Women Shaping Kenya’s IndustryAdventure

By Alex Kamau

A revolution is taking place in the realm of adventure in Kenya. Traditionally, adventure sports and outdoor activities have been considered predominantly male domains, but a growing movement led by women is challenging this perception…

Violet Karanu

Violet Karanu is a backpacker, hiker and adventurous mum to an 11-year-old child.

The most exhilarating thing I've done so far was…

…backpacking with my son through Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo! It was magical to swim with turtles in Zanzibar and I'll never forget the thrilling feeling I had when a silverback gorilla walked right by my legs in Rwanda. My son still talks about bungee jumping from a height of 43 metres in Uganda!

As a woman, safety is the main thing I worry about.

It is much safer to travel in a group, and when I have to move alone, I always let my emergency contact know where I am or where I intend to go.

I made it my goal to teach my son the value of travel…

…to instil in him a sense of curiosity, wonder, and respect for the natural world. I want to inspire Kenyans, especially parents, to take their kids out and let them enjoy their own sense of adventure.

My next grand adventure is…

Backpacking through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa with my son. If we get sponsorship, we intend to start over the Christmas holidays; experiencing different cultures and adrenaline-packed activities before returning home.

Iman Kagumba

Iman is a professional cyclist, a self-taught sports massage therapist, and a social worker and community developer.

What is the most exciting thing you've done so far?

The most exciting thing I've done outdoors is organise and take part in cycling events for charities back in Mombasa, where I grew up. These events could be things like giving out tampons in orphanages, getting resources through cycling meet-ups, or educating the community about mental health issues.

What problems have you had to deal with as a woman in your field?

I have had to deal with a lot of problems, such as sexual harassment, theft and robbery while cycling, and muscle overuse injuries. Occasionally, there are hit-and-run accidents when I'm out in nature as well as weatherrelated challenges such as heat strokes.

As one of the few female cyclists in Kenya, how are you shaping the future of adventure travel?

I want to try and offer a safe space for people to discuss their experiences. I have shared my mountain biking experiences on social media, encouraging others to cycle with me, join me on a trail hunt, and raise awareness about body care and recovery massages through my platform.

What's your next big adventure?

I want to ride my bike from Nairobi to Oloitoktok, then into Tanzania to Lake Chala, ride through to Arusha, and back into Kenya through the Namanga border. This trip will be about 500 km long and almost 5000m high!

Sharon Maingi

Sharon is a mum, motocross racer and trainer at the Offroad Adventure East Africa school.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I've lived an adventurous life since childhood, so I looked for jobs that paid me to travel as an adult, allowing me to explore trekking, rock climbing, eco survival, kayaking, and rafting!

What is the most memorable thing you've done so far?

I think my most memorable moment was this year when I entered my first enduro biking competition, which I believe is my true passion - I'll never forget riding through Kenya's wild with my daughter and husband cheering me on.

What has been your experience in Motocross as a woman?

Don’t hold yourself back. Motocross is one of the few sports in the world where men and women participate in the same category. The group is incredibly friendly and helpful to women. So, I do what I can to get women of all ages to at least try to get out of their comfort zones.

How are you contributing to the future of adventure travel in Kenya?

Adventure travel in Kenya has been a privilege for most. My aim is to keep showing the transformative impact of adventure on one's well-being, with the aspiration that others will take an interest in this.