On a second thrilling adventure held on Wednesday, 19th November at Karura Forest, the Strathmore University Mentoring Department brought together mentors and mentees for an unforgettable experience. With excitement high, participants signed up for a day of fun, connection, and adventure in the heart of nature. The event featured an exhilarating head-to-head race across Karura Forest, packed with twists, teamwork, and moments that created lasting memories. Beyond the competition, it was a chance to bond, challenge one another, and enjoy a refreshing day outdoors.

Here’s what the mentees ( From team Banshee) had to say about their experience:

By Micheal:

The Amazing Race 2025 was truly one of a kind. Even though this was my second time participating and I thought I knew what to expect, I still sensed it would be different. In the previous race, my team finished last, so this year I was determined to aim for nothing less than first place. When teams were formed, my mentor ended up paired with another mentor whose team had competed against mine last year—someone I once saw as a rival, now suddenly a teammate. Our first challenge was choosing a team name,
and with personalities ranging from extreme extroverts to deep introverts, that task alone felt like a race of its own. Still, we managed to blend everyone’s ideas into a name we all proudly carried into the competition. Throughout the race, my team performed exceptionally well at each checkpoint—far better than before—and I was convinced this would finally be the year I tasted victory. But fate had other plans. In the middle of conversations and movement from one activity to another, we later realised we had missed a
checkpoint. We faced a tough decision: go back or keep going. Although tired and divided, we chose to return.
On our way back, I had a deep conversation with the mentor I once viewed as a rival. I learned about her inspiring journey—how her higher studies had been interrupted, how she returned later to complete them, and how going back in life did not scare her. It reminded me that life isn’t a straight line. I shared my own experiences too, and we found meaningful connection along the trail. My mentor also spoke to me about happiness and its “formula,” a lesson that stayed with me long after the race. At each checkpoint, different teammates stepped up with their unique strengths, helping us earn maximum points. Despite our differences, we worked as a team—so well, in fact, that the TikTok we made together even went viral. When the final results were announced, we were shocked to learn we placed third. But the moments we shared were priceless. I met new people, experienced true teamwork, and handled a marketing challenge exceptionally well—skills far beyond what is taught in class. These lessons are worth far more to me than coming first. Besides, there’s always next year, and I know it will be even better.

By Tabby:
“Banshee” was the name we proudly gave ourselves in the 2025 Amazing Race. Throughout the race, as we solved each challenge, I realised that teamwork was everything. At some point we chatted so much that we missed a station—but we went back and recovered our points. One of the challenges required us to convince the judges to buy something from us, basically, to create an advert. We acted out a whole commercial! As the rest of the team emerged from the woods looking tired and famished, I presented them with “Banshee Water,” which we had branded. I claimed it contained nutrients and electrolytes, and the judges were struggling to catch their breath from laughing. My personal favourite was The Amazing Race Got Talent. We sang the Christmas carol “O Holy Night,” showing off our harmony. I ended the day tired but happy. It was fully worth it—the people I met, my fellow mentees, the mentoring department and especially my group mates, who reminded me that enjoying the game is the bigger picture.

By Ethan:
Karura Forest was serene and calming to my nervous system, with fresh air and beautiful views. The team-building activities were fun—some even quite funny—and I definitely enjoyed myself, especially around my cool teammates. I would genuinely recommend the Amazing Race to anyone interested in socialising and long walks. I had a blast! My only advice: learn how to read maps beforehand… otherwise, you’ll pay the price like we did.

By Nicole:
The Amazing Race 2025 is an experience I will cherish as my final fun memory as a Strathmore student. From the simple joy of receiving our cool, distinguishing bandanas to the unexpected detours caused by deep conversations with brilliant people, the day was nothing short of amazing. It was in those moments of losing track of the race that I found the most value. The event provided a rare sense of freedom—a feeling of being pleasantly out of touch with reality—that allowed my mind to truly relax and be present. These
unscripted moments created the most meaningful memories and the kinds of friendships you never want to lose. Without a doubt, I would relive that dayagain and again.

By Rebecca:
I had a truly amazing time at the Amazing Race event. I enjoyed participating in all the activities at every station. I also loved the walk through the forest and how well we worked together as a group. We encouraged each other the whole time and had a lot of fun with the challenges, including a TikTok dance. I learned so much during the race. It taught me how to solve problems while working with others and showed me the importance of teamwork and encouragement. It was more than just a race—it was a chance to make new friends and create great memories outside regular classes. I would definitely recommend participating in events like this because they make learning fun and help build important social skills. I’m so happy I got to be part of the Amazing Race 2025.

BY Rachel:
On Wednesday, 19th November, we went for a mentor–mentee activity at Karura Forest, and it was an amazing experience. We participated in many activities that required us to think, use our brains and develop critical thinking. We did enigmas, miming and guessing, games, cultural general knowledge questions, and my favourite—acting. It wasn’t just an outing to play games; it was also a learning experience. I learned a lot through all these activities. It was a bit sad that my team missed a turn, which set us back. If we hadn’t missed it, we might have taken first place. Next time, we need to be more cautious: read the map properly and follow the instructions. But overall, it was a wonderful race, and I hope I get the chance to participate again—and bring even more people along.

As they recounted their day and shared their experiences, the mentees were visibly beaming with excitement. It was clear they had thoroughly enjoyed stepping outside the usual Strathmore corridors to play, laugh, and bond with their mentors in a relaxed outdoor setting. The day was filled with joy, energy, and meaningful connections, making it a truly memorable experience for everyone involved. With such positive memories, the mentees are already looking forward to the next adventure in 2026—one they anticipate will be even bigger, better, and more amazing.