Mountain Bike
Mountain biking safaris in Kenya and Botswana.
We offer a range of mountain bike safaris, from trail-based safaris (i.e. you move camp every day, experiencing an array of terrain as you work your way from A to B), to lodge/camp-based safaris where you can rest your legs (and bums) overnight in the comfortable surroundings of a permanent bush camp or lodge. Our MTB safaris take place in either Kenya or Botswana.
Each trip can be tailored to your specific requirements, whether you're a relative newcomer to the sport or an experienced rider looking for a new challenge. We can build a mix of road, remote back-country, challenging climbs, long descents and technical downhill.
If you come in February you can even combine your trip with the epic 10-4 Race - a 6,000 feet descent from a staggering altitude of 10,000 ft up Mount Kenya to 4,000ft held over one day every year.
Support and Back-up: We have purpose-built trailers for transporting the bikes and a back-up vehicle remains in constant radio contact. Back-up vehicles carry spares, extra water and food as well as personal belongings that you don't want in your day-pack. They also carry tired riders! If we are camping then the crew will go ahead to set up camp, prepare the meal and warm the water for your evening shower!
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Bikes: New for 2008, we have a fleet of TREK FUEL EX 7 and TREK FUEL EX 8 full suspension mountain bikes. The Fuel is one of the best full-suspension bikes available on the market, offering ultimate levels of comfort, versatility and control - precisely what you need for the challenging conditions you will face in Kenya.
You can bring your own bikes with you (subject to the terms of carriage of the particular airline) or use our bikes. Most airlines will let you bring your bike on the plane free-of-charge provided it's within your weight limit, boxed or bagged with pedals removed and handle-bars turned sideways - please be sure to check with the airline well in advance of your date of travel.
Rates: prices start at £900 for a 5 day mountain bike safari or £1000 for a 6 day mountain biking safari.
Bike hire from £15 per day.
Mountain bike trips can be combined with a safari in the Masai Mara and 5 days kitesurf, windsurfing or scuba-diving on Diani Beach.
Click here for Sample Itineraries for MTB safaris in Kenya.
Click here for Sample Itineraries for MTB safaris in Botswana.
Example Itinerary - 5 day mountain bike safari in Mount Kenya and Laikipia - combination of fly-camping and accommodation in luxury lodge. Includes white-water rafting and bush walks, as well as all meals prepared by experienced camp staff. After the mountain bike trip, you will fly directly from Nanyuki to the Masai Mara where you will spend 2 nights and 3 days on safari. The camps we use are small and intimate (max. 6-10 tents) and usually located in private game-reserves on the edge of the Masai Mara. Game viewing (in specially converted 4x4 Land Rovers or Landcruisers), guided bush-walks, 3 meals per day, beer, house wine soft drinks, and park fees are included in the rate. From the Masai Mara you will fly directly to Diani Beach, on the south coast of Kenya, close to the Tanzanian border. Here you will stay at the Sands at Nomad Beach Hotel, a boutique hotel located directly on the Indian Ocean. Activities in Diani include windsurfing and kitesurfing and scuba-diving. Costs for a trip of this sort start at £1700 per person (excluding international flights).
Other activities: Combine mountain biking with climbing Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro, white-water rafting, kitesurfing, or just chilling out on the bright-white beaches of Kenya or Zanzibar.
What to bring: personal toiletries; towel; soap; longs for the cool of the evening; comfortable cycling shoes; cyling helmet; gloves; cycling shorts with liners; repair kit and spares; tee shirts (long sleeved to protect from the sun); sunblock25; waterproof; film; reading material; binoculars.
Pictures: For more images of mountain biking in Kenya and the 10-to-4 click here.
Contact: For futher information email info@extreme-safari.com
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Mount Kenya Ten-to-Four Race for Charity: each year, in February, we take a team of riders to Kenya to compete in the legendary "10 to 4" mountain bike race and to raise money for Kenyan Charities. The 10-to-4 is a gruelling downhill mountain bike race which takes place on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya - over 100 riders take part in the most gruelling off-road MTB race in Africa. After the race we will be doing a mountain bike safari, crossing the great Laikipia Plains, tackling a technical descent of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, before finishing at Lake Naivasha or Nakuru. For those who have time we will spend a week on the Kenyan Coast, where you will not only be able to recover but also try your hand at kitesurfing and scuba-diving. Each rider will cover their own costs (approx £1,200-£1,500 including flights) so that we can ensure all funds raised will go directly to the chosen charity. For full details click here. If you are interested in taking part, please email us for an application form.
Extreme Safari use bikes from leading manufacturers including Trek, Specialized, Kona and Orange. (Experienced riders can bring their own bikes - hardtail XC bikes (with 100cms of front travel) are sufficient for most routes; for Mount Kenya and the "10 to 4" full-suspension bikes with at least 4 inches of rear travel + disc brakes are advisable).
For full details on the 10 to 4 Mount Kenya Downhill Race go to: http://www.extreme-safari.com/mountainbike/10_to_4.html
