This is one of the few tirps I’ve taken where I did NOT have any idea I would be going in advance.
I’ve been talking about wanting to travel to Africal for years now, but figured it would take me at least a year or two of saving up to make it happen. But then, last week, fate stepped in…
My landlord (and friend) is working on a documentary, and part of it involves filming in Africa. Her usual cameraman couldn’t make the trip—so she asked if I’d be down to go instead. Immediately, I was down to go.
With just one week to prepare, I scrambled to gather gear, clear my schedule, and say yes to what would become my first time ever stepping foot on the African continent.
And man, I’m glad I said yes.
✈️ Leg 1: Los Angeles to Amsterdam
The trip kicked off with a 10-hour flight from LA to Amsterdam on KLM Airlines. The flight was solid, and I spent most of it watching movies and eating the amazing meals I had chosen in advance.
One of the wildest things I noticed was how the sun just… never fully went down.
Because Amsterdam sits so far north and I was flying during the summer, nighttime didn’t look like nighttime. There was this reddish glow sitting just under the clouds, like the horizon was dimming but refusing to let the sun disappear.
I kept looking out the window waiting for the sun to fully set, aaaaaand it just never did. By the time 3 AM hit, the sun was already starting to rise and lighting up the entire sky.
Truly an amazing thing to see from high in the sky!
Above: more or less what the sky looked like all night.
☕ A Quick Layover in Amsterdam
Finally, we landed in Amsterdam at 9AM. My first time here! Too bad I didn’t have time to leave the airport 🙁
But even then, it was still cool. I saw a store called “I AmSterdam” with a bright red-and-white sign, a row of oversized Amsterdam sweatshirts, and these giant china teacups being used as actual seats.
Above: ACUTAL tea cup seats!
One thing I learned quickly: Amsterdam isn’t cheap. They run on euros, and the exchange rate made me miss Bali real fast. Still, it was fun to explore a new airport and soak up the vibe.
🌍 Leg 2: Amsterdam to Nairobi
The second leg of the journey was a 9-hour flight to Nairobi. It was a little delayed leaving the ground, and the food wasn’t great this time around (especially for someone lactose intolerant like me—no they tried to give me a cheeze pizza as a snack. When I told them I was allergic to milk and cheese, they came back with… a chocolate bar. Sigh…)
But the flight itself was fine. I watched a few movies, fiddled on my laptop, and got as much sleep as I possibly could… which was not a lot, but still decent enough.
Above: These eye covers are the best – they block out ALL the light! I found it in an airport in Taiwan, and they’ve been a God send ever since!
🇰🇪 Welcome to Nairobi
Finally… I landed in Kenya!
Walking through Nairobi’s airport felt surreal. As a Black man from the U.S., I’m used to being the minority in most professional settings. But here? Every employee—from customs agents to security to baggage handlers—was African. It shouldn’t feel extraordinary, but it did. And it was beautiful.
A couple quick notes if you’re flying into Kenya:
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You must have an ETA visa (Electronic Travel Authorization). It’s essentially your visa to enter, and without it, you’re getting turned around. I had mine saved on my phone and got through smoothly.
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The bathrooms have their own distinct vibe. (Didn’t snap pics, though—nobody wants to be that guy in the airport bathroom with a camera.)
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The uniforms of airport staff feel much more militant than they do in the states.
🚙 The Ride to the Hotel
As I exited the airport, I met my driver Kevin—who will also be our tour guide during our stay.
I was expecting a standard cab… instead, Kevin pulled up in a custom-built safari-style vehicle made by Toyota.
Now to clarify: most people in Kenya drive regular cars. But for tour guides like Kevin, manufacturers design specialized vehicles made to handle Kenya’s landscape—on-road, off-road, even through water. It looked rugged, clean, and ready for anything.
Above: Now THAT’s a vehicle!
On the way to the hotel, I noticed something else: globalization is real. We passed Burger King, KFC, and every car brand you’d expect—Subaru, Toyota, Honda. Kevin mentioned Subaru is a favorite among young people here, just like in parts of the States.
Also, fair warning: Nairobi traffic can get just as bad as LA. Thankfully, we cruised through smoothly that night.
🏨 Home Base: Best Western, Nairobi
We’re staying at a Best Western located just five minutes from the President’s house. Translation? Security is tight. Kevin explained that this area is one of the safest places to stay in Nairobi, thanks to the constant protection in the area.
He did throw out one heads-up: Somali pirates are a real concern in certain areas, so while things are safe, it’s smart not to let your guard down completely when walking the streets.
I got to my room (solo setup, cozy, clean), checked in with my mom and my fiancée to let them know I made it safely, and passed out almost immediately. After two straight days of flights, I was running on fumes—and ready to start this adventure rested and recharged.