Full Hearts, Back Home

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 though we were bidding farewell to all the animals that had become familiar companions over the past weeks: zebras, gazelles, antelopes, and rhinos.

Then Leo Ferdinand suddenly pointed out of the window.

“Sixteen giraffes!”

Sure enough, after counting carefully, there they were: sixteen giraffes moving gracefully across the landscape. Magnificent animals, and a wonderful farewell gift from Kenya.

In the end, however, this turned into our lion day.

By now, we had seen so much wildlife that we no longer felt the need to search for anything in particular. But when we came across two lions watching a herd of buffalo and zebras, we stopped and waited, wondering whether they might attempt a hunt.

For more than an hour, we watched.

Eventually, the lions lost interest, stretched out in the grass, and settled down to rest. We continued on our way.

Only to find another pair of lions.

This time, a male and a female.

And then, just as we were leaving the park, we spotted two lionesses hidden in the bushes, carefully watching a zebra.

It felt like the perfect ending.

On the drive back, Julius suddenly asked:

“Do you know what Switzerland has that Kenya doesn’t?”

We all looked at him.

“What?”

“Tunnels.”

And he was absolutely right.

In nearly three months, we had not driven through a single tunnel. Back home, we pass through several before we even reach our village.

A little later, another child added:

“And they don’t have traffic lights either.”

That is not entirely true, Nairobi does have traffic lights, but compared to Switzerland they are surprisingly rare. We had barely noticed them during our travels.

Leaving our house in Nanyuki felt surprisingly emotional.

Charles spoiled us one final time with waffles and a beautiful fruit platter. Outside, zebras, impalas, and warthogs wandered past the garden as if they had come to say goodbye as well.

Julius looked out the window and said:

“It’s like having cows, goats, and deer standing in front of our house.”

We all laughed.

Although some of us felt it was probably closer to having donkeys, goats, and pigs in the garden.

Then it was time to leave.

We drove the four hours to Nairobi, squeezed in one last haircut for the boys, and returned to the Indian restaurant where we had eaten during our first week in Kenya. It felt fitting to end our journey where part of it had begun.

After saying goodbye to my cousin and taking one final shower, we headed to the airport.

The overnight flight was exhausting. The children were fascinated by the entertainment screens and not particularly pleased when I insisted they switch them off. Fortunately, they all fell asleep soon afterwards.

We were lucky: the plane was only half full, giving everyone enough space to stretch out and get at least a little rest.

Via Brussels, we finally arrived in Zurich around midday.

Tired but excited, we began the final stage of our journey into the mountains.

And then, suddenly, we were home.

Snow still covered the highest peaks. The meadows were bright green and filled with flowers. Everything looked impossibly beautiful.

And then came one final surprise.

Friends had prepared a welcome-home surprise for us.

We were deeply touched.

After three months away, it was a wonderful reminder of how fortunate we are—not only to have experienced such an adventure, but also to have such a special place to return to.

On Monday, normal life begins again.

School. Work. Routines.

As we look back, we feel immensely grateful for this opportunity we had as a family. We explored so much of Kenya, from its beaches and semi-desert landscapes to its lush green regions and extraordinary wildlife. We met wonderful people and learned far more about this beautiful country and its culture than we ever imagined possible.

Tonight, we fall into bed with full hearts.

Grateful for the adventure.

Grateful for the memories.

Grateful to be home.

And grateful that, for a little while, Kenya became part of our lives, and will always remain part of our hearts.