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Cycling Nature Experience

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safari kenya expedition

FEEL THE BEAT OF AFRICA FROM THE SADDLE

Most safaris start when you step into a 4x4. Ours starts the exact moment you start pedaling.

Five cycling stages through the wild landscapes of Laikipia, an unforgettable safari in the Ol Maisor sanctuary, and nine nights discovering a side of Kenya that very few travelers ever get to experience.

 

I want to ride this route

WILD RIDING, HUMAN PACING

La Kenya Cycling Expedition was born out of a desire for a genuine connection with the African land—understanding the rhythm of its wildlife, the silence of the savannah, and its natural pace. We didn't design this trip for you to race, stare at your power meter, or rush through kilometers just to hurry to the next camp.

We created it to link well-balanced stages that take you deep into the vastness of Laikipia, combining red dirt tracks and remote Samburu communities with the magic of an unforgettable safari in Ol Maisor. We always maintain a sustainable, mindful pace that allows you to look up and see a giraffe standing by an acacia tree, absorb the landscape as you pass through, and share the best stories from the trail around the table at the end of the day.

I want to join

Is this adventure for you?

This trip is designed for cyclists seeking a real, deep, and honest gravel adventure in an environment that commands respect. It’s a great fit for you if…

1

Discovery over speed

PHILOSOPHY

You believe that adventure is about discovering and understanding your surroundings, not about riding fast.

2

Off-the-beaten-path routes

EXPLORATION

You prefer following a dusty, authentic dirt track over a crowded tourist itinerary.

3

Shared passion

COMMUNITY

You enjoy sharing extraordinary journeys and unique moments with a small group of people.

4

Beyond the traditional safari

PERSPECTIVE

You want to experience Africa in a deep, active way that goes beyond the conventional four-wheeled safari.

5

Embracing the unexpected

AUTHENTICITY

You believe that the best travel memories always happen between the moments that were planned.

6

Stories over kilometers

VALUE

You don't measure a trip's success by the distance accumulated on your bike computer, but by the stories you bring home.

TRIP FACT SHEET

DURATION
5 stages
DISTANCE
300 km (60km for stage)
ELEVATION GAIN
+5.000 m
INICIO / FIN
Nairobi, Kenya
DISCIPLINA
Gravel
LEVEL
Intermediate / High

YOUR ROUTE STEP BY STEP

Siete etapas perfectamente equilibradas que te llevan desde el corazón de Granada hasta las aguas del Mediterráneo, cruzando desiertos colosales, altiplanos infinitos y cañones de arcilla diseñados para vivir el gravel más auténtico.

The Starting Point

Día 0: Llegada a Granada

The path ahead

Te recogemos en el aeropuerto o en la estación de tren y nos trasladamos cómodamente a nuestro hotel de inicio en Granada.

Highlight of the day

Ajustar las bicicletas, repasar la logística del viaje en el briefing inicial y disfrutar de nuestra primera cena para empezar a hacer grupeta antes de ponernos en marcha.

El inicio

Día 1: Granada → Purullena (82 km | +1.900 m)

Terrain character:

Dejamos atrás Granada para ascender directos hacia el Altiplano. El paisaje se abre y se vuelve remoto a cada kilómetro, mostrándote el contraste entre valles verdes y las primeras e imponentes formaciones de badlands de la ruta.

Highlight of the day

Coronar el ascenso y contemplar por primera vez las espectaculares cárcavas de arcilla que rodean Purullena bajo la luz del atardecer.

La puerta del desierto

Día 2: Purullena → Villanueva de las Torres (84 km | +1.400 m)

Terrain character:

La ruta se adentra de lleno en el Desierto de Gorafe. El paisaje cambia radicalmente: pistas de gravel anchas, terreno erosionado y horizontes infinitos que te introducen en la verdadera esencia desértica del viaje.

Highlight of the day

Rodar sintiendo la inmensidad del paisaje agrietado, con la tranquilidad de que tu única preocupación es seguir la línea perfecta en la pista de tierra.

Inmersión absoluta

Día 3: Villanueva de las Torres → Pozo Alcón (78 km | +1.800 m)

Terrain character:

Una jornada completa en el corazón más profundo y aislado del Desierto de Gorafe. Pistas remotas, tramos largos sin rastro de civilización y el imponente terreno desértico como único compañero.

Highlight of the day

Detener la bicicleta a mitad de etapa en medio de la nada para experimentar el silencio absoluto del desierto, un vacío reconfortante que pocas veces se puede vivir en Europa.

Transición y ritmo

Día 4: Pozo Alcón → Baza (80 km | +1.100 m)

Terrain character:

Una etapa más fluida y rodadora que bordea sistemas montañosos y embalses. Combina pistas rápidas de gravel con carreteras secundarias completamente vacías, regresando a los vastos llanos del Altiplano granadino.

Highlight of the day

Aprovechar el perfil más amable de la jornada para rodar a buen ritmo con la grupeta, disfrutando de las vistas panorámicas del agua y la montaña.

The Queen Stage

Día 5: Baza → Escúllar (100 km | +1.900 m)

Terrain character:

La jornada más exigente del viaje. Ascendemos hacia Calar Alto, tocando el punto más alto de toda la expedición. Una etapa de alta montaña que añade altitud, exposición y una perspectiva colosal a la experiencia desértica.

Highlight of the day

Coronar el puerto de Calar Alto y disfrutar de un descenso espectacular con vistas infinitas hacia el valle antes de descansar en el tranquilo pueblo de Escúllar.

Escenario de cine

Día 6: Escúllar → Almería (76 km | +800 m)

Terrain character:

Descendemos desde la montaña para cruzar el Desierto de Tabernas, uno de los paisajes más áridos y cinematográficos de Europa. Pistas de tierra blanca, ramblas secas y un entorno espectacular que nos va acercando poco a poco a la costa.

Highlight of the day

Rodar por las icónicas pistas de Tabernas que han servido de escenario para decenas de películas del salvaje oeste, sintiendo la brisa marina cada vez más cerca.

El final del viaje

Día 7: Almería → San José (47 km | +500 m)

Terrain character:

La última etapa nos lleva directos al Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata. Un recorrido relajado y escénico entre calas volcánicas, senderos costeros y pistas rápidas pegadas al mar Mediterráneo.

Highlight of the day

La llegada triunfal a San José con la grupeta. El momento perfecto para celebrar con una cerveza fría frente al mar la increíble semana de gravel, desierto y exploración que dejas atrás.

The Journey Home

Día 8: Vuelta a casa

Farewell

Después del desayuno en el hotel, organizamos el transfer de vuelta al aeropuerto de Almería.

Highlight of the day

Es momento de despedirse del grupo y poner rumbo a casa con las alforjas de la memoria llenas de desierto.

I want more information

WHY EXPERIENCE THE KENYA EXPEDITION WITH US?

Why Laikipia? Because it’s not a national park—at least, not in the way most people imagine it.

Here, there are no fences separating wild animals from daily life. There is no invisible line where nature begins. Across this land, elephants cross the very same tracks you pedal on, reticulated giraffes feed alongside cattle, and Grevy's zebras graze near Samburu villages.

Here, people don't live apart from nature. They live within it. And that is precisely what makes Laikipia unlike any other corner of the Earth.

 

Small Group

Maximum of 8 people to preserve the genuine feel of a group of friends riding together.

Pre-Trip Training

A fully customized training plan included as a gift before departure.

On-Route Guides

We ride alongside you throughout the entire trip to set the pace and pull the group.

Support Vehicle

Assistance van following behind for support and stage-to-stage luggage transport.

Charming Accommodations

Handpicked stays selected so you can fully experience the magic of the local setting.

Transfers Included

All round-trip airport transfers included.

Trip Price: from €2,300

To secure your spot, a 30% deposit is required upon booking confirmation.

BOOK TRIP

Clear up any doubts before getting your bike ready.

The ideal bike is a gravel bike with generous tire clearance. We strongly recommend using tires with a minimum width 40 mm o 45 mm and a knobby tread pattern for reliable grip across loose sandy sections. It is also mandatory for your wheels to be set up tubeless tubeless to prevent punctures from thorns or sharp stones. Mountain bikes (rigid or hardtail XC) are also welcome if you're looking for extra comfort.

 

 

In a remote environment like Laikipia, the support vehicle is an essential part of the experience. Rather than trailing directly behind the group to preserve the true feeling of wilderness, it coordinates meeting points at strategic locations along each stage. On top of moving all your luggage between stays, the vehicle gives us access to 4x4-only terrain to guarantee full logistical backing throughout the expedition. At every stop, you can refill bottles with cold water, replenish energy with fruit, bars, or nuts, change layers, or get mechanical help. If at any point you prefer to rest or can't keep going, you can always hop in and finish the stage comfortably. 

 

 

This trip isn't meant for cycling beginners, but it's not a survival test either. Over five consecutive stages, you'll cover between 50 and 80 km per day on remote and occasionally rough gravel tracks. You should have a solid endurance foundation, feel comfortable spending multiple hours in the saddle, and handle loose gravel, rocks, and sand with confidence. The African heat and sun exposure add an extra physical challenge, so coming well-prepared will help you enjoy the ride to the fullest.

Heat is a real factor. To manage it, we schedule early morning rollouts to make the most of the cooler hours. In the weeks leading up to the trip, we also share specific guidelines on physical prep and managing effort under high temperatures. Out on the trail, the guide and support vehicle make sure you never run out of cold water or essential electrolytes, keeping you fully hydrated out in the dry canyons.

 

 

No, mandatory insurance is not included so that each participant can select and purchase a policy that best fits their country of origin and personal circumstances. It is a strict travel requirement that your insurance policy specifically covers road cycling, full medical assistance, and repatriation. If needed, we can advise you on finding a suitable option.

 

Very little. All your main luggage travels in our support vehicle from camp to camp, so you only need to carry what you would normally take on a day ride: water, some nutrition, your phone, a spare tube, basic tools, and a light windbreaker or rain jacket if you wish. This keeps your bike light and nimble, even on the most demanding sections.

True to our philosophy of fully enjoying the journey, we never sacrifice rest for adventure. At the end of every stage, comfortable stays packed with local charm (rural hotels, cozy lodges, or traditional cave houses in the Altiplano region). We want you to enjoy a relaxing shower, rest your legs in a welcoming environment, savor a great dinner of local cuisine, and swap stories from the trail with the group in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

 

Contenido del acordeón

We want everything to be completely clear from day one. The following items are excluded from the trip rate:

  • Flights or arrival/departure transfers to the initial meeting point in Granada (Day 0) and from the end point in Almería/San José (Day 8), except for specific transfers noted in the itinerary.

  • Gravel bike and personal cycling gear helmet, shoes, water bottles, personal tools, etc.). Each participant must bring their own bike in excellent mechanical condition

  • Travel insurance covering search and rescue as well as outdoor sports activities,(we can advise you on selecting the right plan if you don't have one).

  • Alcoholic beverages and personal extras at hotels (such as laundry, phone calls, or minibar charges).

  • Meals or dinners not specifically in the itinerary program (such as independent lunches during stages).

  • Specific replacement parts required for your bike during the trip (brake pads, tires, specific tubes, derailleur hangers, etc.). We recommend bringing spare parts specific to your bike model.

The adventure starts with a "hello"

We aren't asking for a credit card right now. We just want to know who you are, what your cycling level is, and whether this trip aligns with what you're looking for. Fill out the form, we’ll have a virtual coffee, and we’ll fill you in on the details.

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