Cycle Kilimanjaro to Coast 2023

When can I go?

7 October - 15 October 2023	On Sale
Duration	9 days

7 October - 15 October 2023

On Sale

Duration

9 days

What does it cost?

Cycle Kilimanjaro to Coast 2023

Discover the amazing wildlife, the spectacular plains and the sparkling coast of Tanzania on this phenomenal bike ride. Kicking off at the foot of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, we’ll cycle through mountains, past lakes and through friendly local towns to the paradise beach in Pangani.

No trip to Tanzania is complete without wildlife-watching and we’ll get our fix right away at Lake Jipe, home to hippos and crocodiles, with a visiting herd of zebras. This sets us up to keep our eyes peeled every pedal of our approx. 431km challenge. If we’re lucky, we could spot elephants, wildebeests, gazelles and more!

The animals aren’t the only thing to get excited about. Tough climbs lead to extraordinary vistas, with jagged cliffs, swooping valleys and a patchwork of lush grassland, topped with endorphins and an incredible sense of achievement.

We finish our adventure at the postcard-perfect beach town of Pangani, whose white-sand bays and gentle blue shores offer a joyous reward for our legs!

Your itinerary

Days 1 & 2
UK – Tanzania

Our adventure begins with an overnight flight from London to Tanzania. Touching down in Africa on Day 2, our local ground agent greets us upon our arrival and we transfer to our hotel in Moshi.

We have some time to get settled and freshen up before our all-important bike fitting. Now confident and comfortable in our saddles, we close the day with a delicious welcome dinner and a briefing from our challenge leader.

Day 3
Moshi – Lake Jipe | approx. 65km

Kicking off after breakfast, we find our stunning starting point in the outskirts of the city, away from the down-town traffic. We mount our bikes with the snow-capped Kilimanjaro towering above us and head south-east on clear, rural roads.

Before long, we leave views of the great mountain behind us and proceed through small farm towns and municipalities, getting a fantastic first taste of the Tanzanian lifestyle.

Stopping for a picnic lunch along the way, our ride comes to an end at Lake Jipe, where we discover some of the amazing wildlife Africa is renowned for.

This pretty backwater lake not only attracts herds of zebras and a diversity of birds but it is also home to local crocodiles and hippos! As such, it makes the perfect place to finish our day with a spot of wildlife-watching.

Tonight, we enjoy our dinner and camp in comfortable tents by the lake.

Day 4
Lake Jipe – Same | approx. 85km

Waking to breakfast at our tranquil lake-side camp, we hop back in our saddles for more rural riding today, broken up with a picnic lunch en-route.

Following dirt tracks southwards through a striking mountainous landscape, we pass through lush, green plains and look out for more iconic wildlife every pedal of the way. Along with a myriad of plant life benefitting from the area’s fertile soil, we’re in for a chance of spotting gazelles, elephants and wildebeests!

After a long day’s cycle, we finally reach our campsite in Same, the capital of Same District, where we tuck into a well-earned dinner and rest.

Day 5
Same – Mambo Viewpoint | approx. 130km

A big breakfast at camp sets us up for our toughest day of the challenge. Rugged dirt tracks lead us through charming local municipalities and up through the mountains.

We’ll tackle steep climbs that will leave us sweating, but pumped full of endorphins, making the panoramas all the more breath-taking. As we gain height, we’re rewarded with spectacular vistas across the vast plains below and the hills we’ve put behind us.

Today’s finishing point is the best view of all and not just because we get to rest! From Mambo View Point, we take in dramatic cliffs and swooping valleys, streams flowing far below, giving life to a patchwork of green and brown grassland.

Tonight, we enjoy a much-needed freshen-up and dinner at our hotel at this idyllic hill-top location.

Day 6
Mambo Viewpoint – Muheza | approx. 96km

After breakfast at the hotel, we admire the view for a last time, before continuing our cycle towards the coast.

Pedalling up and down through more of Tanzania’s lush countryside, we skirt the spectacular West Usambaras Lushoto Mountain Reserve and take in a number of small towns.

Rarely visited by tourists, passing through these communities gives us a fantastic, authentic feel for the friendly, local culture.

At last, we reach Muheza, a small junction town that although inland, adopts the culture of the coastal Tanga Region. Here, we settle down at a comfortable campsite for dinner and a good rest before our final day in the saddle tomorrow.

Day 7
Muheza – Pangani | approx. 98km

You’ll be pleased to know that our last day of cycling is also our shortest – and takes us right to the exquisite Tanzanian coastline.

We ride on dirt tracks through lush, green countryside and notice the change in terrain as we draw closer to the beach. Our last stretch sees us following the Pangani River, until we reach our hotel in the early afternoon.

The rest of the day is then free for you to spend as you wish wandering this stunning sea-side town. Feel free to kick back at the white-sand beach and soothe your legs in its gentle, blue waters. In the evening, we meet again to toast our achievement with a very well-deserved celebration dinner.

Days 8 & 9
Pangani – Moshi – UK

Day 8 sees us transferring to the airport to catch our flight back to the UK, arriving in London on Day 9. From here, we part ways at the airport and you make your own way home.

Alternatively, you can jump on the awesome chance to extend your stay in Africa on an optional three-night excursion to Zanzibar!

There will be an optional later flight back to the UK on Day 11. Please get in touch if you’d like to do this at least 14 weeks before the challenge.

Days 8 – 11
Zanzibar Optional Extension Package (not included in challenge costs)

We’re delighted to offer you an optional extension package at the end of our challenge, which will take you to the stunning island of Zanzibar.

If you choose to do this, prepare for Paradise! Instead of transferring to the airport on Day 8 with the rest of the group, you will catch a boat from Pangani to Nungwi Beach on the island.

The next two days are then free to spend your time on the island as you wish, relaxing the beach and snorkelling the crystal waters of its shores.

The third day of your extension (Day 10) gives you the fantastic chance to tour the Stone Town and its variety of spice plantations, once the flourishing centre of the spice trade (included in the extension package).

On Day 10, you’ll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner on the island, before travelling back to the UK on Day 11. Arriving in London on Day 12, you make your own way home, ready to book your next Dream Challenge.

We’ll send all participants details of the optional excursion as the event gets closer. If you’d like to join this optional extension, please get in touch at least 14 weeks before the challenge and we can arrange this for you.

Book my place

How fit do I have to be?

This cycle is not designed for Olympic athletes – it is designed for people looking for an amazing goal to train and get fit for. A number of the people who will take part in this challenge will have a low level of fitness when they sign up.

We will be tackling some steep climbs and long cycling days on this challenge, so we strongly recommend you train. Once you sign up, we'll send you a fantastic free training plan, which builds up over time and will set you up for success. Remember, the more you train, the more you'll enjoy the real deal!

This adventure in one of the world's most incredible places is the perfect motivation to get fit, while raising vital funds for the cause closest to your heart.

I’m worried about signing up on my own…

Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made as our groups take on these incredible feats together.

Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for Cycle Kilimanjaro to Coast 2023. Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow cyclists on your training and fundraising.

You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

Is there a minimum/maximum age limit?

Absolutely not! One of the amazing things about the challenge is that people of all ages will come together to do something very special. Everyone who is at least 18 years old by the challenge date is more than welcome to join our bike ride.

If you would like someone under the age of 18 to join you on the challenge please contact us to discuss (01590 646410 or events@dream-challenges.com)

How many participants will there be?

There will be around 40 participants in our group for Cycle Kilimanjaro to Coast 2023. You'll no doubt make loads of awesome new friends!

What is included?

Your non-refundable registration fee of £349 per person is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.

Your challenge costs of £1,850 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the sponsorship option) cover:

Your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, approx. £350).
Meals throughout the challenge and enough drinking water.
Accommodation and camping equipment*.
All government and camping fees.
Bike hire.
All transfers and luggage transportation in Tanzania.
Entry fees where applicable.
A team of fantastic, outdoor remote first aid trained local guides and Dream Challenges staff.
Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead up to and during your challenge.
Medical support, including a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany us throughout the challenge.
Mechanical support.
Your Cycle Kilimanjaro to Coast 2023 medal and t-shirt.

*Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room/tent to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost of £150.

**Please note, the optional three-night extension on Zanzibar Island is not included in your challenge costs.

What other costs will I pay?

In addition to paying your registration fee and either self funding your challenge costs or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target, you will need to budget for:

Your airport taxes and the fuel surcharge (currently £350 but subject to change – up or down).
Your personal travel insurance.
Your visa for Tanzania (You will need to arrange this yourself. We'll send you details of this in the lead up to the challenge.)
Gratuities.
Personal expenses.
You may also choose to pay £150 for a single supplement and have a room/tent to yourself.
Optional three-night extension on Zanzibar Island and flight extension, should you choose to partake.

Do I need special equipment?

A cycle helmet is essential and must be worn at all times. Cycling shorts are also recommended and everyone will need their own water bottles or a camel back-type hydration system.

You'll also need to bring your own two-to-three-season sleeping bag. All other camping equipment is provided.

Apart from that, no specialist equipment is required. We will supply you with a list of everything you will need to take before you go.

Cyclists will have the use of 18 or 21-gear bikes and we suggest you bring the saddle or gel cover you are used to riding on.

Where will we sleep overnight?

We stay in a mix of accommodation on this challenge, from camping to comfortable, three-star class hotels.

*Please note, accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room/tent to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost of £150.

Please email us at events@dream-challenges.com if you would like to do this at least fourteen weeks before the challenge starts.

Can I extend my stay at the end of the challenge?

Yes of course! We're delighted to offer you the opportunity to catch a boat to the stunning paradise island of Zanzibar on Day 8 with an optional later international flight on Day 11.

We can arrange this for you upon request (at an additional cost).

Please get in touch and let us know if you’d like to do this at least 14 weeks before the challenge by emailing us at events@dream-challenges.com.

What about insurance and visas?

You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and repatriation.

Dream Challenges has a policy that provides appropriate cover for this type of activity and also covers you for cancellation due to medically diagnosed COVID-19. We will send you the details once you have registered.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate cover for your challenge.

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity cycle in Tanzania.

You will be required to obtain a tourist visa for entry into Tanzania, we will send you all the relevant information and forms to do this before the challenge.

How will you support me?

The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your challenge and will support you all the way.

We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you have registered, we will send you a realistic training programme to help you get fit for the challenge. The programme builds up gradually as the event gets closer.

During the cycle, we'll have a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying the group from the get-go and at all times throughout the challenge, along with a team of experienced, outdoor remote, first aid trained challenge guides and porters.

Please note that the Dream Challenges staff travel back to the UK with the main group at the end of our challenge on Day 8. If you choose to take part in the optional three-night extension, there will be no Dream Challenges staff, but you will be supported by our trusted local agent in Tanzania.

Is there a doctor?

We’ll have an event leader, plus a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will be with you the whole time. We'll also have a team of outdoor remote first aid trained challenge guides.

Can you offer travel vaccination advice?

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home

Cycle Kilimanjaro to Coast 2023

When can I go?

What does it cost?