Helloooo Africa

While I loved loved loved Asia, I was so ready for Africa. Let me tell you my expectations were way exceeded. Our first stop in Africa was Kenya and after visiting, it is definitely one of my favorite places I have ever been. It is a truly magical, peaceful, insane place to visit. I had always wanted to do a safari in Cape Town, but I decided to do it in Kenya because that seemed like the main thing people did when they visit Kenya. Doing a safari in Kenya was the best decision I ever made, and even now after visiting Cape Town (I didn’t do a safari there) I would still do a safari in Kenya and other things in Cape Town. 

I booked my safari in Masai Mara through Semester at Sea. Some people did Tsavo, but everyone agreed Masai Mara was the better option and completely worth every penny that was spent. My safari was the second day so on the first day Melia (my bestie and roomie) and I lived it up. I am not going to sugarcoat the fact that after being on the boat for a long sober sea stretch, everyone goes a bit crazy on the first day in port and it is honestly the best thing ever. Some of my very best memories are from the first day in port because the excitement and adrenaline has built and built. 

Of course because it was Melia and I we had to go to a 5-star beach resort (I am ruined for life because my parents introduced me to nice hotels). This was one of my all time favorite days. We went with two of our other friends to grab lunch and a few drinks at the Serena Beach Resort and Spa. The most dangerous words that could ever be uttered are “let’s just go for lunch and drinks.” News flash! It is never just lunch and a few drinks. Our friends left to go shopping, but on this hot, gorgeous day Melia and I couldn’t resist putting our bathing suits on and jumping right in. Mind you we arrived at this resort at around noon and probably got in the pool around 2. The best part about the pool… there was a tiki bar in it. 

Just me and my bestie girl in Kenya, at a beach resort, in the pool, sipping our cocktails, and yapping it up. A more perfect day does not exist, but wait it gets better. One of my favorite things about traveling is the people you meet along the way. You never know what may happen if you strike up a conversation. Melia and I were at the bar and this dad comes up to order a drink and is talking to the bartender. We overhear him talking about fishing, and Melia’s ears perk up. Melia is a queen of a fisher. She and her brother take people out all summer in Canada and it is one of her favorite things to do. Immediately she asked him about it and 5 hours later we are still in the pool, many drinks later, chatting with this dad and his family. His children were all grown up and it was so fun to hear all their stories and be around adults. Both Melia and I are very close with our parents and were feeling a little sad because we knew it would have been so fun to have them there with us. Talking to this family brought both of us comfort. They were the absolute best people they bought our drinks the entire day. The day went by in a flash because we were enjoying ourselves so much. 

It was around 7:30 PM and the family was gracious enough to invite us to dinner. We were both quite feeling it as we had been drinking the entire day so we were happy to get some free food in our systems. We all changed and of course met at the bar for a before dinner drink. We talked and laughed over dinner and then it was time for us to find our way back to the ship (which was next to impossible, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger). 

The next morning was a bit interesting for both of us as you can imagine. Melia had to wake up at around 5 AM to embark on her safari and I similarly had to rise because I was going on a snorkeling adventure. We unfortunately parted ways and I spent the entire day with some fabulous friends, swimming around Kenya. This snorkeling trip also included a trip to a primary school and a visit to the slave caves. After just these first two days my heart was so full and you couldn’t slap the smile off my face. 

Kenya was full of early mornings, all of them more than worth it. The next day it was my turn to head on safari. Through other Field Programs I had met a bunch of the people on this trip and they had turned into some of my really good friends. Another thing I love about SAS (I literally love almost everything) is how many different friend groups I have and how easy it is to meet people if you make an effort. While it is hard because traveling with friends is way different than just being friends and can cause some chaos, the friends that do stick after you have traveled together are your people and you are bonded with them. 

The safari start to finish was insane. We got on private planes just for SAS and landed on an airstrip in Kenya amid the animals. Literally the drive from the airstrip to our hotel was a game drive. Talk about insane! We stayed at the Zebra Plains Camp and it was stunning. There is no way to portray the calamity that runs with the wind of Kenya. All the meals at this hotel were so delicious and we were all so excited to not have ship food.

Many of these photos are taken by my lovely friend @squiressnapshots on insta!

The days on safari were incredible. Seeing elephants, zebras, and giraffes all over the place is something I could never have imagined. The most breathtaking, dream-like experience was when we were the only car to be able to sit and watch a family of lions interacting. We saw this two days in a row and at one point we were so close to them I was like ummm one false move and I am dinner. The cubs playing with each others, running, jumping on one another. My heart couldn’t take it. I don’t know if I have ever seen something more incredible in my life. This safari was one of the highlights of my life: with my friends, in freaking Kenya, seeing animals I have dreamed of seeing in person. We also had an awesome pool at our resort so when we weren’t on game drives we were at the pool watching the animals will sun bathing. 

We were also fortunate enough to get to visit the Masai Tribe and see how their culture works and the way they live! We saw their houses, their traditions, etc.

It couldn’t get better than that… except it totally did. On the first day I saw a brochure that said that hotels do hot air balloon safaris and I was like are you kidding me?! I knew I needed to hop on this once in a lifetime experience, but Field Programs are planned and structured so I didn’t know if they would let us. On the very last morning we weren’t having a game drive so my friends and I decided to ask if we could do it. Luckily they said yes and after debating over the cost of it we decided we couldn’t not do it. BEST decision EVER! 

The last morning on safari was also one of my favorite days (honestly everyday in Kenya/on SAS is my favorite day). We woke up at 4AM to get ready and left at 5 AM. We got dropped off at a resort were everyone was meeting up. Now what I am about to say is crazy yes I am aware, but we were really living this experience to the fullest so we did in fact order two bottles of champagne before we headed onto our hot air balloon. Popping bottles and making memories. The most gorgeously insane sunrise as we flew on the hot air balloon over Kenya and spotted animals along the way. When we landed they brought us to a place I could never have expected. I knew a champagne breakfast followed the hot air balloon, but this was truly the most incredible setup ever. Full tables, breakfast buffet, and bar in the middle of the safari grounds. Endless champagne and good vibes. It was time to head back, but obviously we had to make that fun too. We jammed out with our driver blasting some EDM and y2k, just so so happy to be alive and grateful for what we get to experience. We flew back and I was reunited with Melia. We had a much needed fun, chill night. 

I was finally able to sleep in after waking up at 5:30 AM every morning. After a slow morning me and a few friends headed to Diani Beach. We went to some resort there for lunch and then popped over to another one for drinks. We laid by the beach, went swimming, and saw some camels. After a few ciders it was time to get back to the ship, but we wanted some drinks to go. Then, when we were in the car we figured let’s just stop for one more. We asked our Uber driver where we could. I had also wanted to stop at a party store so I could decorate our cabin on the ship for Melia’s birthday and luckily our driver found a place with both drinks and decorations!! 

I was soooo sad to leave Kenya because every single day was fantastic. One piece of advice… go to Kenya! 

Sea Stretch: 

This sea stretch was super special because I celebrated two of my good friends’ birthdays. Melia’s actual birthday was while we were in Cape Town, but I am a huge birthday person so that means celebrating her ALL week. So, I surprise decorate the room and ordered her a cake. I went out to fancy dinner for both of my friends’ birthdays. We have a nice dinner place that you have to pay for on the ship that a lot of people go to for special occasions or just for fun. 

We also had the talent show which was so much funnier than I expected. Although I didn’t want to leave Kenya, the fun didn’t stop.