just come to visit them and that we are not a threat, communication is fast and effective, and the reaction of the gorillas simply impressive. When the silver back understand that his family is not in danger will return to what he was doing, keep eating, let clean from lice with the assistance of the females, take a nap, play with baby gorillas or even to have some sex.
6. Zanzibar (Tanzania)
At some point your trip to East Africa will need a break. The intensity of traveling this continent on motorcycle can leave you exhausted but the solution is in Zánzibar. This coral island hides some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth. With two very different faces, the west side inviting you to relax and eat a good fish, and a windy east coast for those who prefer a bit more of adventure specially if you do Kite surfing.
7. Omo Valley (Ethiopia)
One of the places where some of the oldest hominid fossils were found and that also preserve yet in 21 century the human life almost as its origen. Still isolated from the impact of globalization, this valley is home to many tribes that continue to live in the same way after hundreds of years. If you go on your motorcycle is we recommend you a route that begins and ends in Konso. Ride over asphalt until Woito where you can make a stop to eat the typical Enjira and drink one of the best coffee in the world. Then the dirt road begins until Arbore and then Turmi. This place we would say is the heart of the Omo, crossing routes, visit Omorate at the shore of the river that gives its name to the valley, return to Turmi and try to reach Dimeka on a Thursday or Saturday because they have a market and different tribes (especially Hamer) walk for many kilometers until there to trade and socialize. From Jinka you can start the journey to the mountain where perhaps the most special tribe lives, the famous Mursi.
8. Source of the Nile (Uganda)
There are many rivers in the world, but none as brave as the Nile. This river is born with a huge challenge ahead, crossing the largest desert in the world and spreading life on both sides of its banks. This river doesn´t care if the Sahara is one of the driest area of the planet, the waters of the Nile are born in Lake Victoria in the city of Jinja and follow its destiny to start a 3 months journey until the Mediterranean Sea to become the longest river of the world.
We finish our list with a river which born with a spirit of traveler. The Nile remember us in many occasions how we also had the same spirit and how our path got also many obstacles. But beside that, this river means for us the final stage of 4 years trip around the world, the perfect place to think about how far we have come and how we got it. In our next post we resumen in 7 points how our project would survive to all the challenges.
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