Tanzania mountain biking holiday

Travel at the pace of Africa on this 16 day mountain bike adventure, experience the culture, wildlife and landscapes of an amazing continent.

We are a small personal travel company with a passion for getting out and exploring new and exciting destinations around the world. Most people believe that the only way to see Africa is by vehicle. We know from experience that after a couple of days biking with us you will realise that this is the only way to truly appreciate this magnificent continent. On our 16 day Tanzanian biking adventure we travel from Arusha, the safari capital of East Africa, 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 foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro and 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”.

Some people choose to extend their trip and follow with a trek of Mt Kilimanjaro or experience the culture and buzz of Zanzibar Island. Either of which we can help you to arrange.

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 latter 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.

Please note: This trip is done in reverse (Dar es Salaam to Arusha) on the following dates 2008: 23 Aug, 11 Oct. and 2009 08 Aug 19 Sep.

• 12 days biking - 90% on dirt and 4x4 roads, some paved roads, and a wee bit of non-technical single track. Some off road biking experience will help. From 25km to 90km per day, total distance approximately 550km.100% vehicle supported.
• 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 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.

Day 1:	Arrive in Arusha, free day. Airport transfers can be arranged. Alternatively taxis or shuttle buses are available outside the airport, approx $US 20 to the hotel where we will meet for a pre departure meeting at 5pm. NOTE - please change money on arrival at the airport for at least the first week of your trip.
Day 2:	We take a short drive out of Arusha to the base of Mt Meru, ‘the two faced mountain’. Our biking takes us around the lower slopes of Mt Meru, through lush forest and into Arusha National park. This is one of the few parks in East Africa that we can ride through on our bikes and experience the wildlife from the saddle. Approx 35kms biking.
Day 3:	Heading further away from civilisation we bike on dirt roads and tracks and around the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, meeting up with Maasai tribesmen and various plains game along the way before spending the night under the clear African sky in the open bush. Approx 70kms biking.
Day 4:	Heading away from Mt Kilimanjaro we continue biking on dirt roads and tracks and into the wide open spaces of Tanzania to camp at our “special spot” and enjoy the hospitality of a local Maasai family. Approx 50kms biking.
Day 5:	A relaxed morning gives us the chance to visit a Maasai manyatta (village), and experience their traditional culture and lifestyle. We continue biking through the wide open plains and scrub lands all the while keeping an eye open for Giraffe, Zebra and Gazelle. Approx 45kms biking.
Day 6:	We start the day with a drive back towards Arusha. Back on our bikes and you choose between the paved road or dirt roads and tracks for approx 35kms to the Meserani Snake Park. Lunch at own cost.
Day 7:	A full day of paved roads to really stretch out the legs as we bike away from Arusha. We again encounter Maasai tribesmen herding their cattle and some plains game. The afternoon brings us to Mto Wa Mbu, a small town at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. Explore the town and visit local craft markets. Evening meal at own cost. Approx 89kms biking. (Upgrades to rooms available*).
Day 8:	With an early start we drive into the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural Garden of Eden, and spend the day game viewing the highest concentration of plains game in Africa, Returning to Arusha in the evening.
Day 9:	Departing Arusha we drive around the southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro to Moshi, a bustling town and the base for most Kilimanjaro treks. From Moshi its back on our bikes as we ride through banana palm lined villages and lush tea plantations to our campsite. If you still have the energy enjoy a walk on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. Approx 30kms biking.
Day 10:	We begin heading towards the coast, driving south through the huge wide open spaces of the Maasai Steppe. We finish the day with a 40km ride to a secluded campsite on the banks of a quiet meandering river. Lunch at own cost.
Day 11:	Climbing away from the plains we head up into the Usambara Mountains, driving up for the main climb then biking on towards Lushoto - an old German colonial town nestled high in the mountains. From here we bike up to a viewpoint overlooking the endless plains below then continue further into the mountains to camp at a rustic colonial lodge. (Upgrades to rooms available*). Approx 45kms biking.
Day 12:	A well earned rest day for those who wish. Or join with a guide from the local village for a day hike into the stunning Usambara Mountains with unspoilt forests and views that go on forever. Here we have a chance to visit a local school. ** (Upgrades to rooms available*).
Day 13:	"The ultimate day" - What goes up must come down; biking further into these beautiful mountains we pass through pristine rainforest and village farmland. This is an area that rarely, if ever gets visited by travellers and the welcome and response we receive from the local population is fantastic. You have the choice of two routes back down, and then after lunch a gentle 14kms of scenic winding tarmac to get us back down to the plains below. (Upgrades to rooms available*). Approx 60kms biking.
Day 14:	With the tropical coastline as our goal we bike along a little used dirt road and through sleepy palm lined villages to meet the Indian Ocean at Bagamoyo. This small historic town right on the coast is at the end of what once was the major slave and trading route through East Africa. We camp at a lodge right on the beach. Evening meal at own cost. (Upgrades to rooms available*). Approx 65kms biking.
Day 15:	We bike through old Bagamoyo town then follow the coastal road to Dar es Salaam “Haven of peace”. A quick check of the local fish market to choose our dinner then a last gentle ride along the coast to our campsite - arriving in time to enjoy a swim in the Indian Ocean. Approx 25kms biking.
Day 16:	If you are flying out today we can arrange a transfer to the airport or to your hotel if you are staying on in Dar es Salaam. If you are staying on in Africa, we can help you arrange beach bungalow accommodation or a trip to Zanzibar Island.

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.