Mountain Biking, 16 Day Mountain Bike Safari - Tanzania

Location:	Tanzania (Arusha to Dar Es Salaam)

Item:	MO12594UN

Price:	€1,970

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Most people believe that the only way to see Africa is by vehicle… we know from experience that after a couple of days on this Mountain Bike tour you will realise that this is the only way to truly appreciate this magnificent continent. On this 16 day mountain biking adventure you will travel from Arusha, the safari capital of East Africa to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, situated on the Indian Ocean coast.

You will be biking away from busy roads and main tourist routes so that you experience a different face (and pace) of Africa. 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”.

You will spend 11-13 days biking, 90% of the time is spent on dirt roads ranging from rough and rocky to muddy and dusty with 10% of the time on paved roads. The distance you will ride ranges from 25km to 90km per day, supported by a vehicle at all times.

Group size is a minimum of 4 with a maximum of 10 plus 2 leaders and local staff. Accommodation is share twin, 1 night hotel, 14 nights camping (Upgrades to rooms available at some campsites at your own expense). Adventure biking is about getting off the beaten track onto remote and little used dirt roads as much as possible. Some of the time will be on paved roads and also at times on single track, although not with too much technical difficulty. There is plenty of opportunity for getting off the main tracks and onto some more serious off road biking if you wish. This trip is not about covering as many miles as possible. It's 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 you pass through, merging with the people and wildlife that you will encounter along the way. By doing one of these trips you get to be a part of the scene not just a spectator. You get to touch, smell and see what’s going on from close-up rather than as a passer-by.

Day 1 Arrive in Arusha.
Day 2 Bike to Mt Meru and Arusha National Park.
Day 3/4 Bike to Mt Kilimanjaro.
Day 5/6/7 Bike and explore outer regions of Arusha.
Day 8 Bike towards Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 9 Day in Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 10 Travel south.
Day 11/12/13 Biking in the Usambara Mountains.
Day 14 Bike to Bagamoyo on the Indian Ocean coast.
Day 15 Bike to Dar es Salaam.
Day 16 Fly out

Optional trip extensions of Mt Kilimanjaro treks and Zanzibar Island can be arranged.

intensity: 4.0

Next Available Dates

10 Feb 12 (Friday)	Places

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Reviews

In summary the biking holiday was excellent and if anything felt a wee bit cheated because we (due to other commitments) only went half way… (from Nairobi to Arusha) - I had such a great time and experienced some wonderful scenery, villages and more great animals, and my butt is a lot harder now!!! The biking trip was really off the beaten track and we found ourselves biking and staying in villages that hardly see white folk, weaving our way through cattle and acacia thorns (picked up plenty in my tyres as well)….
Lisa

I didn’t know what to expect when I got there but it was definitely the trip of a lifetime. I would love to do another as soon as I can. Cycling was a unique way to see that part of Africa and is definitely the way to see other parts of the world
Mark

Having travelled Africa via Overland truck, local busses, trains, matatu's and car prior to this Mountain Bike Safari - this is one of the best ways to totally immerse yourself into the wonders of Africa. Biking through local villages and listening to the squeals of delight as the children call out "Mazungu, mazungu, how are you"? Watching a herd of elephant cross the road in front of you in Amboseli National Park, biking the never ending hills of the Usumbara Mountains, only to be greeted with the best downhill ride you will ever experience and to finally be greeted by the warm water of the Indian Ocean. This is one experience you should definitely do!
Shelley

Experience Details

Fitness and Experience

All biking is vehicle supported which means all your gear is carried for you, lunch and water is 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 do this safari, but a reasonable standard of fitness is required and makes your trip more enjoyable
Some off road experience is preferred

What to Bring/Wear

You will need to arrange your own airfares, visas, airport taxes, travel insurance and vaccinations
Bike shorts, 2 pairs. (In some places ‘baggy’ mountain bike style shorts or wearing shorts over the top of your ‘lycra’ is more appropriate dress for the local environment)
Cycling shirts
Bike shoes (if you have your own cleats and pedals please feel free to bring these also)
Arnica cream and tablets (great for sore butt syndrome)
Bike helmet and gloves Water bottle (camelbak or similar is good)
Warm jacket i.e. fleece jacket or light weight jersey and rain jacket
Sunglasses, cap or hat
Sleeping bag (2-3 season) and comfortable sleeping mat (thermarest or similar)
Sandals, trainers or walking shoes
Camera/video with spare film and batteries
Torch with spare batteries
Travel first aid kit (We carry comprehensive emergency first aid supplies)
Please bring your own medicines/drugs, insect repellent, sunscreen, water purification tablets (optional), extra money for optional meals, activities and excursions
Mountain Bike (can be hired please refer to extra information)
Local Payment USD$200 - additional to your trip cost and is payable at the beginning of your tour to your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting on your arrival in Nairobi

What is Supplied

16 Days adventure biking, hiking and Game parks, Dar es Salaam to Nairobi 11-13 days biking, 90% Dirt roads ranging from rough and rocky to mud and dust to paved, some off road experience preferred. From 25km to 85km per day, 100% vehicle supported
1 day mountain hike (optional) 2 Game parks, Amboseli (Kenya) and Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) included
Accommodation - Twin Share, 1 night guesthouse, 14 nights camping (Upgrades to rooms available at some campsites at your own expense)
Food - includes 3 meals per day from evening day 1 to breakfast day 16, except for 2 lunches and 2 evening meals which are at your own expense to give you the opportunity to experience local cuisine

More Information

Some facts about TANZANIA AREA - 945,090 sq km POPULATION - 29 million GOVERNMENT - Republic ECONOMY - Agriculture, Mining, Tourism RELIGON - Muslim, Christian LANGUAGE - Official-Swahili, English and tribal spoken MONEY - Tanzanian shillings. $USD 1= TSH 1050 CAPITAL - Dodoma

What about bike hire? If you are not supplying your own bike you may hire one. The cost of the hire is USD$200.00 and is paid on arrival. It’s surprisingly easy to travel with your bike; with prior arrangement most airlines will carry your bike for no extra charge. Some clients prefer to bring their own bike (as long as its up to the job), as they are familiar with it and comfortable with it. As all of our trips involve some off road cycling it must be a mountain bike and though not essential, front suspension will make your ride more comfortable. A full service before coming is recommended. While trekking or on other parts of the trip we have secure storage for the bikes, or they are with us on our support vehicle. Local Hire - On most trips we do have mountain bikes for hire if needed and can arrange this for you. These bikes are always well maintained late model alloy bikes with front suspension.

Extra excursions, if you would like to add extra excursions to gameparks, mountain treks or Zanzibar island either before or after your trip please drop us a line and we can help organise these for you. ARRIVAL If you are arriving on day one of the trip you will need to arrive in time for the pre-departure meeting which will be held at 5pm on the evening at the hotel. We will send you joining instructions with more details nearer the time. Airport transfers can be organised by prior arrangement with us. Alternatively taxis are available at the airport. Contact us for more details or to book your transfer.

VISA’S and PASSPORTS Visa requirements are constantly changing; so please check with us or your travel agent prior to your departure to insure you have the correct visa’s. You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your intended return home.

INSURANCE A comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover all activities included on your trip is compulsory. No responsibility will be taken for failure to have suitable insurance cover. Please ensure that you travel insurance details have been given to our office prior to you trip.

ACCOMODATION All your accommodation for the duration of the tour as per detailed itinerary is included in the tour costs, and is on a twin share basis. It will predominately be camping in dome tents; however at some campsites it is possible to upgrade your accommodation to rooms at your own expense. You will need to bring with you a sleeping mat (thermorest or similar) and a good 2-3 season sleeping bag. A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm all arrangements. Your final payment is required 8 weeks prior to your trip departing. Booking terms and conditions are as follows: Should a client wish to cancel a booking, the cancellation will take effect from the date written notification is received by the company. The applicable cancellation charges are as follows: *8 weeks or more before departure- deposit forfeited. *Less than 8 weeks before departure – 50% of tour price forfeited. *Less than 4 weeks before departure – 75% of tour price forfeited. *Less than 2 weeks before departure or after departure – 100% of tour price forfeited. Please contact LIVE Adrenalin for a booking form. Photo compliments of John Etherington.

€1,970

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