Je suis actuelement au Rwanda, je me dirige vers la Tanzanie ou je compte passer par l'Ouest à vélo (Kasulu, Mpanda, Sumbawanga). Il y aurait apparement quelques mouches tse tse sur le chemin. Est ce localisé dans la parc national Katavi? ou c'est récurent sur cette route? En avez vous déja eu l'experience? Merci d'avance pour vos infos
Tanzanie de l'Ouest et mouches tsé-tsé
by Loic285
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Salut à tous
Je suis actuelement au Rwanda, je me dirige vers la Tanzanie ou je compte passer par l'Ouest à vélo (Kasulu, Mpanda, Sumbawanga). Il y aurait apparement quelques mouches tse tse sur le chemin. Est ce localisé dans la parc national Katavi? ou c'est récurent sur cette route? En avez vous déja eu l'experience? Merci d'avance pour vos infos
Je suis actuelement au Rwanda, je me dirige vers la Tanzanie ou je compte passer par l'Ouest à vélo (Kasulu, Mpanda, Sumbawanga). Il y aurait apparement quelques mouches tse tse sur le chemin. Est ce localisé dans la parc national Katavi? ou c'est récurent sur cette route? En avez vous déja eu l'experience? Merci d'avance pour vos infos
Bonjour
Des cas sporadiques ont été décrits chez les touristes, le dernier en Suède en 2012, pour des voyages dans le Nord Ouest Tanzanien, Serentegi en particulier.
Le risque existe, certes.
Les précautions à appliquer sont les vêtements longs et les repellent, des choses qui ne doivent pas vous surprendre... Attention à la présence de mouches dans les véhicules.
Par contre, il faut penser à signaler votre voyage exact et le risque en cas de problème au retour: Les signes peuvent tout à fait être ceux de la grippe (donc du paludisme, ceci-dit, premier diagnostic, même si prévention), et vous pouvez alors parler de la trypanosomiase africaine, à laquelle les médecins français ne vont pas tout de suite penser, or c'est une maladie dangereuse.
Salut,
J'ai traversé le parc de Mikumi dans le sud de la Tanzanie où effectivement il y a pas mal de mouche tsé-tsé. J'ai été piqué plusieurs fois, tu t'en rends compte par la douleur vive (ça fait mal). Même s'il faut rester très prudent, ne t'affole pas pour autant car ce n'est pas parce que tu as été piqué que tu attrapes la maladie du sommeil. Je me suis arrêté et couvert en conséquence, surtout pas de couleur bleue (attention, un tee shirt ne suffit pas) et aspergé de répulsif. Prends quand même toute les précautions mais tous les parcs ne sont pas affectés. Les autochtones savent s'il y a des glossines et peuvent te renseigner.
Bonne continuation
Gérard
Bonne continuation
Gérard
Des kilomètres pour voir plus loin !
Bonjour Loïc,
Les mouches tsé-tsé sont présentes en plus ou moins grandes quantités dans la quasi totalité des parcs tanzaniens, puisque c'est justement leur présence qui a conduit à leur désignation comme parcs nationaux : c'était des régions inhospitalières quasiment abandonnées par l'Homme car, si la faune sauvage n'est pas sensible à la trypanosomiase, les humains et leur bétail le sont. La présence des tsé-tsé est variable en fonction de la végétation, de la présence de grands herbivores, des précipitations et de la saison, enfin elle peut pour le même mois et le même biotope varier très fortement d'une année sur l'autre. Le risque de maladie transmise par les tsé-tsé est à peu près nul dans les parcs : pas de réservoir de trypanosomes, la densité humaine est trop faible pour qu'existe une bonne probabilité qu'une tsé-tsé rencontre un sujet infesté. Le risque est très faible mais existe en revanche dans les zones densément habitées autour de certains parcs et sur les trajets entre les parcs.
Donc pas de vêtements sombres, pas de shorts, manches longues, répellents, insectifuges (le Mosy Guard fonctionne bien, c'est notre meilleure expérience) et tout et tout !
BL
Les mouches tsé-tsé sont présentes en plus ou moins grandes quantités dans la quasi totalité des parcs tanzaniens, puisque c'est justement leur présence qui a conduit à leur désignation comme parcs nationaux : c'était des régions inhospitalières quasiment abandonnées par l'Homme car, si la faune sauvage n'est pas sensible à la trypanosomiase, les humains et leur bétail le sont. La présence des tsé-tsé est variable en fonction de la végétation, de la présence de grands herbivores, des précipitations et de la saison, enfin elle peut pour le même mois et le même biotope varier très fortement d'une année sur l'autre. Le risque de maladie transmise par les tsé-tsé est à peu près nul dans les parcs : pas de réservoir de trypanosomes, la densité humaine est trop faible pour qu'existe une bonne probabilité qu'une tsé-tsé rencontre un sujet infesté. Le risque est très faible mais existe en revanche dans les zones densément habitées autour de certains parcs et sur les trajets entre les parcs.
Donc pas de vêtements sombres, pas de shorts, manches longues, répellents, insectifuges (le Mosy Guard fonctionne bien, c'est notre meilleure expérience) et tout et tout !
BL
safari photo en Tanzanie et ailleurs https://safari-tanzanie.fr
WILIPI photographie animalière
Merci pour vos réponses. Ca confirme les infos que j'ai. Les mouches tsé tsé seraient confinées dans et autours des parcs nationaux et les chances d'attraper la maladie sont faibles. Confirmation dans quelques semaines.
J'ai pédalé de Mbeya à Tabora par les pistes en mai dernier, donc la route entre le Katavi et le Rungwa park. Cette route est pleine de mouches tsé-tsé, surtout entre Rungwa et Sikonge si mes souvenirs sont bons. Il y a une zone sans village de 80-100km où il est impossible de s'arrêter pour allumer le réchaud et cuisiner par exemple. J'ai été piqué une cinquantaine de fois dans cette seule zone.
J'ai remarqué plusieurs choses lors de ma cohabitation avec ces bestioles : -elles volent beaucoup plus vite que les mouches normales et il faut rouler à 40km/h pour commencer à les semer -elles sont attirées par les mouvements et le seul moyen de s'en défaire est paradoxalement de bouger le moins possible. Pas facile à appliquer quand vous en êtes couvert et que les mouches présentes piquent quand même. -elles piquent à travers une chemise, un pantalon de sport et à travers les cheveux. J'ai dû rouler en gros blouson avec la capuche tout en agitant les bras. J'avais oublié mes moufles pour la Tanzanie. -les produits au DEET ne fonctionnent quasiment pas, je m'en suis tartiné les vêtements sans que ça les dérange vraiment.
Au passage, la piste est parfois un banc de sable et il faut pousser le vélo sur plusieurs kilomètres.
Sinon, c'est un coin que je recommande. Les gens ne voient jamais de touristes par là-bas et sont très sympas.
J'ai remarqué plusieurs choses lors de ma cohabitation avec ces bestioles : -elles volent beaucoup plus vite que les mouches normales et il faut rouler à 40km/h pour commencer à les semer -elles sont attirées par les mouvements et le seul moyen de s'en défaire est paradoxalement de bouger le moins possible. Pas facile à appliquer quand vous en êtes couvert et que les mouches présentes piquent quand même. -elles piquent à travers une chemise, un pantalon de sport et à travers les cheveux. J'ai dû rouler en gros blouson avec la capuche tout en agitant les bras. J'avais oublié mes moufles pour la Tanzanie. -les produits au DEET ne fonctionnent quasiment pas, je m'en suis tartiné les vêtements sans que ça les dérange vraiment.
Au passage, la piste est parfois un banc de sable et il faut pousser le vélo sur plusieurs kilomètres.
Sinon, c'est un coin que je recommande. Les gens ne voient jamais de touristes par là-bas et sont très sympas.
En effet, je confirme ce que dit Albert a propos des mouches tsetse. Elles sont apperement attirées par le bleu et les couleurs sombres
Sur la route B8 qui passe par Kigoma, Mpanda, Sumbawanga, je n'en ai eu que lors de la traversée du parc Katavi. Soit un peu plus de 80 km sans possibilité d'arrêt à pédaler couvert complètement, manteau, gants, moustiquaire de tête... J'en avait une trentaine en permanence sur moi et les sacoches. Parfois j en était couvert. Des centaines...
Bien couvert de plusieurs couches de vêtements. j ai pas été piqué. Mise à part ce passage assez désagréable, cette route est plutôt chouette, très sauvage et jolie.
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First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
You’ve been warned.
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
You’ve been warned.
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure! Thanks in advance.
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure! Thanks in advance.
Hi, has anyone recently bought Primus or Butagaz gas, possibly puncture-style, in Dubrovnik or the surrounding area? Same question for Albania... thanks. aichatou
Hi there,
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Hi there,
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Hi! I’m planning to visit the Stockholm Archipelago by bike in early April.
Do you know if the boats will be running between the different islands at that time of year? For those who’ve already been, all your tips and recommendations are welcome—accommodation, etc. Also, do you know where I can rent a bike in Stockholm? Thanks so much in advance for your help!






