Kenya Driving

So as promised … my blog on driving in Kenya.  It’s not for the faint hearted! Imaging off road rally driving on tarmac!  most roads are single lane apart for uphill where there’s usually  a crawler lane.  Indicators; indicate nothing,  the line in the middle of the road; means next to nothing, a flash of headlights; means I’m not slowing down… get out of the way!  Drivers need nerves of steel to get where you are going or drive at a snail’s pace behind diesel trucks spewing black smoke for mile upon mile, hour upon hour of ‘good’ to ‘in need of repair’ tarmac roads.   My driver was both considerate and conscientious adapting his driving to the ever changing demands of the road …. keen to get me back to Nairobi before dark for the weekend he was not satisfied to sit behind slower moving vehicles… problem is nor are other vehicles.  There could be as many as 10  (as thats usually as far as you can see ahead) vehicles overtaking something (also difficult to identify as those who decide moving at a slower pace could also be 10-20 vehicles) coupled with vehicles undertaking…  on the dirt track running parallel to the road, motorbikes carrying wide loads ( I’ve seen double beds, crates full of chickens, bunched maize plants and even a 3 seater settee!).  Then there’s the matatu (buses) pulling in to pick up and drop off passengers.  Vehicles joining and leaving the carrigeway.  There are also humans, walking and on bikes, wandering and shepherded goats, sheep and cows crossing the road.  Got the picture? Now times the scenario by two for the traffic going the opposite way!

Saying all that I am looking forward to getting behind a wheel myself, even though it will mean missing some fantastic scenery and interesting towns and villages.

Thank you Deb for the lucky angel …. every little helps x 😊