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After 88 days on the road, exploring Kenya's beaches, lush green landscapes, and semi-desert regions, cleaning beaches, and searching for wildlife, we are finally home. We spent our final day in Nanyuki exactly where we wanted to be: the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. And what a day it was. We began by visiting Baraka, the blind rhino, one last time. Then we stopped at the chimpanzee sanctuary, where we also said goodbye to the baboons. As we drove through the conservancy, it felt as

Over the long weekend, we headed north to Shaba for another family adventure with my cousin and some friends. And the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a completely different world. The journey itself already felt like travelling through different climates. In Nanyuki, it had been cold and rainy, which caused Leo Ferdinand to complain: “I came to Africa and I’m freezing!” A few hours later in Shaba, the complaints changed completely. “Now it’s far too hot!” Shaba

On Wednesday, Leo-Ferdinand and Wenzel finally arrived. The children had prepared a welcome poster and were incredibly excited to see them again. Just like in Kilifi, everybody immediately started talking at once, eager to share everything they had experienced so far. This time, however, the stories were all about wildlife and it was nice to see how much they learned in the last weeks and it seems they already became little wildlife experts. “Did you know an impala can jump t

We spent the last few days high on the slopes of Mount Kenya with Harry, a friend from university, and his family. We drove there in convoy, slowly leaving the open farmland behind before entering dense forest that felt almost tropical. Giant trees surrounded us, each seeming to tell its own story. They were so magical and beautiful that I could easily have spent a few more hours simply wandering through that forest in awe. Sooner than I expected, however, we reached the ed

The last few days brought a few unexpected changes to our plans. Demonstrations took place across the country on Monday, and after being advised to stay home, we decided to cancel our outing on Tuesday until things had calmed down. Luckily for us, the situation settled quickly, and soon we were able to continue exploring again. What we have discovered is that the area around Mount Kenya is filled with conservancies and reserves. Some you can simply drive through, while others

We spent the weekend on another trip into the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. And once again, it felt magical. Our first stop was the Equator. As the Equator runs directly through the conservancy, there is a place where it is clearly marked. It felt strangely exciting to literally stand and walk on and across the line dividing the northern and southern hemispheres. The children loved it, and we all immediately agreed that we should return with Leo-Ferdinand and Wenzel when they arrive

Slowly, we are finding our rhythm here in Nanyuki. The mornings begin gently. Charles, who looks after the house and clearly loves cooking, spoils us every day with fresh pancakes. “The family always loves pancakes,” he told us with a smile. “So I make them every day.” And honestly, none of us are complaining. After breakfast, we settle into a little homeschooling. There is not much work left before we return to Europe in a few weeks, so the days feel lighter now. More drawin

We have been enjoying the peace and quiet here at our house, simply observing the different animals passing by and soaking in the beauty of being here. We have been playing cards again, making pancakes, and finishing some last bits of schoolwork. As we enjoyed another calm morning in our little routine, Assunta suddenly said, “I don’t feel as if we are travelling anymore. It just feels so normal.” As we sat by the window, we watched the animals wander past: the two warthogs

We spent a wonderful weekend with my university friend Harry, his wife Clara, and their lovely children. They have built such a beautiful home near Nanyuki, and it was inspiring to see what they have created together. There are goats, chickens, geese, and, to the children’s great delight, horses. After a relaxed breakfast on Saturday morning, the children disappeared almost immediately into their own little paradise. They rode bikes, groomed the horses, fed the animals, and e

The past two days have been shaped by nature, wildlife, and moments that felt almost unreal. At dawn, we set off for the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, just a few minutes from the house where we are staying. The air was still cool as we entered the park, and almost immediately we were surrounded by wildlife. Herds of zebras stood grazing in the soft morning light, while birds moved everywhere around us, from tiny colourful species to the magnificent crowned cranes. Julius was especia

Yesterday was a full day, with many different encounters and impressions. We began the morning in Kawangware, visiting a school supported by a friend of a friend. A place built with a simple but powerful intention: to give children here a chance. Schooling in Kenya is said to be free, but in reality, uniforms, books, and meals still need to be paid for. For many families, even that is too much. This school helps carry that burden, and slowly but surely, it is creating change

It was a full and lively weekend, shaped by our time with the children from Sunbeam Children’s Home. Saturday was bursting with energy. The children had prepared performances, and later in the afternoon we all gathered outside for games. Everyone joined in with excitement. There was laughter, cheering, and a surprising level of competitiveness. After about an hour and a half, we were all happily exhausted. Then, almost without warning, the sky changed. Dark clouds rolled in,

We travelled from Nairobi to Kisumu, catching our first glimpse of Lake Victoria from the sky, its vastness stretching to the horizon. At the airport, Moses was waiting for us, and from there we began the drive to Amagoro, near the Ugandan border, set in a lush, hilly landscape. The three-hour drive felt like entering a different world. The city gave way to open countryside, and everything turned intensely green. Fields of maize, banana trees, and sugarcane lined the road. Tu

The past two days felt slower as we stayed in Lodwar. After the heavy rains, we were especially grateful that we hadn’t continued our journey to Nariokotome. Father Denis showed us a short video of the rivers, now wide and fast flowing. Even if we had made it to the mission, we would not have made it back in time. It takes a few days for the water to recede. In the end, things unfolded as they should. The children were also not feeling their best, so the slower rhythm suited

The past few days have been full in every sense. Full of encounters, impressions, and small moments that stay with you. There is so much to take in. So many layers to this place, its people, and their way of life. One thing became clear very quickly: Kenyans love music, and not quietly. We had already noticed it in the matatus in Nairobi, where music fills the bus and seems to move through your whole body. But here in Lodwar, it took on a new dimension. When we arrived at the

Yesterday began with one of those small, unexpected moments that stay with you. When I asked Julius if he had slept well, he replied, “Yes, very well… I only woke up when I wasn’t dreaming.” A perfect start to the day. Our morning began with a conversation about the Mary’s Meals programme here in Turkana. It was both inspiring and eye-opening. The organisation provides daily meals to children in one of Kenya’s most food-insecure regions, helping them attend school and focus o

Yesterday unfolded more quietly than expected. With protests announced across Nairobi, we were advised to stay close to home, not knowing how the situation might develop. So we settled into a slower rhythm at the apartment, homeschooling, making (and eating) plenty of popcorn, and the children enjoying an episode or two of Checker Tobi. We did venture out briefly, just a short walk away, to meet my cousin for lunch at a delicious Vietnamese restaurant. Julius also managed to

We spent our last days in Kilifi soaking it all in, appreciating the stunning white beach and wondering when we might see something quite so beautiful again. We watched the monkeys and found ourselves asking whether we would see the same kind elsewhere in Kenya, or if each place would bring something new. On our final day, we enjoyed the pool, the garden, the house, and, of course, time with friends who had introduced us to KivuKoni School and so many other parts of life here

We woke to the sound of footsteps above our heads. For a brief moment, I wasn’t quite sure what was making that loud, fast, unmistakably wild noise. Monkeys. They were chasing each other across the roof, jumping from one side to the other, their footsteps echoing against the corrugated metal. Sleep was no longer an option. But as we stepped outside, the early wake-up suddenly didn’t feel so bad at all. The sun was just beginning to rise, the ocean still calm and peaceful, and

Yesterday was another quiet day at home, filled with homeschooling, swimming, card games, and practicing card tricks. In between, we watched monkeys and geckos, and even discovered a tiny, tiny baby gecko. Julius was completely fascinated. He gently picked it up and let it crawl across his hand.“They feel so funny,” he said, and of course, the girls had to try as well. Later, the children decided to make pancakes again, this time for the Ocean Sole Mamaz, whom we visited this