7 DAYS KILIMANJARO TO NGORONGORO BIKING TOUR
You can tell people you’ve been around Kilimanjaro and to the top!
ABOUT 7 DAYS KILIMANJARO TO NGORONGORO BIKING TOUR
This Biking tour will be exciting and unforgettable as you will be able to see the beauty of famous northern circuits in Tanzania from the base of world’s highest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro to the world’s largest intact caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater with its richness in wildlife. You’ll be very lucky to experience the panoramic views, amazing distinct landforms, diversities of wildlife, nature and enjoyable culture like of Maasai and Chagga people. We can’t wait to experience this incredible cycling tour with you as you enjoy Tanzania’s most iconic national and cultural attractions.
Path: Off road & paved road
Total Distance:366kmGALLERY
ITINERARY
Upon arrival at Arusha/Kilimanjaro airport, your Tanzania KITANO TOURS AND SAFARIS guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi Tanzania. in Moshi Tanzania (for budget hotels we recommend KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL). Settle into your accommodation, relax and get used to the African atmosphere. Ready to start your 6 DAYS BIKE TOUR FROM KILIMANJARO – NGORONGORO the next day. Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It's known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain’s cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. One of Tanzania's major coffee-producing hubs, Moshi is known for its coffee farms and auctions.
Our ride today takes us from greener southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro towards the more arid western side of the mountain. Your ride today will initially take you through coffee and banana plantations as you cycle through the more fertile areas of southern Kilimanjaro but as you head west you will cycle through the more arid open plains and acacia woodlands. These plains support a remarkable variety of wildlife and spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While Moshi is home the Chagga people west Kilimanjaro plains are home to the nomadic Maasai people who co-exist with the surrounding wildlife and it is why this area is known as the Maasai Lands. Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads and you will finish the ride at the Olpopongi Maasai Village where you will be spending the night.
Today’s cycle will be a long one as we cycle from the west Kilimanjaro plains towards Arusha city. The first section of the ride will be through the Ngasurai open plains which serve as a migratory path for elephants moving to and from the Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
Cyclist should look forward to a hot and dusty day ahead. Once we finish the dirt road, we will enter the main tarmac road towards Arusha city passing a few small villages and settlements along with Mt. Meru looming in the background. Right before reaching the bustling city of Arusha, we will divert through a coffee estate as we head towards our boutique lodge located outside the city. We will end our ride today at the Tembo Club where we will be spending the night.
Today’s ride will be the longest distance wise, but not the toughest, and will be mostly on tarmac roads. The ride will take us through many villages, towns and open plains. The long stretches of undulating road through the Tanzanian country side perfectly represents Ernest Hemingway’s quote when he said – “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them” After completing the tarmac road section, we will divert onto the dirt road that takes us to our tented camp/ campsite right on the border of the Tarangire National Park, which is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania.
Today we will be spending the night at the Roika Tented Lodge, which marks the perfect ending to a long, hot day of cycling since there is a swimming pool where you can cool off.
Today’s ride marks another exciting day as we cycle through the migratory wildlife corridors between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. The first section of the ride takes us back to the main road which we follow for a few kilometers then divert on a dirt road towards Lake Manyara. This area is rich in wildlife and you will notice a significant number of Maasai settlements along the way.
One of today’s highlights will be the beautiful views of the Great Rift Valley directly in front of us as we head towards Lake Manyara. After the dirt road section of today’s ride, we will rejoin the main tarmac road towards Mto wa Mbu town for several kilometers before diverting into the dirt road towards Migunga Tented Camp where we will be spending the night.
Today’s ride will be the final and the toughest but the most rewarding. We start off the day cycling from the dirt road back onto the tarmac road and head past the bustling town of Mto wa Mbu and the entry gate of Lake Manyara National Park. We then proceed on a very tough cycle up the Great Rift Valley escarpment leaving behind a spectacular backdrop. Before reaching the top of the escarpment you will stop to catch your breath at the viewpoint overlooking the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park and its surroundings. If there’s ever a time to take a great selfie, it’s here. You will then proceed on the tarmac road past the colorful Karatu town as you head towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Your ride today will finish at the entrance gate to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area marking an end to a challenging but exciting 5-day tour of Tanzania’s northern tourist circuit, on two wheels. After a celebratory toast to your achievement, you will be transferred to the Ngorongoro Farm House (or alternative) where you will be spending the night.
You will be able to sleep and rest well in your hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the airport or another place of departure from Moshi will be organized for you.
Note:*Price may vary depending on the season and specific requests *Tours can be customized according to wishes and physical condition
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Information & FAQ
Useful things to know before you go
Most cycling holidays in Tanzania hug the Kenyan border, making the most of the cluster of highlights including Serengeti National Park, Lake Natron, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Rift Valley escarpment and traditional Maasai villages. However, in a little over two weeks you can also travel between Nairobi in Kenya to Dar es Salaam, interspersing time in a minibus with time in the saddle to cover more ground. Most trips will see you cycling for 11-7 days out of 15 or 16, with distances ranging from 25-100km per day; however, family cycling holidays stick to a far more manageable 40km maximum.
“It’s unusual! There are very few places that you can cycle side by side with wild animals, past volcanoes, through traditional Maasai villages that have rarely seen a cyclist (especially one wearing any type of Lycra!) and then roast and grind your own coffee at the end of the day. Equally this trip is also about time off the bike visiting the magnificent Serengeti National Park and wildlife spotting in the Ngorongoro Crater – it’s a great blend of cycling and sights! Oh, and don’t worry about not feeling ‘fit enough’. I’ll let you in on a secret when it comes to cycling holidays – before they arrive everyone thinks that they will be the slowest no matter how fit they really are – just relax and enjoy it.”
“A reasonable level of fitness is required so enjoy the trip but you don’t have to be really fit – the pace is usually fairly sedate, around 15km/h and we take regular rest stops to make sure everyone is okay to continue on. Tanzania is naturally hilly so there are a few uphill sections but as long as you stay within your limits then everything is achievable. I’d advise trying to ride a few hills back home to get used to both the uphill and riding downhill, and also to (slowly) ride a few times on a gravel track rather than just in smooth bitumen so when you get to Tanzania, you’ll be well prepared for the African roads. The one thing about cycling in Tanzania to be mindful of is the elevation. Much of the route is above 1,500m above sea level so cycling can sometimes affect your breathing; taking it easy until you become acclimatized is the best way to go. And we always have a support vehicle with us in case you need a quick (or long!) break. Mostly I’d advise just focusing on the amazing experience cycling in Tanzania will give you – there will always be challenges but the amazing scenery, people and unique nature of the experience will outweigh any challenge you may face.”
Think outside the Safari Landcruiser and explore some of Africa’s best parks, as well as Kilimanjaro bike hiking to the summit. We also offer customizable Tanzania Cycling Tours / multi-day trips, where you can ride through the slopes of Kilimanjaro and Tanzania’s National Parks. These unique cycling adventures have you cycling down Great Rift Valley escarpments, strolling through farm villages, wild plains roasting and grinding your coffee, drifting off to sleep among nocturnal creatures, experiencing the cultures of the Maasai & Chagga peoples, pedaling far off the beaten track to trails where no cars go, and enjoying dinner at sunset every night. With a support vehicle at every step of the journey, your time to discover Tanzania on two wheels is now!
Imagine riding all day and getting the best view of Tanzania’s landscapes from two wheels. Cycle in the shadow of Mount Meru, and ride along the west side of Mount Kilimanjaro to the plains of wildebeest, giraffe & zebras, & flamingos in Lake Natron. This is mountain biking in Tanzania! Cycle where tourists rarely go, across the remote, barely charted plains of Lengai in the realm of vast grasslands and misty volcanic peaks. While riding, refuel with a cup of Tanzanian coffee. Roast, grind and taste your own in the village of Moshi and get a closer look at local farm life.
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