9 Day Explore Kenya Maasai Mara Guided Motorcycle Tour

Day 1: Arrival

The start of the tour depends on your flight schedule: night flight or day flight: day 1 can be the day of arrival if taking a morning flight. But generally, the flights depart the country of origin the evening before.

Karibu, welcome! You will be picked up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is named after Kenya's first president post-independence. You immediately experience the hectic city life of Nairobi, full of traffic and people on the move. The city of Nairobi has a population of around 5 million people, increasing to 10 million if the suburbs are included. The city is named after the Nairobi River and is located at an altitude of 1,800 meters, which makes the temperature very pleasant and even quite cool at night in the summer months. The city was officially founded in 1899 with the arrival of the railways.

Today's program depends on whether you arrive in the morning or late afternoon / evening.

Day 2: Nairobi - Mount Kenya Gate (210 km / 130 miles)

Early rise to leave the city: You head north, quickly leaving the main roads and following country roads, driving through small towns. The roads will be a mix of mainly asphalt and some gravel. You will quickly leave behind construction work, buildings, and traffic jams and welcome village life, nature and lush hills.

You will pass the Aberdare National Park and head to Mount Kenya. Its highest peak is 5199 meters high. It was designated in 1978 as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve. The mountain plays an important role in the culture of local ethnic groups that live around there, such as the Kikuyu, Ameru, Embu and Maasai. You will stay in a simple accommodation at the foot of the mountain.

Day 3: Mount Kenya Gate - Marigat (220 km / 137 miles)

Today your wheels will touch a lot of gravel as you ride through grassland, passing game ranches and several wildlife conservancies all while admiring the unique fauna around you. Watch out for possible zebra crossings! But also watch out for the cattle. It is a remote area, so you need to ensure you stock sufficient snacks and drinks, and you will prepare for a simple picnic along the way.

The goal today is to end up near Lake Baringo, a birdwatcher’s paradise whose freshwaters are an oasis in the arid plains. This is the traditional home of the Njemps tribe, a unique people who are the only pastoral, cattle-herding tribe who also fish. The accommodation is at a small trading city near the lake.

Day 4: Marigat - Molo (180 km / 112 miles)

Today you slalom your way through Western Kenya. You drive over a mix of asphalt and gravel roads, passing countryside villages and towns. In some parts you will drive without the support car, taking the mechanic with you on the back of the tour leader’s bike. While you start the morning at approximately 1,500 meters, you will sleep at 2,500 meters altitude. So pack your sweater! You will stay at a basic guesthouse.

Day 5: Molo - Maasai Mara (200 km / 124 miles)

Another adventurous day today. You will swindle around the main road southwards, and you will explore tracks and paths only used by the Maasai people and wildlife. Again, there will be a track where you will depart from the support car. You will notice that the landscape changes into dry hills and there is less human activity. However, there are more animals along the way now. You will stay at a nice camp near the national park.

Day 6: Maasai Mara - stay

People are not allowed to live in a National Park. It is hardly fenced. Apparently, that is enough for rich animal life. The landscape in the Maasai Mara is splendid. You leave the motors partly at rest and take an optional car safari: You will encounter large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebras and antelopes as well as giraffes and lions crossing the road. You can drive around until late in this magnificent wild park of Kenya. There is an option for a motor safari too! Take enough power and memory cards for your camera because it is really beautiful. The real safari experience!

Day 7: Masai Mara - Lake Naivasha (225 km / 140 miles)

You leave early to spin the wheels of your motorbikes again. In the morning there is a lot of game along the road. You will follow a long dirt road to reach the asphalt to Narok. Then you get into the green country again - the green highlands – as you make your muddy / sandy way to Lake Naivasha. The lake and its surroundings are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. You can find many (Dutch) flower farmers here. You will stay at the lake.

Day 8: Naivasha - Nairobi (150 km / 93 miles)

Your last day, but not least. You start with an optional boat ride, enjoying the bird life and visiting a hypo-pool. Then you start the engines again. You will ride on a mix of asphalt, spectacular tracks, and dirt roads toward Nairobi. You will pass Mount Suswa Conservancy and drive around Ngong Hills Natural Reserve. The closer you get to Nairobi, the busier it becomes. Air pollution, traffic jams, high buildings and people on the move. On arrival at Nairobi, you relax with a well-deserved drink to celebrate and share your memories.

Day 9: Nairobi - Departure

Depending on the time of your flight, you either leave very early or you have the day to explore Nairobi. If exploring Nairobi, there are a range of activities to enjoy from visiting the Maasai Market or one of the big malls for souvenir shopping, admiring more animals at Nairobi National Park, partaking in a slum tour, or just relaxing in the hotel. Then it is time to say goodbye, kwaheri!

Notes

• Motorbikes: Kibo 250 cc
• International tour leader: available when there 5 participants or more
• Support car: available when there 4 participants or more

Difficulty and off-road

During this journey through Kenya you do not ride at significant altitudes. Additionally, daily distances are not very large, so there is plenty of time to stop along the way to take pictures and visit villages.

This trip is suitable for any healthy motorcyclist. You ride on asphalted main roads and regularly change the route and follow narrow back roads. About 45% of driving time is on unpaved roads. However, these are mainly well-packed gravel roads. The dirt roads are not difficult, but they recommend having prior experience off-roading or taking a training course in advance. The motorcycles are light and manoeuvrable all-terrain bikes.

Gears

Compulsory items to bring are a helmet, motorcycle jacket with protection, gloves, a good strong pair of (motorcycle) trousers with protection or separate knee armour, and sturdy high (mountain) boots. Furthermore, they recommend bringing a good pair of sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen, as well as a helmet with visor or a good pair of glasses that also protects against the dust on unpaved roads.

Skill level(s) required for this tour: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced

Beginner:

• Can ride for 2-3 hours
• Minimal riding experience
• Assistance required
• Comfortable with curves and leans
• Basic experience with unsurfaced roads
• Short distance ascents and descents

Intermediate:

• Can ride for 3-4 hours
• Average riding experience
• Little assistance required
• Comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• Average experience with unsurfaced roads
• Steep ascents and descents

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