The Joys of a 20km All-Day Cycling Safari (Part 2)

I enjoyed sharing the first part of my cycling safari which I must say I would love to do again. This time using a different route. The first 3km was interesting because of my start point which was a super cool place for a stay.

From the National Art Gallery stop that I made, it took me 1km of riding in a bushy area to get to yet another amazing stopover. The beauty of riding in the countryside is the scenery can be amazing. I must mention that this territory is near a national park so the chances of bumping into a notorious animal were high.

Though not a professional cyclist (wish i was), this trip made me realise that the few advantages of cycling are :

Enjoying those Scenic Views: Enjoying beautiful landscapes and natural surroundings can be refreshing and reduce stress. I enjoyed the countryside and though I feared what sort of animals I would encounter, I didn’t let that take away my moments.

Fresh Air: Breathing in some clean, fresh air does have a positive impact on your mood and overall health. I was away from the congestion and stuffy environment and this did some wonders to my mind.

Exercise: I am a firm believer in the wonders of exercise. Cycling is a great form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance. And I am saving up to get myself a bike though around here, females aren’t big on cycling.

Quiet and Peaceful: The countryside often provides a peaceful environment, free from the noise and bustle of city life. I cycled away from the city noises and into a semi-wild area. I switched my mood to a relaxed and peaceful one.

Exploration: Cycling allows you to explore new areas and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. As I ventured on this safari, it was exploration for me first because women here don’t bike much and secondly, I went looking for places that are hidden.

Connection with Nature: Cycling in the countryside can help you feel more connected to nature and appreciate its beauty.

Point 3: The Crocodile Park

After a kilometer of riding from the art gallery, I got to a crocodile park.

I am glad I didn’t bump into a crocodile on my way to the park. The entrance fee for locals was cheaper than that of non-locals. Nonetheless, it’s still affordable going for $15. This is a fairly sized park with lots of crocodiles and snakes, all of which have names.

As I got inside the park, escorted by one of the staff members, I couldn’t help but notice his bravery. I know this is Africa, the continent where people kiss lions, but please…… this gave me goosebumps! This man got inside the crocodile cages! I could have sworn he used some African charms to dodge these bullets! I asked him if that was the case ( rumour has it this is what game rangers do) and he laughed and didn’t share his little secret. How unfair that I enjoyed these scenes on the safer side of the fence.

I should say that though this cycling safari was one to bring me peace and relaxation, this one felt like an educational tour. I managed to hold a chameleon for the first time and saw lots of crocs enjoying their moment sunbathing. I asked lots of questions which were on what they feed these many crocodiles with. I was told they eat cow meat and chickens. That should be a huge cost. So sad for the animals at the bottom of the food chain.

I learned a lot about both crocodiles and snakes. I don’t think we have many parks like this. If you ever visit Zambia, do pop by this place. As I was heading out, I noticed some good artwork with some truths or maybe half-truths on them.

Some of the things I read got me stretching my mind. This one writing said, “The largest Nile crocodile is 6.1 meters and lived in Burundi and had eaten 300 humans!” Who was counting how many humans this crocodile ate?

As a lover of art, I just loved what was on the wall and didn’t bother much about digging for the truth behind the claims. I left the Croc park and continued to cycle some more km and made a stop I didn’t quite plan for. I met some wild animals. They were big and I will let you know whether I stopped by for a chat or cycled hard for my life.