Cycling safari in Africa – pedal power
Although Africa’s vast expanses of wildlife-rich wilderness lend themselves to exploring by vehicle, travelling across the savannah under one’s own steam, whether on foot or a mountain bike, is especially rewarding. Feeling Africa under your wheels and through your handlebars and having the breeze on your face is energising, and knowing that you’re in wildlife country adds a degree of thrill too. I’ve ridden mountain bikes in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana, and it’s always exciting, fun, rewarding, good exercise, and oh so worthwhile. Embarking on a cycling safari in Africa and being active is a great way to justify enjoying more of the wonderful hospitality offered in the safari camps we like.
Stunning mountain scenery
Northern Tanzania is perfect mountain biking country with a huge amount of beautiful savannah grassland, wide open plains, big mountains, and great visibility. You can enjoy day rides through villages and forest south of Lake Manyara, across the plains west of Kilimanjaro, and around Arusha National Park. For true cycle enthusiasts, we can also offer multi-day rides, such as the 4 day ride down the eastern border of the Serengeti National Park. This ride takes place on communal wildlife land in the Loliondo region adjacent to the park and features mountains, big valleys, woodland, dry river crossings, and seemingly endless grassland. The climb up the escarpment of the Rift Valley offers stunning panoramic views. This is the region of iconic places such as Lobo, Piyaya, Gol Mountains, Olduvai, Lake Ndutu, and the Ngorongoro Highlands, a magnificent landscape which has been our ancestral home for millions of years, and having a physical connection to it is a superb feeling. You’ll ride along some wildlife trails, some tracks formed by people and livestock, and across trackless country too.
Cycle on wildlife trails
Each day, you’ll ride with a small party and support vehicle covering 30 to 40 miles in a day and stay each night in a mobile safari camp in community areas that offer exclusive access. Tourism helps support these communities and creates a strong incentive to safeguard these areas for future generations. The camp is managed by a superb team with years of experience, making their work appear effortless. As if by magic, the camp reappears each evening in a different location. Once in camp, there are hot bush showers, an open fire, and cold drinks to lead you into the starry night.
Views from the camp
We can offer morning or afternoon rides at several lodges in Kenya, such as Borana Lodge and Lengishu in Laikipia. Longer multi-day safaris in Botswana and part-day rides in Namibia, Onduli Ridge Damaraland and Desert Homestead Sossusvlei and Bushmans Kloof, Western Cape and Ant’s Bushwillow Camp, Waterberg, South Africa.
Ant’s Hill, Waterberg – South Africa
Wherever you choose to ride, you’ll have wonderful scenery, abundant birdlife, and some wildlife too. You’ll be guided by passionate cyclists, people who live and ride in the bush every day.
What next?
Get inspired and sign up for our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions, even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch, whatever stage you’re at.
Goliath Safaris[/caption]
Chad Katavi[/caption]
Jack's Camp[/caption]
Leave a Reply