Have you ever wanted to journey to Africa for a Safari or even to Mount Kilimanjaro? While there may be some appeal to being transported inside a vehicle to see wildlife you only see on nature shows, to me that seems like a very antiseptic way to experience the magic and mystery the continent holds.
A better way would be to do it would be a bicycle safari, and, surprisingly, there is a company that can give you that exact experience: One Bike Tanzania. While you might think Africa isn’t a place where cycling has any presence, you would be incorrect. Many of the people who live in the small towns and villages can’t afford a motor vehicle, so they use bikes as their main mode of transportation.
If you do a bike tour with the company, you’ll see Africa the way the locals do. You’ll also learn the important role bicycles play in the lives of its inhabitants.
About One Bike, Tanzania
One Bike was founded by Hillary Matemu and Goodluck Minja in 2018. But they didnt really launch until 2019 once they established a place to run the business from in Moshi. They are a truly sustainable business.
The profits One Bikes makes from trips and donations go to assist Tanzanian villages with bicyles so kids can get to school, or people can do their verious jobs, get food, or go to the hospital. One Bike also sponsors a monthly recycling program. I wish there were more companies like One Bike, especially bicycle travel companies, that did these kind of activities.
One Bike has 6 employees, two of which are the company founders, so you have to be impressed by the kinds of trips they offer, and at such a high level. If you do a trip with them, you’re almost assured to have a personable experience. These are real people who care about creating a tour that reflects the unique beauty of their country.
Type of Trips One Bike Can Give You
One Bike embraces all kinds of cyclists as reflected in its trip types: E-Bike Tours, Day Trips, and Expeditions. An E-Bike Tour or a Day Trip tour are very inexpensive in the $400 to $500 range.
For the hardcore roadie, though, an expedition is probably the type of trip you might be more apt to book. The expeditions are for people who want a true bike tour like those most bicycle travel companies offer. There are four to choose from but here’s the one that grabbed my interest.
Titled the Tour de Kilimanjaro, this tour takes cyclists around the base of Mount Kilimanjaro during its 9 days. Giant mountain bikes are the type of bike used, which is supplied as part of your tour. No mention of road bikes for rent or if you can bring your own bike.
This tour is offered every month from January through August, and right now a 15% discount knocks $450 off the regular price of $2,999. For this trip, the inclusions are pretty nice.
- High quality and new Mountain Bike
- Helmet
- English speaking guide
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Bottled water
- Overnight costs
- Supporting vehicle
Last Thoughts
Skip the typical tourist safari by bus and go for something that improves the lives of people in Tanzania. One Bike reflects my love of what cycling can give back to the world, a country, a village. While One Bike isn’t specifically a non-profit in the Western belief of what that phrase connotes, its heart is definitely in the right place.
Through these guided tours, you’ll see unbelievable wildlife in their element and also get the feel for a way of life that seems incomprehensible to most of us. After my research for this post, this is something I’d really love to do. Looks like their tours are filling up, so make the commitment and do a trip with the lovely people at One Bike Tanzania.
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