If the thought of 360km on a bike brings a fear-tear to your eye, look away now. This trip’s not for the fainthearted.
Heck, those people haven’t even got this far. They clicked the x as soon as they saw “cycle” in the title up there.
Not you, though. Cycling’s your thing. Achievement? It’s probably something you’re already used to. And your calves? Phwoar.
Incredible scenery, impressive mountains, unbroken calderas and plain upon plain of the richest wildlife you’re likely ever to see? They’re just the cherries on top.
On this unforgettable trip, you’ll see the most amazing, natural sights that Tanzania has to offer – from the saddle.
The 360km route will take you and your bike across Tanzania’s famous northern circuit in 7 days, from the base of the world’s highest free-standing mountain – Kili herself – to the biggest unbroken caldera on earth, the Ngorongoro Crater.
Keep reading to find out where your wheels will take you during this amazing adventure.
What is 'Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Cycle Tour' like?
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Read more about Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Cycle Tour
Let’s just get this out in the open. You’re not normal. Sorry. Normal people? They travel from Kilimanjaro to the Ngorongoro Crater in a car.
But where’s the fun in that?
If you want to tick the world’s most incredible natural beauty and wonderful wildlife off your Bucket List without doing it the normal way? Keep reading.Because this adventure? It’s so far from normal that you’ll forget what normal looks like.
The biggest unbroken caldera on earth? Got it. The world’s highest free-standing mountain? Got that too. The feeling of the sun on your back and the smell of the dust around your feet? There’s nothing like it.
Just don’t expect your shoes to look too clean at the end of each day.
That’s because you’ll be completing this adventure from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Ngorongoro Crater on a bike. All 360km of it.
It wouldn’t be a trip to East Africa without a full-on safari either, so you’ll be relieved to know that you’ll be doing that too. Of course you will. But since we’re saving the animals for your final day, you’ll have to prove yourself on the bike first.
Not that you won’t be seeing plenty of wildlife as you cycle too.Those black and white stripy things in the picture just there? They’re zebras, you know. And you’ll probably see loads of them, and other animals too, on the 360km trail.
Now we could pretend that this trip is for everyone, like a lot of the trips we run at The Bucket List Co. But if you arrived without quite expecting to see a bike waiting for you in Moshi? That’d just be awkward.
Not everyone can handle 360km on two wheels in seven days. Only question is, are your calves up to the challenge?
The Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Cycle Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Exploring Moshi
Depart from the UK and arrive in Moshi. We will be transferred to the hotel and after checking in, we will have time to relax and explore the city of Moshi.
There will be a briefing to discuss the next day’s schedule.
Day 2
RIDE PAST MOUNT KILIMANJARO TO NGABOBO VILLAGE
Our ride today takes us from greener southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro towards the more arid western side of the mountain.
Your ride today will initially take you through coffee and banana plantations as you cycle through the more fertile areas of southern Kilimanjaro but as you head west you will cycle through the more arid open plains and acacia woodlands. These plains support a remarkable variety of wildlife and spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
While Moshi is home the Chagga people west Kilimanjaro plains are home to the nomadic Maasai people who co-exist with the surrounding wildlife and it is why this area is known as the Maasai Lands.
Your ride today will be on both dirt and tarmac roads and you will finish the ride at the Ngabobo village where you will be spending the night.
Day 3
CYCLE THROUGH NGASURAI TO ARUSHA
Today’s cycle will be a long one as we cycle from the west Kilimanjaro plains towards Arusha city.
The first section of the ride will be through the Ngasurai open plains which serve as a migratory path for elephants moving to and from the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Cyclists should look forward to a hot and dusty day ahead.
Once we finish the dirt road we will enter the main tarmac road towards Arusha city passing a few small villages and settlements along with Mt. Meru looming in the background.
Right before reaching the bustling city of Arusha we will divert through a coffee estate as we head towards our boutique lodge located outside the city. We will end our ride today at the Tembo Club where we will be spending the night.
Day 4
CYCLE TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Today’s ride will be the longest distance wise, but not the toughest, and will be mostly on tarmac roads. The ride will take us through many villages, towns and open plains.
The long stretches of undulating road through the Tanzanian country side perfectly represents Ernest Hemingway’s quote when he said – “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 completing the tarmac road section, we will divert onto the dirt road that takes us to our tented camp/ campsite right on the border of the Tarangire National Park, which is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania.
Today we will be spending the night at your camp situated right on the edge of the Tarangire National Park, which marks the perfect ending to a long, hot day of cycling since there is a swimming pool where you can cool off.
Day 5
RIDE BY THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY TO LAKE MANYARA
Today’s ride marks another exciting day as we cycle through the migratory wildlife corridors between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.
The first section of the ride takes us back to the main road which we follow for a few kilometers then divert on a dirt road towards Lake Manyara. This area is rich in wildlife and you will notice a significant number of Maasai settlements along the way.
One of today’s highlights will be the beautiful views of the Great Rift Valley directly in front of us as we head towards Lake Manyara. After the dirt road section of today’s ride, we will rejoin the main tarmac road towards Mto wa Mbu town for several kilometers before diverting into the dirt road towards the campsite where we will be spending the night.
Day 6
CYCLE TO THE NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Today’s ride will be the final and the toughest but the most rewarding. We start off the day cycling from the dirt road back onto the tarmac road and head past the bustling town of Mto wa Mbu and the entry gate of Lake Manyara National Park.
We then proceed on a very tough cycle up the Great Rift Valley escarpment leaving behind a spectacular backdrop. Before reaching the top of the escarpment you will stop to catch your breath at the viewpoint overlooking the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park and its surroundings. If there’s ever a time to take a great selfie, it’s here.
You will then proceed on the tarmac road past the colorful Karatu town as you head towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your ride today will finish at the entrance gate to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area marking an end to a challenging but exciting 5 day tour of Tanzania’s northern tourist circuit, on two wheels.
After a celebratory toast to your achievement, you will be transferred to the lodge where you will be spending the night.
Day 7
SAFARI AROUND LAKE MANYARA
Safari around Lake Manyara
Day 8
TRANSFER TO MTO WA MBU TOWN AND HEAD HOME
Today you can relax at the lodge while you wait for your transfer back to the airport via the vibrant town of Mto wa Mbu where you can buy some souvenirs to take back home with you.
Food and Accomodation for Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Cycle Tour
Day 1
Twin room
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Day 2
Twin room
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Day 3
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4
Camping
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5
Camping
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 8
Flight
BreakfastLunchDinner
Reviews about the Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Cycle Tour trip
Here’s what some of our awesome customers had to say:
I am so glad that we chose to climb Kilimanjaro with the Bucket List Company!
Before our trip the team were quick to respond to any queries (including very last minute kit queries!) and provide assurance.
Our trekking group was fairly large (20). This provided a great social experience but did not impact the superb level of individual support/service provided to each member.
Everything was extremely well organised from start to finish – which is very much appreciated on this sort of trip. I am thankful for this experience and will definitely book future adventures with the Bucket List Company!
Eleanor Williams Mount Kilimanjaro climb
“When you’re embarking on a challenge like Kilimanjaro, you want to be sure you’re booking with a company who know what they’re doing and have experience of that particular challenge. When we booked with The Bucket List Company, they let us know exactly what we needed to do, from visas to the all-important kit list.
Keith from The Bucket List Company was with us on this trek and this was his 10th time summiting Kilimanjaro. The in-country lead guide had done it over 200 times, and our particular guide had done it 176 times. With that level of experience, we were in good hands. Kilimanjaro is a very real challenge, but if you’re motivated to do it, The Bucket List Company will give you a great chance of fulfilling your dream.
We now have memories that will last a lifetime and have The Bucket List Company to thank for getting us safely to the summit. Highly recommended!”
John Thompson Mount Kilimanjaro climb
“I joined Keith and his team for an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Everything was incredibly well organised, from the pre-trip training and briefings to the travel arrangements and accommodation – not forgetting the trek itself.
The professionalism and experience of Keith and his team gave me complete confidence in them, which in turn meant that I could simply relax and enjoy the trip. I would thoroughly recommend the team at The Bucket List Company, and look forward to joining them again one day.”
Ed Wright Peru
Absolutely amazing from day one to the day we finished hiking up to Everest base camp. The bucket list is certainly up there in the top 10 Organisations and they are brilliant at what they do. I have had so many amazing memories of climbing to Everest base camp as well as climbing Kilimanjaro. I would highly recommend as without their input, I would never have had these amazing memories and experiences I’ve had.
Jason Mount Kilimanjaro climb
Wow… what can I say? This was one of the hardest but most enjoyable trips of my life. The Bucket List Company were a pleasure to deal with from the word go, and the support Keith offered on the trip was just amazing, backed up by Whitey and his merry band of porters.
Booking with The Bucket List Company was easy – the only thing you have to think about is packing and turning up, they organise everything, leaving you to enjoy your trip without the hassle.
I cannot thank The Bucket List Company enough, and look forward to booking my next adventure to Peru shortly.
Sarah Starkey Mount Kilimanjaro climb
WOW what an amazing trip of a lifetime. I can’t recommend The Bucket List Company enough, I took home from this trip so much more than I ever thought I would and all my expectations were exceeded.
Keith, Whitey and all the guides and porters worked so hard to ensure the group had an amazing time and managed to reach the summit. Can’t wait to book my next trip with them.
Tara Hall Mount Kilimanjaro climb
We've got add-ons for the Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Cycle Tour trip.
Supercharge your trip by adding another unique experience!
Duration: 3 daysRegion: Tanzania
Three Day Safari
From: £850pp
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Duration: 4 daysRegion: Tanzania
Zanzibar Beach Escape
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Read more about this trip
Did we mention this adventure is taking place on two wheels?
When you cycle 360km to see Tanzania’s most iconic natural attractions, you don’t just tick jaw-dropping, panoramic views, extreme cultural diversity and incredible wildlife off your Bucket List. You feel a huge sense of achievement too.
There’s really nothing like it.
With breathtakingly beautiful landscape all around you for 7 days straight and your best chance of seeing the Big Five, a cycling adventure through Tanzania from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Ngorongoro Crater has to be on your Bucket List.
You’ll see majestic mountains, magnificent lakes, Maasai settlements, spectacular valleys, fascinating villages, a plethora of plantations, and you’ll taste some of the most delicious home-cooked food out there. Especially good after a day of peddling.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers some 8292 square kilometres. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park? That’s smaller at 1,699 km², but equally beautiful and equally diverse.
Some of the riding will be tough, but with great effort comes great reward, and there’s no better way to give yourself a pat on the back than with a safari in Lake Manyara National Park on your final day.
Home to countless ecosystems and nearly 400 species, it’s common to see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, warthogs, impalas and wildebeest in this national park. The lake itself? Packed with flamingos! And if you’re really lucky, you might spot a leopard or a tree climbing lion among the broken forests and escarpment.
Question is, are you prepared to take on the challenge to win the reward?
If you’re one of those nutters who spends their Saturday morning out on the bike, rather than planted on the sofa in a dressing gown…
If you’re itching to embark on your biggest adventure on two wheels yet…
And if you’d like to swap country lanes for dust roads and take in Tanzania’s most iconic sights and natural delights from your saddle…
This is the trip for you.
Check out the itinerary, chuck any questions you have in our direction, book your spot and get ready to tick an incredible experience off your Bucket List.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
