MAASAI MARA
2150 km. in 15 days through exotic Kenya
Day 0 Departure in the evening from Europe
Day 1 Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to Lake Naivasha 100 km. by car.
You will be picked up by a driver from Motorsafaris. A long drive, first through Nairobi and then through the hills along the Rift Valley to Naivasha. We stay at the lake where hippos swim around and many large and small water birds fly around. We do a test drive to get used to the bikes.
Day 2 Naivasha - Lake Baringo 160 km. (15 km dirt road)
Departure at 8 a.m. for a beautiful motorcycle trip north. We pass the equator and spend two days in the northern hemisphere. Lake Baringo is on the border of the desert and we descend slowly into the plain. We will not come further north. This great desert is the natural border between the countries and peoples of the Mediterranean and the countries and peoples of Central Africa. Hence the different population groups and culture. Lake Baringo is wonderfully beautiful with many birds, crocodiles and hippos. At 5:00 pm boat trip on the lake. (surcharge). Accommodation in tents.
Day 3 Lake Baringo - Eldoret 210 km.
We leave at 8 o'clock for a motorcycle ride up and down the mountain. First through hills with real hairpin bends and the bush but after lunch at "Iten View Lodge" the agricultural activities begin. No piece of land remains undeveloped. Overnight in Eldoret in a city hotel with hot shower. Good Indian restaurant.
Day 4 Eldoret - Mbita 145 km.
Departure at 8:00. After 60 km. we leave the main road for a nice back road on the way to the great Lake Victoria. The lake is the size of the Netherlands and Belgium and is the second largest lake in the world. We take the 3:00 pm ferry across a large lagoon from the lake. We sail for an hour and we are in Mbita.
Overnight on Rushinga Island by the enormous lake Victoria.
Day 5 Mbita - Maasai Mara 190 km. (50 km dirt road)
This morning you wake up with a beautiful bird concert, unbelievable how many birds are here. Also a nice breakfast with banana-pancakes and fresh fruit .. We leave Mbita and head for the Maasai Mara. First fertile fields and many agricultural activities. We go further south and the landscape changes into drier hills and human activity decreases. We already see more animals along the way; zebras in groups, baboons and sometimes giraffes. From a hill we have a stunning panorama view of the Mara.Today was a long drive. We have arrived at our destination the magnificent Maasai Mara.
Day 6 Maasai Mara stay and safari with a safari car.
A National Park is an area where no people are allowed to live. It is partially fenced. Apparently that is sufficient for a rich animal life. The landscape in the Maasai Mara is beautiful. And you see large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebras and antelopes. Giraffes and lions walk among them. Therefore get up early for the morning safari. Lunch en route and until late we drive around in this most beautiful game park in Kenya. Take especially enough power and memory cards with you for your camera because it is really beautiful. The real safari experience. (additional charge $ 150 for the safari)
Day 7 Maasai Mara - Nakuru 225 km. (80 km dirt road)
This morning a lot of wildlife along the way. Via a long dirt road we reach the asphalt to Narok and a little later we climb from the Rift Valley up to the "Green Highlands". A beautiful road with beautiful views. The road is under construction led by seriously looking Chinese. At Nakuru we get into the busy traffic. It is the main road between Kenya and Uganda. We camp in a quiet place in a cool environment.
Day 8 Nakuru-Mount Kenya 230 km. (25 km dirt road)
The landscape is changing spectacularly again today. We are on our way to Mount Kenya. That means that we travel to greater heights. Beautiful roads through the Aberdares. We pass tea plantations and coffee farms. We will spend the night at an altitude of 2018 meters! Time for a sweater and a fire in the cottages. Especially take a walk through the nearby tropical jungle. It is an example of the great diversity of landscapes in Kenya.
Day 9 Mount Kenya-Machakos 220 km.
We leave Mount Kenya via the chaotic town of Embu and continue on to a large dam that supplies Nairobi with water. Many roads are being constructed in Kenya and sandy roads are being paved. Today's route always surprises us again. What is asphalted this time? Where can we go again today? Finally we arrive in Machakos. A busy town with an industrious population. There is nice African music for sale in Machakos.
Day 10 Machakos-Oioitikok 205 km. (45 km dirt road)
At 6 o'clock in the morning we are awakened by the busy traffic. It will be another busy day in Machakos.
The route today is very special. We drive 60 km on the asphalt of the C99 through the mountains near Machakos and descend further and further into the lowlands. Then 45 km. dirt road and we are in messy Africa again. At Emali we pass the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and the brand new railway line. Then 100 km. on a beautiful and new asphalt road towards Kilimanjaro. With a bit of luck we can see the Kili from 50 km. A beautiful sight! A wonderful way to dream away and experience Africa.
Day 11 - Amboseli - safari Amboseli National Park - Rest day
This day is reserved for an optional visit to Amboseli National Park. That means getting up early because the Kilimanjaro and the wildlife are best seen in the early morning. Elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions and much more, beautiful nature with great photo moments and the impressive snowcapped Kilimanjaro in the background.
Costs 12,000 Kenyan shillings (€ 110) for entry, transport and nice lunch...
Day 12 Oloitikitok-Sagala 202 km. (70 km dirt road)
First a bad, long road past farms that benefit from the melting water of Kilimanjaro. African lunch and then the brand new asphalt through the Tsavo park to the sisal plantations of Mwatate. We are in the Taita Hills. And we reach the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. After exactly 15 km. we turn back into the bush and spend the night in Sagala-Lodge. Even a swimming pool and nice houses.
Day 13 Sagala-Mombasa 190 km. (85 km dirt road)
We take a moment to let the wilderness affect us and then leave for Mombasa. After a long and beautiful sandy road we reach the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Pay attention and 13 km. drive on here. Just before Mombasa we will undoubtedly end up in traffic jams. New roads are being worked on, but we have to push ourselves through narrow, dusty routes. In the busy city we have a hotel in a quiet place near "Old Town" the old city. In the evening with a tuk-tuk into the city for a simple, local or a luxury dinner.
Day 14 Mombasa-Diani-Beach 50 km.
After breakfast there is an opportunity to take a city walk. An expert guide will guide you through interesting parts of the ancient city of Mombasa in 2 hours. Around noon we leave for a short and smooth ride to the beach resort. On the ferry the engines can be at the front so that gets along well. At the end of the afternoon, a refreshing swim in the pool of the lodge awaits. The cook is ready with a traditional welcome snack and the cold beer tastes great again.
Day 15 departure to the Netherlands
Relax on the beach, pack your suitcase and in time to the airport.
Day 16 Arrival in the Netherlands
You can always extend on the tropical beach of Mombasa.
Relax, read a book, go diving, kite surfing, get a massage, go for a walk on the beach and more ....
Changes to the route are reserved but are always improvements.