Our Kenya and Tanzania family adventure includes all
that is special in our regular biking adventures but with
reduced biking distances and extra family friendly
activities added. Offer : Book now
16 Day Family Biking, Wildlife and Culture Adventure’ Travel at the pace of Africa on this 16 day African 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. We have created our family adventures to include all that is special in our regular biking adventures but with reduced biking distances and extra family friendly activities added in so you and your family can truly appreciate this magnificent continent.
On our 16 day family adventure we travel from Nairobi in Kenya to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Travelling 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 hike in 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 visit Ngorongoro Crater, which hosts the largest concentration of plains game anywhere in the world and Amboseli National Park in Kenya to give you the wildlife experience that East Africa is famous for. Enjoy a day hike on the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro and visit a local school in the unspoilt Usambara Mountains. Bike through the Usambara Mountains and along the tropical Indian Ocean coastline, camp with a local Maasai family, stroke a giraffe, ride an ostrich and so much more.
What is biking like ? - 11 days with biking - 90% on dirt and 4x4 roads, some paved roads, and a wee bit of non-technical single track. While most of the riding on this trip is non-technical some off road biking experience will help. - A good level of fitness will add to the enjoyment of your trip. - From 10km to 40km per day. Total distance approximately 200 - 300km. - Fully vehicle supported.
The Basic Lo-Down - We travel between Nairobi in Kenya and Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast in Tanzania. - 100% vehicle supported. Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, helps you up those hills (if you like) and always has lunch, snacks and water at hand. - Two Game parks included - Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) and Amboseli National Park (Kenya). - Reptile Park, Elephant orphanage and Giraffe centre included. - Group size minimum 4, maximum 10 plus leaders and local crew. - Accommodation is twin share - 4 nights in hotels; and single or double for 11 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 and Maasai village school in Kenya.
Itinerary Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Day 1 – Arrive in Nairobi, free day. Airport transfers can be arranged. Alternatively taxis are available outside the airport, approx $USD 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 - Driving away from Nairobi, we take time to get up close and face to face with giraffe’s at the giraffe centre then on to visit an Elephant and Rhino orphanage on the edge of Nairobi national park. After lunch we get on our bikes and ride through small subsistence farms to our campsite on an ostrich farm. In the afternoon relax by the pool or maybe try riding an ostrich!! Approx 10kms biking.
Day 3 – A short ride to get us going in the morning then we drive through African savannah with the occasional giraffe, zebra or gazelle crossing our path as we head into Amboseli National Park, renown for its huge herds of elephant and stunning views of Mt Kilimanjaro. We finish the day with a short game drive into the park to the campsite. Approx 10-15kms biking.
Day 4 – With an early start we spend the morning on a game drive through Amboseli National Park. Leaving the park after lunch we bike across the dry bed of Lake Amboseli and around the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro to camp in the shadow of the massive mountain. Approx 15kms biking.
Day 5 - A relaxed morning gives us the chance to visit a Maasai manyatta, (village) and experience their traditional culture and lifestyle. Biking on dirt roads and tracks then out into scrubland we make our way to Namanga, a small busy town right on the Kenya and Tanzania border. Approx 15kms biking.
Day 6 – After a early morning border crossing a short transfer brings us to Arusha. After lunch, back on our bikes and you choose between the paved road or dirt roads and tracks for approx 15kms to the Meserani Snake Park and check out the vast array of reptiles and snakes in the snake park. Lunch at own cost.
Day 7 – A morning ride on paved roads to really stretch out the legs as we drop down into the Great Rift Valley to Mto Wa Mbu, a small town at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. We encounter Maasai tribesmen herding their cattle and some plains game. In the afternoon explore the town and visit local craft markets. Evening meal at own cost. Approx 30kms biking.
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 - Heading south we drive around the lower slopes of Mt Meru to the foot hills of Mt Kilimanjaro. In the afternoon hike on the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.
Day 10 – We drive south through the wide open spaces of the Masaai Steppe then jump back on our bikes to ride a local walking track that follows a hardly used railway line. In the evening we camp at a secluded campsite on the banks of the Pangani river. Approx 20kms biking.
Day 11 – Climbing away from the plains we head up into the Usambara Mountains, driving up for the main climb to 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. Approx 25kms biking.
Day 12 - Today we have an opportunity to visit a local primary school that we have had an ongoing relationship with for quite a few years. Meet the children and experience how school life in rural Tanzania really is! ** Or spend the day hiking with a local guide in the hills and forest.
Day 13 - 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. After a relaxed lunch we head back down to the plains. Approx 30kms biking.
Day 14 – With the tropical coastline in our sights we travel along a little used dirt road and through sleepy palm lined villages to Bagamoyo on the Indian Ocean Coast. The route retraces the historical major slave and trading route through East Africa. Approx 10 - 30kms biking. Evening meal at own cost.
Day 15 – We bike through old Bagamoyo town then follow the coastal road to Dar es Salaam “Haven of peace” and 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 note: The beach in Dar es Salaam is beautiful. If you care to spend some time lulling on the beach after the trip, please let us know and we can help you organise additional accommodation.
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.
Departure Dates for 2013 Sat 27th July to Sun 11th Aug 2013: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam Sat 17th Aug to Sun 1st Sept 2013: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Departure Dates for 2014 Sat 5th July to Sun 20th July 2014: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Prices for 2013 and 2014 Adult: New Zealand Dollars NZ$4490 (Plus local payment USD$300, bike hire in country USD$200)
Child (under 16): New Zealand Dollars NZ$3690 (Plus local payment USD$300, bike hire in country USD$200)
Prices include transport, meals, accommodation and activities for the duration of the trip as per detailed itinerary.
Prices do not include airfares, visas, airport taxes, optional meals, optional activities and excursions, vaccinations and personal equipment.
Local Payment is a part of your trip cost and is payable at the beginning of your trip to your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting on your arrival in Africa, rather than at the time of invoicing. (See Pre-departure Information)
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 later 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.
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Thanks for visiting, happy travels and don't forget to send us your reviews...
one criticism, a couple of comments, and lots of praise.
First, the criticism: We spent a lot of time riding the bus. I suspect that this was inevitable given the dangers of highway cycling in Africa and the goal of experiencing as much of Tanzania and Kenya as possible, but the itinerary really seemed to understate the bus riding. Perhaps the itinerary could be modified to make more clear that most cycling days also include some hops by bus.
Second, two or three comments and suggestions: (1) Contrary to the implications of the itinerary, and to the relief of our creaky old bodies, Mary and I were able to upgrade on all but three camping nights (and were duly voted as the couple with most upgrades of all time). The White Parrot Motel at Korogwe was nowhere near as bad as rumored (especially since the campsite was one of the least attractive), and all the upgrades, with the exception of Mtowambu, were reasonably priced (under $50 US). You might consider indicating that more upgrades may be available than shown in your itinerary. Notwithstanding the preceding, Mary and I really enjoyed our three camping nights; at Pangani River, Solomons Rock, and Leonard's Place, collectively we thought the three most attractive campsites. (2) A very minor suggestion: making the Ethiopian dinner at Spices and Herbs family style would expedite service and provide the opportunity to sample more dishes. (3) We were glad that our own schedule meant that we did the reverse tour. Starting in Dar, rather than Nairobi, seemed to give more of a build-up to the best features of the tour, and the Wildebeest Lodge was a terrific place to finish. (4) Although there were a couple of days early on, when heat, intercontinental travel, and getting used to mountain biking started to wear on us, we didn't feel that our ages (72 and 68) were inappropriate to the tour, just being in good cycling shape was enough (although we wished we'd had a couple of days of mountain biking experience ahead of time).
Last, and definitely not least, lots and lots of praise: Tim and Teresa were wonderful leaders, always upbeat, clear about requirements, empathetic, and good at bandaging. Joseph was a delight, a great cook, and instantly and unobtrusively helpful to the older members of the tour. The bikes were excellent and, thanks to Tim, still in great shape at the end of the ride. The mix of terrain was great, the countryside and villages delightful, and the off-the-beaten-track introduction to East Africa quite wonderful. (And our fellow cyclists were great as well, itis hard to imagine a better bunch of fellow-travelers! ) A fabulous, delightful, wonderful (and just a little challenging) vacation!!! THANK YOU.
I hoped this would be the holiday of a lifetime for our family as stated by previous travellers but it was so much more than that. Challenging and enlightening it was worth every penny and was good value for what we got.
The trip details had been painstakingly worked out so that even on the days where you thought things were less busy, there were still new experiences that you couldn't foresee. Food was good; trip leaders were exceptional; all the equipment was top-notch ( so that now I'm dissatisfied with the stuff we have at home ); the bus Sabrina was like a really good friend and was equipped and adapted perfectly.
Now we feel deflated that we are home and didn't want to leave Africa...none of us can imagine anything else living up to this :
Go on, do it, you won't regret it...and that's coming from a novice bike rider...
They are amazingly organised, super ready and we all agreed at the end of the trip, it was well worth it. By the end, we had a routine, a team and a tight knit bunch of people, including the guides. Everyone was included and we all got something from the holiday.
A remarkable way to see Africa
5
Client:
Susan Driano - from Ghana
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We thoroughly enjoyed our vacation.
The guides were delightful and they put together an excellent mix of biking, wildlife viewing and cultural experiences. We especially enjoyed the few nights we spent camping in very remote places. It was also pretty cool to ride along and have a zebra, wildebeest or other critter cross the track ahead or graze in the distance.
We are regular mountain bikers so did not find the riding particularly difficult from a technical standpoint but you do need to be in decent physical shape to enjoy the rides.
Ngorongoro Crater and Amboseli NP, both seen in a motorized vehicle, did not disappoint -- lots of wildlife, beautiful setting, etc.
The trip is for those who are comfortable with camping and getting a bit grubby. This isn't for you if you're looking for 5 star luxury (although the food was delicious). On our trip, there were only three clients so it made for a very relaxed and informal vibe. A group of ten (the maximum) would probably be a different experience.
We had a fantastic holiday and it was everything we had hoped for and more.
We saw most of the wild animalsAfrica is famous for and in their natural habitat as we biked across the plains and mountains of Kenya and Tanzania. It is truly a thrill to be biking along and have a view of a herd of Giraffe, Zebra or gazelle pass in front of you. The views of the landscapes in the Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro and Usambara Mountains were breathtaking.
The staff were very knowledgeable and offered unique insights into the cultural differences of the regions as well as interesting facts about the unique vegetation, farming practices and lifestyles. We particularly enjoyed visiting a small pre-school and conversing with local Masai people. The biking was challenging on some days but not too difficult so it appeals to a wide variety of capabilities and there were opportunities for more experienced riders to put the hammer down.
One other footnote is that the camp food on the trip was anything but camp food and we truly enjoyed the variety and the quality of what was provided.
Thanks for your recommendation and if I return to Africa I would most likely use them as the tour provider.
Biking - what a great way to experience Africa. It was everything I have been looking for. Good preparation, support and organisation, the planning showed in the variety and range of experience.
Plus excellent food, bikes and kit, and interesting company. Although not a cheap holiday, it was certainly worth it, and I would like to go with them again next year. Loved it.
This trip offers a unique opportunity to those who wish to see Africa from more than a bus window or a lodge balcony. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to bike, be outside, and camp.
Mandy, John, and Nash, the trip leaders, are knowledgeable and personable. John's family immigrated from Kenya to New Zealand, Nash is from a village North of Nairobi, and Mandy is an awesome cook--plying us with fresh biscotti and fruit on our bike breaks and cooking us pancakes in the morning to get us jump started. They have carefully researched routes and places to give the group a diverse experience of the landscapes and people in Kenya and Tanzania.
A sample day best demonstrates this trip's character. We began the day early--breaking camp from inside Amboseli National Park with a game drive where we saw the big five. We then drove for about 45 minutes out of the park to bike across dry Lake Amboseli which was so hot that mirages of water shimmered on either side of us. We ended the day at the base of a huge rock outcropping near a Masaai village that they have developed a relationship with over the years.
That evening, we had a "colonial" dinner of wine, fresh cheeses, salads, and fruits, on the rock. With the sun setting in the distance over the savanna and the silhouettes of acacia trees and the occasional giraffe's head, we lit a camp fire and spoke (via Nash, our translator) with two of the leaders of the Masaai village as a prelude to our visit to their actual homes the next day.
As this stellar day should reveal, this trip offers a once in a life time opportunity to the person who wishes to learn more about the people, and not just the animals, in Africa.
This is a must holiday for those with a bit of an adventurous spirit and those that don't mind getting close to the locals and the wildlife.
The well known sanitation problems are blown away by the amazing sites, sounds and views. But, if you really don't like camping, then don't do it!
The staff were brilliant. I don't know how they manage to cook up such marvellous fresh food on such spartan equipment.
The cycling was magnificently diverse in both terrain and outlook - far from worrying about sore bot's, it was something to look forward to each day. All capped off by a day with the Gorillas! This was 'life changing' stuff.
The only real niggle was the difficulty in changing travellers cheques locally - some good advice would have been useful here.
