Tanzania Mountain Bike Tour - 16 Days
Single room surcharge - US$495
Strongly recommend you bring your own mountain bike
Overview
Visit well known National Parks including the Ngorongoro Crater, where you have the chance to see the Big Five – the African elephant, black rhinoceros, cape buffalo, lion and leopard. Pass through the Rift Valley, where some of the world’s oldest, largest and deepest lakes are located. You’ll meet Maasai people, the indigenous African tribe of northern Tanzania, and ride along the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro. Experience the pleasant climate of the Usambara Mountains and relax on the coast of the Indian Ocean before finishing your tour in Zanzibar - the ‘Spice Island’.
This 'off the beaten track' tour caters for anyone who enjoys mountain biking and travelling. We recommend participants have a good level of fitness as the riding is moderately challenging with some longer days. However as the support vehicle is always nearby, you can ride as much or little as preferred. Daily rides range from approximately 15 km to 96 km (non-riding partners are also welcome). It's strongly recommended you bring your own mountain bike. You'll stay in a range of accommodation types including cottages, fixed tents, basic Maasai houses and comfortable hotels. All we ask is that you bring a sense of adventure and fun!
There is the option to join for biking only (after the first safari days).
Highlights include:
Culture: Interact with local communities and get a taste of Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Nature: From serene coastlines and lush forests to the majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro - be prepared to be astounded.
Activity: Spot flamingos, pelicans and lions in Lake Manyara National Park, see the Big Five in Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, unforgettable stay in a private Maasai hut, the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, boat transfer to Zanzibar
Culinary: Mtori (Banana Soup) A staple of the Chagga tribe of the Kilimanjaro region
Souvenir: Traditional Masai jewellery and accessories
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport - Transfer to Moshi
You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred 42km to the town of Moshi . The journey takes approximately 50 minutes depending on traffic. This evening there will be a tour briefing before dinner.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Moshi to Mto Wa Mbu (Lake Manyara National Park)
We'll depart in good time and drive to the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park. The journey leads us through hilly farmland with cornfields and coffee trees. We may see monkeys as well as trees full of storks in their nests. After a picnic lunch we start our game drive through this National Park which stretches for 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600 metre high Rift Valley escarpment. We should see flamingos, pelicans and maybe lions resting in trees! Around 4.30pm we’ll head to our Lodge at Mto Wa Mbu - set in a lovely natural site with a spacious sitting area and amenities including hot showers.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Room at Mto Wa Mbu
Ngorongoro Crater (Hole-Hole)
After a one hour drive, we’ll have a full day of game driving in the famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. There is an excellent chance of seeing the Big Five (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and with luck, leopard) plus other wildlife such as giraffe, baboon, hippo, zebra and antelope. During the middle of the day when the animals are more elusive, we will have our picnic lunch beside a lake before returning to our lodge later in the afternoon.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Room at Mto Wa Mbu
Mto Wa Mbu to Ndinyika Region
This morning it's a three hour drive back to Arusha where we’ll have time to explore the town at leisure. After lunch we'll continue to our Maasai Lodge, located on the north east side of Mt Meru, where we'll be reunited with our bikes. On a short ride to the local market we can stretch our legs and warm up for the riding days ahead.
Cycling Distance: 10 -15km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Maasai House
Ndinyika Region to Tingatinga
As we ride towards Tingatinga, we'll see a number of Maasai settlements and it is likely birds and animals will cross our path. During our lunch stop, zebra and cattle may be roaming nearby. Mount Kilimanjaro (at 5895 metres) is just ahead of us as we approach tonight's accommodation at the Olpopongi Maasai Cultural Village - built by a multi-cultural construction team in the traditional way. This is a unique experience - sleeping on a comfortable cowhide bed in your own private Maasai hut. It should be an unforgettable evening with a BBQ and traditional ceremony.
Cycling Distance: 40km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Maasai Hut
Tingatinga to Nale Moru
Today we'll cycle through grain fields along the rolling foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and will see many traditionally dressed Maasai people. They are very friendly and children particularly will call out "Jambo", which means "Hello" in Swahili. Our accommodation tonight is alongside the Nale Moru River amongst the Rongai forest, north east of Mt Kilimanjaro. From the grounds, there are views to Kibo and Mawanzi peaks. This is a popular base for climbers of Mt Kilimanjaro via the Rongai route.
Cycling Distance: 85km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cottages
Nale Moru to Marangu
As we continue biking around Mt Kilimanjaro, our route leads us through savannah, forests and banana plantations where we’ll see local Chagga people going about their daily lives. Then as we ascend towards Marangu, we’ll notice how the higher we climb the greener it becomes. Marangu is a large village which services much of Mt Kilimanjaro’s tourism trade. After checking into the hotel, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring.
Cycling Distance: 68km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Cottages
Marangu
You can choose to ride or have a day at leisure. Our optional bike ride around the local area will include a visit to one of the traditional Chagga villages and also the Chagga museum. We’ll also stop at one of the popular waterfalls where you can have a refreshing swim.
Cycling Distance: 20km (optional)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Cottages
Marangu to Mambo View Point
In the morning we drive south to the Usambara Mountains (about 250km). We then take a steep road to the village of Mtae where there are spectacular panoramic views. We continue along the ridge through villages and further up to Mambo View Point - a genuine eco lodge located at an altitude of 1900 metres from where we’ll have more fantastic views over the Pare Mountains, the Mkomazi National Park and Kilimanjaro. Note: the route for today’s transfer (approx. 8hrs) may vary depending on the road conditions in the region. After arriving at Mambo View Point at about 4pm, there’s an option for a short walk.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cottages
Mambo View Point to Lushoto
Much of Tanzania’s produce is grown in the Usambara mountains and today offers idyllic riding through well cultivated farmland. We’ll take time to sample the local coffee or tea at the Lodge. Our accommodation tonight is modelled on traditional and modern homesteads set in a natural garden only 1.5km from the city centre of Lushoto, the main town of the region.
Cycling Distance: 58km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Room
Lushoto to Korogwe
Today’s ride takes us to the southern edge of the mountains through the terraced hillside plantations of Tanzania's main tea growing area. Just before lunch we’ll climb up into the rainforest for the last time. We then have a very long and amazing descent out to the plains. Tonight we’ll stay in the town of Korogwe.
Cycling Distance: 96km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Room
Korogwe to Emayani Beach (South of Pangani)
This is a long day where we ride on a mostly flat trail alongside sisal plantations and palms to the Indian Ocean. Our accommodation for the next two nights is a small and friendly lodge located at Emayani Beach on the shores of Tanzania’s mainland, just south of Pangani town. This evening you can have a well earned rest and relax at the restaurant and bar.
Cycling Distance: 92km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Room
Emayani Beach
Emayani Beach, nestled in a coconut grove alongside the Indian Ocean, offers a relaxing atmosphere amongst swaying palm trees and warm ocean breezes. This is a day to relax at the pool or take a dip in the ocean. There are also options for windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling trips to the Maziwe Marine reserve.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge Room
Emayani Beach to Nungwi (Zanzibar)
An early two hour boat transfer takes us to Nungwi at the northern end of Zanzibar Island (also called Unguja). Zanzibar is known as the 'Spice Island' for its cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper. Nungwi is a vibrant fishing village loved by its many visitors. Our hotel overlooks the sea to the distant island of Tumbatu and its lighthouse. The beautiful white coral and seashell beach is the perfect place to watch an incredible sunset.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Nungwi to Stone Town
Zanzibar Island is a destination that has lured traders, adventurers and explorers to its shores for centuries. The contrast to mainland Tanzania is quite startling. We explore the island by bike ending up at the main town called Stone Town. It is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and has remained relatively unchanged for 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses. You can spend many idle hours just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.
Cycling Distance: 56km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Departure from Zanzibar
Maybe you’ll have time for shopping and sightseeing in Stone Town before you are transferred to Zanzibar Airport where your tour finishes.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- Accommodation: Mix of hotels, lodges, cottages, fixed tents & Maasai houses
- Meals as listed
- Support vehicle
- Experienced tourguide(s) and crew
- Arrival & departure airport transfers (days 1 & 16 only)
- Entrance fee to game parks as listed
- Boat transfer to Zanzibar
- Bottled drinking water on riding days
- International and domestic flights
- Travel Insurance
- Passport and travel visa requirements (Tanzania visa is required)
- Single room surcharge
- Personal expenses & drinks (except water while riding)
- Mountain bike hire - We recommend you bring your own bike
Off-the-beaten-track destinations don’t come easy. This tour involves some longer days in the saddle over different terrain with distances ranging from 15km to 96km (although the support vehicle is always on hand if you need a break).
You will need a very good level of fitness - long rides three times a week with a longer, more challenging hill ride on the weekends.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
To ensure the trip's viability with our suppliers, a minimum of typically 4 participants is usually required. Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
OVERSEAS JURISDICTION AND TERMS
For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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