11 Day Guided Motorcycle Tour From Great Rift Valley to West Side of Lake Turkana to North Rift
Guided Motorcycle Tour in Kenya
This itinerary takes riders from the Great Rift Valley, into the North Rift, up the West coast of Lake Turkana, and back down into the North Rift. The terrain and scenery change a lot on this trip – from sandy, red soil, and clay to rocky sections. The daily temperatures vary greatly too – the further north you travel, the hotter the temperatures. West Turkana is very different from the Eastside – more sand and fewer volcanic rocks. This showcases the rarely visited parts of Kenya – a true adventure on 2 wheels! The sceneries are incredible!
Key information
- Terrain: Mostly off-road, short sandy sections, rocks
- Bike: Rental bike (Husaberg FE 390 / KTM 350 and 250)
- Mileage: Approximately 2,000 kilometers / 1,242 miles
- Daily ride: Approximately 200 kilometers / 124 miles
- Riding gear: Not included, can be hired from them on a limited basis
- Meals: All meals, except lunch and dinner in Nairobi
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Starts and ends in Nairobi
- Ride in the Soysambu Conservancy
- Opportunity to see zebras, giraffes, gazelles, buffaloes, etc.
- Ride to Lake Turkana, the largest permanent desert lake in the world
- Ride north through lush farmland to the start of the sandy desert in South Turkana
- Ride through sisal plantations and offers great riding and spectacular viewpoints
- 10 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Advanced
Accommodation
You will be staying at various accommodations. Room bookings are done in consultation with the guests.
Program
This itinerary is for riders in normal physical condition only and has no set dates. Dates for this trip can be accommodated to suit the riders’ preferred dates.
This itinerary takes riders into the Great Rift Valley, onto Lake Baringo, and then North up to the Western shore of Lake Turkana, famously known as the Cradle of Mankind. Landscapes vary from lush, green forests to harsh dry semi-desert areas. Accommodation-wise, it is a mix of simple twin rooms and local boarding and lodging.
Daily riding times vary but on average, you spend approximately 6 to 7 hours out riding. Day 6 is a long hard day’s ride. At Lake Turkana itself, you will ride in the mornings to avoid the midday heat.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi. You will be picked up at the airport and taken to the Tamarind Tree Hotel.
Day 2
Early morning collection from Nairobi. Approximately a three-hour drive to Punda Milias Camp. You will 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.
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.
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, about 200 kilometers / 124 miles and 5 hours of riding. You will leave the bikes on the mainland and take the boat across to Island Camp.
Day 5
After breakfast, you start the ride North. Through small villages, lush farmland, to the start of the sandy desert in South Turkana.
Day 6
An early start today to avoid the heat. Ride from South Turkana to Lodwar and on to Eliye Springs. The ride today is long, and the temperatures get hot. The last section is through sand dunes to get to camp.
Day 7
Full day riding in the morning and resting in the afternoon. Eliye is a small village with natural springs. The West Turkana shoreline is sandy and has doum palms – resembling a coastal beach. Option of visiting a Turkana homestead.
Day 8
Another early morning start – ride from Eliye Springs to the foot of the Cherangani Hills. The ride is sandy in places, and you pass many small villages along the way. The landscape is harsh but beautiful.
Day 9
From Marich's pass, the landscape becomes lush again, with forest, mango plantations, and hills. The terrain changes from sandy to redder and clay soil. You ride a section on a secondary tarmac road to get to your accommodation.
Day 10
After breakfast, ride back to Lake Baringo. You do approximately 55 kilometers / 34 miles on a secondary tarmac road to Kabarnet. From here, you ride off-road down to the shores of Lake Baringo.
Day 11
Early morning departure from Lake Baringo back to your base at Soysambu. The route you take today is shorter than on day 3. Showers and lunch, leave the bikes at Punda Milias, and head to Nairobi by road. This will be in vehicles. Drop off at JKIA for your international flight back home.
Bike available for this tour
Dusty Helmets is proud to offer one of the world's leading off-road bikes - the Husaberg FE390, getting through some of East Africa's most spectacular scenery and bike trails. The Husaberg FE390 offers smooth power development coupled with ample power for every situation in everyday enduro use. Dusty Helmets has eight Husaberg FE390 available for guests and the lead guide also rides one.
For short riders, Dusty Helmets has three bikes with a low seat height: one KTM 250 EXC F, one KTM FreeRide 250, and one KTM FreeRide 350. All of the bikes are fully insured, road-tested, safety tested, and maintained to the highest Husaberg / KTM service standards.
For those who want to join the tour but do not ride off-road motorbikes, Dusty Helmets can propose 2 quads: a Yamaha Grizzly 350cc automatic (very easy to handle) and a KTM 525 ATV.
Riding gear
Riding gear is mandatory. Dusty Helmets has limited availability of riding gear (top of the range), which is maintained and thoroughly cleaned after every tour. 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.
There is no pillion passenger in the off-road rides. However, Dusty Helmets has two quads available should a guest who does not ride motorbikes wishes to participate.
Skill level required for this tour: Advanced
Advanced
- Can ride for 5-6 hours
- Extensive riding experience
- Assistance on demand (if required)
- Experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
- Comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions
Included excursions
Ride in the Soysambu Conservancy that is home to plenty of plains game, zebras, giraffes, gazelles, as well as buffalos amongst other animals. Riding on and around the conservancy is unbelievably beautiful and seeing the animals from the seat of your motor bike is an experience of a lifetime. It also offers plenty of varied routes with different terrains and different levels of riding – from intermediate to more technical riding.
Instructors
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.
Shabaz Anwar
Shabaz is both an expert rider and a professional motorbike mechanic. He has also been Kenya's mountainbike champion, Shabaz is very fit and tireless. He will ensure your safety and fun.
Location
This tour takes place in Kenya. Starting from Nairobi, you will ride to Nakuru, Soysambu Conservancy, the Turkana jade lake, Turkana South Island, Eliye Springs, and more.
Food
The package includes international meals during the tour. In Nairobi, only breakfast is included.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- 10 days riding of off-roading 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)
- Drinking water while out riding
- Front rider and guide, mechanic, support vehicle. The crew has first aid knowledge
- FE 390 Husaberg / KTM 350 and 250 motorbikes with fuel, insurance on bikes, and 3rd party for riders
- 10 nights accommodation
- All meals (except lunch and dinner in Nairobi)
- AMREF (Flying Doctors) emergency airlift cover
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
- Conservancy fees
- Beverages
- Riding gear (can be hired from Dusty Helmets on a limited basis)
- Extra activities
- Visit to a Turkana homestead
- 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). Airport transfer is included in the price. Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, look for your driver with a Dusty Helmets sign.
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.