Brochure - The Kids` Cancer Project

`
Brochure
“Lake Victoria Safari 2016”
Introduction
You have a look at the map of Africa and are attracted by the Nile, the longest river in
the world and the mother of ancient civilizations. You look for its origin in the middle of
East-Africa and become fascinated by Lake Victoria and its neighbouring countries
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. You slowly start to dream. How will it be to make a long
journey around Lake Victoria, the biggest lake of Africa?
You start to read about the countries and to learn about the various lakes, the Mount
Kilimanjaro, the native tribes with proud traditions, their local language Swahili, the
impenetrable rainforest, the savannah, the volcanoes, the gentle mountain gorillas, the
Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and are overwhelmed by numerous of National Parks
with a myriad of wildlife. And while your eyes are still on the African map, you make the
circle a bit wider and your finger drifts away to Rwanda and Burundi. The two countries
had a dark period in the middle of the nineties, but fortunately peace and harmony has
returned to this beautiful region. The borders of Burundi and Rwanda with green
undulating landscapes are now open for curious visitors.
You keep on dreaming. Dreaming about Africa, about the dark continent, about Maasai
herding their cattle, about an impressive variety of wildlife and about a long journey
around Lake Victoria. And what’s a better way than to do it by a wonderful bicycle tour.
Cycling is the only way to see, feel, smell, hear and experience Africa in all her aspects.
The Swahili word for “long journey” is safari. So, we would like to present “Lake
Victoria Safari”.
“Lake Victoria Safari” starts at January 5th, 2016 in Nairobi, the thriving capital of
Kenya. The finish is 55 days later and after 4.200 challenging kilometres ( 2.625 miles )
at the same location at February 28th, 2016.
More than half of the route is unpaved, which means that you can expect all sorts of road
conditions, from gravel to smoothly paved roads, and from washboard to loose sand. But
it’s not only the surface which makes it tough, also the numerous hills and mountains in
especially Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda make it a demanding tour.
The whole route is situated around the equator at altitudes between 1.000 and 2.500
meters which guarantees a variety of climate zones. From hot, dry savannah country to
cool, damp rainforest. You will create your own African version of “Cyclists in the Mist”,
referring to the world famous story of primatologist Dian Fossey.
We have planned a dozen of rest days at strategic places, which give you the opportunity
to experience the best wildlife in the world. You will not only spot wildlife during
organized safaris on rest days, the cycling route also passes some areas where you share
the road with zebras, giraffes, monkeys, ostriches, impalas and other African game. How
many ingredients do you need for a great adventure that you’ll never forget?
“Lake Victoria Safari” is definitely a tour for people who like off-road cycling, are not
afraid for some climbing and don’t mind some discomfort. It’s Africa. It’s discovering the
untamed heart of Africa. Your fellow-cyclists from all around the world and the hospitality
of the African people make it an unforgettable journey. Who hasn’t day-dreamed about
Africa? Let your fascination become reality.
For you, as well for us, it’s “a once in a lifetime experience”.
So, don’t miss out.
2
The Route
The route of 4.200 kilometres has been divided into 43 cycling stages and 12 rest
days. The daily distances vary between 50 and 130 kilometres with an average of nearly
100 kilometres per day.
The road conditions are a mix of paved roads, hard pistes, gravel and sandy tracks.
While most of the distance is unpaved ( 55 per cent ), the route does not require
highly technical mountain bike riding skills. However you can expect every now and then
a section that for sure will challenge you.
The full route has over 52.000 meters ( 170.000 feet ) of elevation gain for the rider.
That makes it an average of 1.200 meters per day. The first section of the tour from
Nairobi to Bujumbara has less climbing ( average 950 meters per day ) with a handful of
stages with more than 1.500 meters. The second part from Bujumbara to Nairobi is
definitely more mountainous ( average 1.500 meters ) with some
serious stages of more than 2.000 climbing meters.
3
A GPS which has the option to upload tracks is essential and will be your most important
route finder in East-Africa where we try to stick to the minor roads and where road signs
are often hard to find.
During the rest days you have the possibility to make interesting site trips to a dozen of
National Parks :
• Kenya
: Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell’s Gate
National Park
• Tanazania : Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangira National Park, Ngorongoro
National Park, Serengeti National Park
• Rwanda : Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park
• Uganda
: Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park,
Kibale Forest National Park
Nairobi – Bujumbura
We start our big loop in Nairobi, a
place which has grown in one
century from a basic camp into a
vibrant African capital. Once on the
bike, the hectic, noise and bustle of
Kenya’s metropolis make soon place
for the quiet Maasai land where
zebras, impalas and ostriches cross
our path. We head in the southeastern direction to the Amboseli
National Park where the first rest
day is planned. Elephants and
giraffes wander around the park with
the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in
the background; the iconic picture of
Africa. Africa’s highest mountain with
almost 5.900 meters and the last
bits of African snow stays in our
sight when we continue and enter
Tanzania. We cycle over the lower
slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro - and a
bit further Mount Meru - via good
rolling dirt roads. At the foot of Mount Meru sprawls Arusha at about 1.300 meter
altitude, one of Tanzania’s most developed and fastest-growing towns. We cross the
safari capital of the country and make camp at the Meserani Snake Park. Next to an
impressive collection of snakes and other reptiles offers the park an informative Maasai
cultural museum.
One stage is left to Karatu where we are situated in the heart of the best
game reserves in the world. It’s up to you how you want
to spend the three rest days.
4
Superb safaris to the Lake Manyara National Park, the Tarangire National Park, the
Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park, are all within your reach.
Lake Manyara National Park is well known for its rich birdlife and has a lot of game
including baboons, herbivores and big cats.
Tarangire National Park has a permanent water source with environments ranging
from swamps and flood plains to dry savannah which guarantees exciting opportunities
to see wildlife abound. Impressive herds of elephants, over 550 species of birds,
antelopes and many predators such as lions, leopards and cheetah can be seen.
The world famous Ngorongoro Crater - the name has an almost mystical ring to it conjuring images of a giant wildlife-filled volcanic caldera, where the big five and many
other animals roam. It’s considered the “Garden of Eden” of Tanzania in terms of game
viewing. The crater is 610 meters deep and 19 km across. The floor contains a small
soda lake and it is estimated that 30.000 animals are living in the crater, making it the
most intensive safari game viewing area on earth!
And than Serengeti : nature’s mystery, power and beauty surround you like few other
places in a setting of waving golden grasses and flat-topped acacia trees. It’s here that
one of earth’s most impressive natural cycles has played out for eons as hundreds of
thousands of stampeding wildebeest sweeping across the endless plain, driven by
primeval rhythms of survival.
We must not forget that we are on a bike expedition with all this game viewing. Once we
are back on the bicycle, the African dirt roads are waiting and bring us in three stages to
Singida. We make camp in between near Lake Basotu; a lovely, atmospheric spot,
fringed by stands of papyrus and tall yellow barked fever trees. Large numbers of hippo
are resident in the shallows, and troops of monkey commandeer the wooded shore.
Singida is most notable for a pair of Rift Valley lakes on its outskirts, in particular the
shallow and hypersaline Lake Singida, a surreal apparition whose eerie green waters
are offset by a shimmering white salt-encrusted shore and weird rock formations.
Acacia trees dot the relatively flat savannah landscape in the northern part of Tanzania
where a rest day is planned at the former colonial town of Tabora. The countryside gets
hillier when we come closer to the enormous Lake Tanganyika. The longest fresh water
lake in the world laps Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We reach the lake at the port town of Kigoma with beautiful white sandy beaches and
tempting blue water for an invigorating dive.
We enter Burundi where we cycle in northern direction along the undulating shores of
the immense lake. The country has been blighted by a generation of ethnic conflict, but
with the advent of peace, this charming country may at long last be able to put its dark
past to rest. It’s a tiny little nation of soaring mountains and languid lakeside
communities.
We cycle more than 100 kilometres along the shores of Lake Tanganyika before we arrive
in the capital of Burundi, Bujumbura. This multi-cultural city brings people together
from not only rural Burundi, but also from neighbouring countries and others from further
afield. The city prides itself in offering a culinary experience that is influenced by all these
diverse peoples and cultures. A worthwhile visit from Bujumbara is Saga Beach.
The serene and tranquil atmosphere is extremely relaxing and refreshing.
It’s an ideal spot for a rest day after the first 18 strenuous
stages of our “Lake Victoria Safari”.
5
Bujumbura – Kampala
The second section starts with a
challenging 1.500 meter climb out of
Bujumbara. It’s a good indication of
what’s coming up, because also the
rest of the tour is challenging. We
cycle mostly through hilly and
mountainous areas, especially when
we enter the green undulating
landscapes of Rwanda, “The land of
a Thousand Hills”. The cycling is
tough due to the demanding
conditions, but it’s also a great
pleasure to cycle in countries like
Burundi and Rwanda, where there is
hardly motorized traffic. Excellent.
The first place where we make halt
in Rwanda is the student city of
Butare. The city was the largest and
most important city in Rwanda prior
to 1965 when it lost out to more
centrally located Kigali. The city
hosts nowadays several academic institutions, including the country's largest university,
which makes it the intellectual and cultural pulse of Rwanda.
We become silent and intensely sad when we pass the Murambi Genocide Memorial
Site. The former technical school was one of many locations where ten thousands of
Tutsi’s were killed in one pitch black day and shows that the recent dark history in
Rwanda is never far away. Fortunately peace has returned to this wonderful country.
The road winds through the rural Rwandan landscape of rolling tea plantations and
terraced hills when we approach the Nyungwe Forest National Park. Before we know
it, a dense tangle of trees rises from the cultivated fields. For a full 50 kilometres the
road clings to steep forested slopes, offering superb views over densely swathed hills
which tumble towards the distant Burundi border.
The Nyungwe Forest National Park protects one of the oldest forests in Africa and is a
remarkably rich centre of biodiversity, harbouring 75 mammal species, 275 bird species,
120 butterflies and more than 100 varieties of orchid. The main attraction of Nyungwe is
the large selection of primates which you can spot climbing high up in the trees or
running over the road just in front of you.
We cycle to the west of Rwanda, which is bounded by Lake Kivu and lies along Africa's
Great Rift Valley. The lake dominates the border between Rwanda and the Democratic
Republic of Congo. We pick up the Congo Nile Trail and follow this
picturesque track for two stages.
6
The trail gently curves back and forth as it weaves through hills and mountains beside
the lake. Every corner produces another gorgeous view. Eucalyptus trees line the road,
while every inch of the hills seems to be terraced with bananas. Villagers smile and wave,
and children constantly call out “Mzungu!” as we cycle past.
We arrive in the Volcanoes National Park, which was made famous by the work of
primatologist Dian Fossey and is evocatively portrayed in the book and film “Gorillas in
the Mist”. The mountains of the most famous destination of the country are linked by
fertile saddles, formed by lava flows, and are one of the most striking sights in East
Africa.
Although home to elephant, buffalo, and duiker the park is best known for the 300
mountain gorillas that reside amongst the bamboo forests on the upper slopes. About
half of these gorillas live permanently in the Rwandan sector of the mountains and gorilla
tracking here is one of the wildlife highlights of Africa. That’s why a rest day is planned in
nearby Musanze, also known as Ruhengeri.
We can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, wetland habitat and locals in traditional canoes
when we cycle along the deep blue water of Lake Burera, one of the gorgeous neglected
volcanic lakes in northern Rwanda.
We cross the border into Uganda, a country with fantastic natural scenery and a rich
mosaic of tribes and cultures. The first place where we make camp in Uganda is Lake
Bunyonyi. The lake, which means “the place of many little birds”, is surrounded by
steep sided heavily cultivated mountainous scenery and are dotted with dozens of little
islands. The lake surface is 25 degrees Celsius which makes it an ideal spot for a
refreshing swim.
We continue further to the north through the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest
which lies on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one
of the oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which date back over 25,000 years
and contains almost 400 species of plants. This “impenetrable forest” also protects an
estimated 320 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population.
We camp in Ishasha, for us the entrance gate to the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The place is famous for its mystifying population of the tree-climbing lions that are a very
exceptional attraction. The lions are normally seen lazily lying up within the branches of
the huge fig trees staring down at the numerous Uganda kobs that graze in the open
Ishasha plains.
The Queen Elizabeth National Park include sprawling savannah, shady, humid forests,
sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands. The diverse ecosystems make it the ideal habitat for
classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of
birds. Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent
vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, and
panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and
elephants. A rest day in the centre of the park is necessary to enjoy all this African
beauty. We also cycle through the park for about 100 kilometres, which makes it possible
to spot some big wildlife while you are riding. And don’t be surprised to find
some playing monkeys around your tent. So, be aware on
the bike and keep your tent closed to
avoid uninvited guests.
7
A dozen of pretty little crater lakes are hidden like pearls between the hills when we
follow our route to Fort Portal. A rest day is planned in this lush and liveable town, and
is one of the nicer urban centres in Uganda. Fort Portal is also a base to track
chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest National Park or to drop down into the Semliki
Valley, with its wildlife, hot springs and Pygmy villages.
Four hilly stages are left through a verdant tea-growing area, before we reach the end of
our second section in Kampala. The capital, and by far the largest city, of Uganda is
nowadays a modern looking city, with outlying townships spreading far beyond the
original “seven hills” the city was built upon.
Kampala - Nairobi
We leave Kampala to the east and
end up in the adrenaline centre of
East Africa, Jinja. The town is built
at the place where the Nile flows out
of Lake Victoria to finds its way to
the
Mediterranean.
Jinja
is
considered as the source of the
mighty Nile and offers some of
world’s best white-water rafting and
kayaking.
Before we leave Uganda and return
into Kenya, we make camp along
the shores of Lake Victoria at
Majanji, which is nestled at the
border between both countries. The
little harbour offers the possibility to
make a little tour with a fisher boat
over the waters of Lake Victoria.
The last rest day is planned in Njoro
situated in the Kenya highlands. It’s
a good base to visit the Lake
Nakuru National Park which is best known for its thousands, sometimes millions of
flamingos nesting along the shores. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly
recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The park is also a good place to
see leopards, Rothschild giraffes and white rhinos.
We cycle along, and make camp at, Lake Naivasha. A beautiful freshwater lake fringed
by thick papyrus. The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile
soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. The
waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander among
the acacia, buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from
the treetops while the lake's large hippo population
sleeps the day out in the shallows.
8
Once we leave Lake Naivasha we have the option to make a detour in Hell’s Gate
National Park. It's unique among Kenya’s parks, as we are allowed to cycle across its
breadth. There’s dramatic scenery, with looming cliffs, gorges and basalt columns.
Buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, and baboons are common as you
cycle along. Lurking lions and leopards add to the excitement! A real cycling safari.
Before you complete your wide loop around Lake Victoria, we cycle over the northern
slopes of Mount Longonot, a young volcano rising to 2,776 metres above sea level. The
name is derived from the Maasai word Oloonong’ot meaning “mountains of many spurs
or steep ridges”. One stage through Maasai land is left before we return to the place
where we started our tour 55 days earlier, Nairobi.
Lake Victoria Safari is a demanding, but also a very rewarding bicycle expedition. It’s a
fabulous way to discover this part of Africa which has magnificent scenery, offers the
best wildlife in the world, and is populated by colourful tribes and wonderful people. An
adventure you’ll never forget.
The Schedule
Day
0
1
4
8
9
10
17
24
32
37
40
45
47
52
55
•
•
•
•
Monday
Tuesday
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Thursday
Thursday
Friday
Wednesday
Saturday
Thursday
Saturday
Thursday
Sunday
Date
January 4th
January 5th
January 8th
January 12th
January 13th
January 14th
January 21st
January 28th
February 5th
February 10th
February 13th
February 18th
February 20th
February 25th
February 28th
Place
Briefing
Nairobi
Start
Nairobi
Rest day
Oloitokitok
Rest day 1 Karatu
Rest day 2 Karatu
Rest day 3 Karatu
Rest day
Tabora
Rest day
Bujumbra
Rest day
Musanze
Rest day
Queen Elisabeth NP
Rest day
Fort Portal
Rest day
Kampala
Rest day
Jinja
Rest day
Njoro
Finish
Nairobi
Country
Section
Kenya
1
Kenya
1
Kenya
1
Tanzania
1
Tanzania
1
Tanzania
1
Tanzania
1
Burundi
1,2
Rwanda
2
Uganda
2
Uganda
2
Uganda
2,3
Uganda
3
Kenya
3
Kenya
3
The gray marked lines are the places where you can start or finish the sections of
“Lake Victoria Safari”.
The mentioned days are the rest days in the cities. You arrive in the city the day
before as the stage finishes and we leave the day after.
The dates of the rest days and finish can change slightly, due to unforeseen
conditions. As according to our schedule we arrive on February 28th, 2016.
When you intend to join us midway, we advise that you book your arrival date at
least the day before the start date of the journey. You should also
allow time ( 2-3 days ) at the end of the bike
journey for any unexpected
delays.
9
•
You can find detailed information about the transfers to the start- and finish
places in the Information Kit.
Support
The journey is supported by two vehicles which take every day the luggage to the next
place. You don’t have to carry luggage on your bike, except from water, a banana, a
snack, a spare tube and a multi-tool.
We provide on cycling days an extensive breakfast ( bread, cereals, fruit ) and halfway
the stage a tasty lunch is waiting for you. In addition, we take care that you can recover
with an extra meal ( soup, bread, fruit ) after finishing the stage and that you always
have sufficient drinking water. In the evening our cook prepares a meal full of energy for
you.
The kitchen of Bike-Dreams has to deal with the African circumstances. So, on the one
hand we want to serve a wide variety of food, but on the other hand we have to deal
with the African markets with sometimes limited choices and supplies. Bike-Dreams will
do its ultimate best to serve good meals for you.
During the rest days and a few times that we stay in a hotel you have the opportunity to
explore and sample the local cuisine.
The journey is supported by a nurse and a mechanic for the physical inconveniences to
yourself and your bike.
In terms of accommodation is “Lake Victoria Safari” generally a combination of campsites
and a temporary camp along the road. At a few exceptions we might arrange a hotel for
the group. You have the possibility at most of the designated campsites to rent a room or
hut at own expense. The rooms and huts that you can rent, vary from very basic to nice
places with a bit of luxury.
Participants
Each participant can cycle the stages at his/her own pace. You can choose to cover the
distance in a more or less relaxing way with visits to villages or towns, photo stops at
every chosen moment, or a well deserved break along the road.
The cyclists who are not able to ride, or cannot finish the stage, have the possibility to
take a seat in one of the support vehicles. We take care that everyone arrives at the
finish location before the evening.
It is possible for people from all over the world to sign up for “Lake Victoria Safari”.
However the number of participants is limited due to organisational reasons.
“Lake Victoria Safari” is open for men and women with an age between 18 and 65.
Everyone with a good health, who loves ADVENTURE with capitals,
likes endurance exercise and has a passion for cycling,
can finish the journey in a
normal way.
10
You will definitely challenge yourself and maybe that you even reach your physical and
mental limits during some of the longest and toughest stages.
It’s also possible for a non-cyclist to participate. You can follow your cycling partner in
one of the support vehicles and you are always free to assist the staff with their daily
activities like providing meals, shopping on the local markets, etcetera.
Entry Fee
Firstly, the journey is intended to complete entirely, with start and finish in Nairobi. We
also offer you the possibility to cycle one or two sections.
Start
Finish
Dates
Days
Entry Fee
Full Tour
Nairobi
Nairobi
5-1-2016
28-2-2016
55
€ 5.900,-
Section 1
Nairobi
Bujumbara
5-1-2016
28-1-2016
24
€ 2.900,-
Section 2
Bujumbara
Kampala
28-1-2016
18-2-2016
22
€ 2.600,-
Section 3
Kampala
Bujumbara
18-2-2016
28-2-2016
11
€ 1.400,-
Countries
Notes :
• The price of your complete journey can be calculated by summarizing the prices of
the individual sections.
• You can contact us if you want to join or leave us half way a section.
Discount
We offer a discount of € 300,- for participants who register and pay the down payment
before May 31st, 2015. You'll pay an Entry Fee of € 5.600,- in stead of € 5.900,-. Early
birds for sections receive a discount of € 100,- per section.
What’s included ?
The entry fee includes :
• Accommodation based on a combination of campsites and bush camps. You can
expect also a minimum of 2 hotel nights.
• Pre- and post hotel accommodation in Nairobi
• Breakfast, lunch and meal at arrival ( during cycling days )
• Fruit, a snack and drinking water ( during cycling days )
• Dinner during cycling days if we are camping
• Transportation of luggage
• Organization of the journey
• Support by nurse and bike mechanic
11
•
•
•
•
•
The
•
•
•
•
•
•
“Lake Victoria Safari” cycling jersey
Entrance fee to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda
Tour guide with extensive information about the route
Daily detailed description of the route
DVD with compilation of the best pictures
entry fee excludes :
Transfer to the start and from the finish location of your journey
Food and drinks on rest days
Dinner at the days with hotel accommodation
Personal health- and travel-insurance
Entry fees of tourist sites and National Parks
Costs of safaris
Charity
The Kids' Cancer Project is the official charity partner of BikeDreams in Australia.
Three children die from cancer every week in Australia. The
Kids' Cancer Project is an Australian charity dedicated to changing
this shocking statistic by finding cures for childhood cancers with
the lowest survival rates. Half of children with these cancers will
not survive.
Ultimately, finding a cure is about saving children’s lives and
ending the heartbreak childhood cancer brings to so many families.
Bike-Dreams participants have raised a fantastic Australian $460,000 for The Kids'
Cancer Project through their association over the last six years.
“Lake Victoria Safari” is one of the charity challenges in 2016. Bike Dreams suggests that
the riders from Australia participate in fundraising for The Kids' Cancer Project. Many
have done so in the past and found it very rewarding.
Riders from other countries are of course free to start their own fundraising for charity
purposes. Childhood cancer has no territorial boundaries, it impacts children across the
world. Together we can make a difference. All efforts are highly appreciated.
If we work together, a cure is within reach.
12
Bike Dreams B.V.
Marktstraat 11
6041 EN Roermond
THE NETHERLANDS
Telephone
Email
Website
: +31 (0) 475 311047
: [email protected]
: www.bike-dreams.com
Bike Dreams B.V. is registered at the
Dutch Chamber of Commerce in
Roermond under number 12060386.
13