9 Day Off-Road Guided Motorcycle Tour to North Rift Valley & West Laikipia With Wildlife Experience
Safari and Motorcycle Tour in Kenya
This itinerary will take you from Soysambu Conservancy, 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, you ride up the escarpment to West Laikipia and Mugie Conservancy. Enjoy a morning ride from Mugie to Malesso. The villagers here call the area the end of the world, the views are spectacular. From Mugie, you ride back to your base at Soysambu.
Key information
- Terrain: Almost all off-road, with varying soils from red to dark and rocky sections
- Bike: Rental bike (Husaberg FE390 and KTM 250/350)
- Daily rides: Approximately 200 kilometers / 124 miles
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Ride in the Soysambu Conservancy
- Opportunity to see zebras, giraffes, gazelles, buffaloes, etc.
- Ride through sisal plantations with great riding and spectacular viewpoints
- Enjoy the incredible views of Kabartonjo and Karbarnet and enjoy a traditional meal out
- Ride to Mugie Conservancy where a game drive will show you wildlife rarely visited
- The crew is trained in first aid and the Flying Doctors' service available
- Use of FE 390 Husaberg enduro motorbikes in perfect condition
- 8 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
Accommodation
During the tour, you will stay at the Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi, then Punda Milias Camp, Island Camp, Mugie camping site, then back to Nairobi. Room bookings are done in twin rooms at the Tamarind Tree Hotel upon your arrival in Nairobi, single rooms at Punda Milias Nakuru Camp, twin rooms at Island Camp, and then in simple lodges in twin rooms. 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
This itinerary is for riders in normal conditions and has no set dates. Dates for this trip can be accommodated to suit the riders’ preferred dates.
This itinerary will take you from Soysambu Conservancy, 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, you ride up the escarpment and on to Mugie Conservancy. Game viewing here is fantastic, with sightings of elephants, and plenty of plains game. You have the option of doing a half-day ride to Malesso.
Accommodation-wise, it is a mix of twin rooms, single rooms, and simple lodges.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi. You will be picked up 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. When you arrive, 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. 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. About 200 kilometers and 5 hours of riding. Leave the bikes on the mainland and take the boat across to Island Camp. Overnight at Island Camp that is located on an island in Lake Baringo.
Day 5
Early morning boat ride to see hippo, and crocodile, then you prepare for the day's ride. Ride up into the hills to Kabartonjo and Karbarnet. Enjoy the incredible views and enjoy a traditional meal out. After lunch a short ride back to the camping site. Overnight at the same site as yesterday.
Day 6
From the Rift Valley, you ride up the escarpment and onto the Western Laikipia Plateau. You arrive at Mugie Conservancy where you will stay at the Mugie camping site. Along the way, hopefully, there will be sightings of elephants and plains game. Overnight at the camping site.
Day 7
Morning ride to Malesso. The views here are unbelievable. The terrain changes from black cotton to red soil, and you ride north through small-scale farms and villages. After a picnic lunch, ride back to the camping site. Overnight at the Mugie camping site.
Day 8
After breakfast, depart Mugie and ride to Rumuruti, then back into the highlands of Nyaharuru and its forests. From here, you drop back into the Great Rift Valley and back to Soysambu Conservancy. Overnight Punda Milias Camp.
Day 9
Mid-morning departure to Nairobi by road (in vehicles). Optional visit to the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. Drop off at JKIA for your international flight 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.
Skill level required for this tour: Intermediate
Intermediate:
- can ride for 5-6 hours
- average riding experience
- little assistance required
- comfortable with curves and leans
- average experience with unsurfaced roads
- steep ascents and descents
There is no pillion passenger on the off-road rides. However, Dusty Helmets has two quads available should a guest who does not ride motorbikes wishes to participate.
Included excursions
Ride in the Soysambu Conservancy 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 motorbike 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.
Ride from Mugie to Malesso – the villagers here call this area the end of the world – the views are spectacular.
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 tour takes place in Kenya. Starting from Nairobi, you will ride to Nakuru, Soysambu Conservancy, Lake Baringo, Laikipia County, then back to Soysambu Conservancy and Nairobi. There will be plenty of riding on surrounding tracks and trails and into the hills and unbelievable animal sightings.
Food
You will enjoy international food during the tour. The lodges are well accustomed to international travelers. Upon arrival in Nairobi, the meal plan will be on a bed and breakfast basis.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- 7 days riding of or off-roading through different terrain and landscapes, with the occasional crossing of tarmac roads (~200 kilometers a day)
- Airport collection and drop off
- Transport by road from Nairobi to Punda Milias Camp (by vehicle)
- 1 night accommodation at the Tamarind Tree Hotel on B/B (bed & breakfast) in twin rooms
- 3 nights accommodation at Punda Milias Camp on Full Board (all meals, international food) in single rooms
- 2 nights accommodation at the Island Camp in the midlle of Lake Baringo on Full Board (all meals, international food) in twin rooms
- 2 nights accommodation at Mugie Camp Site on Full Board (all meals, international food) in individual tents
- 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
- AMREF (Flying Doctors) emergency airlift cover
What's not included
- International flights & visas for Kenya
- Covid tests (if still relevant at the time of travel)
- Lunch & dinners in Nairobi if any
- Beverages
- Parking fees
- Riding gear
- 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). 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.