Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime East African cycling adventure.
This is your chance to challenge yourself and immerse in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the spice road. We’ll cycle an ancient 350km road that wanders through traditional Maasai and Chagga territory as well as some of Tanzania’s most vibrant cities and abundant nature reserves to challenge ourselves and connect with local change-makers along the way.
PROGRAM LENGTH:
12 DAYS
PROGRAM DATES:
MARCH 12 – 22, 2023
GROUP SIZE:
12 PARTICIPANTS
FEES + COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION:
$2175 + $50 USD | $2725 + $60 CAD
Two wheels will take us to the nooks and crannies only reachable by bike. This action packed 12-day adventure will take you biking, hiking, and eating your way across some of East Africa’s most iconic landscapes: from the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and the rolling hills of Usambara to the sandy shores of the Indian Ocean.
In addition to our bikes, we’ll make use of vans, private taxis, and a big ferry to make our way around Tanzania. We’ll be eating and sleeping in locally run restaurants, food stalls, guest houses, lodges and maybe even a homestay. All of this grassroots travel will introduce us to amazing people and places but life on the trail might mean going without a few of the comforts of home. Trust us, it will be totally worth it!
Rau Eco & Cultural Tourism is a youth-led community-based enterprise that works with locals in and around Moshi to create impact and awareness about environmental conservation. Located in the Rau Forest Reserve, Rau’s enterprising model engages locals directly through tourism, environmental education, and adventure.
Roots + Shoots is a youth-led global community action program that helps young people become the informed generation of compassionate citizens that the world urgently needs. Their mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.
We’re packing a LOT into 12 days, so here’s a sneak preview of your itinerary…
Day 1-3: Orientation in Moshi
We’ll wander the streets and get to know each other, be introduced to Tanzanian culture, and meet our cycling friends to get acquainted with our bikes for a little test ride!
Day 4-6: Same to Mtae to Lushoto
Our biking starts east to the town of Same, riding along the edge of National Parks and ending our days with views over the Usambara mountains and eventually a peek at Mt Kilimanjaro itself.
Day 7: Rest Day in Lushoto
Day 8-10: Lushoto to Mazumbai Forest to Pagani
The final days of our journey take us through highland deciduous forests and tea plantations, through the Amani Nature Reserve, and local villages and communities along the way. Eventually, we will descend to the coast and blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Day 11-12: Zanzibar
We’ll hop off our bikes and take a ferry to Zanzibar – also known as “Spice Island” – to unwind and celebrate with sandy beaches and sunsets. It’s here that we will also have ‘disorientation’, an OG staple that will help us kick back, reflect, and relax.
Don’t just listen to us – here’s what our alumni had to say!
We want travel to be a force for good which means the health and safety of our global community is our top priority. That’s why we’ve taken extra steps to protect everyone from our participants and Program Leaders to local partners and host communities. So, when you’re ready to travel again, we’re ready to help you meet it with confidence.
Leave your email and we’ll reach out with more information about OG and the Tanzania: The Spice Road 2023 program!
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