When I was still busy with my studies, I had promised myself that I would be more conscious and deliberate about intracontinental travelling. Considering that I live in Africa, my mileage on the continent is pretty low. Granted, this is due to a number of solid reasons, some of which are beyond my control (and really a topic for another day). I graduated in 2019, and so I planned my first trip to Nairobi, Kenya π°πͺ. I travelled to Nairobi in early March 2020. This was before the Coronavirus induced lockdown and the closure of borders. I just made in time.
I have a two great friends that grew up in Kenya, that I, ironically, met while studying abroad in the United States. One of them, Kari, moved back to Nairobi, and so she was my contact and guide through the city. My other favourite Kenyan is still living in the United States. It is their stories about the “Green City in the Sun” that made me yearn to visit the city.
I flew with Kenyan Airways, and the flight from Johannesburg was about four hours. It was pleasant, and the flight was on time, and Kari, my friend, was picking me up from the airport. The reunion was loud and fantastic, of course. She visited me in Cape Town, and saw me in my “natural” habitat, so it was my turn to see her in her home country.
This was my first time in Kenya, in fact, it was my first time in East Africa. I was excited, as I usually am when I travel, but also for my time in Nairobi I had high expectations because a number of South African friends that I respect, speak highly of Nairobi.
Another South African friend, Mutangwa, joined me for the trip in Nairobi. She is one of the pictures. βΊοΈ She was a great travelling companion, and for the first time, I realised the advantages, and really pleasures, of travelling with a friend. Until this trip, I had really only travelled solo because most of my travels have been attached to academic scholarship, which does not lend itself to company.
In Nairobi we stayed in an apartment in the Westlands area, which felt nicely central. It was a stone throw away from the fabulous One Africa Place building, which I christened my favourite building in all of Nairobi. The building has a good restaurant, which is where I had my last meal the night before I flew back to Cape Town.
I had three important things on my bucket list for Nairobi. First, I had to go to the very popular Elephant and Rhino Orphanage. I was teased by my friends that this was a very touristy thing to do, and I didn’t care. Elephants are adorable, and I love the stories of elephants who grow up in the orphanage and forever remember their caretakers. Also, the people who work at the orphanage do the work of god. Secondly, I had to go to the Giraffe Centre, because, well, they are also cute. The Giraffe Centre is about 40 minutes from Nairobi city centre, and access to the giraffe’s is relatively inexpensive. Giraffe’s are incredibly friendly animals, and we were allowed to feed them. This was super fun, and made me realise that I need to do more wildlife outings here at home. The last things that was a must see was the Shoprite store in Nairobi. My friend, Zen, suggested a visit to the store. It was an experience. While Shoprite is a kind-of a “discount” store here, in Nairobi Shoprite has Woolworths credentials. Situated inside a fancy shopping centre, the Nairobi Shoprite is so larney, you have to do a double take. I loved it. It was a great lesson of how perception is reality, and how with marketing and branding, you can sell water pumps to whales.
Nairobi is a fun city and Kenyans know how to party. On Sunday, the day after I arrived, we went to this fantastic Sunday day-party with panorama views of the Nairobi National Park. I felt like I was really being transported to another world. There were great views with nothing but nature in sight, and a gorgeous sunset, beautiful young people having a great time and dressed to impress, and an incredible lineup of DJ’s who kept us fixed on the dance floor. The last time I danced like I did on this particular Sunday was back in the mid 2000’s when I was an undergrad student. The music spoke to my soul, partly because there was a huge South Africa selection, but there was a heavy rotation of East and West African sounds as well. That was a magical Sunday, and we, African children, set that dance floor alight. It was a night that has guaranteed my return to this crazy amazing city.
Photo credits at the Giraffe Centre: Mutangwa.
The Elephant and Rhino Orphanage
