When I told my friends I was going to Kenya, I got two reactions: “Wow, bucket list!” and “Why Kenya?” To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure either—until I landed in Nairobi and realized I had just stepped into one of the most surprising, beautiful countries I’ve ever visited.

🛬 Nairobi: Africa Meets Energy

Nairobi was my first taste of East Africa—and it was nothing like I imagined. The city’s vibe was a mix of urban grit and raw charm. One second you're walking past shiny malls with rooftop cafés, the next you're bargaining at a market where the scent of roasted maize and spicy chai lingers in the air.

I stayed in a cozy hostel near Westlands, where I met travelers from all over the world. People were shocked I was Filipino—apparently, we’re not common tourists in Kenya. One guy even asked if I was part of a documentary team. (Nope, just vibing.)

🦁 The Safari That Changed Me

You can’t go to Kenya and not do a safari. I joined a 3-day trip to Maasai Mara with a group of other travelers, and it honestly felt like being in a National Geographic episode. I saw lions lounging like lazy cats, elephants marching across the plains, giraffes fighting (yes, they actually fight with their necks), and a cheetah chilling on a safari jeep. Our guide kept saying “Hakuna Matata,” and I finally believed it wasn't just a Disney thing.

I never thought I'd wake up at 5 AM voluntarily, but trust me—watching the sun rise over the savannah with zebras trotting past? Worth it.

🌍 Culture, Community & Chapati

What really stood out? The people. Everyone I met—whether it was the Maasai warrior who taught us how to start a fire, or the Nairobi Uber driver who played OPM music when he found out I was Filipino—was warm, curious, and welcoming.

I even found a tiny Filipino community near Nairobi’s central business district. Turns out there are OFWs working in hospitality and aviation here. They invited me for adobo and lumpia. I almost cried.

Also, shoutout to Kenyan food. I became obsessed with chapati (their flatbread), nyama choma (grilled meat), and sukuma wiki (collard greens). It felt like eating at your lola’s house—but with way more spice.

🧳 What I Learned as a Filipino Traveler in Kenya

We need to explore more off-the-beaten-path places. Kenya wasn’t on my radar, but now I can’t stop recommending it.

There’s something humbling about being a foreigner in a place where no one expects you. It forces you to listen, to observe, and to learn.

We are everywhere. Even here in Kenya, Filipinos are hustling, thriving, and making the world feel a little more like home.

Would I go back?
In a heartbeat. Next time, I want to see the flamingos in Lake Nakuru and chill by the Indian Ocean in Diani Beach. For now, I’m back home, scrolling through safari pics and craving chapati like crazy.

To any fellow Filipinos wondering if Kenya is worth the trip—yes. Go. And bring a powerbank. You’ll need it for all the photos.

Follow me for more offbeat travel stories, OPM in unexpected places, and tips on surviving without sinigang for three weeks. 🌍✈️