10 Day Guided Motorcycle Tour and Wildlife Adventure From North Rift, Maasai Mara, to Lake Naivasha
Guided Motorcycle Tour in Kenya
This itinerary will take you from Soysambu Conservancy next to Lake Elmenteita, where you can see giraffes, gazelles, and zebras amongst others up close on two wheels; the ride then continues on to Lake Baringo, a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley and home to a sizeable hippo and crocodile population. From Lake Baringo, ride to Njoro; the area here is home to sizeable wheat farms and the scenery is beautiful. Next, ride to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. From the Mara, you ride to Lake Naivasha. This route showcases the beautiful scenery and wildlife Kenya has to offer – riding through small villages and rolling hills and valleys.
Key information
- Terrain: Vary, from sandy, clay to some rocky sections
- Bike: Rental bikes (FE 390 Husaberg / KTM 350 and 250)
- Mileage: 1,800 kilometers / 1,118 miles
- Daily rides: 200 kilometers / 124 miles
- Riding gear: Not provided, available to rent: helmets, goggles, gloves, body armors, riding pants and shirts, camel packs, and boots
- Meals: Full board (except lunch and dinner in Nairobi)
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Starts and ends in Nairobi
- Riding in the Soysambu Conservancy with incredible animal sightings
- Opportunity to see elephants and other beautiful wildlife in the Mara
- Enjoy incredible animal sightings, while riding on a variety of tracks and trails
- Boat ride optional on Lake Baringo, home to hippos, crocodiles, wide variety of birds
- Ride to one of the 3 freshwater lakes in Kenya – Lake Naivasha
- 9 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
Accommodation
Room bookings include
- Twin room at the Tamarind Tree Hotel upon your arrival in Nairobi
- Single room at Punda Milias Nakuru Camp
- Individual tents in Lake Baringo, Maasai Mara, camping site near Kembu Farm, and camping site on the shore of Lake Naivasha
There will also be a day room available at the Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi before drop off at the airport for flight home. All accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Punda Milias Nakuru Camp
Punda Milias Nakuru Camp is situated along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. Punda Milia is Swahili for Zebras, a common sighting in the area. The camp is a place where you can experience a stunning, peaceful, and relaxing time with all the facilities you need. Nothing beats the experience of spending time in this outdoor camp. Its mission is to make your stay stress-free, enjoyable, and memorable.
Program
The below itinerary takes riders from the Soysambu Conservancy, onto Lake Baringo – a freshwater Lake in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, then on to Njoro, Kembu Farm, and next south to the Maasai Mara, back into the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha.
The terrain changes a lot on this trip – from sandy, clay to some rocky sections. The daily temperatures vary, Maasai Mara being cooler than the Great Rift Valley and Baringo.
Wildlife sightings are incredible on this itinerary as well as the beautiful landscapes. Accommodation wise it is a mix of twin rooms, single rooms, and simple lodges.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi. You will be collected at the airport and taken to the Tamarind Tree Hotel. Overnight Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi.
Day 2
Early morning collection from Nairobi. Approximately a three-hour drive to Punda Milias Camp. Meet your riding crew. After a briefing about the bikes and safety while out riding, time to ride!
The Conservancy is home to plenty of plains game, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, as well as buffalo amongst other animals. Riding on and around the conservancy is unbelievably beautiful and seeing the animals from the seat of your motorbike is an experience of a lifetime. Overnight Punda Milias Camp.
Day 3
A full day out and about exploring Soysambu Conservancy. Option of a picnic lunch out, or lunch back at camp. There are plenty of routes you can ride, the whole area offers different terrains and different levels of riding – from intermediate to more technical riding. Overnight Punda Milias Camp.
Day 4
After breakfast, ride from Punda Milias Camp to Lake Baringo. This ride takes you through sisal plantations, down to Maji Moto, and on to Kampi Ya Samaki at Lake Baringo. It's about 200 kilometers and five hours of riding. Overnight at a camping site (or option to stay at Island Camp that is located on an island in Lake Baringo).
Day 5
Early morning boat ride to see hippo, crocodile, then you start your riding. Ride up into the hills to Kabartonjo and Karbarnet. Enjoy the incredible views and enjoy a traditional meal out. After lunch, you'll have a short ride back to the camping site. It's about 200 kilometers and 5 hours riding. Overnight at the same site as yesterday.
Day 6
After breakfast, ride from Lake Baringo towards the Kembu farm. Kembu is an amazing farm, racehorses are bred here as well as being home to the Kenana Knitters – a project set up to support women in the local community. Explore the farm in the afternoon. Overnight at a camping site (or option to stay in the Kembu Cottages).
Day 7
Depart from Kembu farm after breakfast and ride to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The ride takes you out of the Great Rift Valley and south towards the Tanzanian border. The terrain changes and is a mix of red soil and black cotton soil. Picnic lunch on route to the Maasai Mara. Overnight at the Oltome Mara camp or at a camping site (or option to stay at the Sekenani Camp).
Day 8
Full-day riding to see the wildlife the Maasai Maasai Mara has to offer, with a picnic lunch out. This will be in vehicles and not on the bikes. Hopefully sightings of the Big Five - elephants and the big cats. Optional visit to a Maasai Manyatta. Overnight at the same site as yesterday.
Day 9
After breakfast, depart the Maasai Mara and ride in the Rift Valley to one of the three freshwater lakes in Kenya – Lake Naivasha. The ride takes you back into the Great Rift Valley. Overnight at a camping site (or option to stay at Lake Naivasha Country Club).
Day 10
After breakfast, ride from Lake Naivasha to Karen, a suburb of Nairobi. The ride takes you through the valley floor and up towards the Ngong Hills. Once you get to Karen, you leave the bikes and head out for a late lunch. A day room is available for showers before heading out to the airport for your flight home.
Note
There are no pillion passenger on the off-road rides. However, Dusty Helmets will have two quads available should a guest who does not ride motorbikes wishes to participate.
Equipment
Riding gear is mandatory. Dusty Helmets has limited availability of riding gear (top of the range), which is maintained and thoroughly cleaned after every safari. As such, riders are strongly invited to bring their own gear to ensure they are comfortable with this essential aspect of riding.
Dusty Helmets can provide, on a limited basis: Helmets, goggles, gloves, body armors, riding pants and shirts, camel packs, and a few pairs of boots.
Skill level(s) required for this tour: Intermediate
Intermediate
- Can ride for 5-6 hours
- Average riding experience
- Little assistance required
- Comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- Average experience with unsurfaced roads
- Steep ascents and descents
Included excursions
- 1 day of riding in the Soysambu Conservancy where you will have so many incredible animal sightings while enjoying the riding on a variety of tracks and trails
- Optional boat ride on Lake Baringo, a fresh-water lake that has a sizable population of hippos and crocodiles as well as a wide variety of birds
Instructors
John Kamau Mwangi
John has a lifetime of experience in off-road motorcycles and getting out in the bush in all parts of Kenya. He has a wealth of knowledge that gives him access to some of the most remote parts of Kenya; unrivaled scenic rides, untouched wildlife regions, and unbelievable heart-warming interactions with the rich and diverse culture of this beautiful country. John will tailor your off-road motorbike safari to your requests, experience on two wheels, and safari-specific preferences.
Frederic Briens
Frederic has been an off-road rider for over 40 years; he emphasizes safety in riding and is actively involved in briefing the guests on the safe behavior that must be observed during the rides. He also supervises training exercises, if needed, in Soysambu at the beginning of the rides. He also interacts with the guests prior to their arrival to Kenya so that they are well prepared.
Location
This motorcycle tour takes place in Kenya. You will visit Soysambu Conservancy (where you will be riding), Lake Baringo, Masai Mara, and Lake Naivasha.
Food
You will enjoy international food throughout the trip as the lodges are well accustomed to international travelers. For Nairobi, only breakfast is included. Drinking water is also available while out riding.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
A visit to a Maasai Manyatta (village) is optional and at an additional cost of 30 USD per person.
What's included
- 9 days of off-road riding through different terrain and landscapes, with the occasional crossing of tarmac roads (approximately 200 kilometers a day)
- Airport collection and drop off
- Transport by road from Nairobi to Punda Milias Camp (by vehicle)
- Front rider and guide, mechanic, support vehicle. Crew have first aid knowledge
- FE 390 Husaberg / KTM 350 and 250 motorbikes with fuel, insurance on bikes, and 3rd party for riders
- 1 night accommodation at the Tamarind Tree Hotel on B/B in twin rooms
- 2 nights accommodation at Punda Milias Camp in single rooms
- 2 nights accommodation at a camping site close to Lake Baringo in individual tents
- 2 nights accommodation at a camping site on the edge of the Maasai Mara in individual tents
- 1 night accommodation at a camping site near Kembu Farm in individual tents
- 1 night accommodation at a camping site on the shore of Lake Naivasha in individual tents
- Day rooms at the Tamarind Tree Hotel before drop off at the airport for the flight home
- Full board meals during rides
- Daily breakfast when in Nairobi
- Drinking water while out riding
- Conservancy fees for Soysambu Conservancy and Maasai Mara National Reserve
- AMREF (Flying Doctors) emergency airlift cover
- Government taxes
What's not included
- International flights and visas for Kenya
- Covid tests (if still relevant at the time of travel)
- Lunch and dinners in Nairobi if any
- Beverages
- Riding gear (can be hired from Dusty Helmets on a limited basis)
- Extra activities
- Effects of a personal nature
- Medical insurance (mandatory)
- Gratuities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
13 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). A Dusty Helmets representative will be waiting for the guests at the airport.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 21 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.