Epic Gravel Tanzania - From the savannah to the Indian Ocean

Travel by flight with Edelweiss Air is included in the package deal. Alternatively, you can of course book your trip yourself (price reduction for package without flight).

If you are traveling with our group flight, you will be greeted by our local representative at Kilimanjaro airport and chauffeured to your hotel in Arusha (approx. 1.5 hours).

Overnight stay: Charity Hotel

We leave Arusha in Land Rovers and are soon out in the Masai steppe. At Lake Manyara, the road climbs about 300 meters in altitude. We are at the East African Rift Valley, the interface between the Asian and African continental plates. In the afternoon we reach the fertile area around Karatu.

Overnight stay: Foresight Eco lodge

Full-day tour in the Ngorongoro Crater. The "hole" has a diameter of 20 km. Countless populations of wild animals live here, from lions to porcupines. We have a picnic lunch at a lake with hippos.

Overnight stay: Foresight Eco lodge

Lake Manyara is on our way. On a two-hour game drive we will almost certainly find elephants. In the afternoon we continue to Tarangire National Park with its diverse fauna. The Tarangire River flows through this area and is home to many wild animals. On the drive to our fantastically situated lodge, we will already see a lot. The next day we set off on another game drive through Tarangire National Park. Keep an eye out for leopards, with a bit of luck we might catch a glimpse of these majestic animals.

Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge or Burungwe Tented Camp (subject to availability) and Charity Hotel

Our long journey to Zanzibar starts at the foot of the 4566 m high Mt. Meru. Today we circle half of this mighty volcano. Fertile fields alternate with dry steppe. The Austrian doctor Christine Wallner has created a unique oasis here. Her way of combining modernity and Masai traditions is unique. We join the Maasai in javelin throwing, watch their courtship dances or relax by the swimming pool. It's definitely worth getting to this place in good time.

Overnight stay: Massai Lodge

On barren steppe, interspersed with acacia forests, we encounter little civilization. With a bit of luck, we may encounter giraffes and/or zebras.

Overnight stay Kambi ya Tembo

We are now on the north side of Kilimanjaro. This is drier than the south. We head east on a relatively good dirt road. There are wheat fields, cedar forests and villages with lots of children. We are most likely to see Kilimanjaro in the morning or evening. During the day it is often shrouded in cloud. Our stage destination is close to the Tanzanian/Kenyan border.

Overnight stay: Maktau Lodge

Today we are in a very fertile area. Wheat and vegetable fields alternate with banana and coffee plantations. Everywhere we go, mostly women loosen the soil of their fields with their hoes. They react happily when we wave to them. The last 15 kilometers of this stage are on a comfortable asphalt road. By midday we are already in Marangu, the hub for Kilimanjaro climbs. In the afternoon, you can relax in the hotel garden or stroll into the village center for a beer.

Overnight stay: Kibo Hotel

We still have 800 meters to go before we reach the foot of the Kilimanjaro massif. Now we head south to the Pare Mountains. We climb them on an asphalt road. Once at the top, the visitor is amazed at how many people live on this inconspicuous mountain range. This has to do with the fertility of the soil and, of course, the people who live there.

Overnight stay: simple hotel in Usangi

Our route leads through the "back end" of the northern Pare Mountains. The descent offers a panoramic view of Kenya to the east. We climb slightly to the main road that connects Kilimanjaro with Dar es Salaam. We share the next 30 kilometers with cars and buses until we reach the small town of Same. Our route takes us along the border to Mkomazi National Park. We have arrived in the savannah.

Overnight stay: Mkomazi Hotel

Today is clearly the queen's stage. From the hot depths of the Mkomazi to the heights of the Usambara Mountains. We cross from one mountain range to the next through a relatively flat thorn bush landscape. The final ascent is 21 km long with an altitude difference of 1460 meters. The climate is hot, it only gets cooler at higher altitudes above a thousand meters above sea level. It is quite possible that the fantastic panorama will move some of us to tears after our achievement.

Overnight stay: Mambo View Point lodge

After yesterday's day, it's time for something a little more leisurely. A pleasant mountain climate welcomes us. The Usambara Mountains are a treasure trove, where fruit and vegetables grow in abundance. On this stage, our gaze often wanders into the distance to soak up the beauty of this landscape.

Overnight stay: Muller's Lodge

There is little remaining rainforest in the heart of the Usambara Mountains. Large forests had to make way for agriculture in the last century. Our route winds southwards along quiet river valleys. Later we reach an area with hilly tea plantations. Then begins a 30-kilometer descent. The climate changes. It gets warmer. Sisal plantations line the dirt road to Korogwe.

Overnight stay: Executive Lodge

We drive past simple villages on good gravel roads. The first palm trees soon appear, but it is still a long way to the sea. The main road to Tanga has some traffic, but is only our route for 20 kilometers. In Muheza, we turn off to the right. We continue quickly to Pangani. There we cross the 300 m wide Pangani River by ferry or over the new bridge. Less than an hour later, we reach the Indian Ocean.

Overnight stay: Mike's Beach cottages

Ushongo is still a quiet spot on the Indian Ocean. This could change soon, as a modern road is being built. You can enjoy the whole day on the beach. Be it lazing around, swimming, taking a walk or a boat trip to a small island off the coast.

Overnight stay: Mike's Beach cottages

At 8am, Ali picks us up from the hotel in his fiberglass boat. He transports us, the bikes and our luggage to Nungwi. The 40-kilometer crossing takes just under 2 hours. Even before we get off the boat, it is clear that tourism has arrived here. Countless hotels line the white beach. The clear water is perfect for a swim.

Overnight stay: Kendwa Rocks

There's nothing on the agenda today and the deckchairs are ready. Everyone can do as they please. The beach is perfect for walks and exploring, the water for swimming.

Overnight stay: Kendwa Rocks

Our last stage is a roll-out. We ride on asphalt along the western coast to Stonetown, where our bike tour comes to an end at the Freddie Mercury Restaurant. We enjoy the evening in the winding alleyways of the Arab-influenced town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight stay: Tembo House Hotel

Everyone can use today as they wish: whether it's a visit to the fish market with its auctions, shopping and coffee in the winding alleyways - there is still plenty to do on our last day. In the afternoon, we retire to a quiet beach hotel. Here we bring our trip to a peaceful close. Our return flight with Edelweiss departs at 22:45.