Tanzania Cycling Safari
An epic cycle safari in Tanzania, pedalling 360° around Mount Kilimanjaro through wildlife-packed plains and Maasai villages
What's Included?
Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Safari from your saddle as you pedal past giraffes, zebras and elephants moving from Amboseli National Park to the Simba Plains
Roll along the foothills of Kili to the Shira Plateau, cool off in Lake Chala and camp out beneath big African sunsets
Experience Maasai culture, bunk down in Maasai lodges and learn traditional bushcraft
Key Information
Day 1
Touch down in Tanzania
Touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your host and be whisked over to your lodge nestled on the outskirts of Moshi town, in the foothills of Kili. Take a stroll around Moshi before meeting your guide in the early evening to chat through the adventure and set up your bike.
Day 2
Chanya Lodge to Machame Gate
Cycling
Load up on a big breakfast before hopping on your bike for the first time. Cycle along gravel and dirt tracks through the lush and green Chagga land and then out onto arid open plains and the acacia woodlands of the Maasai on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Bunk down in a lodge surrounded by forest and blessed with incredible views of Kili.
Day 3
Kaliwa Lodge to Osiligilai Maasai Lodge
Cycling
Back on the trail, pass through the villages of Ngabobo and Tinga Tinga on a shorter day of riding to Osiligilai Maasai Lodge. Here you'll receive a traditional Maasai greeting, learn some Maasai bushcraft skills and head into the wilderness for a spot of spear throwing. Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru provide a stunning backdrop throughout today's ride and your time at the Maasai camp.
Day 4
Osiligilai Maasai Village to Simba Farm
Cycling
Today’s ride is possibly the highlight of the trip - make sure your wildlife radar is switched on and your camera fully charged! Roll through the Sinya and Ngasurai open plains where you'll get to see giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles and, if you're lucky, elephants, as they move from Amboseli National Park across the border in Kenya to Tanzania's Simba plains. There are yet more magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro on one side of the valley, and Mount Meru and Ol Doinyo Lengai - an extinct volcano - on the other.
Day 5
Simba Farm to Shira Plateau
Cycling
A tougher ride today, as you climb out of the foothills and onto the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro itself towards the Shira Plateau - one of the most popular routes for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers. See the terrain shift as you gain elevation, culminating in an incredible lunch spot at the plateau with views of the top of Kilimanjaro and its Kibo peak covered with snow on one side, and endless Maasai land on the other. The glorious descent back down to Simba Farm is an exhilarating reward for all the climbing you achieved this morning.
Day 6
Simba Farm to Rongai
Cycling
Today’s route takes you to the vibrant Nalemoru village, a starting point for the Rongai route trek up the north-eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border. Having reached the highest point of the ride yesterday, you’ll be descending further down the mountain towards Lake Chala, seeing the farming techniques carried out on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Day 7
Rongai to Lake Chala
Cycling
Having had a couple of tough days with plenty of good climbs, it’s about time for some respite. There are some altitude adjustments to make today as you reach lower elevations, so the going is very steady. A fun and smooth downhill ride to Lake Chala culminates in the chance for a relaxing wild swim in the beautiful waters of the lake itself.
Day 8
Lake Chala to Kahawa Shambani
Cycling
Kahawa Shambani is Swahili for coffee farm, so you can guarantee a great coffee with breakfast to kickstart the day. Today’s route is the longest of the adventure with a mix of uphill and downhill sections on dirt and tarmac roads. You'll pedal through a densely forested area that sees a lot of rain, so expect some mud up your legs.
Day 9
Kahawa to Chanya Lodge
Cycling
The expedition reaches a climax today as you complete the full circumnavigation on the last leg to Moshi. Make an uphill climb towards Mweka Gate, passing trekkers coming down from Kilimanjaro, before descending to Moshi via Kibosho village. Kibosho is a Chagga dominated area with a patchwork of coffee and banana plantations. Arriving back at your lodge sanctuary in Moshi, grab a well-earned dip in the pool before a celebration dinner at the lodge and maybe a little dance if you have any life left in your legs.
Day 10
So long Tanzania
Your adventure comes to end after breakfast at the lodge as your host takes you back to the airport in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Anytime on Day 1
Ends
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Anytime on Day 10
Transfers
Your host will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your lodge on the outskirts of Moshi. On the final day of the trip, your host will drop you back off at Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your onward flight. Transfers are included in the trip cost. If you wish to arrive before Day 1 or depart after Day 10 your host can arrange private airport transfers for an additional cost - see Optional Extras for detail.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport from various major airports across the UK, Europe and the US, generally transmitting in Amsterdam, Nairobi or Addis Ababa depending on which airline you choose.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7 – Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 9
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Throughout your trip, a team of experienced chefs will cook and serve you nutritious meals. Breakfast will usually be a combination of fruit, cereal, porridge, eggs, bread, pancakes, sausage, bacon, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Lunch will be a mix of vegetables, fruit, boiled egg, meat cutlets, various sandwich options (egg/ cheese/tomato/tuna/meat/peanut butter), macaroni and meat sauce and bread. Dinner, meanwhile, will usually consist of soup, bread, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, roast or fried chicken, beef or fish, curry, mixed vegetables, lentils, fruit salad. You'll eat traditional Maasai dishes at Osiligilai Maasai Lodge.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Moshi
Your first and last night of this adventure is spent at Chanya Lodge, nestled on the outskirts of Moshi in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The lodge has lush green grass carpeted gardens, a restaurant serving local and international food and a large swimming pool. You'll stay in twin-share rooms.
Kaliwa Lodge
Kaliwa Lodge on your second night is a stunning boutique accommodation on the slopes of Kilimanjaro at an altitude of 1300m, surrounded by verdant green forest and boasting an incredible terrace with views out over Weru Weru Rift and a magnificent vista of Mount Kilimanjaro. The lodge has a strong approach to sustainability, utilising solar power, sourcing local produce with minimal food miles and developing an in-house water-bottling system where filtered water is supplied in re-usable glass bottles. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with an en-suite bathroom.
Osiligilai Maasai Lodge
A memorable part of the trip awaits at Osiligilai Maasai Lodge, a scenic eco-lodge run by a Maasai community. The lodge features a swimming pool, sauna, meditation room, authentic Maasai activities and food. The lodge is built with locally available natural materials of the Maasai tradition which have been sustainably produced by the local craftsmen/women. You'll stay in twin-share Maasai bungalows with a shared bathroom.
Camping at Lake Chala, Simba Farm and Kahawa Shambani
You'll stay in twin share tents at 3 different sites at Lake Chala, Simba Farm and Kahawa Shambani. Each of these campgrounds has basic facilities including toilets and showers. Your host will set up camp before you arrive each night. You'll need to pack your own lightweight season 2 sleeping bag and an inflatable travel pillow to be transferred along with your luggage in the support vehicle. You can hire a sleeping bag and mat if you prefer - see Optional Extras for prices.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
Guides
Local, professional, English-speaking guides and bike mechanics
Accommodation
5 nights in lodges, 4 nights camping
Meals
All meals throughout the adventure
Transfers
Airport transfers and support vehicle throughout the ride
Equipment
Hardtail mountain bike and helmet, twin-share tents
Permits
All national park entry fees and permits
Support Vehicle
- To hop in to if your legs need a rest
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Hardtail mountain bike
- Twin-share tent
What's available to hire?
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
What do I need to bring?
CYCLE KIT
- Helmet
- Pedals and saddle if you would rather use your own (these will be fitted to the bike for you)
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (20+ litres)
CLOTHES
- Padded cycling shorts
- Sports top or cycling jersey
- Cycling gloves
- Rain and windproof lightweight jacket
- Trousers/leggings for the evenings
- Cycling shoes/trainers (bring your own pedals if using cleats)
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear & socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Sandals
SLEEPING
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner
- Lightweight sleeping bag (2 season)
- Travel pillow
- Thermarest or lightweight sleeping mat
OTHER
- Bumbag or small handlebar bag for riding
- Gel seat (to fit over the saddle) - Optional
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel Insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellant
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
Sleeping bag (for the whole trip)
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping bag (for the whole trip)
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Sleeping mat (for the whole trip)
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping mat (for the whole trip)
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Double/Twin room at Chanya Lodge, Moshi
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin room at Chanya Lodge, Moshi
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Single room at Chanya Lodge, Moshi
Payable Before Departure
Single room at Chanya Lodge, Moshi
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Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
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One way transfer Kili Airport to Chanya Lodge (up to 6 people)
Payable Before Departure
One way transfer Kili Airport to Chanya Lodge (up to 6 people)
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 355kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we've found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We even send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated! All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the landscape with your fellow tourers. You don't need to be a lycra-clad 'roadie' although they're welcome too!
You'll ride a 'hardtail' - front suspension mountain bike which is perfectly suited to the gravel and dirt roads you'll be rolling along on this trip. Your host uses Kona bikes with a variety of models available, including Honzo, Process, Precept and Kahuna. The suspension can be locked for a speedier ride when on the flatter road sections.
This adventure includes a support vehicle that accompanies the group, carrying food and water, a first aid kit and bike maintenance equipment, so any flat tyres or grazed knees can be fixed on the spot. You can also ride in the support vehicle if you get tired, fancy skipping a steep hill, or you have just had enough for the day!
All your accommodation is pre-booked, and your luggage is transferred from one point to the next by the support vehicle. You can choose whether you want to cycle with a small daypack to carry snacks and personal items such as a phone or camera for easy regular access.
If you’re cycling in a group, everything will be transported by the support vehicle, so you can cycle completely unburdened.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
$7-10 USD per day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Tap water in Tanzania is not drinkable. The support vehicle will carry filtered and bottled water to keep you hydrated throughout the trip, while some of the lodges you stay at will have filtered water available during your stay. We recommend you bring along a cycle water bottle to sit in the bottle cage, plus a spare reusable water bottle to sit in your day bag and for drinking from when you're not riding.
The support vehicle will carry your luggage from point to point, so everything is taken care of on that front.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
