RIDING THROUGH THE SAVANNAH

The destination of this itinerary, in the heart of the wild Africa, is West Kenya and Tanzania. Beginning from Kenya, the route follows the Serengeti plateau and Masai Mara heading to the shores of the immense lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. A real adventure for bikers who enjoy long rides through the beautiful landscapes of savannah vegetation where typical flora and fauna can be found, far from popular tourist resorts. There will be time not only for mountain bike riding but also photographic safaris in the Masai Mara and lake Nakuru reserves.

The route is not particularly difficult, however a minimum amount of training is needed. There will be a support vehicle for assistance and baggage transportation made available for the participants and in case of need you will be able to catch a lift. Overnight bookings will be in simple but comfortable hotels, sometimes also in small and simple Guest Houses in the villages where you will have the opportunity to interact with the real African way of life.

Day1 Arrival in Nairobi

Each participants will be picked at at Jomo Kenyatta airport of Nairobi and transferred to the hotel in Nairobi town, overnight.

Day 2 Transfer to Narok

After breakfast: transfer by bus to Narok, where the bicycle tour will start the following day. Hotel Settlement and afternoon available for relaxing and bicycle assembling. Full board treatment.

Day 3 Find yourself riding through the Savannah

(First lap Km 69, height change +570 meters).
Departure by bicycle from Narok on tar road for a few kilometers then you enter a dirt track and straight away you will find yourself riding through the Savannah in a typical African landscape among thorn trees, small villages, zebras and antelopes. Overnight stay in a
Catholic mission in a small Masai village. Full board treatment.

Day 4 Bike alongside herds of wild animals like zebras,
wild beasts and antelopes

(2nd lap km 78, height change +530 meters).
The route proceeds toward the Masai Mara game reserve in the middle of the wild Kenyan bush. The route begins with a slightly downhill slope followed by flat land up to the Mara river, where you will probably be able to ride very close to herds of wild animals like Zebras, wild beasts and antelopes. You will be astonished, it will be like being on a safari. Overnight stay in a local guest house in a small Masai Village. Here, the few services consist in a room with a bed, a bucket of water for bathing, a toilet that will have to be shared and a candle for light. There is the possibility to stay in a luxury Lodge (additional charge). Full board treatment.

Day 5 Safari in Masai Mara!

(Safari in the reserve of Masai Mara). A day for relax. After breakfast entrance in the Masai Mara Reserve gate. The whole day will be spent taking photo and watching various kind of wild animals, including "the big 5" (lion, leopard, rhino, hippo, elephant) inside one of the most beautiful and famous reserves in Africa. Overnight stay in the same place of the day before (see the fourth day). Full board treatment.

Day 6 We bike to Tanzania

(3rd lap Km 78, height change +690 meters).
The bicycle journey proceeds along a hilly dirt road through lush vegetation until the tarred main road which connects Kenya to Tanzania. After reaching the state border and getting through customs to Tanzania, you will proceed downhill on tar road until the end of the lap. Full board treatment.

Day 7 Bike along the border of the famous Serengeti National Park

(4th lap 86 Km, height change +1140 meters).
This is the most difficult lap. You will start to cycle uphill with slope of medium difficulty on dirt road for about 20 Km passing through many small typical hut villages made of clay bricks and thatched roofs in the middle of banana plantations. A steep downhill ride will follow for about 10 km then the route continues slightly uphill along the border of the famous Serengeti National Park up to the end of the lap. You will arrive at the end tired but satisfied by the all beautiful views. Full board treatment.

Day 8 You will cycle through a breathtaking countryside in the savannah

This is a day of relaxation, which could be spent either for a game drive in Serengeti National
Park (facultative extra activity) or for a bicycle ride with local guides for a visit to the villages
of the local tribes in the heart of the bush (facultative extra activity) or simply for relaxing in
the hotel, walking around and doing some shopping in a nice colourful local market.
Overnight inthe same hotel as day 7. Full board with packed lunch.

Day 9 Through many typical local villages

(5th lap Km 113, height change +550 Metres)
This is a long lap but not very difficult. The road will be mainly on flat land for most of the lap,
with only just a few small hills. You will cycle through a breathtaking countryside in the savannah,
scattered typical local villages and markets will be seen along the route. At the end of the lap you
will reach a small town notvery far from the Lake Victoria shore. Overnight in a small hotel.
Full board with packed lunch.

Day 10 To the paradise - Ukerewe Island

(6th lap Km 95, height change + 280 meters).
You will cycle along a thin and long peninsula at lake Victoria on a hard soil-/ smooth dirt road until
the boarding point to reach the Island of Ukerewe. This is a long lap but not too difficult as it is
mainly flat land. Overnight stay will be in hotel on the Ukerewe Island. Full board treatment.

Day 11 Sightseeing on Ukerewe island

(Sightseeing on the Ukerewe island, about Km 73, height change +645 meters).
The whole day will be spent cycling around the island to discover its natural beauties. It is a small
paradise where time seems to have stopped, there is a perfect interaction between nature and the local
people. You will see small fisherman villages, lovely beaches, many water birds and a thick forest.
The route will be on dirt roads,often sandy. Overnight stay in the same hotel of the day before.
Full board treatment.

Day 12 Back to Bunda

You will leave Ukerewe Island returning on the same road you followed to get there (see 10th day),
by bus or by bicycle as you prefer, to reach again the town of Bunda. Overnight stay in hotel.
Full board treatment.

Day 13 With bus to Nakuru

Departure after Breakfast, the whole day will be dedicated on the bus drive from Bunda to Nakuru (Keya),
the homonymous town on the shore of lake Nakuru. You will arrive there in the afternoon.
Overnight stay in hotel. Full board treatment.

Day 14 Photographic safari in Lake Nakuru National Park

(Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park).The whole day will be spent on a photographic safari in this
small National Park set around Lake Nakuru where you will be able to admire many wild animals, including
big flocks of flamingos and rhinos. Overnight stay in hotel. Full board treatment.

Day 15 Back to Nairobi - Dinner at the Carnivore restaurant

The day will be dedicated for the bus transfer from Nakuru to Nairobi. Arrival is expected in the
late morning. Hotel settlement and the rest of the day available for visiting the town. Dinner at
the popular "Carnivore" restaurant where you will taste the savannah wild animals meats (zebras, giraffe,
ecc.). The amount of food you can have depend only on the size of your stomach. Half board (breakfast and dinner).

Day 16 It is time to leave

You are free to leave at any time. No activities planned.