Kenya
Day 1: Arrival. We finally touched down in Kenya, checked into our hotel, and immediately collapsed. After a long journey, sleep became the only thing on our agenda and it was exactly what we needed.
Day 2: Family Arrivals & Slow Exploring. Trevor and my grandparents arrived today, officially completing the group. We discovered a small spot called Fast & Nutritious that turned out to be an excellent (and very cheap) breakfast find. The rest of the day was intentionally slow wandering, exploring, and settling into our surroundings.
Day 3: Museums, Snakes & Beads. We began with plans for a museum visit, but the crowds of school kids were overwhelming, so we pivoted to the snake zoo instead. Hundreds of kids were visiting that day, and we definitely stood out. Later, we visited a bead factory and learned about local craftsmanship and design traditions.
Day 4: Safari Day One. Nairobi National Park Our first safari absolutely delivered. At Nairobi National Park we spotted both black and white rhinos, zebras, several types of “deer,” ostriches (including an impressive mating dance), and even a crocodile. The day continued with visits to the Elephant Orphanage, the Out of Africa Museum, and finally the Giraffe Centre, where feeding giraffes became a true highlight.
Day 5: Journey to the Masai Mara. The drive to the Masai Mara was long, but the wildlife along the way made it worthwhile. Wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and impalas appeared like a preview of what was still ahead.
Day 6: Deep in the Mara. This was one of the most intense days of the trip. We watched a lion actively feeding on a kill, saw hippos, a leopard, and enjoyed incredible elephant sightings. Unfortunately, I began feeling sick, and Dave wasn’t doing well either, which took some of the shine off an otherwise unforgettable day.
Day 7: Recovery & Return. I was thankfully feeling better, though Dave was still struggling. We flew back and tackled another long drive. Even on a travel day, Africa didn’t disappoint—we spotted a hyena and several familiar animals one last time.
Tanzania
Day 9: Arrival & Evening Safari. We arrived in Tanzania and headed straight out on an evening game drive. It was a perfect introduction to a new country. We spotted a genet (a small, cat-like animal), an emaciated lion, and hippos emerging from the water after dark.
Day 10: Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara felt completely different—massive trees and lush scenery everywhere. While many animals were familiar by now, one unforgettable moment stood out: an elephant stepping out of the bush right beside our vehicle. That night, we stayed in the nicest hotel room of the entire trip.
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater. An early, chilly morning at 2,200 meters above sea level took us into the Ngorongoro Crater. Once inside, wildlife was everywhere—animals packed in all directions. The highlight was seeing a serval cat not once, but twice, which felt incredibly lucky.
Day 12: Into the Serengeti. Most of the day was spent driving into the Serengeti. It was dusty, long, and surprisingly quiet in terms of sightings. We did get a better (though still not perfect) look at a leopard, and for the first time in a while, the weather was properly hot.
Day 13: Serengeti Safari & Tsetse Flies. The morning safari made up for everything. We watched a cheetah with her cub and another pride of lions beginning a hunt—an incredible experience. The afternoon slowed down, though the tsetse flies certainly made sure we didn’t forget them.
Madagascar
Day 15: Arrival in Madagascar. Landing in Madagascar felt immediately different. We wandered the streets, sampled local food, and enjoyed how affordable everything was. One standout: tiny samosas for about $0.16 each.
Day 16: Highlands & Rainforest. Our first tour day meant another long drive through steep, hilly terrain. Every valley was filled with rice paddies and vegetable fields, and we saw many people producing charcoal for the city. By the time we reached the rainforest, the air had cooled, and we spotted brown lemurs and a chameleon. Our first real taste of Madagascar’s unique wildlife.
Day 17: National Park & Night Walk. We spent the day exploring a national park, spotting indri lemurs, yellow lemurs, geckos, and more. Rain followed us through the jungle, but the thick canopy kept us surprisingly dry. Lunch at a truly local restaurant cost just $12 for six people. That night, a guided walk led us to a mouse lemur. It was tiny, fast, and fascinating.
Day 18: Long Drive & City Stops. Another big drive. 150 km in five hours, which says everything about the roads. We visited the King’s Palace, stopped at a craft market, and ended the day with a simple street-food dinner.
Day 19: Pool Day & Travel Delays. After a morning walk to the grocery store, we spent most of the day relaxing by the pool while waiting for our flight to the Seychelles. Delays followed us, and when we finally arrived, we were greeted by heavy rain.
Seychelles
Day 20: Beach Time Begins. We woke to cloudy but warm weather. After a quick grocery run, we spent the afternoon at the beach. Dinner was Italian. A nice change after weeks of travel.
Day 21: Victoria. Victoria offered a handful of tourist shops and banks, but not much else. We headed back to the beach for the afternoon. It was cloudy, warm, and relaxing.
Day 22: Island Relaxation. A full day of doing very little. The weather stayed comfortable, and we ended the day with dinner right beside the beach.
Dubai
Day 23: Arrival in the Heat. Dubai greeted us with two immediate impressions: extreme heat and very poor air quality. After checking in, we explored the mall across the street before retreating to the pool to cool off.
Day 24: Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa. Dubai Mall was massive and expensive. We visited the Burj Khalifa, and mom and Trevor went all the way to the top. Pricey, but truly a once-in-a-lifetime view.
Day 25: Palm Islands & Indoor Skiing. We viewed the Palm Islands from a lookout point. Impressive to see in person. Later, we visited the Mall of the Emirates, home to a full indoor ski hill. Dubai doesn’t do “normal.”
Day 26: Desert Adventure & Journey Home. Our final adventure took us into the desert for sandboarding, camel rides, and a thrilling 4x4 drive across the dunes. We left at 9:50 p.m. to begin the long journey home. We were tired, dusty, and carrying memories that will last a lifetime.