Expeditions & Itineraries

From summit pushes on Mount Kenya to multi-day bike loops through Laikipia, every journey is fully supported and built around you.

Why we do it the rugged way

East Africa is not a backdrop. It is alive — and every trail, river, and ridgeline has a story. Our expeditions are designed so you feel that, not just observe it. We move slow enough to notice things, and deep enough into the wild that the ordinary world falls away.

Every itinerary on this page is one we have personally run, refined, and run again. They work because they are built from experience, not from a brochure.

F

Francis

Director & Lead Guide — Rugged Outdoors East Africa

▶ Director's Cut
6 Active Itineraries
5+ Countries Covered
4,985m Highest Summit
100% Fully Supported
Plan your adventure

Our Current Expeditions

Every itinerary is fully supported with logistics, guides, and safety — so you can focus on the experience.

Laikipia Mountain Biking Mountain Biking

Laikipia Loop Mountain Biking Expedition

A 7-day fully supported loop starting and ending in Nanyuki. Ride through community ranchlands, wildlife conservancies, and the Mukogodo forest — one of the most immersive cycling routes in East Africa.

7 Days
Nanyuki → Laikipia Loop
~201 km total
Day 1 — Nanyuki → Rekiji Camp
~43 km · Ewaso Ng'iro river zone
Depart Nanyuki, ride through Naibor community lands and skirt wildlife corridors near the Oljogi area before reaching the Ewaso Ng'iro river zone.
  • Overnight: Rekiji Community Camp
Day 2 — Rekiji → Olgaboli
~26 km · Scenic bush & community ranches
Scenic bush riding through open savannah, livestock lands, and cultural interaction with local communities.
  • Overnight: Olgaboli Campsite
Day 3 — Olgaboli → Twala
~29 km · Maasai women-managed conservancy
Strong cultural immersion day through semi-arid landscape. Optional early morning baboon walk.
  • Overnight: Twala Community Wildlife Sanctuary
Days 4–5 — Mukogodo & Borana → Nanyuki
~103 km combined · Forest escarpment descent
Gradual ascent into the Mukogodo highland ecosystem, then a final long ride through Borana Conservancy with possible elephant, giraffe, and antelope sightings.
  • Days 6–7: Optional recovery, Ol Pejeta game drive, and departure from Nanyuki
4x4 Support Vehicle Full Catering Camping Gear Guides & Crew Bike Repair Kit
Price on application · Min. 2 riders Enquire
Kenya Safari Loop Wildlife Safari

Kenya Cross-Country Safari Loop

An 8-day route from Nanyuki that takes in Solio Ranch, Ol Pejeta, Samburu, Ngare Ndare forest, and the Maasai Mara — a logical sequence with no backtracking and increasing wilderness intensity.

7–9 Days
Nanyuki → Mara Loop
Big Five + Special Five
Days 1–2 — Solio & Ol Pejeta
Rhino drives · Big Five · Chimpanzee sanctuary
Morning rhino drive at Solio Ranch Conservancy, then transfer to Ol Pejeta for a full Big Five day including optional lion tracking.
  • Overnight: Near Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Days 3–4 — Samburu National Reserve
Samburu Special Five · River ecosystem
Drive north through Isiolo. Two full days of game drives focusing on the Samburu Special Five — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the gerenuk.
  • Overnight: Samburu lodge or tented camp
Day 5 — Ngare Ndare Forest → Nanyuki
Canopy walk · Blue pools · Forest hike
Morning game drive in Samburu, then south to Ngare Ndare for the famous canopy walk and a swim in the blue pools.
  • Overnight: Nanyuki
Days 6–8 — Maasai Mara
Big cats · Hot air balloon option · Great plains
Fly or drive to the Mara for two full days of plains game viewing. Optional hot air balloon safari at dawn.
  • Return to Nairobi or Nanyuki on Day 8
Game Drives Park Fees Lodges / Camps Experienced Guide
From Nanyuki · Fly or drive options Enquire
Mount Kenya Sirimon Route Mountain Climbing

Mount Kenya — Sirimon Route (Point Lenana)

A 3-day summit expedition via the scenic Sirimon route, ascending to Point Lenana at 4,985m. A direct, well-paced climb through moorland and alpine terrain with a summit sunrise. Fully supported by guide Francis and porters.

3 Days
Nanyuki → Sirimon Gate
Summit 4,985m
Day 1 — Arrival in Nanyuki
Briefing · Gear check · Hotel overnight
Meet trekking crew for briefing and route logistics. Pack light — carry only essentials. Four-season sleeping bags and hiking poles provided.
  • Accommodation: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club or Ngomongo Village
Day 2 — Sirimon Gate → Shipton's Camp
3,300m → 4,200m · 6–8 hours hiking
Transfer to Sirimon Gate, then Old Moses Camp (3,300m). Hike begins: cross Liki North River, gradual ascent through Mackinder's Valley.
  • Dinner & Overnight: Shipton's Camp (4,200m)
Day 3 — Summit Day (3:00 AM start)
Point Lenana 4,985m · Sunrise summit
Early start at 3:00 AM for a sunrise summit attempt. After the summit, descend to Shipton's Camp for breakfast, then continue down to Old Moses and transfer back to Nanyuki.
Guide Francis Porters Sleeping Bags Hiking Poles Park Fees
Min. fitness required · All levels welcome Enquire
Sirimon Day Hike Day Hike

Sirimon Route Day Trip — Old Moses to Lunch Point

A rewarding acclimatisation and scenic alpine day hike from Old Moses Camp to the "Lunch Point" viewpoint on Mount Kenya. Ideal as a standalone adventure or preparation for a summit attempt.

1 Day
Old Moses 3,300m
10–14 km round trip
Schedule Overview
4–6 hours total · Easy to moderate
  • 7:00–8:00 AM — Leave Old Moses Camp
  • 10:00–11:00 AM — Reach Lunch Point viewpoint
  • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Lunch and rest
  • 1:00–3:00 PM — Descend back to Old Moses
The trail passes through classic moorland and giant lobelia terrain with views toward Batian and Nelion on clear days.
What to Bring
Altitude note: above 3,500m throughout
Warm layers, rain jacket, 2L+ water, snacks and lunch, sunscreen, sunglasses. Trekking poles helpful but optional. Good hiking shoes essential.

Pace yourself — headache and shortness of breath are common if ascending too fast.
Guided Park Entry Included Acclimatisation Hike
Great standalone or pre-summit day Enquire
Kilimanjaro Machame Route Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro — Machame Route (Whiskey Route)

The most scenic route up Kilimanjaro, passing rainforest, heath, alpine desert, and the arctic summit zone. A 7-day itinerary strongly recommended over 6 days for significantly higher summit success rates.

7 Days (recommended)
Machame Gate → Uhuru Peak
5,895m Uhuru Peak
Days 1–3 — Rainforest to Barranco
Shira Plateau · Lava Tower acclimatisation
  • Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) → Machame Camp (3,000m) · Rainforest hike
  • Day 2: → Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) · Big views begin
  • Day 3: → Lava Tower (4,600m) → Barranco Camp (3,950m) · "Climb high, sleep low"
Days 4–5 — Barranco Wall to Barafu
Famous scramble · Summit preparation
  • Day 4: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp (~4,200m) · Climb the Barranco Wall
  • Day 5: → Barafu Camp (4,600m) · Rest and prepare for summit push
Day 6 — Summit Push (12–16 hrs)
Barafu → Uhuru Peak 5,895m → Mweka Camp
The hardest day. Night departure from Barafu, summit at Uhuru Peak, then long descent to Mweka Camp. Day 7 is a final descent to Mweka Gate through rainforest.
7-Day Itinerary 80–90% Summit Rate Camping Only Best Scenery Route
Best seasons: Jan–Mar · Jun–Oct Enquire
Fly Fishing Kenya Highlands Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing — Mount Kenya & Aberdare Highlands

Equatorial trout fishing at altitude. Cold, clear mountain rivers and remote highland lakes beneath African skies — one of the world's least-known fly-fishing destinations, and one of the finest.

Flexible (1–5 days)
Mt Kenya · Aberdares
Rainbow & Brown Trout
Mount Kenya Rivers
Burguret · Naromoru · Sirimon · Timau systems
Classic small-stream trout fishing through forest and open highland terrain. Techniques: dry fly, technical pocket-water casting, nymphing in clear pools, sight fishing during low water.
Highland Lakes — Rutundu & Alice
Canoe casting · Expedition-style wilderness fishing
Lake Rutundu — one of East Africa's most iconic trout lakes on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya. Lake Alice — remote expedition-style fishing in dramatic alpine wilderness.
Aberdare Highlands
Chania · Guru Guru · Gura systems
Crystal-clear pools, tight technical casting, remote wilderness access, and forest river stalking. A wild and atmospheric environment unlike anywhere else in Africa.
Guided 3–5wt Rods Available Lodge or Expedition Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct
Customisable · Day trips or multi-day Enquire
Expedition photography
Mount Kenya trail
Laikipia landscape
Safari wildlife
Fully Supported

4x4 vehicles, logistics crews, cooks, guides, and first aid on every expedition.

Local Intelligence

Routes refined through years of experience with wildlife, weather, and communities.

Community First

We partner directly with local conservancies and communities across every route.

Custom Itineraries

Every trip is shaped around your fitness, interests, timeline, and budget.

Ready to plan your expedition?

Tell us where you want to go, how long you have, and what matters most to you. We will build the trip around that.

Get in Touch