On our 16 day Tanzanian biking adventure we travel from Arusha, East Africa’s safari capital to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast; or the reverse journey (see itineraries below). Biking far from busy roads and main tourist routes you will experience a different face of Africa - local villages and traditional tribesmen, breathtaking scenery and wildlife grazing on the plains. We travel through open Savannah, desert, mountain rainforest and tropical coastline. We follow the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro with its snow-covered peaks and camp in the wilderness under a cloudless African sky.
We take a break from our bikes to walk in Arusha National Park and on the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, take a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, which hosts the largest concentration of plains game anywhere in the world and gives you the wildlife experience that East Africa is famous for. Enjoy a day hike and visit a local school in the unspoilt Usambara Mountains. Biking through the Usambara Mountains and down to the tropical coastal forest and villages brings us finally to Dar es Salaam, “Haven of Peace”.
We regret that we will not be including Kenya in our biking adventure this year - 2008 due to the current ‘unrest’. As we have many colleagues, friends and family in Kenya who need our support now more than ever we will be fund raising throughout the year to assist the many people who have been displaced from their homes. If you would like to make a donation please contact us. We plan to return to our normal Kenya and Tanzania itinerary in 2009.
Some people choose to extend their trip and follow with a trek of Mount Kilimanjaro or experience the culture and buzz of Zanzibar Island. Either of which we can help you to arrange.
What is the biking like? 12 days biking - 90% on dirt and 4x4 roads, some paved roads, and a wee bit of non-technical single track. While most of the riding on this trip is non-technical some off road biking experience will help. A good level of fitness will add to the enjoyment of your trip. From 25km to 90km per day. Total distance approximately 550km.
The Basic Lo-Down. We travel between Arusha and Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast in Tanzania. 100% vehicle supported. Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, helps you up those hills (if you like) and always has lunch, snacks and water at hand. Two Game parks included, Arusha National Park and Ngorongoro Crater included. Group size minimum 4, maximum 10 plus Escape leaders and local crew. Accommodation is twin share - 1 night in a hotel; and single or double for 14 nights camping. (Upgrades to rooms are available at some campsites at your own expense). Food includes 3 meals per day from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast Day 16. This excludes 2 lunches and 2 evening meals which are at your own expense to give you the opportunity to experience local cuisine. Includes visit to a rural primary school in Tanzania.
Your Itinerary:
Option 1
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Day 2: Bike through Arusha National park
Day 3: Bike around the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro
Days 4-5: Bike through the wide open spaces of Tanzania to Maasai Village
Day 6: Bike to Arusha
Day 7: Biking into the Great Rift Valley
Day 8: Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 9: Bike and walk on the lush southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 10: Transfer west, pm bike to secluded river campsite
Days 11-13: Bike and explore the Usambara Mountains, plus school visit
Day 14: Bike to the Indian Ocean coast
Day 15: Bike to Dar es Salaam
Day 16: Fly out or relax by the ocean.
Option 2
Day 1: Arrive in Dar es Salaam
Day 2: Bike to Bagamoyo
Day 3: Bike inland towards the Maasai Steppe
Days 4-6: Bike and explore the Usambara Mountains, plus school visit
Day 7: Morning ride, pm transfer to Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 8: Bike and walk on the lush southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro
Days 9-10: Biking into the Great Rift Valley
Day 11: Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 12: Bike to Maasai Village
Days 13-14: Bike around the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 15: Bike through Arusha National park. Transfer to Arusha
Day 16: Fly out.
Please remember that this is a guide only and due to unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary.
Room upgrades are at your own cost and are subject to availability.
School visits. The local schools in East Africa are very different to what we are used to in the western world. We have established a relationship with a school along our route which we try to visit on every tour and help in a small way with practical gifts etc. Please contact us for more information regarding these school visits and how you may be able to help them.
Departure dates for 2008
Sat June 21 to Sun July 6th 2008: Arusha to Dar es Salaam
Sat July 12th to Sun July 27th 2008: Dar es Salaam to Arusha
Sat Aug 2nd to Sun Aug 17th 2008: Arusha to Dar es Salaam
Sat Aug 23rd to Sun Sept 7th 2008: Dar es Salaam to arusha
Sat Sept 20th to Sunday Oct 5th 2008: Arusha to Dar es Salaam
Sat Oct 11th to Sun Oct 26th 2008: Dar es Salaam to Arusha.
Departure dates for 2009
Sat June 20th to Sun July 5th 2009: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam ~ (Unicycling trip)
Sat July 11th to Sun July 26th 2009: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat Aug 1st to Sun Aug 16th 2009: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Sat Aug 22nd to Sun Sept 6th 2009: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat Sept 12th to Sun Sept 27th 2009: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Sat Oct 3rd to Sun Oct 18th 2009: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat Oct 24th to Sun Nov 8th 2009: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi.
What is Adventure biking?
- We get off the beaten track onto remote and little used dirt roads as much as possible. Some of the time we use paved roads and also at times single track, the later with not too much technical difficulty. There is sometimes the opportunity for getting off the main tracks and onto some more serious off road biking if you wish.
- All our biking is vehicle supported which means all your gear is carried for you. Lunch and water are always at hand.
- If you need a break from the saddle you can ride in the vehicle at any time.
- You don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to come with us, but a reasonable standard of fitness is required and makes your trip more enjoyable.
- This trip is not about covering as many miles as possible. It is about experiencing Africa from a different perspective, meeting the local people and experiencing the sights sounds and smells of Africa. You will become part of the landscape and environment we are passing through, merging with the people and wildlife that we encounter along the way.
- People who come with us enjoy the active outdoors and want something different in a holiday. By doing one of our trips you’re not just a spectator, but part of the scene getting to touch, smell and see what’s going on from close-up rather than as a passer-by.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices for 2008 and 2009: Euro 1970 (Plus local payment USD$ 200, bike hire in country USD$ 200).
Price Includes:
- Transport
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Activities for the duration of the trip as per detailed itinerary.
Price Excludes:
- Airfares
- Visas
- Airport taxes
- Optional meals
- Optional activities
- Excursions
- Vaccinations
- Personal equipment.
Local payment is a part of your trip cost and is payable at the beginning of your trip to your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting on your arrival in Africa, rather than at the time of invoicing.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Tanzania
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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