Journey to Kenya
November 2002: As part of a thrilling three-week adventure marking my first-ever visit to sub-Saharan Africa, I made my way to Kenya after an incredible time exploring Uganda. Boarding a local bus from bustling Kampala, I settled in for an unforgettable journey eastward toward the Indian Ocean. After many hours on the road, filled with vibrant scenes of rural life and bustling towns, I finally arrived in the historic port city of Mombasa.
Discovering Diani Beach
From Mombasa, I continued on to the idyllic shores of Diani Beach. Immediately, I understood why travelers rave about this tropical paradise—pristine white sands fringed by coral reefs, warm turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees created a picture-perfect setting. It was a place to unwind, to soak in the sun, and to experience the relaxed coastal lifestyle of Kenya.
Camera Misadventures
Unfortunately, my disposable camera had other plans. Despite my excitement at capturing these magical moments, it malfunctioned spectacularly, leaving me with a collection of blurry, washed-out images that did little justice to the stunning beauty of Diani Beach. Lesson learned: some memories are perhaps best kept vividly alive through stories rather than snapshots.
My route
Exploring Nature’s Treasures
I was mesmerized by the beauty of the Indian Ocean, and I loved how Diani Beach still retained its natural charm, far from being overdeveloped. There were wonderful pockets of forested coastline where I delighted in encounters with playful vervet monkeys and giant lizards. Staying at a budget beach hotel, I organized scuba diving trips to stunning coral reefs, fascinating shipwrecks, and even braved the thrill of a night dive. It would have been easy to spend my entire week in this paradise, but I knew that being in Kenya without experiencing a safari would be a missed opportunity too great to ignore.
Diani Beach
A Kenyan girl that followed me and begged me to marry her and take her with me to the USA.
Vervet monkey outside my hotel sliding door that tried to sneak into my room
My dive boat on the Indian ocean
Sunset over Diani Beach
Safari Adventure in Tsavo
I organized a two-night safari to Tsavo National Park from Diani Beach. Booking a private safari tent, complete with its own shower and toilet, overlooking a watering hole allowed me the extraordinary opportunity to watch wildlife directly from my tent. This experience was truly a dream come true. Even though I had previously seen lions and elephants in Uganda, my excitement remained high to observe more African wildlife.
Tsavo’s fame stems from its legendary lions, which gained notoriety during British colonial times when indentured laborers building a railway across the region mysteriously vanished in the night. Eventually, it was discovered that a pair of man-eating male lions were responsible for the disappearances, ultimately claiming the lives of at least 135 workers before being hunted down and killed by a professional big-game hunter.
I felt incredibly fortunate to witness numerous lions and even cheetahs during my safari. Falling asleep to the distant roar of lions echoing across the savannah each night made the experience even more unforgettable. Tsavo National Park was truly incredible—I only wish I’d had a better camera to capture it all.
Entrance gate
My safari tent in tsavo
Watering hole by my tent
Elephant on the road
Returning Home
From Tsavo, I traveled by public bus to Nairobi, where I boarded my flight back to the USA. My incredible Kenyan adventure had come to an end, but the unforgettable experiences and vivid memories would stay with me forever.