Riding in Northern Kenya, January 2014
 

My wife and I are looking for riders to join from Isiolo Kenya to Moyale, Ethiopia in January 2014. I understand that it is still dangerous to ride that portion and it is advisable to join others or even wait for a convoy.

Rode it May last year it was pretty bad but was ok, 2 long days.

You can stay at place called Jay Jays at Archers Post 10 bucks a night or something silly then camp at half away along at Marsabit small town, if you turn left off the the main drag you will see it, you cant miss it its the only litle dirt road off the main one and theres a little hotel and places to camp behind a locked gate and its fine. Cant rememeber the guys name i might have it in my blog but its Happy or something sortof out of place for the town, you'll know if hes still there.

You will hear all the stories of bandits etc but the trouble is the local herdsman shooting each other cause they see a cow as sacred and if it strays onto their land they keep it and the others come back with guns blazing to get it back so just dont stop to talk to a herdsman and you should be right lol

Of course you have to be careful anywhere bu try not to be to put off with all the horror stories and the they are bandits its the same everywhere you go the ones up the road are bad and we are good and visa versa. Im in Montenegro and the other day got told Albania is running an illegal body organ trade and am i sure I want to go there lol got to love the things you here about the people down the road dont you


If you are in Nairobi check out Jungle Junction its a real meeting point of travellers, he had to move from where he was but im pretty sure he was starting up again and you might be able to hook up with someone there as well.


There is convoys of trucks along the road so if you dont hook up with anyone (but you will) make sure your in front of them so if you have any issues you can chuck your bike on the back of a truck. When I rode it on the northern part there was a mining company there upgrading large parts of the road so soon it will be just another boring road through the desert so hopefully its still somewhat of a challenge next year.

If you need any more info im happy to help ive met a few guys that have ridden it both ways so if you need any more drop me a line.

If the road is still like it is make sure your shocks are up to scratch if its still in similar condition its got a good strike rate on rear shocks.

Great experience hope you enjoy the planning leg and then the ride

Sheldon


www.rideforsmiles.com

like to join in
 

Hi,
on my way on an Africa Twin around Africa, I recently reached Nairobi.
I'd like to join in.
I am on a relatively fixed time schedule since the first part of the trip will be with my family around Kenya.
My plan is to start in Nairobi the 11th of January 2014 and then have a look around the southern part of Ethiopia.
If you plan to travel around this time please let me know.
Mike
it's all about africa

Hi Mike,

We plan to arrive in Nairobi around the 12th of January but we still need 3 days to apply for our Ethiopian visas so around the 15th would be our departure. Let me know if your plans change.

Thanks

John