Migration Gravel Race

Extreme
Date
2026-06-16
Location
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Distance
650 km
Elevation
8000m
Category
Ultra
Region
Africa
Organizer
Team Amani
Terrain
Gravel, Dirt, Cattle Tracks, Wildlife Trails
About

The wildest gravel race in the world. A 4-day, 4-stage adventure across the untamed Maasai Mara, traversing gravel roads, cattle tracks, and wildlife trails alongside zebras and wildebeest.

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▌ RIDER INTEL DOSSIER
84
GR SCORE
/ 100
TIER 2
~/dossier/migration-gravel-race $ cat briefing.md

▌ 4 days. 650 km. Riding through Kenya’s wildlife conservancies.

A 4-day stage race across the Maasai Mara that has redefined what a destination gravel event can be — wildlife on the course, savanna sunsets, and a deeply local community.

EFFORT54/70
EXPER.57/70
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14 SCORING DIMENSIONS

MIGRATION GRAVEL RACE
LENGTH10/10CLIMBING8/10DURABILITY9/10ALTITUDE7/10TECHNICALITY6/10HEAT7/10RACE PRESSURE7/10ADVENTURE10/10SCENERY10/10ORGANIZATION9/10VALUE6/10COMMUNITY10/10ACCESSIBILITY4/10FIELD DEPTH8/10
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EFFORT MATRIX

LENGTH10/10
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~650 km across 4 stages
CLIMBING08/10
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~8,000 m total — rolling Rift Valley terrain
DURABILITY09/10
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4 consecutive days of 130-180 km at altitude
ALTITUDE07/10
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Course at 1,500-2,200 m — sustained altitude effort
TECHNICALITY06/10
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Loose savanna roads, occasional rocky sectors
HEAT07/10
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June equator: 18-28 °C, intense midday sun
RACE PRESSURE07/10
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Strong international and African pro field
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EXPERIENCE MATRIX

ADVENTURE10/10
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Wildlife on the course — giraffes, zebras, elephants
SCENERY10/10
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Maasai Mara savanna, Rift Valley views, acacia sunsets
ORGANIZATION09/10
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Mikel Delagrange production with full safari support
VALUE06/10
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Premium entry includes camp, food, transport
COMMUNITY10/10
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Tight 4-day camp builds friendships; deeply local
ACCESSIBILITY04/10
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Limited field; sells out and travel is real
FIELD DEPTH08/10
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Top European pros + African Team Amani
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GREEN FLAGS

  • [+]Wildlife encounters mid-race
  • [+]Full expedition support — camps, meals, mechanics
  • [+]Team Amani / African community at the heart
  • [+]Rare destination event — true bucket-list
  • [+]Stage format builds friendships fast
  • [+]Maasai Mara scenery unmatched anywhere
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RED FLAGS

  • [!]Premium pricing + travel adds up
  • [!]Limited field; sells out fast
  • [!]Altitude + heat compound across 4 days
  • [!]Wildlife requires guided neutralisations
  • [!]Logistics: international travel + transfers
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RIDER FIT

Endurance MulePRIME · 10/10

Multi-day stamina is the whole game

Adventure TouristPRIME · 10/10

A genuine cycling safari

Altitude LoverPRIME · 8/10

Course sits at 1,500-2,200 m throughout

ClimberGOOD · 7/10

Rolling Rift Valley vert

Privateer ProPRIME · 8/10

Marquee international visibility

Heat SpecialistGOOD · 7/10

Equatorial sun is the daily challenge

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⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE
Stage 2 at altitude

The longest stage, often the hottest, usually with the most climbing — and you wake up tomorrow to do it again. Migration is decided by recovery as much as by watts.

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TIRE INTEL

WIDTH
42-50 mm
PRESSURE
24-30 psi
PATTERN
Mid-knob with strong sidewalls

Loose savanna roads with occasional rocky sectors and acacia thorns. Sidewall protection is essential — thorn flats are common.

▶ TOP PICKS
1.Continental Terra Trail[45mm]— Tough sidewall for thorny terrain
2.Schwalbe G-One Bite[45mm]— Grip on loose savanna roads
3.Maxxis Rambler[45mm]— Versatile, durable, predictable
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WEATHER PLAYBOOK

June Maasai Mara: dry season, 12-28 °C, intense midday sun. Cool mornings call for arm warmers; afternoon storms possible.

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PACING PLAYBOOK

01
Stage 1 — Opening day~140 km

Settle into the altitude. Eat aggressively, do not chase the early surge.

02
Stage 2 — The longest~180 km

Often the queen stage. Pace by HR; recovery starts at the finish line.

03
Stage 3 — Mid-camp blues~150 km

Cumulative fatigue peaks. Smooth efforts, ride within yourself.

04
Stage 4 — Final push~140 km

Empty the tank. Tired bodies finish on the savanna together.

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WHAT TO FEAR

  • [!01]Cumulative fatigue across 4 days at altitude
  • [!02]Acacia thorn flats
  • [!03]Equatorial sun without acclimation
  • [!04]Wildlife encounters requiring guided pauses
  • [!05]Camp recovery — sleeping in tents matters
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TRAVEL OPS

AIRPORTNairobi (NBO) — gateway. Charter flight or 5-6 hr drive to camp.
LODGINGOn-event camp included; pre/post nights in Nairobi at Wildebeest Eco Camp or similar.
FOODAll meals included on event; Nairobi has full restaurant scene before/after.
PACKET PICKUPAt Nairobi briefing day before transfer to camp.
PARKINGNo need — fly in, transfer to camp.
▌ BOTTOM LINE

A bucket-list cycling experience disguised as a stage race. Pace honestly across 4 days and let the Mara do the rest.

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IF NOT THIS, THEN

  • →Same stage format, US:Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder
  • →Same continent, ultra:Atlas Mountain Race
  • →Stage race, MTB:Cape Epic
  • →Stage race, Europe:Quebrantahuesos

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