Guided safaris · Bespoke
The Rift Valley over a long weekend, or a long ride through the north via hundreds of kilometres of beautiful dry riverbeds, the Ndoto mountains and Lake Turkana. Throw in the wildlife-dense plains of Laikipia, and Kenya has it all.
The idea
Most safaris are seen through a window. This one is ridden. Elephants, dry riverbeds, and mountain passes by day, a lodge and luxury, or a wild camp under the stars by night.
We're a small Nairobi outfit, on bikes we own and routes we've ridden end to end. The far north is where we know best, and where we'll point you if you have the days.
Landscapes
Closer to Nairobi, the Rift Valley makes a day or a long weekend, or the first leg of something bigger. North of Nanyuki the tarmac gives out and the country opens: Laikipia for the animals, then the ranges and the lake. The further north you ride, the better it gets.
Lakes and escarpments an hour from Nairobi. A long weekend, or the way north.
Elephant, rhino and the big cats. At Ol Maisor, a working farm, we ride among them.
Forested mountains out of Samburu country, and the sand tracks around them.
Jagged peaks, red roads and dry rivers around Ngurunit. The heart of it.
Lava rock, wind and the jade sea. As far north as the road goes.
How it works
Every trip is built the same way. Four things change, and none of them is either/or: each is a range, and you can sit anywhere on it.
A long weekend, a week, or a fortnight. Your call.
Easy tracks and short days, or long days with up to 80% off-road.
Lodges, fly camps, or a mix of the two.
Ride out from one base, or move on every day.
What we take care of
Every tour is led by us, for a minimum of two riders. Dates, group size and the mix of lodge and camp are settled with you.
Where the tarmac gives out: the Rift Valley an hour from Nairobi, or Laikipia for the ride north. No highways, no long haul.
We lead every tour ourselves, on routes we've ridden end to end. Never a stranger's map.
A support vehicle carries the luggage, water and spares, with a mechanic in it.
Honda CRF300 Rally or Yamaha Ténéré 700, owned, serviced and known by us. The bikes
The best lodges in the country we ride, and fly camps, chosen for the place as much as the bed. The balance is yours.
Tell us roughly when, and how you like to ride.
Plan your trip
Where you sleep
Small, owner-run lodges and camps in Laikipia and the north, each one a reason to stop. We build the trip around the ones that suit you.
South Horr · Between Mount Nyiru and Lake Turkana
Six thatched rooms open to the valley, a rock pool to swim in, the lake an easy ride away. The last stop before Turkana.
koroscamp.com
Mount Nyiru · The Samburu's sacred mountain
Five hand-built houses on the mountainside, each with an open-air bath and a view that runs to Turkana. Remote, quiet, entirely its own.
desertrosekenya.com
Mathews Range · On the Ngeng river
Eight tents under the forest canopy on a clear mountain river, in the heart of the Mathews. Elephant in the glades, walks and fly-fishing from the door, and Samburu guides who call it home.
kitichforestcamp.com
Mathews Range · Namunyak Conservancy
A handful of tents on the slopes of the Mathews, owned by the Samburu community that runs the conservancy. Elephant at the waterhole below the deck, and the whole range behind.
sarara.co
Laikipia · On the Ewaso Nyiro river
Five hand-built bandas along the river under an old fig tree, owned by the Ilmotiok Women's Group. Walks and game drives with guides who grew up here. A place we ride to, then hand the keys over for a day.
olgaboli.com
Laikipia · A working farm, near Rumuruti
Three generations of one family, cattle and crops, and the wildlife living alongside: elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion. We ride the farm's own tracks among them, then stay at Amazing Laikipia Camp, eight raised tents in olive forest above a wildlife dam.
olmaisor.com
Where you sleep · Fly camps
Beds under canvas or under the stars, a fire, and the support vehicle carrying everything, so your bike stays light. The camp goes where the riding is best.
Some nights nothing beats a dry riverbed and the whole northern sky.
"Cannot recommend Bert's Bikes enough. A notable highlight was the accommodation Bert helped find us in a conservancy."Tobias Jones · United Kingdom
Enquire
Tell us how you ride and when you might come. We'll come back with a shape for the trip and a price. No commitment.
Enquire about a tour