Kenya and Tanzania The Ultimate Biking Adventure

Travel at the pace of Africa on this 16 day biking adventure, Experience the culture, wildlife and landscapes of an amazing continent.

Escape Adventures is a small personal travel company with a passion for getting out and exploring new and exciting destinations around the world. We know from experience that after a couple of days biking with us you will realise that this is the only way to truly appreciate this magnificent continent.

On our 16 day biking adventure we travel from Nairobi in Kenya through Tanzania to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast; or the reverse journey. 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 rain forest 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 view Amboseli National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, to give 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”.

Some people choose to extend their trip and follow with a trek of Mt Kilimanjaro or experience the culture and buzz of Zanzibar Island; either of which we can help you to arrange.

+64 3 525 8783

Itinerary / Highlights

Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Day 1 - Arrive in Nairobi, free day. Airport transfers can be arranged to the Hotel where we will meet for a pre departure meeting at 5pm.

Day 2 - We take a short drive out to the surrounding plains. From here we begin biking on undulating tarmac and dirt roads through the African savannah. A fairly gentle day of approx 25kms to ease us into the saddle brings us to an ostrich farm where we camp for the night.

DAY 3 - Heading away from civilisation we bike on dirt roads towards Amboseli National Park, meeting up with Maasai tribesmen and various plains game along the way before spending the night under the clear African sky in the open bush. Approx 82kms biking.

Day 4 - We continue biking on dirt roads and tracks to 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 50kms biking.

Day 5 - With an early start we spend the morning on a game drive through Amboseli. 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 25kms biking.

Day 6 - A relaxed morning gives us the chance to visit a Maasai manyatta, (village) and experience their traditional culture and lifestyle. We continue biking around the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro towards the Tanzanian border. Approx 45kms biking.

Day 7 - After crossing through the Kenya/Tanzania border we drive on towards Arusha the safari capital of East Africa. A free afternoon to relax or explore this vibrant town. Evening meal at own cost.

Day 8 - A full day of paved roads to really stretch out the legs as we bike away from Arusha. We again encounter Maasai tribesmen herding their cattle and some plains game. The afternoon brings us to Mto Wa Mbu, a small town at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. Explore the town and visit local craft markets. Approx 120kms biking.

Day 9 - With an early start we drive into the Ngorongoro Crater, and spend the day with some of the best game viewing in Africa, Returning to Arusha in the evening.

Day 10 - Departing Arusha we begin heading towards the coast, driving south past Kilimanjaro and the huge wide open spaces of the Maasai Steppe. We finish the day with a 30-40km ride to a riverside campsite.

Day 11 - Climbing away from the plains we head up into the Usambara Mountains, driving up for the main climb then biking on towards 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 45kms biking.

Day 12 - A well earned rest day for those who wish. Or join with a guide from the local village for a day hike into the stunning Usambara Mountains with unspoilt forests and views that go on forever. Here we have a chance to visit a local school. **

Day 13 - 'The Ultimate Day' - What goes up must come down; biking further into these beautiful mountains we pass through pristine rain-forest 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. You have the choice of 2 routes back down, and then after lunch a gentle 14kms of scenic winding tarmac to get us back down to the plains below. Approx 60kms biking.

Day 14 - With the tropical coastline as our goal we bike along a little used dirt road and through sleepy palm lined villages to meet the Indian Ocean at Bagamoyo. This small historic town right on the coast is at the end of what once was the major slave and trading route through East Africa. We camp at a lodge right on the beach. Evening meal at own cost. Approx 65kms biking.

Day 15 - We bike through old Bagamoyo town then follow the coastal road to Dar es Salaam "Haven of Peace". Finishing with a last gentle ride along the coast to our beachside accommodation - 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 remember that this is a guide only and due to unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation is twin share, 4 night in a hotel and 11 nights camping. (Upgrades to rooms are available at some campsites at your own expense).

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2012
Sat June 2nd to Sun June 17th: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat June 30th to Sun July 15th: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat July 21st to Sun Aug 5th: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Sat Aug 11th to Sun Aug 26th: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat Sept 1st to Sun Sept 16th: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi

DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2013
Sat June 15th to Sun June 30th: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat July 6th to Sun July 21st: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Sat July 27th to Sun Aug 11th: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam
Sat Aug 17th to Sun Sept 1st: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi

PRICES FOR 2012
New Zealand dollars: $4190 (Plus local payment USD$300, bike hire in country USD$200)

PRICES FOR 2013
New Zealand dollars: $4490 (Plus local payment USD$300, bike hire in country USD$200)

+64 3 525 8783