It all began with an internship close to Mombasa. I worked at a local school for 2 months. While I was there I already got to discover a bit of the Southern coastal area. When I was not working in the school I got to accompany teachers or the director on trips. And on the weekends I went to the beach or to Mombasa with some of the other volunteers I met during this time. I have a special weakness for the colourful Kangas women wear here. I have already found a few fabrics that I love and have had dresses made out of them.

One of the weekend trips took me to Tsavo East National Park. It is my first safari. I just cannot believe that I see all these animals in the wild that I otherwise only know from visits to the zoo. Giraffes are just so majestic when they walk about between the bushes and gently grab a branch with their purple tongue. There is a lot to see further to the ground as well. Gazelles in all shapes and sizes pass our car. Ostriches shake their feathers. And then we get a call over the car radio. There has been a lion sighting. It is a small group of females. I cannot believe it. And we see so many elephants. Big ones, little ones, big groups and small groups. Their skin is orangey golden from the dirt. By the end of the day I am covered in red dust as well. The evenings and mornings are the most beautiful. The golden light is just magical. There is a lake by the lodge and the hippos surface every once in a while. I lie in bed at night and listen to the sounds of the savanna. I could lie here forever and listen to the orchestra outside.

I have just returned from my weekend trip to Lamu. It was so beautiful and an adventure. I started early and took the bus to Likoni Ferry at 5.45am. By 9.30am I have taken the ferry across the estuary, a matatu to the bus offices and negotiated a spot on the bus heading north. My seat neighbour is originally from Lamu and we talk a lot over the next hours. It is always so interesting to chat to people. The last three hours we drive over unpaved roads. All my bones ache by the time we reach the ferry. I guess I understand now why lots of people fly instead of drive up here.

I quickly find a hotel and go on my first discovery tour. The whole island is car-free and I enjoy the calmness. Lamu is famous for its elaborately wooden carved doors. The roads are narrow and only donkeys can pass. The doorways are often covered in bougainvillea.  A sailing tour takes me around the islands and we stop at the beautiful white beaches. It is such a lovely relaxing stay. 

At the end of my internship I have a couple of weeks left and that is when my real African adventure starts. It is late in the evening and I am standing at the bus stop in Mombasa. The night bus to Kisumu is going to leave in a few minutes and I am excited to see a different part of the country. The western part of the country is so green compared to the coast. I love the contrast and look forward to exploring more.

I am in Kericho. There are tea plantations everywhere. Since I am a passionate tea drinker this was of course a place I simply had to visit. It is beautiful and very quiet. In general Western Kenya reminds me in many ways of the highlands in Ecuador. It is green, everywhere there are little towns and villages and the hills are spotted with small fields. The rows and rows of tea bushes are wonderful to see. But the weather is pretty cool and rainy. I will not complain too much, though. After the heat of the coast the cooler weather is nice. 

In Nakuru I meet a woman I have met in Lamu. We want to go on a safari to Nakuru National Park.

The flamingos are everywhere around the lake. The first rhinos I get to see are a little family. I cannot believe my luck. The little one is such a cutie. A group of giraffes slowly walk past our car. We observe gazelles and zebras. I am always fascinated by the lions. They are such majestic animals. Baboons, marabous and crowned cranes are among the other animals we see. Because of all the „big“ animals, I kind of forget to mention the smaller ones, the birds and monkeys and lizards. It was such a lovely day. I am still in awe of seeing so many different animals.

My next stop is Naivasha. I want to visit Hell’s Gate National Park by bike. In the evening I meet a group of Canadians in the restaurant and we plan on going together tomorrow. It is just unbelievable to cycle through this majestic landscape and see zebras, giraffes and warthogs stroll by. There are no major predatory animals in the Park so cycling is perfectly safe here. We have lots of fun and enjoy this day very much.

In Nairobi I meet another friend again and we go to markets, visit the Karen Blixen Museum and just relax. I enjoy the big city life after my overland travels, a laundromat, a nice restaurant, a comfortable guesthouse. The constant haggling at the markets can be fun and strenuous at the same time.  But I want to go home with a few souvenirs to remind me of this special trip to Kenya.

And then it is time to take a bus back to Mombasa and pick up my luggage and fly home. Three months in Kenya passed by so quickly. I loved my internship and the possibilities it offered me. I worked with so many lovely people and had a wonderful time. I got to see a bit of Kenya and traveling around was definitely my favourite part. Matatus are really the best way to get around the country.