Kenya, Home to "The Big Five"

"You're going on vacation alone? Is it safe? Won't you get lonely?" I heard several variations of those questions as I took my first solo vacation. Recovering from severe burnout that got me into hospital, I thought it was the right time to set goals, recalibrate, rediscover my passions and redefine success. Looking at the globe, my passport, and then the thought of visa applications, Kenya made it to the top of my long list. I had been to Kenya several times in the past and had done the whole safari in Nakuru and Naivasha, partied hard in Nairobi, and roamed the streets of Kisumu. So in that sense, Kenya was not new to me. However, all the times I was there, I was with friends and family, who were unavailable this time. Liberating yet terrifying, I decided to go on my own. I thought of all the possible risks but then again remembered the joy of being able to set your own pace; do whatever you'd like to do without accountability to anyone besides yourself. Like that, I booked a ticket to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, ready for my first solo vacation.

To get to Nairobi, I took an hour’s flight from Entebbe International Airport on Uganda Airlines, which departed and arrived right on time. Nairobi is the bustling capital of Kenya and one of the largest cities in Africa. Popularly known as “Green City in the Sun,” the name Nairobi comes from the Maasai phrase “Enkare Nyorobi,” which translates to “place of cool waters,” in reference to Nairobi river which flows through the city. Nairobi is known for its beautiful national park, Nairobi National Park, in the heart of the city. It is home to a spectacular array of wildlife, including rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and diverse species of birds. It has excellent museums, majestic gardens, unique galleries, and beautiful markets where you can shop for anything and everything. The city is busy, dynamic, and charming, yet natural simultaneously. It is surrounded by lush green trees that one could think that they are in the middle of a forest in some areas of Karen. Here are some of the beautiful places I was delighted to visit in Nairobi and on the Kenyan coast:

Nairobi National Museum

Kenya's cultural heritage is rich, diverse, and fascinating. Its earliest inhabitants were hunter-gatherers. According to archeological research, Cushites settled in Kenya between 3200 and 1300 BC, replacing the hunter-gatherers. Nilotic-speaking pastoralists began migrating from present-day South Sudan to Kenya around 500 BC. Between 250 BC and 500 AD, Bantu people followed and settled at the coast and interior of Kenya. European contact in Kenya began in 1500 AD with the Portuguese Empire, and the effective colonization of Kenya began in the 19th century during the European exploration of the interior. Modern-day Kenya emerged from a Protectorate established by the British Empire in 1895 and the subsequent Kenya Colony, which began in 1920. Nairobi National Museum was officially opened in 1930 and preserves and showcases the country's culture, history, nature, and contemporary art. Located on Museum Hill, Nairobi National Museum has other attractions within the compound. These include the snake park, botanical gardens, and an auditorium that occasionally hosts concerts, film shows, and other events. Today, Nairobi Museum is full of beautiful pavilions, which give you an in-depth understanding of Kenya and its people. It also hosts regular workshops, exhibitions, and seminars, so it's not just a museum but a multifunctional learning center.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) has a rich and deeply-rooted history in wildlife and conservation. The Trust provides a haven to orphaned and injured elephants, rehabilitating them until they can be released back into the wild. Every orphaned elephant that comes to the Trust has its own story. Some have lost their mothers to poachers or human-wildlife conflict; others are the victims of drought or natural causes. The Trust then provides the first stage in the hand-rearing and development of milk-dependent baby elephants. Once they graduate from the nursery, aged 2-3 years, the elephants move to one of the DSWT's Reintegration Centres in Tsavo East National Park, where they will ultimately return to the wild. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is more than just a tourist destination; it is the world's most successful and recognized elephant rehabilitation and conservation example. In addition to providing a home to orphaned elephants, the Trust runs anti-poaching teams, mobile veterinary clinics, and works to conserve areas of Kenya, which are damaged by human encroachment.

Nairobi Railway Museum

Nairobi railway museum is a fascinating introduction to an essential piece of the colonial history of Kenya, narrating the tale of the railway construction and the challenges of building in that era. The railroad, officially named the Uganda Railway, was constructed between 1895 and 1901 from Mombasa to Kisumu and later to Uganda to link Uganda to the coast. The museum was established in 1971 by the then East African Railways and Harbours Corporation to preserve and display relics and records of the railways of East Africa from their inception to the present day. The museum consists of the resource center, the main gallery, and the auditorium. The outdoor yard has a collection of rolling stock, steam engine locomotives, wagons, and coaches in various stages of disrepair, dating from the steam days to independence.

Diani Beach

Diani beach is everything that comes to mind when you think of a tropical paradise. It is remote and away from the city, tranquil with glistening white sands, pristine turquoise waters, and abundant marine wildlife to discover. Located 30 km south of Mombasa, surrounded by the Indian ocean with countless resorts, Diani is the perfect place for a solo vacation. It has clear blue skies with a pleasant breeze that lowers the high humidity of the coast. Diani, and perhaps, the whole of coastal Kenya, is believed to be the origin of East African civilization. Around the 9th century, Indian and Arab traders came to trade on the East African coast. They mingled with the indigenous people to create the Swahili culture, most of which is still thriving at the coast. In the 15th century, the Portuguese dominated the area for the next two centuries, after which the Oman Arabs took over. At the turn of the 19th century, the British established a foothold and declared the coast a British protectorate.

Diani Beach is one of the best places in the world to take long beach walks - its shoreline is a spread of white sandy beaches. There’s nothing as therapeutic as a long walk by the beach; it helps you clear your mind as you enjoy the cool breeze, observe the quiet beach life, and get stunned by the beautiful turquoise waters. I took a glass-bottom boat ride at the beach, which allowed me to look into the ocean. During the glass-bottom ride, we headed for Robinson island, a sandbar that pops up during low tide. The sandbar is a tiny island in the open sea where you are surrounded by endless water. While there, you can choose just to lay and sunbathe or jump into the deeper waters for a snorkeling session. Exotic fish such as firefish, sea urchins, starfish, zebrafish, octopus, fascinating marine life, and corals offer a beautiful and fantastic view.

To watch dolphins, we boarded a dhow, a typical Arabian boat that took us through the waters of Kisite. We navigated deeper and deeper into the sea to find the dolphins. Watching these friendly mammals in true freedom was a treat for the senses. The boat anchored and gave us free time to jump into the water and snorkel - enjoy the calm waters and admire the fantastic coral bed. After the two-hour boat ride of Kisite National Marine Park, we stopped at Wasini island to enjoy delicious seafood lunch.

In all, the solo vacation was refreshing; I came back home with a sense of purpose and more streamlined goals. I also got to make friends with two beautiful couples - one on honeymoon and another celebrating 19 years of marriage. I recommend Kenya as a place to visit, whether to slow down or take an activity-packed vacation.