When people think of travel, we easily think of taking a drive or catching a flight. We rarely think of motorcycles as a good part of a travel experience, hardly can we imagine ourselves on a bike, traveling plenty of miles on the road to our destination. Walter Wanyanya has shown us it’s possible, and given us an imagination of what a biking experience could be like. So we thought to feature him and hear a story which can leave us all planning on buying a motorbike! 

Affectionately known as Papa Bear, Walter  is usually clad in his biking gear, and will be in the company of his bike. Interestingly, he learnt how to ride a bike before he could drive a car. This bike love affair began when he was taught how to ride a bike by a friend at their farm in Rusape. From then the love kept growing until today — rarely do you see Walter without a fancy motorbike. Papa Bear has been to so many places; Kariba, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Eastern Highlands are easily what comes to his mind as he reflects on his travels on a motorbike.

There is a great difference between traveling on a bike and taking a drive to a destination. For him, it’s the experience of traveling over a long distance with a group of other bikers, seeing the beauty of Zimbabwe. From his perspective, the company that biking gives is unique, he feels that these people that he often travels with have become more than just colleagues, but family to him. Another experience which biking gives, is seeing a whole perspective of the views and landscapes as you travel, the views that you get from behind the handle bars is not something similar to what one can get from a car or bus. In addition, bikers can stop anywhere, as long as it’s safe, and they can enjoy the wonderful views of Zimbabwe, take pictures and proceed with the journey. 

For him and his crew, it’s not always an express journey for them to get to a destination. As they travel, they take overnight breaks, to rest, sleep and be fresh for the further part of the journey. As they rest, they share stories, and conversations which can be very enriching, they share ideas, plans and visions which can be inspiring. These moments create the deep bond of friendship which can hardly be broken. It’s not just biking, it’s that whole experience that the journey gives them. 

They have a number of bike rallies that cover the whole calendar annually, and each rally takes them to a different place in Zimbabwe. Bike rallies are big, well organized bike events which see as many as 200 or more bikers riding to a chosen destination. Once at the destination, the bikers will take part in games, competitions, or even concerts. Some of the popular rallies include the Nyanga Trout Rally, Great Zimbabwe Rally, Victoria Falls Rally and the Nyaminyami Rally to Kariba.

Charity is also a big part of the bike rallies, it’s not just about the fun of traveling around the country, but it’s also about reaching out to the rest of humanity. Each rally will have a charity event whereby a charitable organization will benefit. They have reached out to orphanages, old people’s homes, and schools, which are identified to be in need before each rally.  Bikers carry with them a gift, or some money which will then be given to the benefactors, and help towards making their lives better. 

“Charity is very much a huge part of bike events. We are not all about our bikes and fun but we have a huge responsibility to make sure that the communities we visit also get to feel good and know that people care, and bikers do care.”

Walter Wanyanya

Feature Destination: Nyanga 

The Trout Rally is a prestigious bikers event which is held annually in Nyanga, the home of trout fish. Since 1979, the rally has attracted large groups of bikers, from local and abroad. It’s an interaction of bikers from different backgrounds, all united by their love and passion for biking.

A trip to Nyanga is one of that’s filled with the many beautiful views of the Eastern Highlands, and fulfilling to the soul, traveling on a motorcycle with your tribe will even make the experience much more exciting. Great memories are made here as Nyanga never stops charming with its beauty.

“I have experienced this joy. Rode from Johannesburg all the way to Nyanga for the Trout Rally. The highlight of my trip was between Inyanga and Mutare. A beauty only God could have created”

Duwayne Goddard, a biker from South Africa.

First stop is always for the Surrey Pie, then the Halfway House which is quite a beautiful spot. You can then proceed to your accommodation site, stopping by the roadside to grasp some the breathtaking views.

Within Nyanga there are lots of places to go, from landmarks, waterfalls, mountains, rivers and lakes as well as cultural sites. It’s always a great experience in Nyanga. 

We hope you are now planning on learning how to ride a bike. Even if you can’t ride a bike, and fancy interacting with bikers, you can drive behind the rally bikes. If you are already a biker and need more information on rallies, you can follow Walter on the following handles: Twitter – @wanyanyawalter and Facebook Walter Wanyanya 

Happy traveling. 

#TravelZimbabwe