4-Day Guided Motorcycle Adventure To Explore Mount Kenya

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi - Matuu (250 kilometers / 155.34 miles)

An early start to the day! You meet at a mutually agreed spot - having an 08:00 sharp debrief and quick meet and greet. You start the engines and ensure you leave by 08:30. You head towards Ngong Hills, and hit the gravel soon after: you will drive north east along country roads and plough your way to cross the Mombasa - Nairobi highway. The afternoon will be a mix of curvy tarmac roads and bumpy gravel, through villages and along scenic views. You stay in a typical Kenyan guesthouse with a local feel and vibes.

Day 2: Matuu - Chogoria (210 kilometers / 130.48 miles)

An adventurous day where you “eat a lot of dust” and test your adventurous spirit. You ride between the Kamburu and Masinga dams and climb slowly to the foot of 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 it, such as the Kikuyu, Ameru, Embu, and Maasai.

You will notice that the landscape changes from dry hill to lush green areas. After your lunch break at Meru, you enjoy a green slalom ride north along the east side of Mount Kenya. Depending on the season and availability, you either stay at the foot of the mountain or on the top. Either way, you will visit the higher entrance gate of the mountain, which is an amazing ride up to 3,000 meters altitude. Who knows, you spot a waterbuck or an elephant.

Day 3: Chogoria - Naro Moru (200 kilometers / 124.27 miles)

You will enjoy breakfast with hopefully a cloudless view of the peaks of Mount Kenya. Then you saddle your iron stallion, and you are off for more motor ride joys. You ride a mix of asphalt roads with panoramic views and gravel roads through farmland, forest, and along greenhouses. And you will cross the equator many times, who can keep count! You stay at a local run lodge, with a view of the misty mountain.

Day 4: Naro Moru - Nairobi (260 kilometers / 161.55 miles)

You start with a small single-track wake-up ride before you head south towards Nairobi. It will be a morning of village life, nature, and lush hills. You will pass the Aberdare National Park, and slalom through small towns. Slowly, traffic will increase, more construction sites will appear, and you will hit the suburban areas around Nairobi. It is interesting to experience the wide diversity of the geography of the mountain, the urbanized south, the lush, curvy green east, the plains of the north, and the mellow west.

About the tour

Motorbikes

During this tour, you will ride a Kibo 250 cc. Bike rental and the deposit fee are included in the package, so you do not need to arrange this yourself. However, the price does not cover any damage costs during the trip. If any parts are damaged and cannot be repaired on the spot, Zebra Trails will have them checked at a garage, and the cost will be confirmed after the trip.

Riding gear

Riding gear is not included, so you will need to bring your own. A helmet is mandatory, and Zebra Trails strongly encourages riders to bring proper riding gear for safety, as you will be riding every day during the trip.

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 Zebra Trails recommends having prior experience off-roading or taking a training course in advance. The motorcycles are light and manoeuvrable all-terrain bikes.

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