Before I forget: I meant to share with you all what the front bathroom area looked like in the Sarova Mara Game Camp lobby! They have a mens and womens bathroom – see if you can spot the subtle way you can tell which one is which…

Early Morning Call

I didn’t get much sleep the night before—maybe two hours max. I stayed up late editing footage for the vlog and ended up on a 48-minute phone call with my aunt back in the States. By the time I looked up, it was almost time to start the day.

Breakfast at Sarova was quick but solid: eggs, bacon, potatoes, mushrooms, and something that was either meat or fish—couldn’t quite tell, but it had veggies in it and started with an “E.”

The highlight for me, though, was the cinnamon rolls. I’d been eyeing those the last few mornings, and today they finally made an appearance. Worth the wait.

Before we hit the road, Daisy—the amazing chef who had been spoiling us all week—surprised us with homemade granola to take with us for the journey. And when I say this granola slapped, I mean it.

Cashews, raisins, pistachios, and a few colorful mystery ingredients that I still can’t name. I didn’t even bother adding milk—I just ate it dry straight out the container and had zero regrets.

We were supposed to leave Sarova around 7:30 AM, but Dr. Thyonne wanted to tour the on-site garden and interview the team behind all the fresh produce we’d been enjoying during our stay. So we took a detour and spent time walking through the garden, talking with the gardener who manages it all.

And man—the plants out there looked rich. Like, soil-so-good-you-can-smell-it rich. It made me appreciate our meals even more knowing how much love and care went into growing the ingredients.

Baboons, Beggars and Cows fresh Out of Sarova

After the tour and a few final photos, we loaded into Kevin’s vehicle and officially pulled away from Sarova at 8:30 AM.

Not even five minutes into the drive and we were already forced to stop—this time by a full-blown baboons’ morning meeting. I’m talking dozens of them casually strolling in front of our vehicle like they were headed to a staff meeting.

Some were walking, some sitting in the road, others just hanging out. It was wild. Out here, animals have the right of way, so we had to inch along behind them until they cleared the path.

We eventually made it to the gate of Sarova, where we stopped to take a few photos.

That’s when the sales ambush began. A crowd of local women rushed toward us with jewelry, baskets, and trinkets in hand, each one trying to outpitch the next.

We all politely declined, but they were persistent—one woman even pressed her forehead against my window as I got back into Kevin’s vehicle, like something straight out of a horror movie. I didn’t know if she wanted to sell me a bracelet or steal my soul.

Just when we thought we were in the clear, we hit a cow crossing. A slow, lumbering herd made their way across the road like they were on a lunch break.

Between the baboons blocking the road, the intense vendor standoff, and the cattle procession, it honestly felt like we were trapped in an East African version of Final Destination—the universe throwing every possible obstacle in our path like it was trying to tell us not to leave.

As we finally got moving again, we passed hundreds of students walking to school—young kids in uniform, calmly making the trek along the roadside like it was no big deal. No school buses, no carpool lanes. Just feet hitting pavement.

It was a striking contrast to back home in the States, where kids will protest if the bus is even five minutes late. Here, walking is the way—whether it’s to class, to church, or just around town.

Above: A stretch of road, interrupted at the end by crossing goats!

Sandgrouse Curios & Art Gallery Stop (Ntulele)

We pulled into a pit stop in a small town called Ntulele, mostly to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and grab a quick snack or drink. What we didn’t expect was to walk into one of the most colorful and culturally rich spots of the entire trip.

Right off the lot was Sandgrouse Curios & Art, a sprawling shop-slash-gallery run by a collective of local artists. We were greeted by Angela Mutinda, the shop’s warm and charismatic manager, who gave us a personal tour of the space. She explained how the gallery is a community-run project, where each artist contributes their own handmade goods—everything from paintings and masks to carved dishes, clothing, jewelry, and traditional tools.

Above: The outside of Sandgrouse Curious Art Gallery.

What makes this place special isn’t just the art (though it’s stunning). It’s the philosophy behind it. According to Angela, the collective operates on joy, collaboration, and shared purpose. Everyone works together, and the profits are reinvested into the surrounding villages—with just a small portion kept to maintain the shop. 

We got to see an incredible mix of items, including:

• Maasai fabrics worn for traditional ceremonies

• Lion-killing tools once used by warriors (you had to be seriously brave to use these)

• Hand-carved instruments once used to gather villagers at the request of kings

• Semi-precious malachite stones, green and smooth like jade

• Wooden carvings made by the Kamba tribe—masters of this art form

• Coconut shell jewelry, leather bags, and antique tribal pieces

• And a section of hand-painted maps showing Africa pre- and post-colonization, including a stunning rendering of the continent divided by ancient kingdoms

Ntulele Market Day

As we pulled away from Sandgrouse, we drove straight into the heart of Ntulele’s Market Day—and it was booming.

Vendors had completely taken over both sides of the road, setting up makeshift stalls, plastic tables, and colorful blankets stacked high with goods. People were everywhere—selling, shouting, bartering.

There were trucks backed in with their beds full of produce, motorbikes weaving through foot traffic, and crowds of locals gathered around everything from clothing racks to fruit baskets. It felt like a community-wide pop-up shop that spanned blocks.

Arrival at MGM Muthu Hotel – Lake Naivasha

After hours on the road, we finally arrived at our next stay: the MGM Muthu Hotel at Lake Naivasha.

First impressions? The grounds were beautiful—lush, green, and serene. We were welcomed with fresh mango juice served in chilled glasses, which tasted like it had just come off the tree. After the dust and heat from the road, that first sip hit perfectly.

The hotel staff gave us a quick rundown of the stay: our package included lunch, dinner, and breakfast, and meal times were set in proper resort fashion. But then came the real surprise: a very calm, matter-of-fact warning that hippos regularly come out of the lake at night and graze on the hotel lawn between 7 PM and 6 AM.

So if we wanted to go to dinner or anywhere outside after dark, we’d need to call the front desk and wait for a security escort to avoid being trampled or charged by one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

As for the rooms—they weren’t over the top, but they got the job done. It felt a bit like a Best Western in the States: simple bed, small desk setup, mini fridge, and a decent bathroom with an open shower. Nothing fancy, but comfortable.

And let’s be real—when you’re staying somewhere where hippos roam at night and zebras might show up at your doorstep, the room isn’t the main attraction.

Lunch & Lakeside Vibes

After checking in and dropping my bags in the room, I made my way to the lunch buffet. Compared to the massive spreads at Sarova, this one was a bit smaller—but still packed with enough flavor to make me not care.

The lineup was legit: fish, chicken, kingfish, and goat stew for the meat lovers. They had carrot and ginger soup, mutton konsonvi, and a whole table of flavorful sides: steamed and vegetable rice, Parmesan potatoes, ugali, spinach, and stewed cabbage. I even spotted bindi dupayara, stewed githeri, and yellow dal tadka—dishes I wouldn’t normally find on any buffet back home

And of course, I had to get the ugali!

Fun fact: our tour guide Kevin told me that in Kenya, when people go out to eat, the men order ugali and the women order rice. If you’re a man who orders rice in public, apparently other men in the group will ridicule you since rice is seen as a “woman’s food.”

I still ordered rice while in Kenya, but I also got used to eating ugali after a while. It doesn’t have much flavor, but it’s used to pick up other foods to eat with it, as seen in this video!

After dinner, we found the bar next to the restaurant, and while I’m not much of a drinker, I figured… when in Naivasha. I ordered a mint mojito, and I’m not exaggerating—it might’ve been one of the best I’ve ever had. Cold, crisp, not too sweet, and only about $10. No complaints.

Wildlife Surprise

I finally made my way back to the room to chill for a bit. After the long drive, the wildlife warnings, and all that goat stew, I needed a nap.

Just as I was settling into my post-lunch chill session, my phone buzzed with a message from Dr. Thyonne that simply said: “Look out your window.”

I pulled back the curtain—and there they were.

Zebras. Just casually grazing on the lawn, like they paid for a room too. And not just zebras—there were also a few waterbucks hanging around, looking completely unbothered by the humans watching them like some kind of pop-up safari.

Dinner Adventures

By the time dinner rolled around, I was still feeling full from lunch—but I couldn’t pass up another shot at the buffet. I made one crucial mistake though: I wore shorts.

Now, normally that wouldn’t be a big deal, but I chose to sit by a window and instantly became an all-you-can-eat buffet for the bugs. My arms and legs were itching like crazy! 

As for the food—fire. They had grilled duck with some kind of sauce that was rich and flavorful, and a live station where the chef seared steaks to order. I asked for medium, and they nailed it.

There was yellow rice, another version of spiced white rice, and I wrapped it up with a plate of fresh pineapple and watermelon. Light, refreshing, and a perfect way to end the day… or so I thought.

Hippo Watch

Just like they warned us earlier, the hippos showed up.

After dinner, we stepped out of the dining hall and sure enough, a bunch of hippos had made their way onto the lawn, grazing like they owned the place. We could see them from a distance, their giant bodies blending into the night. They looked slow… until you remember they can charge like a truck.

The hotel had security guards escort everyone back to their rooms, and they weren’t just there for show. One of the guards even offered to take our cameras and walk closer to the hippos so we could get some good photos without risking our lives. That right there? Top-tier service.

And thus, another full day of activity was done. I finally went to sleep at a decent hour – around 10 pm – so that I’d be fully rested and ready for the next day!

-Phil