Mountain Bike With Singita In The Serengeti To Help Anti-Poaching

For 30 years, Singita’s safari lodges have set the standard for authenticity and quality in Africa. From October 10th-15th, though, the company takes another step in its conservation efforts aiding anti-poaching by creating a ride for mountain bike enthusiasts across 93 miles of the 350,000 acre Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania. Not only will it be a unique way to view the wildlife that safari lovers flock to this region to see, it will also contribute funds to aid the company’s NGO partner The Grumeti Fund and its anti-poaching scouts.

The ride, which will take place over three days in the western corridor of Serengeti National Park, carries the name The Wagora MTB Ride in honor of Kitaboka Wagora, an anti-poaching scout who was killed by a poacher in 2008 and who continues to inspire others to work to protect Africa’s wildlife. The route consists of flat, dirt, gravel or sand roads with some single track off road trails and will be open to 24 riders over the age of 18 for solo riders (16 and 17 year olds can participate alongside a parent or guardian). Experience in mountain biking is recommended.

The ride isn’t a race or a challenge; it’s designed, instead, to be a way to experience the glorious scenery of the Serengeti at a reasonable pace. Each day starts at sunrise (approximately 6:30 AM) with different routes daily. Day 1 is a 37 mile track through the diverse terrain of the Grumeti Reserve; Day 2 is a 31 mile exploration of a neighboring community; the third day is a 25 mile trip through open landscape. Armed anti-poaching scouts will accompany riders throughout, along with game scouts and a support vehicle in case a rider wants to take a break during that day’s run.

Over the five days, participants will start out from and return to the tented camp Singita Explore where they can relax, swim, book wellness treatments and enjoy being surrounded by pristine wilderness; dining under the stars and waking to the sounds of wildlife in the distance are experiences that regular guests on African safaris cherish. And during the time in which they’re not riding, participants can also visit the Grumeti Fund’s Research and Innovation for the Serengeti Ecosystem Centre to learn about the organization’s active projects. They can also interact with the scouts to learn about their first hand experiences and meet their canine associates and the dogs’ handlers.

Places on the ride are on a first come, first served basis. (contact Stephanie.S@singita.com). The prices are: $8,230 for a single rider; $5,630 per person sharing along with a tax-deductible donation to the Grumeti Fund: $17,000 per single or $10,000 per person sharing to be used to fund training, hire more rangers, train and care for the Canine Unit, fund the Mobile Patrol Unit and purchase equipment. The deadline for payments is June 30 and guests need to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport by October 10^th.