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Ride with us to experience the most extraordinary gravel cycling adventure and support So They Can to break the poverty cycle for children living in the regions you will cycle through.

About The Adventure

Join So They Can for an unforgettable 10-day cycle adventure from Tanzania to Kenya, taking in the many extraordinary sights of the East Africa region!

  • Ride with a group of fellow cycling enthusiasts, guided by our professional hosts, Savage Wilderness, for a fully supported unforgettable gravel bike tour.

 

  • Experience the wonders of Africa whilst cycling through incredible landscapes, past diverse wildlife and meet first-hand the people and see the traditional culture of Kenya and Tanzania.

 

  • Our rest day includes a safari through the amazing Ngorongoro Crater (one of Africa’s most incredible national parks).

 

  • And the best bit! Create lifelong memories as you meet the children and communities supported by So They Can. Experience their warmth, generosity and the spirit of the African philosophy of Ubuntu — 'I am because we are'.

Fast Facts About The Trip...

Dates: 10th-20th July 2024 (10-day trip)

Where: Tanzania and Kenya

Tour CostApprox. AU $5,750 (US $3,850)

* This includes all accommodation (hotels and tents for certain days), meals, bike hire (or you can bring your own gravel or mountain bike), all on-ground support, transfers, park and safari fees. Also included is a high quality Prism Kokoto cycle jersey. The cost excludes airfares, compulsory medical insurance, visas, tip and anything on the ‘kit list’ for your own personal amenity.

Fundraising commitmentAU $5,000 (US $3,350)

We ask that all participants commit to giving a tax-deductible $5,000 donation to support the projects that you will visit. We can help you fundraise by setting up a fundraising portal.

* Anyone with moderate (or above) bike skills and a sound level of cycle fitness can enjoy the event. A mountain bike or gravel bike (to absorb some rougher roads) is the best bike. We provide these for your use. You do not need expert level bike skills.

The Kokoto Tour Itinerary...

Travel Day (Arusha, Tanzania): Arrive into Kilimanjaro airport.

You will be collected by our team and taken to your hotel in Arusha. That night you will be given a briefing on the trip, meet the Instructors/guides (team). Accommodation is provided (no meals provided on this night). 

Day 1 (Arusha - Babati):Transfer to start point, visit school, bike fit preparations and warm-up.

You will be picked up from the hotel early (7:30am) and transferred by road for approx 2.5-3hrs to the hotel in Babati we are staying. The bikes will be ahead and will have been assembled for you when you arrive. Those who have Hire bikes we will do a bike fit. After lunch we will then have a short warm up ride to one of the schools So They Can supports. After the tour of the facility we will ride back to the hotel.

Day 2 (Babati - Thawi): Ride 75km, elevation changes +1850m / -1200m.

The first real day on the bikes. Breakfast at 6:30am so we can be on the bikes for 7:30am to make the most of the cool weather. An easy start for the first 25km. After which we start to climb. The majority of the climbing is in the first half of the day. But don’t be fooled there is still a lot of climbing towards the end. Today will really start to give you a feel for the beauty of Africa (Tanzania). A mixture of tar roads but the majority of dirt gravel roads. Tonight we will be camping.

Day 3 (Thawi - Moto wa Mbu): Ride 120km, elevation changes +1250m / - 2300m.

This is the longest day on the ride. That’s ok, tomorrow is a rest day!  A lot of undulating roads, but we lose a lot of altitude through the day. We experience the Lake Manyara and Ngorngoro ecosystem. Scenic farmland with some great views to be had. Tonight we will be in rooms.

Day 4: Rest, recover and safari!

Today will be a rest day from the bikes and a great reward from yesterday’s ride. We will go on a safari into the Ngorongoro Crater, a truly magical safari wonderland. Eyes peeled today as we look for the big five, plus a vast array of wildlife. It will be a long day in the cars but it will be leisurely and an amazing experience. Tonight we will be in rooms.

Day 5 (Moto wa Mbu - Noondoto): Ride 105km, elevation changes +600m / - 550m.

Today we ride along the floor of the Rift Valley. For the next couple of days we will keep our eyes peeled for plains game (zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and more). Not much climbing today but today is the day the road surfaces are likely to be the roughest. Today will be your second night in tents.

Day 6 (Noondoto - Longido): Ride 65km, elevation changes +640m / -250m. Followed by a 4hr vehicle transfer (including border crossing into Kenya). 

When we hit the Tarmac around Mt Longido (65km in) we will jump in the buses and head to the border at Bisil. We are in true Massi country all day. We will be camping tonight.

Day 7 (Bisil - Ngong): Ride 90Km, elevation + 1050m / - 900m.

First day riding in Kenya. We are still in Massi country and we cycle along the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Some amazing views towards the end of the day. We spend the night on the outskirts of Nairobi, although it might not seem like it. Camping tonight.

Day 8 (Ngong - Naivasha): Ride 100km, elevation + 1050m / - 850m.

Today will be a lot on tarmac as we drop into the great Rift Valley, cycling along the floor. At the end of the day we will cycle through Hell’s Gate National Park. Hell’s Gate is one of the only national parks in Kenya where you are allowed to cycle. The geology in this park is beautiful. You will cycle past Kenya’s largest geothermal plant. Tonight we will stay at an oasis on the shore of lake Naivashia. Today will be the last day camping.

Day 9 (Naivasha - Nakuru): Ride 110km, elevation + 850m / -850m.

The last day on the bikes. We will leave Lake Naivashia and head to Lake Nakuru. The climbing today will reward us with amazing views. In the afternoon we will ride into the Aberdare Ranges Primary School, So They Can’s first project in East Africa. 

Enjoy a well deserved welcome from some of the many students we have supported for over 12 years. Quality hotel/lodge style accommodation.

Day 10 (Nakuru): Relax and be hosted by the team at So They Can.

Visit Aberdare Ranges Primary School and other So They Can projects. A day to relax and absorb all that you have seen and experienced. Quality hotel/lodge style accommodation.

Travel Day: Transfer to Nairobi and the end of the Kokoto Tour.

You can choose to fly out or continue your African adventure with legendary game destinations such as the Masai Mara. 

Register now for the adventure!

Want to register interest/secure your spot? Please email events@sotheycan.org — places are limited so get in quick!

Have a question about the Kokoto Tour? Please get in touch with Andrew Bloxham, So They Can Director and fellow Kokoto Tour rider via email: andrewb@sotheycan.org