Change Makers Cycling Trip | 2023
Join us for an 11-day cycling trip through Kenya where you'll pedal through the savannah and make your way to the white sand beaches of Diani. Along the way, you'll get to meet the women of Zawadisha, gaze at the stars from your tent, and be wowed by the wildlife.
Dates: July 7th through the 17th, 2023
Cost: $3,000 for those who commit to fundraising a minimum of $500 of tax-deductible donations to Zawadisha or $3,750 with no fundraising; you can reserve your spot here for a non-refundable deposit of $250.
What's included:
- All meals
- Accommodation: A mix of camping and guest houses/hotels with private tent and shared rooms
- Cycling guides
- Support vehicles
- Wildlife game drive
- Activities with Zawadisha
Fun level: ALL-TIME HIGH
Impact: HUGE, but in a good way as this is a fundraiser for Zawadisha; all proceeds benefit our micro-lending program in Kenya that you will get to see IRL
Read this: Please note that airfare is not included. You will need to purchase that separately. The payment you make today is to reserve your spot. You will be invoiced for the remaining payments once your participation is confirmed. COVID-19 vaccines and travel insurance are required. We are committed to creating a safe space for all participants and as such have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, intimidation, and/or verbal/physical abuse.
Itinerary
DAY 1 | July 7th: Evening orientation in Nairobi + hotel stay
DAY 2 | July 8th: First day of cycling outside of Nairobi + camping
DAY 3 | July 9th: Second day of cycling through Maasai Land + camping
DAY 4 | July 10th: Third day of cycling in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro + camping
DAY 5 | July 11th: Fourth day of cycling through Tsavo National Park + camping at a sisal farm
DAY 6 | July 12th: Fifth day of cycling into the Zawadisha community + lodging at Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy
DAY 7 | July 13th: Rest and rejuvenate with the women of Zawadisha + sundowner + lodging at Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy
DAY 8 | July 14th: Rest and rejuvenate with the women of Zawadisha + game drive + lodging at Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy
DAY 9 | July 15th: Sixth day of cycling + camping
DAY 10 | July 16th: Seventh and final day of cycling through the Shimba Hills + guest house in Diani
DAY 11 | July 17th: Say goodbye or continue with a five-day yoga retreat in Lamu
FAQS
Do I need to be an expert cyclist or have ridden long distances before? Nope! You will need to feel comfortable riding between five and six hours per day at a moderate pace, around 20km per hour. We'll be facilitating Strava challenges for us to train together before the trip.
How many people are going? Maximum 15 people will be on this trip. We will all have a chance to get to know each other before the trip through optional monthly Zoom calls. Anyone regardless of identity is welcome to join us; we will be centering the experiences of women, non-binary, and trans participants.
I'm afraid of holding the group back -- should I still come? YES! We will be able to split into three different guided groups so people can go at their own pace. We also will have a support vehicle in case you'd like to ride shorter distances each day.
Do I need to bring my own bike? No, there will be front suspension mountain bikes available for you to rent at $25 per day of cycling (7 days total). However, bringing your own bike is not as difficult as you might think! We recommend front suspension mountain bikes unless you are an experienced gravel cyclist.
Will I have to carry my own stuff on my bike? No. We will have a support vehicle that will transport all of your personal items.
What will camping and meals be like? You will have your own tent and sleeping pad that you will set up and break down daily. All meals will be prepared for you, and we can accommodate dietary needs. There will be hot water every afternoon/evening so you can take a bucket shower in a private shower tent. A drop toilet will be constructed.
What about accommodation at guest houses? Expect double occupancy, running water, a cozy bed and mosquito net, and all meals prepared.
Who's organizing this trip? Jen Gurecki, the founder of Zawadisha, is organizing this trip in collaboration with Savage Wilderness Safaris. The Savage family (yes, that is their surname) and their team have been facilitating school groups and private tours for more than 20 years. In fact, Jen cycled across Africa with James Savage in 2018.
How do the payment plans work? We will work with you to set up a payment plan. You will need to pay the full amount before the trip starts. You also can pay the full amount at one time if that is more convenient.
What about the donation/fundraising part? We will create a fundraising platform like this one from our 2022 cycling trip that makes it easy for you to raise tax-deductible donations for Zawadisha. If you choose the $3,000 rate, you are required to fundraise at least $500. We do encourage everyone to fundraise so that we can make the most positive impact in the lives of the women we serve.
What's your refund policy? You can receive a full refund up to six months before the departure of the trip. If you need to cancel within three to five months of the departure, we will provide credit for a future trip. There is no refund provided for cancellations within one month of the departure date. If we are not able to run the trip due to COVID-19 or other circumstances out of our control, we will reschedule the trip for 2024.
Want to learn more before you reserve a spot? Please contact us!