Most people who visit Kenya explore the country in a Jeep
but the hills, mountains and coastal roads are actually perfect for cycling
A gray giant lumbers across the sandy track ahead of us. We cycle warily on, but when the massive bull elephant suddenly stops and turns to stare, we get pedaling. We’re in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, a three hours’ drive from the capital, Nairobi. Two rangers have been shadowing us in a Jeep for the past few hours, although they seemed to have fallen asleep. The driver now leaps into action, accelerates, and shouts to us as he pulls past: “Stay behind the car, no one overtakes me!” We seek cover behind the car and pass the elephant in a huddle – with me making myself as small as possible on my mountain bike. People mostly visit Kenya to see animals – as many and as big as possible – and also to see new landscapes. Most travel in off-road vehicles. Few people know that you can also explore the most interesting parts of the country just as safely on a bike, and get much closer, too.
