Nairobi is increasingly becoming a hub for cyclists and cycling enthusiasts, offering a variety of options to rent bicycles and explore the city’s vibrant streets and scenic routes. From the bustling avenues of the city to serene tea farms and game parks, renting a bike in Nairobi allows you to explore different facets of Kenya’s culture, landscape, and local experiences. Whether you’re a casual rider or an avid cyclist, this blog will highlight some of the best places where you can rent a bicycle in Nairobi, including types of tours and cycling routes you can explore.
1. Riderentals.co – Convenient and Reliable Bike Rentals
If you’re looking for a well-established and trusted name in bike rentals in Nairobi, look no further than Riderentals.co. This service offers an extensive range of bikes, from mountain bikes to commuter bicycles, ensuring that you get the ideal bike for your needs. Whether you’re planning to ride through the city streets or take on more rugged terrains, Riderentals.co has options for both casual riders and seasoned cyclists.
What makes Riderentals.co unique?
- Affordable pricing: Their bikes are competitively priced, allowing both locals and tourists to enjoy cycling without breaking the bank.
- Flexible rental periods: Whether you need a bike for a few hours, a full day, or even a week, Riderentals.co accommodates different rental durations.
- Home delivery: For those who prefer convenience, you can have your bike delivered to your home, office, or even directly to your hotel.
- Guided tours available: If you’re not sure where to go, Riderentals.co also offers guided cycling tours, where you can explore some of the best cycling routes around Nairobi with an experienced guide.
Visit their website www.riderentals.co to find out more or to make a booking.
2. Karura Forest
One of the most popular destinations for cyclists in Nairobi, Karura Forest is perfect for both beginners and seasoned cyclists. With well-maintained trails, scenic views, and the opportunity to see wildlife like monkeys and birds, Karura is an oasis within the city. You can rent bicycles at the Karura Forest entrance, where local vendors provide well-maintained bikes for both kids and adults.
What’s great about Karura?
- Diverse cycling trails: Whether you’re up for an easy ride or something more challenging, Karura has multiple cycling trails of varying difficulty.
- Bike rentals available: You can rent bikes at the main gates, and the rates are quite affordable.
- Perfect for family outings: The paths are family-friendly, making it a great location for cycling with children.
3. Ngong Hills
For those looking for a bit more adventure, Ngong Hills offers a rugged, scenic cycling experience. While it’s a popular destination for hiking, the rolling hills and trails are perfect for mountain bikers who love a challenge. Several local businesses around Ngong Hills rent out bikes, ensuring that you’re well-equipped to explore the hills.
Why cycle in Ngong Hills?
- Challenging terrain: If you’re an experienced cyclist looking for a bit of a workout, Ngong Hills provides the perfect hilly terrain.
- Scenic views: As you cycle through the hills, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Nairobi city on one side and the vast Rift Valley on the other.
- Accessible bike rentals: Several shops around Ngong Town offer bikes for rent, with both half-day and full-day rental options.
4. Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate is a unique cycling destination for those who want to experience Kenya’s wildlife up close while cycling through picturesque landscapes. The park, located just a couple of hours from Nairobi, is known for its wide open spaces, towering cliffs, and geothermal activity.
What to expect at Hell’s Gate:
- Bike through the park: Hell’s Gate is one of the few national parks in Kenya where you can rent a bike and cycle alongside zebras, giraffes, and antelopes.
- Affordable bike rentals: Bikes are available for rent just outside the park entrance, with various types of bicycles suited for different levels of cycling experience.
- Guided cycling tours: If you’re new to cycling in wildlife parks, you can opt for guided tours, where a local guide will lead you through the best routes and ensure your safety.
5. Tea Farm Cycling Tours
If you’re looking for a cycling route that immerses you in Kenya’s rich agricultural landscape, consider joining a tea farm cycling tour. Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, the tea farms offer a refreshing experience away from the city hustle. You’ll ride through lush tea plantations, meet farmers, and even learn about the tea-making process.
Highlights of tea farm tours:
- Scenic countryside cycling: The cool climate and rolling hills make the tea farms a perfect destination for a leisurely ride.
- Cultural immersion: Many tours offer stops at local villages, where you can learn about the daily lives of tea farmers.
- Bicycle rentals: Tour companies, such as Bike It or Hike It, provide bicycles and guide services for those looking to explore these areas on two wheels.
6. Rice Farm Tours in Central Kenya
In central Kenya, cycling through rice farms is a unique experience that takes you into the heart of Kenya’s agricultural belt. The expansive Mwea Irrigation Scheme, just a short drive from Nairobi, is the largest rice-growing area in the country, and several companies now offer cycling tours through the rice paddies.
What to expect on a rice farm cycling tour:
- Unique cycling terrain: You’ll ride through narrow dirt paths that cut through acres of rice paddies, giving you a firsthand view of the farming process.
- Interaction with farmers: Most tours include stops at local farms, where you can learn about rice cultivation from the farmers themselves.
- Ideal for beginners: The flat terrain makes it a good choice for beginner cyclists who want to explore Kenya’s farming culture without too much physical exertion.
7. Cultural Immersion Tours – Maasai Villages and Cycling
Cycling is not only a great way to explore landscapes but also a means to connect with Kenya’s rich cultural heritage. Several companies offer cultural immersion cycling tours that take you through Maasai villages, where you can learn about the Maasai people’s way of life.
Why choose a cultural immersion cycling tour?
- Meet local communities: These tours allow you to interact with indigenous groups like the Maasai and Samburu, providing a deep cultural experience alongside your cycling journey.
- Guided tours: Most of these trips are organized by companies like Bike It or Hike It, which offer both bicycles and local guides to ensure you have a seamless cultural experience.
- Perfect for beginners: The tours often follow easy, flat routes, making them suitable for all levels of cyclists.
8. City to City Cycling Tours
For cyclists looking for a longer and more intense adventure, city-to-city cycling tours are becoming increasingly popular. You can embark on a guided cycling tour from Nairobi to nearby cities such as Naivasha or Thika. These tours usually take a full day or more and provide an excellent opportunity to see Kenya’s changing landscape.
Key features of city-to-city tours:
- Scenic routes: These tours often take the backroads, allowing you to cycle through scenic landscapes and avoid heavy traffic.
- Bike rentals and support: Tour operators like Bike It or Hike It provide the necessary equipment, including bikes, helmets, and support vehicles, ensuring a smooth journey.
- Challenging but rewarding: For those looking for a physical challenge, city-to-city cycling tours are a great way to push your limits while exploring Kenya’s diverse terrain.
9. Fish Tours – Ride and Feast
For food lovers, combining cycling with a food tour is an exciting way to explore Kenya’s culinary offerings. You can join a “bike to fish” tour that takes you to places like Lake Naivasha or Lake Victoria, where you can sample fresh fish dishes after a day of cycling.
What makes fish tours special?
- Combine fitness and food: After a morning of cycling, you can enjoy a delicious fish meal by the lake, often prepared by local fishermen.
- Bicycle rentals included: Most fish tours provide bikes and other necessary gear, so all you need to do is show up and ride.
Conclusion
Nairobi and its surroundings offer diverse cycling routes, each promising unique experiences, whether you’re interested in culture, nature, or food. Whether you’re cycling through tea farms, exploring Maasai villages, or biking alongside wildlife in Hell’s Gate National Park, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a reliable partner to guide you through these tours, Bike It or Hike It stands out as the ideal choice for both rentals and guided trips, ensuring that your cycling adventure is smooth, safe, and memorable.
