Bicycle Africa
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Bicycle Africa |
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Unique Programs To Special Places For Memories Of A Lifetime!
Enjoy Africa the way few others do—by bicycle. Roll into market day with the local Dogon and Songai people of Mali. Take an odyssey that starts with dangling your feet in the Indian Ocean and finishes on the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Explore ancient Punic and Khosian historic sites. Share meals and experiences with local people. Be awed for miles by the mighty splendor of the Great Rift Valley and Victoria Falls.
For those who travel to meet people and gain a better understanding of the world, the International Bicycle Fund sponsors a series of educational cross-cultural bicycle programs in Africa. These programs are designed to explore the complexity and diversity of Africa, be culturally sensitive, environmentally friendly and to support local economic development. Participants have the opportunity to stay in untouristed rural villages and markets, learn about day-to-day life, meet artisans, health care personnel, educators and government officials, visit historical and cultural sites and national parks, and photograph the land and people.
The series of two week sessions includes programs in Uganda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Malawi, Mali, Ghana, Senegal/Gambia, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin and Cameroon. A dozen very distinctive, complex and culturally and historically rich countries. Each program is unique. Successive modules can easily be combined to create a longer, more diverse adventure.
Since 1983, the program has specialized in soft adventure for people who want to learn more about Africa, as well as see the beautiful sights. The primary mode of travel will be self-contained bicycling. The cycling difficulty is moderate, averaging about 40 miles per day on paved and unpaved roads, with opportunities for side-trips for the more energetic. Accommodations are a mix from western-style hotels to rustic traditional village housing. Cyclists from their teens to 60's have enjoyed these programs. All participants receive a comprehensive pre-departure materials with detailed instructions on setting up their bicycle, packing, training and other information for program preparation. The program is ideal for the realist who appreciates the diversity in the world and the wonderful rewards that can be gained from the modest rigors of bicycle touring.
The cost of the programs, including accommodations, meals, and guide, varies from $990-$1490. Airfare is additional. Discounts are available for participants taking successive modules. Group size is limited so early registration is recommended. A portion of the program price goes to support the local development and the projects of IBF.