Introduction: getting out of the bustling metropolis

Nairobi is the best homebase to discover all of Republic of Kenya. Most people living and working in Nairobi, just live to leave the city again. As much as I enjoy the city life, I was also very eager to leave the traffic, noise and hustling behind. Whether by airplane, bus or train - there are many great destinations in reach. Traveling within Kenya seems quite uncomplicated and affordable. Due to my project, I could go on multiple field trips. In addition, I used very second weekend and official holiday to get around.

Lake Victoria: from the fresh fish to the rain forest

My consultancy for Angaza brought me to Western Kenya. Visiting distributors of solar lanterns and home systems in the rural surroundings of Kisumu and Kakamega. From the very first moment, I enjoyed this area! Life is so much more relaxed and people seemingly more friendly. At the Lake Victoria, I enjoyed tasty tilapia fish and observed hippos. Around Kakamega, I slandered through small markets and cycled through Kenya’s last rain forest.

Lake Turkana: simple life between desert and lake

On a small charter flight, we landed on a dusty airstrip in the middle of nowhere. Twelve random people joining a weekend trip to the Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival. This was also my only travel with only expats, gathered online on Internations.org. We had a lot of fun, dancing with a dozen local tribes, admiring their decorative costumes and huts. As a group we went climbing on rocks in the desert and cruising across the lake to observe Crocodiles. For a few days, the Christian Missionary was our home.

Central plateau: living on 2’000 meters above sea

Nairobi sits on the edge of the Rift Valley on a high plateau. This area in central Kenya is between 1’500 and 3’000 meters (5’000 – 10’000 feet) above sea level. Here are also the highest mountains located. With over 5’000 meters, Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa. In Europe, this would be the best region for skiing and snowboarding. Since I am not so much into summer hiking, I did not explore this region so well. Nairobi and its surroundings was enough for me.

Rift Valley: stunning views on the gateway to nature

When driving overland to the west, suddenly an endless valley unfolds. This gigantic valley stretches from Tanzania in the South to Ethiopia in the North. On two separate tours, did I reach the border and stopped to view the stunning outlook. Within the valley, countless volcanos and national parks offer the perfect getaway. My highlight was a daytrip on a national holiday with a large group of young Kenyans. Being the only foreign participants, my friend from California and I experienced a unique trip. Singing and dancing as a warmup, cycling and hiking through a beautiful gorge and then relaxing in a hot spring.

Masai Mara: on a safari to track down all the big five

On a bumpy road we entered the preface to the most famous park. Even the drive through the privately managed conservancy around the Masai Mara was a blast. Zebras, Giraffes, Wildebeests, Pumbas and Gazelles are standing along the road and graze. The park itself topped all my expectations: spotting a Cheetah, calmly relaxing in the high grass; observing a group of Hyenas, waiting for the Lion to free its pray; following the traces of a Lions family with three small cubs; driving around a large herd of wandering Elephants – just to mention a few highlights.

Along the Coast: from ancient tribes to luxury resorts

On two separate trips, I discovered the rich and diverse culture of the coast. Together with my friend from California, I explored the northern part close to Somalia. With little concerns, we flew to the Lamu archipelago. There we captured a crew of local fisherman and sailed to the isolated Pate Island. A few weeks later, I took the epic Railway to Mombasa. Passing by my Kenyan friend’s local home region. Together we explored old Mombasa and relaxed at the white sandy beaches of Diani. Both locations are part of the Swahili coast and are developed since over a millennium.

Summary: thrilled by the diversity of one country

Kenya is so much more than just Nairobi and the Masai Mara. From the Indian Ocean, over the central plateau and the impressive Rift Valley, to the two big lakes in the West – Kenya has not only a rich and diverse nature, but also culture. I am happy and honoured, that I could undertake so many trips and share the experiences with so many great people. Traveling alone does by no means mean, being alone.

Special thanks to everybody who joined me on one or the other trip – you are all wonderful!