Tanzania Cycle Safari - Biking the Rift Valley
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££ Camping
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TZTCSC |
Volcano Biking from the Foothills of Kilimanjaro and into the Great Rift Valley
| Area | Around Kilimanjaro National Park and Rift Valley Escarpment | | Distance | Approx. 386 km over 9 days of cycling | | Holiday Type | Fully guided MTB holiday, riding from point-to-point | | Specifics | Typical Tanzanian secondary roads - mainly gravel, sand and dirt roads | | Grade | Strenuous with 6-10 hours of riding each day with stops en route |
This is a strenuous and rewarding trip encompassing some of the most beautiful landscape and sights in Northern Tanzania. From a circuit of Mount Kilimanjaro across the Maasai Steppe to the Ngorongoro highlands and Great Rift Valley this biking itinerary takes you to places which are not accessible by car. Time on the saddle is between 6-10 hours each day with stops on route. A support vehicle will be with the group throughout providing food and drinks on route.
Riding for 9 days you’ll be accompanied by your own experienced private biking guide and supply/support vehicle with driver and a cook. Nights are spent under canvas, camping in the grounds of local schools and locally-run camp sites, which provide a much-needed source of income for the schools and local communities. Bike hire is included, as is all camping equipment and mattresses. You'll just need to take a sleeping bag.
Scheduled Departures and Operating Period
Our Tanzania Cycle Safari departs once a month during dry season months. Our small group scheduled departures operate with a minimum of 4 participants and maximum of 12. Private departures can also be arranged, departing any day of the week, based on a minimum of 2 participants at a slightly higher price. These need to be pre-booked at least 3 months in advance.
| Months of Operation | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
Highlights of Tanzania Cycle Safari
| 1 | Experience a variety of landscapes, people and wildlife on two-wheels. | | 2 | Plenty of cultural interaction with local people plus the Maasai. | | 3 | Get off-the-beaten track in Northern Tanzania on tracks inaccessible by car. | | 4 | Fully supported and accompanied by knowledgeable bike guide. | | 5 | Bike for a few days around the villages and countryside of Kilimanjaro. | | 6 | Traverse one of the Great Rift Valley's most scenic routes. | | 7 | Enjoy a memorable game drive and see the 'Big Five' in Ngorongoro Crater. | | 8 | Take an early morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. | | 9 | Chance to extend your holiday to include a Serengeti safari or Zanzibar. |
Brief Itinerary of Tanzania Cycle Safari
| Day 1 | Moshi | Arrive Kilimanjaro and transfer to Moshi. | | Day 2 | Moshi | Orientation and acclimatisation cycle tour of Moshi and villages. | | Day 3 | Marangu | Transfer to Kidia Village; cycle to Marangu with views of Kilimanjaro. | | Day 4 | Tarakea | Cycle from Marangu to Kibouni (Tarakea) close to Kenyan border. | | Day 5 | Ol Molog | Bike from Rongai to West Kilimanjaro. | | Day 6 | Ngare na Nyuki | Bike down to Maasai land plains and cross the north of Arusha NP. | | Day 7 | Longido | Ride to main Namanga road then 4x4 transfer to village near Longido town. | | Day 8 | Longido | Hike to Longido mountains; visit Longido Cultural Tourism Project; bike around village. | | Day 9 | Kitumbaine | Bike to Kitumbaine mountain through savannah passing Maasai villages. | | Day 10 | Gilai-Bomba | Biking in Maasai Land with views of Ol Doinyo Lengai. | | Day 11 | Engaruka | 4x4 transfer/drive to Hole of God then cycle sandy road to Engaruka. | | Day 12 | Mto wa Mbu | Scenic day cycling on the Rift Valley Escarpment; descend to shores of Lake Manyara. | | Day 13 | Mto wa Mbu | Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater (6 hour safari); return to camp. | | Day 14 | Moshi | Game drive in Lake Manyara NP; Mto wa Mbu Cultural Tourism walk; drive to Moshi. | | Day 15 | | Optional day safari in Arusha National Park. End of trip. |
Responsible Tour Operating in Tanzania
Specialist Tanzania works in close partnership with a locally owned and managed company in Moshi, Tanzania. We feel this approach has a more direct benefit on the local distribution of income from tourism. We support and fully endorse the recruitment and training of local bike guides, local group tour managers, drivers and representation staff. With our guiding principle of employing local people wherever possible our guests see a direct benefit in the improved local knowledge of our local team, whether that be knowledge of flora, fauna, history or just general Tanzanian life. Through this approach we can also maximise the amount of your tourism revenue that is delivered directly into the heart of the local economy. Specialist Tanzania is also determined to do what we can to help minimise any negative impacts on the environmental, wildlife and cultural welfare of Tanzania through promoting responsible visitor behaviour; promoting waste reduction; facilitating cultural exchange between guests and local communities; supporting local businesses, goods and services; encouraging guests to eat local foods rather than imported foods; encouraging the conservation of natural resources like electricity and water; and promoting the importance of protecting the local environment and nature. » Read our full responsible travel policy
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