Kenya – A Treasured Memory

Kenya blew me away from the moment I stepped into the Nairobi airport. Kenyans love to yell out Karibu which means welcome with the broadest smile like there isn’t any trouble in the world.

Untouched nature, raw wilderness, and genuinely happy people

I wish I have the photos to show all of Kenya, unfortunately, the memory will remain forever treasured in me. I lost all of my photos while transferring them to my laptop by accidentally deleting them.

I have bits and pieces that were saved on my Snapchat memory which I hope could inspire you to visit Kenya.

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The first place I wanted to visit was Kibera. The driver refused to take me there because of the danger that I would expose for myself and the driver but I wanted to see it with my own eyes. He shared horrifying stories and anyone would speed off driving if they have to pass through the neighborhood.

The driver then agreed to take me with a condition that I can only see it from a viewpoint without taking any photos and to stay in the car with my windows up and locked doors. I discreetly took a few photos.

It was heartbreaking to see the poverty and the driver shared even more heartbreaking stories of what goes on within the neighborhood. I wish there was something I could do to help them but it’s something that the world needs to combat together.

Kibera is the largest slum in Africa and 3rd largest in the world.

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After the disturbing visit to Kibera, the driver took me to an amazing restaurant called Carnivores where they serve all kinds of meat to take my mind off it before we start the day.

From crocodile, ostrich, ox, rabbit, ducks, and other exotic meat; Carnivores Restaurant has them all!

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Kenya is a perfect place to get up close and personal with wildlife.

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Not only terrestrial animals, but also aquatic ones.

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And of course the wild ones in the untouched wilderness of Maasai Mara! 😀

I believe everyone should experience a wild and raw safari trip for a minimum of 4 days. It’s got to be the real deal, not the developed and constructed safari!

It was beautiful driving through the plains and observing how different wildlife interact with one another in their own habitat; where they belong.

I watched a lioness and her baby cubs play around and all I wanted to do is to get in between and cuddle with them. They were the cutest thing ever!

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The cubs were very playful after a big meal!

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This was taken shortly after the sunrise. The sunrise over a vast plain of shrubs and naked trees with different wildlife animals grazing as the sun rises was the most picturesque thing ever.

Sunrise in Maasai Mara is something you should not miss!

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I recommend going during the great migration of 2 million wildebeest so you can witness the incredible movement of wildebeest from Tanzania to Kenya.

The wildebeests have to risk crossing over a crocodile-filled river in Maasai Mara to go on to the other side.

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And one of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting the Maasai Mara village and getting acquainted with their culture and tradition.

Did you know that a Maasai has to kill a lion with a spear to be considered as a true warrior in order to be eligible for marriage!? 

I learned so much about the Maasai when I met them and they are the nicest and most welcoming people ever. They lead a very simple life filled with harmony.

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Need some refreshment after hot days on a wild safari? Go to Mombasa for some breathtaking clear blue beach and pure white sand! Kilifi beach was my favorite! 

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There were loads of monkeys swinging and colorful lizards crawling around the beach 😀

It was not easy to capture those bright colored lizards. This is the best shot I got. They are everywhere but they crawl around the bushes so fast that I kept on losing sight of them!

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The photos shared are the only ones I have taken on Snapchat while 99% of the photos were taken from a rented DSLR camera, unfortunately, it all got deleted. Oh well! As the Kenyans like to say it; Hakuna Matata 😀