Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro MTB & Safari Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to Moshi town situated on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Moshi
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Bikes Fitting & Briefing

Today you will meet your guide who will brief you about your upcoming tour and will facilitate the bike fitting. You will have plenty of time to go for a quick test ride through the nearby coffee plantation and surrounding villages.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Moshi
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner

Day 3 Moshi to West Kilimanjaro

Today’s ride will start at 7:00 am and take you from the greener southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro towards the more arid western side of the mountain. Explore coffee and banana plantations as you cycle through the more fertile areas of southern Kilimanjaro. As you head west, you will cycle through open plains and scenic acacia woodlands. These plains support a remarkable variety of wildlife and offer spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. While Moshi is home to the Chagga people, the western Kilimanjaro plains are home to the nomadic Maasai people. Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads, and you will finish your day in the Ngabobo village.
Overnight Location: Lodge in West Kilimanjaro
Distance: 50km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 West Kilimanjaro to Arusha

Embark on a challenging ride from the scenic west Kilimanjaro plains to Arusha city. Starting at 7:00 after breakfast, you’ll pedal through Ngasurai’s open plains, a migratory path for elephants. Anticipate a hot and dusty journey, transitioning from dirt roads to the main tarmac road. As you approach Arusha, pass small villages with Mt. Meru in the backdrop. Before reaching the bustling city, take a scenic detour through a coffee estate en route to your boutique lodge outside Arusha. Conclude your day’s ride at the Tembo Club, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Arusha
Distance: 83km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Today’s ride, the longest but not the toughest, unfolds along tarmac roads, starting at 7:00 am. You’ll pedal through villages, towns, and open plains, embodying Ernest Hemingway’s quote: “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 conquering the tarmac stretch, you’ll transition to a dirt road leading to a tented camp at the Tarangire National Park border, home to Tanzania’s largest elephant concentration. Spend the night at your camp on the park’s edge, a perfect finale with a refreshing swimming pool for cooling off after a day of cycling.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Tarangire
Distance: 100km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Tarangire to Lake Manyara

Today’s ride unfolds another thrilling chapter, guiding you through the migratory wildlife corridors between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. The initial stretch leads back to the main road, followed by a diverting journey on a dirt route towards Lake Manyara. Enriched with wildlife, the route showcases numerous Maasai settlements. A highlight awaits as the Great Rift Valley unfolds before you on the way to Lake Manyara. After the dirt road leg, you’ll rejoin the main tarmac road towards Mto wa Mbu town, eventually veering into a dirt road leading to the night’s campsite.
Overnight Location: Lodge at Mto wa Mbu
Distance: 74km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater

Today’s ride marks the final and most challenging yet incredibly rewarding leg. Begin by cycling from a dirt road to tarmac, passing Mto wa Mbu and Lake Manyara National Park’s entry gate. Navigate a demanding ascent up the Great Rift Valley escarpment, pausing at a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking Lake Manyara National Park. Capture the moment with a selfie. Continue on the tarmac road, passing the vibrant Karatu town en route to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Conclude your ride at the entrance gate, marking the end of a thrilling 6-day tour on two wheels. Celebrate your accomplishment with a toast before being transferred to your lodge for the night.
Overnight Location: Lodge at Ngorongoro
Distance: 43km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Embark on an early exploration of the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a highlight of your tour. This unique area boasts a stunning mix of scenery, wildlife, and rich historical and cultural elements. As the largest unbroken caldera globally and one of Africa’s seven natural wonders, it promises an unforgettable experience. After your morning game drive, relish a packed lunch at the Hippo Pool Picnic site. Your adventure continues with an afternoon game drive, concluding with a return trip to Arusha. En route to Moshi via Mto wa Mbu, explore this vibrant town, offering opportunities to purchase souvenirs for a lasting memory of your journey.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Moshi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 Departure

Transfer to the airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast