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Participants
Who is the tour aimed at ?
The tour is aimed at individuals who want to challenge
themselves and want to experience all aspects of Africa. It's definitely a challenge to cycle the
whole big loop of "Lake Victoria Safari". But the
tour is also meant for the people who like to travel by
bicycle through the different countries in East-Africa. It is not
a problem if you take a seat some days in the supporting
vehicles. If you like the challenge or if you prefer
more the fascinating journey through the African
countries, you are both
welcome in "Lake Victoria Safari".
Am I capable of doing this ?
If you are in good health, love ADVENTURE with capitals,
like endurance exercise and have a passion for cycling, you are capable of completing "Lake
Victoria Safari".
The stages have an average distance of almost 100
kilometres, have an average daily elevation gain of
1.200 meters and are for 55 percent unpaved. It's not
easy. You will definitely challenge yourself and maybe
that you reach your physical and mental limits
during some of the longest and toughest stages.
Before you start
Do I need visas ?
Most participants need a visa for Kenya,
Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. You'll find
detailed information in the
Brochure.
What about insurance ?
You are responsible for obtaining health and travel
insurance, including emergency rescue. Further
information will be given in the brochure. Individuals
without proper insurance will not be allowed to
participate.
On the Tour
Where do cyclists stay and sleep ?
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. The first night and last
night in Nairobi you stay in a hotel.
You have the possibility at most of the official
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.
What will I eat ?
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.
Our cook
prepares in the evening
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. Since this is not our
first tour in Africa, we are convinced we can serve you
meals that are both healthy and tasty.
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.
Who will carry my equipment ?
Support vehicles will carry your personal items
including tent, sleeping bags, camping gear and spare
parts. In addition, support vehicles will also carry
such items as food, water, kitchen equipment and
emergency medical items. While riding, you only have to
carry some basic tools, a spare tube, water, and a
snack.
Will I be able to do some sightseeing ?
Absolutely. We have planned 14 rest days
so that you have the possibility to make interesting
site trips to National Parks and do safaris to see the best
wildlife in the world.
Security
Is it safe in Africa ?
Africa is maybe the world's friendliest continent. A
large majority of people are warm, welcoming and very
protective of foreigners. However like everywhere else
in the world, the possibility of threat exists. As in
any city you simply have to apply common sense to avoid
any potentially risky situations. The political violence
that one hears about rarely targets foreigners. The
biggest threat to the participants here as everywhere
else - is the automobile.
It's wise to take very good care in the big cities,
especially Nairobi has a bad reputation
in terms of general safety.
Health
What about health ?
Undoubtedly health is a major concern on
an expedition like this. You must therefore take utmost
protection to guarantee your well being throughout the
tour. You will need to be vaccinated against diphtheria,
hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and possibly other diseases.
You will need to bring along prophylactics for malaria.
Your travel clinic can give you the most up to date
advise.
We will provide safe drinking water for your needs. It is
important to note that the likelihood of you coming down
with any diseases is minuscule. The most likely problems
we will encounter will be sunburn and diarrhoea.
Additional health information will be sent in the
Brochure.
Climate
What kind of weather should I expect ?
The whole route is situated around the equator at
altitudes between 1.000 and 2.500 meters. The variety of
climate zones will be extremely divers. From hot, dry
savannah country to cool, damp rainforest. You won't
expect it so close to the equator, but temperatures
might be just above zero during a rain shower high up in
the mountains.
We have tried to pick a good season to cycle in this
part of the world, but in a varied area with dry
savannah and deep rainforest, you can expect everything
between 10 and 35 degrees, dry and wet. In the end it's all
part of the adventure.
Road conditions
What is the terrain like ?
The daily distances vary between 50 and 140 kilometres
with an average of nearly 100 kilometers per day.
The road conditions are a mix of paved roads, hard
pistes, gravel and sandy tracks. Most of the distance is
unpaved ( 55 per cent ). The route requires now and then
technical mountain bike riding skills to handle the
undergrounds with big stones and deep gullies. A dozen
of stages you can opt for a less challenging paved
alternative to avoid the rough African road conditions,
but don't forget that this is definitely not always the
case.
The average elevation gain is 1.200 meters per day. The
first section of the tour from Nairobi to Kigali has
less climbing ( average 950 meters per day ) with a
handful of stages with more than 1.500 meters. The
second part from Kigali to Nairobi is definitely more
mountainous ( average 1.300 meters ) with some serious
stages of more than 2.000 climbing meters.
Bike
What kind of bike should I use ?
The bike is without doubt the most important part of
your equipment. The route is unpaved for 55 per cent.
During the unpaved sections you can expect every kind of
road conditions. For this reason we recommend you to
bring a robust mountain. A cyclecross, ybrid, touring or road bike is definitely NOT suitable for the job
since it will not get you over many of the unpaved
sections. So please install tyres which can deal all
kind of road conditions ( also in the wet ). Front
suspension is also highly recommended. Enough gears
and strong legs, and
you can do the job.
Non-cyclist
I don't want to cycle, but can I still come
?
Yes, there is a limited number of places for people who
like to join "Lake Victoria Safari", but don't like to cycle.
You can take a seat in one of the support vehicles and
make the same journey as the cycling participant, it's
only not on the bike.
You can help the other staff with shopping, prepare the
lunch halfway or help in the kitchen; but first of all :
you must enjoy the journey. We will not asked you to
help. It's all up to yourself if you want to help. We
prefer that all participants ( and especially the
non-cyclists ) visit the local towns and villages where
we stay, in stead of chopping carrots.
The registration and Entry Fee is similar as for
cyclists.
What to bring
What do I need to bring along ?
Detailed information will be sent in the
Brochure.
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