15 Days Guided Panoramic Motorcycle Tour in Kenya from Nairobi to Msambweni via Masai Mara

Day 1 - Arrival Nairobi - Lake Naivasha

Arrival in Nairobi during the morning. Transfer (about 120 kilometers / 75 miles) by car to Lake Naivasha. A beautiful road through the outskirts of Nairobi and later the descent into the Rift Valley. Check-in and lunch at the accommodation on the shores of Lake Naivasha.

In the afternoon there is an opportunity for a boat trip on the bird-rich lake, and a first ride on the motorcycles. In the evening you will have a briefing, and dinner under the stars. There is a chance of hippos around the house during the night, so you have a security guard back at the houses.

Day 2 - Lake Naivasha - Lake Baringo (160 kilometers / 99 miles)

A beautiful ride towards the north. You will pass the equator and drive a part of the day in the northern hemisphere. Lake Baringo is located on the border of the desert. You slowly descend to a flat landscape.

You will go further north during this trip. This great desert is the natural border between the countries and people of the Mediterranean, and the countries and people in Central Africa. Hence, the different ethnic groups and cultures. Lake Baringo is gorgeous with lots of birds, crocodiles, and hippos.

Day 3 - Lake Baringo - Kakamega (200 kilometers / 124 miles)

Today you will get up early to go for a boat ride on Lake Baringo and enjoy a beautiful sunrise. you leave at 10:00 a.m. for a nice motorbike trip. First over hills with real hairpin bends and the bush. However soon you will see a lot of agricultural activities. Most of the land is cultivated.

Large fields with sugar cane. You will pass the equator and continue into the southern hemisphere. Overnight stay is in Kakamega.

Day 4 - Kakamega - Mbita (145 kilometers / 90 miles)

Today you will see great Lake Victoria. This lake is as large as Ireland and is the second largest lake in the world. We take the ferry across a large lagoon. An hour-long boat ride and we are in Mbita. Overnight stay is close to the lake.

Day 5 - Mbita - Maasai Mara (190 kilometers / 118 miles)

You will leave Mbita and go to the Maasai Mara. First, you will encounter fertile fields and a lot of agricultural activities. Further, you will go towards the south and 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, such as zebras, baboons, and giraffes sometimes in groups. From a hill, you will have a splendid panoramic view over the confluence of the Mara.

Day 6 - Maasai Mara

People are not allowed to live in a national park. It is partially fenced. Apparently that is enough for rich animal life. The landscape in the Maasai Mara is splendid. You will be encountering large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes.

Giraffes and lions crossing or walking on the road. That is why you will get up early for the morning safari and have lunch to take on the road. You will drive around until late in this magnificent wild park in Kenya. Take enough power and memory cards for your camera because it is really beautiful. The real safari experience. It costs an extra 150 USD for the safari.

Day 7 - Maasai Mara - Nakuru (225 kilometers / 140 miles)

In the morning there is a lot of game along the road. You will follow along dirt-road to reach the asphalt to Narok. Next, you will climb from the Rift Valley up to the ' Green Highlands ' a lovely road with stunning views.

In Nakuru, you will drive in heavy traffic. This is the arterial road between Kenya and Uganda. ou will camp in a quiet place in a cool environment.

Day 8 - Nakuru - Mount Kenya (230 kilometers / 143 miles)

A spectacular change of landscape again today. You are on your way to Mount Kenya. This means that you will travel to higher altitudes. You will pass tea plantations and tea farms. You will spend the night at 2018 meters above sea level! Time for a sweater and a campfire.

Day 9 - Mount Kenya - Machakos (220 kilometers / 137 miles)

In Kenya, many roads and dirt roads are changed into the concrete. Today's route will surprise you. What has been improved now? Where can you drive today? Finally, you will arrive in Machakos - a busy town with a hard-working population.

Day 10 - Machakos - Oloitokitok (200 kilometers / 124 miles)

Today's trip is special. You will drive through mountains, first on the C99 Machakos and next descend to the lowlands. You will cross the highway at Ebel Nairobien Mombasa - the brand new railway line.

Then a nice and new concrete road towards the Kilimanjaro. With a bit of luck, you can see the Kili starting at 50 kilometers - a beautiful sight!

Day 11 - Oloitikitok - Sagala (210 kilometers / 130 miles)

First a bad quality and long drive along with farms that benefit from the meltwater of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have an African lunch at a restaurant called 'Never Give Up'. Next, you will drive on a new concrete road from Tsavo Park to the sisal plantations of Mwatate.

You are in the Taita Hills and you will reach the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. But soon, you will turn back into the bush and spend the night in Sagala-Lodge. Here, they have a small pool and nice houses.

Day 12 - Sagala - Mombasa (190 kilometers / 118 miles)

You will take the time to enjoy the wilderness. Then you will leave to Mombasa. After a long and beautiful dirt road, you will reach the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Pay attention and just follow the traffic. Just before Mombasa, you will have traffic jams.

They are building new roads however you must find your way following dusty pathways. In a busy city, you will have a hotel in a quiet place close to the 'Old Town' in the old town.

Day 13 - Mombasa - Sawasawa (60 kilometers / 37 miles)

After breakfast, you can take a walk through the city. A qualified guide will show you around in two hours' time along with some interesting parts of the old town of Mombasa. Around noon you will leave for a short and smooth ride to the beach resort.

Your motorbikes are parked in front of the ferry. In the late afternoon, you can take a dive into the pool. The cook is ready and will offer a traditional welcome snack. Cold beer will taste nice again.

Day 14 - Sawa Sawa Arrival (60 kilometers / 37 miles)

Day 15 - Departure

Motor Trails will bring you to Mombasa Airport in time to catch your flight back home.

Bike info

During this tour, you ride a Haojin Warrior 200 cc motorcycle.

Bike rental deposit

Maximum deductible excess for damage to your own motorcycle is 500 EUR.

The difficulty of the journey

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

Off-road

This trip is suitable for any healthy motorcyclist. You drive on asphalted main roads and regularly change the route and follow narrow back roads. About a third of the roads are unpaved. However, these are well-packed gravel roads. The dirt roads are not difficult but an off-road training course is recommended. The motorcycles are light and manoeuvrable enduro bikes.

Pillion info

Please note that passenger means that you are in the car, it is not possible to travel as pillion on the back of a motorbike during this trip.

Traffic conditions

In many of the destinations, traffic rules are not as strictly adhered to as you are used to, to put it mildly. Essentially, the basis rule is: the largest vehicle has the most rights. The main danger on the road is the crossing animals and other road users. Especially chickens and dogs try to reach the other side of the road at the very last moment.

Also, local drivers do not get such a thorough driving training as you may normally get. This can cause dangerous road situations. To play it as safe as possible, Motor Trails try to avoid the major highways. The small roads are also much more fun to drive. And secondly, in the city of arrival, you will take time to practice and get used to the new traffic conditions.

Skill levels required for this tour:

Beginner

• can ride for two to three 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 three to four 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 five to six hours
• extensive riding experience
• assistance on demand (if required)
• experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
• comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Kenya is a fascinating country, traditional and modern. It has cities and wildlife parks, mountains and beaches, a friendly and educated population, good infrastructure, but, above all, a magnificent natural environment. The combination of all the factors gives you what you could call, an Africa feeling. That feeling is a deep impression of a world that you know exists, but you now really see, feel, and smell. It leaves a deep impression on visitors.

+−

• Boat trip on Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo
• Morning safari in Maasai Mara

• Motorcycle hire (Haojin Warrior 200 cc)
• Support vehicle with local driver
• Accompanying mechanic in support vehicle
• English-speaking tour guide on motorcycle
• Third party liability insurance for the motorcycle
• Comprehensive handbook
• Airport transfers (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport / NBO)
• 13 nights accommodation
• Breakfasts

• International flight
• Airport taxes and fuel surcharges
• Fuel for motorcycles
• Other meals and drinks
• Personal expenses
• Travel and cancellation insurance
• Cost for visa (online)
• Entrance fee and transport for optional day trips to national parks (Maasai Mara entrance fee is 70 USD per person and transport is around 30 USD per person)

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 12.1% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 28 days before arrival.