From 21 to 25 October 2026, the lakeside city of Kisumu became the centre of African cycling. The CAC Road Cycling African Championships brought more than 300 riders from over 30 countries to Kenya, and the Day Safaris Adventures team was there to meet the visitors who came with them.
Africa's best road cyclists on the shores of Lake Victoria
The championships, organised by Golazo Kenya together with the Kenya Cycling Federation, the African Cycling Confederation and Kisumu County, ran across five days of racing on city-centre circuits beside Lake Victoria. The programme included individual time trials, a mixed team relay and road races for junior, under-23 and elite riders, men and women, in 15 categories.
South Africa dominated the medal table, and its rider Callum Ormiston won the men's elite road race on the final day. For Kenya, junior rider Mercy Eragae took bronze in the women's junior road race. On the Saturday, organisers also held a free Social Fun Ride, so families, friends and neighbours could ride the same streets as the champions.
Our stand at the championships
Events like this bring people from every corner of the continent, and many of them want to see more of Kenya than the race course. We set up a Day Safaris Adventures stand where team members in our safari uniforms welcomed visitors, answered questions about trips and handed out our Beauty of the Wild brochure. A prize wheel at the stand gave visitors a bit of fun, and the conversations were just as lively: guests asked about safaris, beach holidays, mountain trekking and how to add a few days of wildlife to a sporting trip.
It was a pleasure to meet cycling fans, riders' supporters, officials and fellow tourism businesses. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, signed our visitor book and shared their travel plans with us.
Why Kisumu is worth more than a race weekend
Kisumu is Kenya's third city and the gateway to western Kenya. Visitors who come for sport often discover that it has plenty more to offer:
- Lake Victoria sunsets and boat rides from the fishing beaches such as Dunga.
- Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, a small park beside the lake where you can see impala, zebra, giraffe and hippo on a short visit.
- Kit Mikayi, a striking rock formation near Seme with deep local stories attached.
- Kakamega Forest, Kenya's last patch of tropical rainforest, a good extension for birdwatchers and primate lovers.
- Local food, especially fresh tilapia from the lake served with ugali and kachumbari.
Plan your own trip to Kisumu and beyond
Kisumu is about an hour's flight from Nairobi, and it combines easily with a Masai Mara safari, a stay on the Kenyan coast or a trip across the border to Uganda. Sporting events make accommodation fill up quickly, so booking early matters, whether you are travelling for a race, a conference or simply a holiday on the lake.
Our consultants can tailor a trip around your dates, from a long weekend in Kisumu to a full East Africa itinerary with a safari. Browse our safari packages or send us your plans and we will reply with a free, no-obligation quote.
Event details are from the organisers and the African Cycling Confederation (cac-4africa.com) and Sports Tourism Kenya (sportstourism.co.ke). All photographs are by the Day Safaris Adventures team.