Africa + Egypt

Be prepared.  Theres soooooo many photos!  Haha This trip was unbelievable!  Theres a lot more of the itenerary and info after all the photos <3  Most of the photos are scattered from the whole safari – If you have a question about where something was or one of the pics leave me a comment below <3

     

Journey to Kenya: Safari Adventures, Hot Air Balloon Dreams & a Quick Stop in Egypt

When my amazing friend Jamie, who’s working in Kenya, invited me to visit, I didn’t need to be asked twice. Without hesitation, I booked my trip, and wow, was it life-changing! I initially planned to go in November, but Jamie’s schedule shifted, so I found a window between my weddings in July. Perfect timing!

Now, remember, I’m a photographer—not a writer—so here’s my “hillbilly” recap of my journey. I hope it gives you a little taste of my incredible adventure. ❤️


The Journey Begins

Flights: Booking a bit later meant a roundabout route, but it was all worth it:
Pittsburgh – Minneapolis – Amsterdam – Nairobi. Over 22 hours on planes and layovers, but I finally arrived in Nairobi on July 4th, exhausted and ready to crash at my Airbnb.


Nairobi: First Impressions

July 5th: I woke up in Nairobi, taking in city views from my Airbnb. Sometimes, I swear I was meant to live in a small apartment in a bustling city—I just love that energy! I grabbed an Uber to a nearby mall to stock up on water and snacks for my adventures (since I eat like the pickiest toddler), as my tour guide recommended. Fun fact: entering malls here means going through metal detectors and security checks, especially during times of political protest, which was happening that week. Thankfully, I avoided the protests, but that’s a story for another day!


Safari Time: Maasai Mara and a Dream Hot Air Balloon Ride

July 6th: An early morning pick-up brought me to Inspired Feet Safari, a small Kenyan woman-owned business I found through a solo travel Facebook group. After finalizing my payment, we set off for Maasai Mara, stopping at a Great Rift Valley viewpoint along the way. Even before reaching the park, we saw our first giraffes, zebras, and gazelles! Our evening safari was a dream, and we settled in at Miti Mingi Eco Camp as rain started to pour—perfect for sleeping under the metal roof.

July 7th: My excitement made sleep impossible, especially with the thrill of my upcoming hot air balloon ride! By 4:15 a.m., I was up, and wow, the balloon ride was worth every single cent! From the sky, we saw lions (super close to our launch spot!), elephants, hyenas, buffalo, giraffes, and so much more. Afterward, we had a champagne breakfast in the field with giraffes in the distance. It was so surreal that I teared up—twice! How is this real life?!

Back on land, we resumed our safari, spotting even more animals. As we finished for the day, a sudden rainstorm had us waiting a bit before heading back to camp. The cooler July weather was such a pleasant surprise; I slept soundly to the sound of rain on the roof.

July 8th: We went on another Maasai Mara drive, then I joined a new group heading to Lake Nakuru with a stop at Lake Naivasha. This spot is known for hippos and hundreds of bird species, which we saw plenty of. The hippos gave me the heebie-jeebies—look up videos of hippos chasing boats if you dare! I also met Irene, a fellow traveler, and we bonded over our shared love of photography.

July 9th: Lake Nakuru’s birdlife was amazing! Seeing flocks of pelicans in flight, moving in synchronized patterns, was unforgettable. By evening, we reached Amboseli National Park for the final leg of our safari.

July 10-11: Amboseli was elephant heaven! We watched herds walk their trails as safari vans lined up along the way, giving us close views. We were super lucky to spot a pride of lions with cubs, which is rare due to the park’s heat. Amboseli’s landscape was dry and dusty, but the experience was unbeatable!  And we got to see a few sneaks of Mount Kilimanjaro!  Its the mountain of hide and seek- but we were lucky enough to see it the morning before we left!


Exploring Nairobi with Jamie & A Weekend in Egypt

Back in Nairobi, I reunited with Jamie, who showed me her favorite spots, from local eateries to the giraffe center and elephant orphanage. We even went on a half-day safari at Nairobi National Park, where we saw four serval cats—an incredibly rare sight!

For my return journey, I broke up the long trip home with a two-day stopover in Cairo, Egypt. My best friend encouraged me to go, and I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids. I stayed at a Marriott by the airport (ideal for solo female travelers), which had an amazing pool and food. I booked a private 10-hour tour on Viator, and my guide was incredible, filling me in on Egypt’s rich history while skillfully navigating the bustling city. Egypt is definitely on my list to revisit, especially Luxor and the beautiful beaches!


Ready for Your Own Adventure?

If you’d like contact info for any of the amazing tour companies I used or tips for Kenya, let me know! Planning this solo trip was such a confidence boost, and if I can do it, I’m sure you can too.

 

 

3 Responses to Africa + Egypt

  1. Lauren says:

    You are truly inspiring. I want to be you when I grow up! I love every single photo!!

  2. Jen says:

    Looks like the trip of a lifetime. Such amazing shots you were able to capture. 💜

  3. Irene says:

    I am absolutely amazed ! You are so talented and it shows! I love each picture! But one that I am absolutely obsessed with, it is the one with the rhino peeking thru the bushes! But absolutely all of them! The red-billed hornbills picture featuring the snack….!! Stunning!
    All of them are!

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