On the Kanzo Adventure in the Shadow of Kilimanjaro

In the shadow of the mighty Kilimanjaro, wildlife lives the daily cycle of life. Ochre-colored sunsets, misty landscapes, and vast savannahs form the backdrop of a world where nature still rules. In this environment, not only the Big Five feel at home, but also the Kanzo Adventure. Nol van Loon and Maartje Abrahams from FatPigeon ventured into Tanzania and returned with stories for life.

When it comes to adventure, FatPigeon is pretty much the best you can get. Nol has plenty of experience in the cycling world, blending high-level competition with a backpack full of inspiring stories. He previously explored Africa during the Tour du Faso, Sahara Gravel, and bikepacking trips through Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. For his partner Maartje, this was her very first bikepacking trip—her cycling debut on the African continent. A travel-addicted storyteller, she knows how to capture emotion perfectly in an image.

With the help of Migration Tanzania Safari and blogger Malaki Tumsif, FatPigeon mapped out their route. “What immediately struck us was the incredible hospitality of the Tanzanian people,” says Nol. “We even traded our Dutch stroopwafels for the perfect ugali—a maize flour dish considered a delicacy here.”

Maartje couldn’t believe her eyes when she was greeted by a giraffe in Arusha National Park. “This region, with the prominent Mount Meru, is the only national park where you’re allowed to cycle. A ranger with a Kalashnikov accompanied us on our adventure. To the left we saw Mount Meru, and to the right the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro towered above the landscape. From south to north, we were surrounded by natural beauty.”

The second leg of their journey took the couple to Lake Natron, the starting point of a breathtaking bikepacking route circling Kilimanjaro all the way to the coast. “During our final preparations, we often stopped to soak in the local flora and fauna. Think warthogs by the water, stands of flamingos, and troops of monkeys.”

After meeting Richard Laizer—number one in Tanzania’s gravel scene and participant in the 2024 UCI World Championships—FatPigeon also connected with the local Maasai tribe. “On the steep climbs, I was seriously put to the test by my African colleagues,” Nol laughs. “It was heartwarming to be welcomed everywhere like family. The bike really brings people together—our love for cycling is universal.”

“Right from the first stage of our bikepacking journey, I was literally immersed in the African vibe,” Maartje says. “Volcanic sand, lava rocks, natural washboards… At one point we ran out of water and were incredibly lucky to be helped by a French couple on safari.”

Nol and Maartje stayed with local Maasai families, hanging their clothes to dry old-school style on high branches. Nature often lent a hand, offering waterfalls for refreshing washes. And since Tanzania is the land of The Lion King, a warm welcome at Simba Farm was a must during their trip.

“We then reached the highest point of our journey: 2,100 meters above sea level. That’s where I found my climbing legs,” Maartje beams. “As a reward for all that climbing, we found a stretch of paved tarmac where the kilometers flew by.”

Nol, on the other hand, got to know the region’s microclimates. “Local storms and transitions from freezing cold to desert heat were a regular part of life in Kilimanjaro’s shadow.” The heat was especially intense, and at that altitude, it can feel quite oppressive. Add a crash and some bad weather, and things got a bit rough for Nol and Maartje. But luckily, the magical sun always rises the next day.

Not every day went smoothly in terms of finding a place to stay. “Sometimes it was a sketchy Airbnb or a homestay; other times, it was a luxurious lodge by the sea or nestled between leopards. One time we even got lost in the rainforest and panicked a little. Another time, we found ourselves two days away from our Airbnb and had to improvise a sleeping spot. And there was a moment we realized we didn’t have enough sealant in our tires. We had to stop at the side of the road, remove everything (including the insert), and patch the tubeless tape just to keep going. That cost us three hours, but hey—that’s part of the deal.”

One might wonder how it’s even possible to undertake such a wild trip on a bike. “We equipped our bikes with a Tailfin setup, which fits perfectly on the Kanzo Adventure. The setup protected our gear from sand and water, so even the laptop survived the whole adventure.”

In the end, after four weeks, 1,000 kilometers, 11,000 meters of climbing, and 60 hours of riding, Nol and Maartje safely reached their final destination (still together as a couple). “It was extremely tough, and we definitely underestimated it,” Nol grins when asked about the experience. “Overcoming all the setbacks feels incredibly empowering. We learned to truly appreciate simple things—like a cold Coke from a Catholic shop or sharing cookies with locals. And just a street away, Maasai families are herding their goats. That cultural mix is what makes Tanzania so fascinating.”