ITINERARY TEMPLATE

X DAYS

WHY THIS ADVENTURE?

For many riders being on a bike in this area is enough! For anyone looking for an adventure and a way to spend more time exploring Tanzania, being on a bike is a superb option, none less in these areas as this a such a superb link between the north and south Serengeti. Why drive or fly when you can bike and have more fun doing so? LINKS: Serengeti NORTH (Klein’s / Lobo / Kogatende / Lamai) to SOUTH (so Olduvai / Ndutu / Ngorongoro).

HOW TO BOOK

All our adventures can be booked through a tour operator near you. Just ask them about Leonotis Adventures (many only know our main camp Lake Natron Camp) and our range of activities and adventures and specify the “Ride the Serengeti” mountain biking safari. You can add this adventure into your dates – all trips are customised to your dates.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mountain biking in areas you never thought possible! Serendipitous meetings with Maasai in very remote areas far away from the normal tourist circuit. Different riding conditions and options to extend the rides. Cave paintings and fossils and who knows, maybe the migration will turn up too!

DESCRIPTION

This is a 3 night, 4 day programs designed to slot into any number of safaris but also can be combined with our other trekking programs (such as Footsteps of Mankind at the FRONT END). A point to point mountain biking program that moves on a daily basis to cover the full length of the eastern side of the greater Serengeti eco system and links north to south, enabling much more creative, active adventures.

ITINERARY IN SHORT

Day 1: Meet at Klein’s gate. Ride to Oloipiri (dinner)

Day 2: Ride to Losoitok Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 3: Ride to Piyaya Camp. Fossils & cave paintings (breakfast, lunch dinner)

Day 4: Morning walks and then transfer to Olduvai OR start Footsteps of Mankind trek (breakfast, lunch)

ITINERARY IN FULL

DAY 1 – PLACE

We depart this morning and drive out of the official gate to ride in the buffer zones and greater Serengeti eco system. Without these areas outside the main boundaries the carrying capacity of the parks would be greatly reduced as they give the vast herds space to roam, and more importantly feed on seasonal grazing lands. Our next few nights we camp in remote, unique camps. These are all in commuity areas where we pay for exclusive access. Money going into these communities gives a clear incentive to protect these areas for future generations, and gives us a once in a lifetime adventure. Dinner & overnight Oloipiri camp (breakfast - lunch - dinner). (snacks, dinner).

DAY 2 – PLACE

Moving camp every day, we rise with the sun, take freshly brewed coffee (or a hot drink of choice) and then have breakfast while the camp is packed. We then ride across open plains and Acacia woodlands to our next camp set on a stunning rocky outcrop or kopje. Here life is changing fast - mixing agriculture and herding the Maasai live a life far distanced from the bustle of larger towns and cities and yet the advent of technologies like solar power and affordable motorbikes are creating new opportunities for trade and lifestyle. The juxta position of the new and the traditional are everywhere and part of the backdrop to the stories you will hear from our local guides. Overnight Losoitok Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

DAY 3 - PLACE

Today the ride is approx 75km but can be "cherry picked" for those that want to! By mid afternoon we arrive at another very special place where we can also truffle around for lithic tools, fossils and even cave paintings. The riding is varied from gravel roads to single track, open plains to woodlands. Your guides are on hand to provide information and support as you ride. Once in camp there are hot bush showers, an open fire and cold drinks to lead you into the starry night! Dinner & overnight Piyaya Camp (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

DAY 4 – PLACE

When you get to Nasera Rock you will be met by your driver who will then take you on to your the next part of your itinerary via Olduvai Gorge ! (breakfast, picnic lunch). NOTE: you can also link to the footsteps of Mankind trek from this adventure to make an amazing bike + hike combo..

END OF SERVICES

INCLUDES

  • Support vehicle with fridge (water + some soft drinks)

  • Picnic hamper with teas / coffee

  • Meals as noted in itinerary

  • Mountain bike with front suspension (send size info in advance, failure to do so may result in a smaller or larger bike than you are used to) - current stock is Titan Racing Drone ELITE model. Full suspension and electric on request (additional payment).

  • WFR certified bike guide

  • Wild camp “fly camp” fully serviced and independently moving

  • Simple bar in camp (red wine, beers, sodas, gin)

For a full list of includes and excludes please refer to your tour operator as itineraries in this region can be complicated and require many moving parts.

WHAT TO WEAR/ BRING

  • Sun hat

  • sunglasses

  • head torch

  • buff or lightweight neck gaiter (for keeping out dust)

  • rain shell

  • light fleece

  • long sleeve t shirt x 2

  • hiking trousers (zip off style are recommended so you have shorts too)

  • Mountain biking shorts (padded a good idea)

  • Your own peddles if clips are to be used (you can request in advance for our double sided ones too)

  • waterproof trousers

  • socks x 3 pairs

  • hiking shoes preferably with some decent ankle support

  • teva or flip flops for in camp

  • walking poles

  • gaiters for those that have low cut hiking shoes

  • water bottles x 3 enough to hold 3 Liters