Discover Kenya: An Unexpected Journey Through Wildlife and Culture

I, who have never been a fan of traveling and even somewhat resistant to it, was dragged by a good friend on a journey to Kenya.

When I set off from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, my face was etched with reluctance, convinced that this would be yet another tedious and exhausting trip. As I boarded the international flight with China Southern Airlines, my only wish was for this so-called adventure to end as quickly as possible. Upon arriving in Nairobi, Kenya, I couldn’t help but think, “What could possibly be new and interesting here?” However, the days that followed completely shattered my expectations.

In Amboseli National Park, I had anticipated nothing more than a run-of-the-mill campsite. But when I looked up at night, Mount Kilimanjaro shimmered mysteriously under the starlit sky, and in that moment, something gently stirred my heart.

The boat ride on Lake Naivasha, which I thought would be just a mundane tour, unexpectedly brought me up close to a family of hippos. Their charming appearance made me burst into laughter, unable to contain my joy.

The hot spring eggs in Bogoria, which I initially dismissed as a gimmick, turned out to be uniquely flavored with the essence of the hot springs. As I savored them and watched the flamingos gracefully covering the lake, I realized I was already deeply captivated.

The safari in Maasai Mara left me utterly astonished. I had expected it to be just a casual drive, but after breakfast, we spent the entire day on a game drive in Maasai Mara National Park. The countless rare animals I saw were so breathtaking that words failed to describe the experience.

Walking on a safari in the private reserve of Maasai Mara with a Maasai guard, I was initially full of worry and found it extremely boring. But as I truly stepped onto that land and felt the pulse of nature, I realized how wrong I was. There was also the African “beast feast” at one of the world’s top 50 barbecue restaurants. At first, I was concerned it wouldn’t suit my taste, but the abundant and delicious food made my taste buds dance with delight.

Finally, returning to Nairobi, I thought there would be nothing much to see in the city. But as I strolled through the streets, admiring the local architecture and interacting closely with Rothschild’s giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, I suddenly realized I had fallen deeply in love with this place.

This trip to Kenya completely overturned my perceptions.

It turns out that there are still so many wonderful corners in the world waiting for us to discover.