ZIP LINING AND ROPE CHALLENGES; KISAMES (NAIROBI)

Last weekend, I got a chance to test my limits and get my adrenaline rushing faster than it ever previously had (apart from my aquatics-lifesaving exam). Low, medium and high ropes challenges. Every new challenge, slightly more nerve-wrecking than the last.

We started off with a team building exercise for the entire group before we were broken into groups of around 6-10.

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General intro and team building. Sounds strange that one can ‘team build’ with strangers. I made good friends on this day though, totally worth it.
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The beginning challenges were relatively easy as the ropes were only slightly elevated. However, neither the hand support nor the foot ropes were stable, so it was easy to fall off.
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This particular challenge involved moving from one end of the log to the other. The central part was so hard to manouvre, I just sat there and laughed.
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My group had 6 girls and Euginia (above) was the only one who managed finish this particular challenge. We gave credit to her height but had we known better, we’d have given it a try as we needed these skills for the next challenges.
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All the activities came with lessons from our facilitators. This challenge involved falling from an elevated position and trusting that your team members will support you.

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This bridge! This was the medium rope challenge that made me shed tears. The steps on the bridge were widely spaced and everything from the base to the hand support swayed each time one moved. I got to the centre and froze. I mean FROZE. I can’t quite explain how it felt, but like an electrocution of some sort. When I summoned for help, our facilitator said that I was almost there and I could do it. At this point I just transcended my physical body and finished, at which point I collapsed on the ground and broke down, to the shock of my team. That was to be the end of my day but guess what, I jumped right onto the next challenge!

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See how widely one had to space their steps?

High ropes. (also known as you-could-pee-in your-pants). Even the loudest people would disappear up in the ropes and be quiet for the entire 30 or so minutes the obstacle challenge lasted. At one point I looked for my team-mate that I hadn’t seen for some time only to spot her up there. When I shouted, ‘Maggie how is it?’, she responded, ‘Ah-ah! I’m not talking right now, please,’ and everyone burst out laughing.

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I only managed to do one out of the 6 high ropes obstacles. It was a little heartbreaking but I was really just done. The facilitator applauded my efforts as he had though that after my little incident, I wouldn’t have continued. He also said that some members of the overall team had not even bothered to start the high ropes obstacles. The saddest part was that he suggested that I may not be able to zip line, having ‘failed’ the high ropes exam.

The facilitators kept asking people to spot the giraffes in the distance from the high ropes but I think everyone was too busy managing their adrenaline to spot anything. I know I didn’t.

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The ladder of life and death, lol. This is no ordinary ladder. The steps are widely spaced and require the strength of all your limbs. The best part about it is that you get to zip line when you get to the top.

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Seeing as I had given up on zip lining, I watched others do it, while planning, in my mind, my return to the facility to finish everything I had been scared to do.

As the second last person was getting ready to zip line, one of my team mates, Tesh, started to tell me that I could do it. She nudged and nudged, offered to take me to the steps. She had enjoyed it so much and didn’t see how I was just passing the chance. I could write a whole post on lessons learnt based on this experience because guess what? I did it! I climbed that ladder till the top where I created a little more drama, cursed several times before agreeing to be released. The zip lining itself, surprisingly was not scary at all. It was actually fun!

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We had a sumptuous lunch at lunch time and a nyama choma (roast meat) treat at the end of the day, before departure.
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My team members for the day.

This trip was organized by Elyzza Tours and Adventures Outfitters. (0721 585333). They delivered everything they promised and most importantly kept time. Their trips also attract a lot of people, and the more the merrier for such activities. (especially for those who go solo like myself).

You can zip line at Kisames Giraffe Camp in Kisames past Ngong, Nairobi. The minimum number is 10 people and the fee is Ksh1500/= (15 USD) per person. They have trained facilitators and safety gear. A short hike to a nearby dam can be arranged and food can also be provided on request.

Extra tip: Don’t go in jeans. Anything you would wear to the gym will do.

Best of luck!

More pictures on my Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: akenyannomad@gmail.com

Published by akenyannomad

I am a young Kenyan seeking to encourage Africans to tour their continent and create their own perspectives about the motherland.

5 thoughts on “ZIP LINING AND ROPE CHALLENGES; KISAMES (NAIROBI)”

  1. This is an awesome piece of information, very informative and it captures the essence and the feel of the excursion. Good Job!!!!

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