Kenya Adventure Safari – Water Rafting at Sagana

Posted at September 23, 2010

Life offers a range of experiences and as we know various people have different personalities and as such seek for different thrills in life and white water rafting offers that extra adrenaline rush to the adventure seekers. Kenya’s favorite water rafting area is Sagana, located only an estimated 11/2hrs drive from the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Tana River is the longest river in Kenya measuring 440 miles. It boasts of various tributaries including Thika rising into the Aberdare Mountains located west of Nyeri, it waters then runs east before turning south round the massif of Mount Kenya.

The river then turns into the Masinga Reservoir and into the Kiambere Reservoir created by the Kindaruma dam. From the dam the river turns north and flows towards the north-south boundary between the Meru and North Kitui and Bisanadi, Kora and Rabole National Reserves. In the reserves the river turns east, and then south east. It passes through the towns of Garissa, Hola and Garsen before entering the Indian Ocean at Ungwana Bay.

It is at Sagana a small town in Kirinyaga district, Central Kenya which got its name from the river “thagana” in the local Kikuyu language where the exhilarating water rafting in Tana River takes place. On offer is an ideal package that suits paddlers of all levels.

Upon embarking on this adventurous safari venture preferably early morning, the journey is only an hour and a half drive to Sagana as the proximity to Kenya’s capital Nairobi acts in its favor when it comes to accessibility with the Nairobi – Nyeri highway making traveling the more easier.

Options of camp or lodge accommodation are available with Camp Sagana which is quickly gaining popularity not only in Kenya but in the East Africa region as well standing out. It boasts of having a captivating river frontage of about 350meters and the largest waterfall in Kenya in terms of water volume. Its 3 acre stunningly manicured lawns accentuate the areas tropical beauty.

As it is the norm, upon arrival you are greeted and given a warm reception followed by refreshments comprising of tea/coffee and biscuits which you enjoy as you get a comprehensive safety briefing. It is very crucial that you understand the risk involved in water rafting as water tides can turn a fun filled activity to a sad event should death or other fatalities occur. Signing of a compulsory release and assumption of risk form follows soon after.

After safety awareness guests are then are transported up the river to the put in point where they are provided with safety gear which includes the life jackets, helmets and a paddle.

Depending on water levels the trip can take from four to five hours. On occasion the water levels may force the adventure seekers to have to put in at a different points depending again on water levels.

Qualified guides are always at hand to help you successfully fulfill your thrilling kenya adventure by guiding you through a number of rivers ranging from simple low-volume grade III runs, to highly technical medium-volume grade V creaking. Length of trips, number and type of rivers; and also the number of days spent on any one river can be customized to suite your own needs.

Why Tana River? Well any one who has had a water rafting experience in Kenya will definitely concur that this river with a magnificent a drop pool, offers an out of this world day of white water rafting. The adventure starts with a 3 km stretch of easy class II and III white water, where there is plenty of opportunity to practice the paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river.

Following this is a 6 km section with the guides allowing an hour or so of relaxation which can be spent admiring the surrounding with the opportunity of viewing some of Kenya’s birdlife in their multitude habituating this glorious tropical paradise. A swim in the warm waters is always a recommended way of cooling off before embarking on the final 7 km of river.

The trip back to the campsite starts with some easy class III waters where paddle commands are gone over again giving way for the 3 big rapids (class IV and V) with names like Captains Folly, Can of Worms which gets its name from its four 90 degree bends in succession and Sphincter Flexor.

Depending on water levels you may be able to do some surfing in “fish eye” finished off by swimming the remaining couple of smaller rapids. several smaller rapids brings one on to the last big one – Spasm which comes as a huge surprise half way through a series of drops over 750m giving you such an adrenalin rush that most find exhilarating to say the least.

The whole experience takes about 4 to 5 hours after which you are back at the campsite where a full barbeque lunch awaits ending a perfect day in a perfect way.

For those looking to over come fear and gain confidence; indulging in water rafting helps you accomplish the two. It has also become a popular team building activity as it takes concerted effort of a devoted people to be able to navigate the rough rapids of this marvelous river.

Should the opportunity arise, do not hesitate to take a driver down to Sagana and have an adventurous thrill that will remain edged in your heart and mind for a long time to come.

We offer adventure safaris in Kenya that will take you to Sagana where you can enjoy white water rafting. Contact us by going to our contact us page and giving us your travel plans.