Mountain Bike the Masai Mara

Day 2: House in the Wild, northern Masai Mara

After a hearty breakfast transfer to close by Wilson Airport for the short flight to the Masai Mara to start your safari from the House in the Wild lodge.

Meet your guides at the lodge who will be with you for the duration of your safari and will lead a briefing of the cycling days, discuss your bike set up, and general Q&A. This will be followed by an easy beginner’s ride, into an afternoon game drive and evening sundowners.

Enjoy a wonderful fist night at House in the Wild!

Day 3: House in the Wild, northern Masai Mara

Leaving early morning and start with riding through the Enonkishu Conservancy of the greater Masai Mara. With an easy ride of 30-50km followed along with a support vehicle. Get up close with zebra, gazelle and duiker. In the distance is the chance of seeing the big game animals, all animals will be observed from a safe distance.

Lunch will be under a relaxing tree, and those up for an afternoon ride can continue or if you would like to take it easy opt to be lifted by vehicle back to camp.

Another fabulous night and hospitality at House in the Wild.

Day 4: House in the Wild, northern Masai Mara

A long ride starting early again, heading up towards and onto the Oloololo ridge!

Once at the top we will ride in and amongst Maasai communities, though little towns and villages, that border the Mara Plains. An incredibly immersive experience, riding amongst and engaging with the local people. We will eventually drop down into the Mara off the Oloololo ridge to Mara Rianta where we will then cycle back through the conservancies to the Lodge.

Total distance is 100km of riding but it can be made shorter if needed.

Enjoy your final night at House in the Wild.

Day 5: Fly onto your next destination

On the last morning you will head out from the Lodge and ride into the Maasai village centres where you will have a chance to experience and learn about Maasai culture from Maasai leaders. Later on, you will cycle through manyattas and cattle, an opportunity to observe how the local people go about their day. A relatively easy ride of 30-50km, but additional kms can be added for those interested.

An afternoon flight back to Nairobi with transfer to a hotel or another camp/lodge. Additional night at House in the Wild is also an option.

The cost of the ride and what’s included and excluded

The cost of the safari in 2021 is: Standard trip USD 1200 pp and the Superior trip USD 1900 pp, based on a min of 2 participants. This does not include the pre-night in Nairobi, or the flight between the Mara and Nairobi.

Accommodation for the Standard trip is at the Bandas or the Farmstay at House in the Wild, whilst for the Superior trip the accommodation is at House in the Wild itself.

Included: accommodation for 3-nights/all food, snacks, water, drinks, soda and beer/guides & instructors/park, conservation & camp fees/bikes/flying doctor (Amref).

Excludes: visas/international or local flights/accommodation in Nairobi/personal effects/medical insurance.

Availability: safaris are available all year, inquire about specific times or seasons.

What to bring

It is likely you will be getting hot, sweaty, muddy, dusty and possibly a bit wet!

Pack as though you will face most of the elements. Guest should bring all personal effects and equipment prior to the cycling safari. The operator can provide additional necessities if requested such as helmets, or gloves etc at an additional cost.

1 x Waterproof jacket
1 x Trainers/shoes
5 x Socks
5 x Pairs of underwear
1 x Sandals, or similar for showers and relaxing
5 x T shirts
1 x Short/Long sleeved shirt, for evenings
2 x Pair of light weight trousers and shorts
1 x Comfy warm evening wear, evening temps could drop to 15 degrees Celsius
1 x Sun hat/baseball cap
1 x Sunglasses
1 x Sunscreen, factor SPF 30+
1 x Torch and spare batteries, head torch ideal, but any will suffice
1 x Swimsuit travel towel if you have one
Camera
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Covid mask
No suite cases, only soft-shell duffle bags for the internal flight from the Mara

Cycle helmet, no helmet = no ride but operator can provide
Cycle gloves
Frame bag or ruck sack, for carrying your day gear and water
4 sets of cycle cloths, 2 minimum as these can be washed for you
Water bottles/bidons, camel back, 2 litres of water minimum to be carried, 4 preferable
Waterproof jacket
First aid kit & after sun cream
Chamois cream
Cycling shoes
Cycling glasses, if not use your sunglasses