Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Nairobi

Skip the matatus queuing bumper to bumper on Uhuru Highway and give yourself a set of wheels instead. On a motorcycle, Nairobi opens up fast: you can be watching lions with the city skyline behind them in Nairobi National Park within twenty minutes of leaving your hotel, or climbing out toward the Ngong Hills for a ridge-top view of the Rift Valley by mid-morning. This is a city built for two wheels, and once you try it you won't want to go back to waiting for a taxi.

Nairobi's traffic is famously unpredictable, thanks to boda bodas, matatus and daily jams on Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way, and a motorcycle simply moves through it faster than any car ever will. It also puts day trips within easy reach that are awkward without your own transport, like the Rift Valley escarpment or the long run out to Lake Magadi. Expect good tarmac around town and rougher murram stretches once you head out to the countryside, so a little comfort on mixed surfaces goes a long way.

Top 10 things to see in Nairobi by motorcycle

1. Nairobi National Park — the only national park bordering a capital city, so lions, giraffes and rhinos share the view with the skyline.
2. Giraffe Centre, Karen — a short, easy ride into the leafy Karen suburb to hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes.
3. Karura Forest — paved and dirt roads through a large urban forest with waterfalls and caves, a quick green escape from the traffic.
4. Ngong Hills — a ridge west of the city with a chain of viewpoints and wind turbines overlooking the Rift Valley, a classic rider's climb.
5. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — an elephant and rhino orphanage on the edge of the national park, best known for its public elephant feeding hour.
6. Nairobi Arboretum — quiet, tree-lined grounds close to the centre, good for a short breather ride.
7. Bomas of Kenya — a cultural village near Karen with traditional homesteads and dance performances.
8. Great Rift Valley Viewpoint, A104 escarpment — the classic overlook where the road drops off the highlands into the Rift Valley floor.
9. Lake Magadi road — a longer ride south through Maasai country and Rift Valley scenery down to the soda lake.
10. Uhuru Gardens / Uhuru Park — a central, easy-to-reach green space and monument, a natural start or finish for a city ride.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Nairobi?

You'll need a valid motorcycle-category driving licence, and it's worth carrying an International Driving Permit alongside it, since Kenyan police checkpoints will ask to see your papers. The minimum driving age in Kenya is 18, though many rental companies set their own, higher minimum. A deposit is standard practice, usually taken as cash or a card pre-authorisation, and operators will often hold your passport or a copy of it for the duration of the rental.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Nairobi?

A standard motorcycle runs roughly 3,500–4,500 KES per day in low season, rising to about 5,500–8,000 KES per day at the busiest times of year. If you want something bigger for the open road, larger-displacement or adventure bikes typically cost 9,000–15,000+ KES per day.

• Prices climb during July–September and again over the December-into-January holidays, when demand from international visitors peaks.
• They ease off in April–May and November, when the rains keep tourist numbers down.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Nairobi?

July through October and late December into early January are Nairobi's high season, and prices sit at their highest then, so booking a few weeks ahead is a good idea if you're travelling in that window. April and May, deep in the long rains, are the cheapest months to rent, with November's short rains a smaller second dip. For the best mix of good weather and manageable prices, aim for January–February or June–September.

Local traffic rules in Nairobi

Kenya drives on the left, so give way to the right at roundabouts and remember that overtaking on the left is illegal, even though you'll see boda bodas do it constantly. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger, and reflective clothing is expected on top. Speed limits run around 50 km/h in town, 80 km/h on rural roads and up to 110 km/h on the best highways. Roadside breath testing is common, the legal alcohol limit sits around 0.08%, and it's best to avoid riding outside towns after dark, when potholes, livestock and unlit trucks are a real hazard.

Most of our motorcycle rentals in Nairobi come with years of local experience and a well-maintained bike, helmet and friendly service included. If you want to rent a motorcycle in Nairobi, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!