Usambara Mountain Magic
USAMBARA MOUNTAIN MAGIC - 7 DAYS
- 7 days / 6 nights (4 days cycling)
- Kilimanjaro
Not recommended in April and May
For those looking for a true back roads cycling experience with rewarding vistas, downhills, and friendly people at every turn.
- Travel from the northwest edge of the Usambara range to its southeast corner and down to the ocean
- Discover a part of Tanzania few tourists ever see
- Perfect mode of travel to experience the sights and sounds of life
- Ride 40 to 80 km per day almost exclusively on dirt roads and footpaths
- Beach bungalow resort for the final two nights
GALLERY / PHOTOS
Start from $1275
Usambara Mountain Magic Itinerary
Day 1: Kilimanjaro to Mambo Village (Drive)
Overnight: Mambo View Point EcoLodge
Meals: L, D
Approx. Drive Time: 4 hours
Day 2: Mambo Village to Mkuzi Village
Biking Distance: 37mi / 61km
Overnight: Muller’s Mountain Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Mkuzi Village to Kizara Village (Includes Drive Segment)
Biking Distance: 26mi / 42km
Overnight: Nilo Nature Reserve Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Kizara Village to Amani Nature Reserve
Biking Distance: 23mi / 38km
Overnight: Emau Hill Forest Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Amani Nature Reserve to Pangani
Biking Distance: 48mi / 78km
Overnight: Capricorn Beach Cottages
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Pangani
Day at leisure to enjoy the beach and ocean.
Overnight: Capricorn Beach Cottages
Meals: B
Day 7: Pangani to Kilimanjaro (Drive) – Departure
Depart mid-morning for the six-hour drive back to Kilimanjaro to catch your flight home or continue on to your next adventure. Lunch en route.
Meals: B, L
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kilimanjaro to Mambo Village
Drive from Kilimanjaro to the edge of the Usambara Mountains, which offer breathtaking views, a cool climate, winding paths, and picturesque villages. An optional four-hour hike from the base of the escarpment to the ridgeline leads to Mambo View Point EcoLodge at an altitude of 1,900 meters. From here, enjoy stunning vistas of the Pare Mountains, Mkomazi National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Mambo View Point EcoLodge
Meals: L, D
Approx. Drive Time: 4 hours
Day 2: Mambo Village to Mkuzi Village
Today’s ride passes through lush valleys and small villages into Shume, a former German colonial outpost where many historical buildings are still in use. Outside of Shume, riders face long ascents across two forested mountain ridges, followed by a thrilling descent into a densely settled valley.
Overnight: Muller’s Mountain Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Biking Distance: 37mi / 61km
Day 3: Mkuzi Village to Kizara Village
The day starts with a steep dirt track climb into the forest, opening up to breathtaking panoramic views. A long descent follows through villages nestled on the mountain slopes. Riders traverse ridges with gentle drops leading to fertile valleys, ending with a challenging 5.5km climb along a mountainside. The ride concludes in Bumbuli (42 km) or extends 15 km further to Funta. From here, bikes are loaded onto a trailer for a 50 km drive across the arid Lwengera Valley. The night is spent at a campsite at the road’s end, on the edge of the Nilo Nature Reserve.
Overnight: Nilo Nature Reserve Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Biking Distance: 26mi / 42km
Day 4: Kizara Village to Amani Nature Reserve
The first stretch is a dirt track through the Nilo Nature Reserve’s dense forest, eventually revealing views of the eastern Usambara region. Riders follow a ridgeline between villages, forests, and vast tea plantations strategically placed on steep slopes. A long downhill section leads into the Amani Nature Reserve, followed by an uphill stretch to Emau Hill Camp.
Overnight: Emau Hill Forest Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Biking Distance: 23mi / 38km
Day 5: Amani Nature Reserve to Pangani
The longest biking day is mostly downhill. The ride begins with a gentle descent through tropical forests, emerging into Muheza, the gateway town to the coastal region. Crossing a tarmac road marks an abrupt transition from lush mountain greenery to the sandy coastal plains. The scent of the ocean grows stronger, and the Swahili culture becomes more apparent as riders approach the Indian Ocean. This mostly flat section ends at the Capricorn Beach Cottages, offering a well-earned rest by the sea.
Overnight: Capricorn Beach Cottages
Meals: B, L, D
Biking Distance: 48mi / 78km
Day 6: Pangani
A full day of relaxation at Capricorn Beach Cottages. Enjoy the pristine beach, swim in the Indian Ocean, or explore the local fishing village.
Overnight: Capricorn Beach Cottages
Meals: B
Day 7: Pangani to Kilimanjaro – Departure
A six-hour drive returns you to Kilimanjaro International Airport, with lunch en route. Depart for your next adventure or flight home.
Meals: B, L
Inclusions
✔️ All accommodations (3 nights in lodges, 3 nights camping)
✔️ All meals as indicated (B, L, D)
✔️ Bottled or filtered water, coffee, teas, cocoa
✔️ Services of trip leader, camping crew, and support vehicle
✔️ Use of Kona or Bergamont mountain bicycles and helmets
✔️ All camping and dining equipment
✔️ Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport, Moshi, or Arusha
Exclusions
❌ Tips and gratuities for guides, crew, or staff
❌ Cold drinks and alcohol
❌ Extra accommodations and meals due to airline schedule changes or inability to complete the ride
❌ Pre-trip expenses (immunizations, travel insurance, passports, visas)
❌ International airfare and airport departure taxes
❌ Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
Disclaimer
Trip prices are based on Rocky Africa Experience costs at the time of booking. Rocky Africa Experience reserves the right to alter trip prices due to changes in fuel, labor, materials, or exchange rates. If Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) or any service provider (hotels, lodges, airlines, etc.) raises their rates, additional payments may be required from the client.