Tanzania Cycle Safari

Day 1: Arusha

Transfer to the hotel, and meet the group for a morning briefing. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. 

Day 2: Mezerani

Starting from our Arusha lodging, we cycle a route through banana and coffee plantations before heading west towards the Monduli mountain range. Open farmland leads us past the foothills of the mountains. The earth here is known as 'Black cotton' and is very prone to erosion. We weave through various small valleys and Masai homesteads as we traverse the foothills. Once we are above Mezerani town we descend straight down, freewheeling into camp. We will be carrying a packed lunch to re-energise at a convenient point on the way. We camp tonight at the 'Snake Park', where there is an excellent display of local reptiles. 

Day 3: Mto Wa Mbu

Cycling straight from our camp, the route follows the old tarmac road, which weaves back and forth over the new road. It is broken up a lot, and at times goes some distance away from the main road. After lunch, depending on the distance covered, we either get a lift or keep cycling straight towards the Rift Valley wall, which is seen in the distance, with Lake Manyara glistening at its foot. After Manyuki we follow the main road all the way to Mto Wa Mbu. This is open country, and giraffe, ostrich, gazelles and occasionally elephant are seen. We camp tonight at an attractive campsite on the edge of Mto Wa Mbu town. 

Days 4-5: Lake Manyara / Rift Valley

Leaving camp early morning we cycle through the local village and further west along the Rift Valley, a spectacular ride with the backdrop of the Rift wall and forest edge on the eastern side. We cycle through sprawling Masai homesteads where young children will probably run out to greet us. The vast open plains, where we often view varieties of wildlife, are shared with the cattle, goat and sheep herds of the Maasai. The wildlife often seen include zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and gazelle. Our destination is Selela forest, a 1000 hectare forest and home to a variety of animals, just before entering the campsite we cycle through a dense banana plantation. Our lunch is set up at the campsite under yellow acacia trees. After lunch we can explore the forest and the Rift Valley wall on a hike with some quite spectacular sights over the Rift Valley. Sitting around the open fire this evening expect to hear baboon, blue monkey and the common vervet monkey. 

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Today all the bikes are packed onto our vehicles and we drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro is a special place in that it is a Conservation Area, not a National Park; which means that the whole area is managed for both the animals and the local Masai people who graze their cattle alongside the indigenous wildlife. After stopping at the entrance gate, where there is a chance to learn about this fascinating volcanic landscape, we drive around the rim of the Crater itself, from where we can look down and see herds of wildebeeste and elephant. Then we descend into the crater. The crater walls provide a natural sanctuary for the animals, which means there is plenty to see, lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino and, if we are lucky, leopards. The only animal we won't see in here is a giraffe whose long legs are unable to cope with the steep sides of the crater. We drive up the crater wall in the afternoon and camp on the rim at Simba campsite. 

Days 7-9: Serengeti

After an early breakfast we have a spectacular drive down the outside of the crater and come to Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakey family have unearthed the remains of some of man's earliest ancestors. We then drive on to Naabi Hill, which marks the boundary between Ngorongoro and Serengeti - the Masai's 'Endless Plains'. 

Days 10-11: Lake Natron - Ol Doinyo Lengai

Today is a potentially our longest day of cycling. We cycle southwards through the hills bordering the Serengeti and down through an area populated by the Songo tribe, dressed in their bright orange attire. Our route is along a rough dirt road with some sandy sections and the countryside is as the previous day. We need to stop for an early lunch, after which we pack the bikes on the vehicle and we all get a transfer to the top of the Rift Valley escarpment overlooking Lake Natron, an awesomely spectacular view. The descent is on a gravel road with switchbacks, so a steady handlebar is necessary! The road descends steeply to the side of Lake Natron and then follows the lakeshore to a village. The road surface changes, becoming stonier, and requires more concentration. It is a real challenge to reach camp on the bikes but we will go as far as possible. Camp at the Lake Natron campsite. 

Days 12-13: Arusha

Return to Arusha. It is a long drive (approx 6 hrs) and also quite dusty. We follow the foothills of the Rift Valley wall over open plains where the now-familiar sight of the plains animals greets us. Once we reach the tarmac road you will all probably go to sleep as we drive the final 2 hrs back to civilisation. We return to our comfortable starting hotel. The following morning is free in Arusha: there is time to explore the town and pick up some last minute souvenirs or just spend the day relaxing by the pool and recalling your wonderful adventure over the last few days.