I have always wanted to go bungee jumping. It’s one of those things that has been on my bucket list for ages. Anyway this year it is part of my travel bucket list. I plan to go bungee jumping at the end of February and I am looking forward to it, although I am also abit fearful.
For those of you who may wonder what bungee jumping is, Wikipedia describes it this way, Bungee jumping, also spelt bungy jumping, is an activity that involves a person jumping from a great height while connected to a large elastic cord. The launching pad is usually erected on a tall structure such as a building or crane, a bridge across a deep ravine, or on a natural geographic feature such as a cliff. It is also possible to jump from a type of aircraft that has the ability to hover above the ground, such as a hot-air-balloon or helicopter. The thrill comes from the free-falling and the rebound.[1] When the person jumps, the cord stretches and the jumper flies upwards again as the cord recoils and continues to oscillate up and down until all the kinetic energy is dissipated.
It sounds exciting and dangerous at the same time, doesn’t it?
In Kenya, the place that offers bungee jumping is in Sagana on the banks of the Tana River. The platform for bungee jumping is a 60-metre high steel tower. You will have to climb the tower to jump off. Different tour operators seem to offer different timings to jump off. You only get 10-15 minutes to decide if you will jump off and after your allocated time is up you will not be allowed to jump. You will not get your money back so you had better be sure that you will do it before getting onto that platform.
You are usually put into a safety harness which has an elastic cord connected to your back. The electric cord usually stretches so you will bounce up and down a few times before the cord stops moving. There is usually a boat on the river waiting to pick up bungee jumpers.
There are also other things that can be done at Sagana. There is white water rafting, overnight camping, bush dinners and picnic lunches. Travel: 8 Adventure Sports You Should Try Out In Kenya
The minimum weight to bungee jump is 40 kg and the maximum weight is usually 105 kg (which I read somewhere might change according to the water level of the river.)
The costs range from 5, 000 Ksh. to Ksh 5,500 Ksh. depending on the operator. To be on the safe side budget for Ksh 6,000 just in case the costs have gone up. There is also a parking charge of Ksh 500 for people using the Savages parking lot.
Naomi (a Kenyan girl) has written about her experience. This will either make you want to try it out or scare the hell out of you and make you not try it – Extreme Adventure: Bungee Jumping in Sagana, Kenya.
Business Daily Africa has also written a post on Bungee Jumping as well. Heart in mouth, take a leap at Sagana.
So let’s go bungee jumping in Sagana!
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