Day 4, Saadani Safari Lodge
Today we are treated to one of the most exciting but toughest parts of the challenge, 77km of tough dirt road and trail riding! The day starts with 20km of good classic African dirt road and then switches to 20km of single track dirt path heading north and running alongside an almost disused railway line. At midday we should have arrived at the bridge over the Wami River where we can have a good relax and lunch in Matipwili village. This afternoon we cycle 30km through Saadani National Park where we keep our eyes peeled for giraffe, wildebeest and kudu. Our park rangers will be there to protect against the larger buffalo, hippo and elephants that are found in the park but will tend to shy away from a herd of noisy cyclists! Camp tonight is at the incredible Saadani safari lodge based on the ocean front, and our meal at the lodge as we watch the moon rise in the east promises to be a special occasion.
Day 5, Mandera & Lugoba
We have a well deserved later wake-up call this morning and even manage to fit in an Indian Ocean swim before breakfast. Finally we leave the coast and head inland away from the coast, climbing throughout the morning almost 350m along the tough Tanzanian roads. Once again we are able to spot wildlife as the first 20km today are to the Mvave Gate, the main entrance to the National Park. We see the kilometres clock up gradually as we pass through the villages of Mkange, Manda, Miono and end the day at the main road junction at Mandera. Here we regroup and then make our way together to our camp at Lugoba under the shade of the mango trees.
Day 6, Ngerengere
Today is a stunning ride, accompanied by beautiful scenery as we head ever closer to our destination in the Uluguru Mountains. After 30km we stop for lunch at the bustling village of Ubenazomozi, the point where our ride crosses the main highway from Dar to the central reaches of Tanzania. This afternoon we mostly descend to Ngerengere where after 25km in the hot afternoon sun we are able to relax with a beer in the local bar. From here the road to the mountains becomes almost impassable so we transfer back to the main road and onto our final camp at the town of Mikese.
Day 7, Morogoro
And so to our final cycling day and as is almost a tradition with ICT challenges throughout Asia and Africa we end with a hill climb! By now we are quite used to the quality of the dirt roads and our strength and ability means that we pass through Msumbisi and Kingulwira to reach the highest point on the challenge in good time for lunch. Just as we approach the toughest part of the climb the road transforms to a delightful tarmac surface and we almost float to the pass! After lunch the feeling of elation grows constantly as we close in on Morogoro and our final destination. We should arrive into our hotel by mid afternoon with time to have a good cooling swim in the pool before we have supper in the hotel restaurant. Tonight we can relax and enjoy the evening in the knowledge that there will be no more riding in the morning.
Day 8, ICT Project & Dar es Salaam
After breakfast we make our way to the head office of the Faraja Trust Fund that works in partnership with ICT. The three projects that they are working on are: an education centre for street children, a monthly day centre and testing clinic for children with HIV/AIDS and finally the incredible and uplifting Naema Yamtoto Project in the slum areas of Morogoro that aims to teach 150 children on a daily basis. After lunch we will be returning to Dar Es Salaam by the direct route and be safely in our beachfront cabins by late afternoon.
Day 9, Dar es Salaam
Today we relax by the pool before transferring to the airport for our flight back to UK.
Day 10
Arrive UK.
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