Here is the itinerary for my trip to Africa. Feel free to bookmark this post and check back every once in a while to find out where I'll be that day! I know a lot more about the first part of the trip than the last half but from what I've heard, it will all be incredible, transforming, with lots of time to get to know people and the land. I've put in hyperlinks to websites for certain places so you can find out more information along with some pictures of where I'll be. I'll be posting when I can but from what I know so far, I will be able to post more during the first half than the second. Thank you all for your support, I wouldn't have been able to go on this trip if not for your love, advice, and financial gifts. You have made a world of difference in my life and I thank you. May you feel God's presence during this season of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas. May he bless you and keep you until we meet again.
November 28th – Flight
Fly out of Portland at 12:52 pm to Amsterdam then on to Nairobi, Kenya.
November 29th – Evening at the Hostel
Be picked up from the airport by Wildebeest Hostel. Go back to hostel, have dinner, and get some sleep!
Wildebeest Hostel
November 30th - Kibera Slum
I’m meeting a fellow Quaker who is taking me to see a school in Kibera slum, the densest slum in Africa, about 1,250 people per acre. There is lots of information and pictures on the Internet if you are interest in learning more about it. I found this quote from a BBC article: “Suddenly, the light changes and we both look out of the window as the train emerges from a dark cutting. We're in the slum. ”’Home,’ says Julius without looking at me. The smells leaps into the carriage. Wood fires, fried fish, excrement, rubbish - the rich stench of 800,000 people living in a ditch. Which is, basically, what the Kibera slum is. Six hundred acres of mud and filth, with a brown stream dribbling through the middle. You won't find it on your tourist map - or any other map. It's a squatters camp - an illegal, forgotten city - and at least one third of Nairobi lives here.“
In the afternoon, I’m planning on going to the city market then back to the hostel for dinner and some sleep which I am sure will be much needed with the eleven hour time change.
December 1st - Nairobi - Masai Mara
Leave for the 4 day Maasai Mara camping safari with Jocky Safaris. Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive through Kikuyu farmlands to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Stop briefly to view the Great Rift Valley at the view point. Lunch at Narok where I have a walk around the Maasai Town. Arrive Mara late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
December 2nd - Masai Mara ( Full Day)
After breakfast proceed for a full day of game viewing at the Maasai Mara Reserve. Picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool. Dinner and overnight at the Campsite.
December 3rd - Masai Mara ( Full Day)
Another full day is spent in the Mara reserve. This day you have an option of going to visit the masai village to learn more about their culture. All meals and overnight at campsite.
December 4th - Nairobi
Pre-morning game drive, after breakfast depart to Nairobi with game drive enroute and picnic lunch arriving at around 5pm. Meet Eden Grace and Bainito at Savelberg Guest House.
December 5th – Nairobi
Eden takes myself, Holly, Marielke, and Emily (who flew in the day before) to the Giraffe Center, Elephant Orphanage, and maybe shopping.
December 6th – Nairobi
Worship with Quakers in Nairobi, hosted by Nairobi Young Adult Friends. Tourist options in the afternoon include a Nairobi Nature Walk or shopping for dresses.
December 7th – Nakuru
Leave Nairobi early in the morning, drive to Nakuru in time for an afternoon game drive in the Lake Nakuru National Park. Spend the night in Nakuru at St Mary's.
“Nakuru provides the visitor with one of Kenya’s best known images. Thousands of flamingo, joined into a massive flock, fringe the shores of this soda lake. A pulsing pink swathe of life that carpets the water, the flamingo are a breathtaking sight.
The lake has become world famous for these birds, who visit the lake to feed on algae that forms on the lake bed. They move back and forth, feeding and occasionally and spectacularly taking to flight, filling the sky over the lake with colour. The lake is extremely variable in size- changing from 5 up to 30 sq kms in area. Nakuru has more than just flamingos. This is a major National Park and an important sanctuary for Rhino. Both Black and White Rhino are found here, and are often seen resting under acacias by the Lake shore.
The park abounds with game. There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and more. This is one of your best chances of seeing Leopard in Kenya, and there are several large prides of Lion. Exploring beyond the lake is always rewarding and there are forests, cliffs, waterfalls and more to be found here. Nearby Nakuru town is a busy and thriving local centre with a bustling market. The town is a hub for local transport and travel.”
December 8th – Mabanga
Drive Nakuru to Western Kenya. Arrive at Mabanga in the early afternoon. Rest.
December 9th – Mabanga
Optional activities include preparation of the conference programme and visiting Lugulu Hospital. The conference begins after at the Mabanga Farmer's Training Centre.
December 10th – Mabanga
Conference continues. I give a workshop on women in ministry.
December 11th – Mabanga
Conference continues with special interest topics by the attendees.
December 12th – Conference Excursions
Conference excursions from 9:30-4:00 includes the choices of Kakamega Forest, Webuye waterfalls and caves, Kitale Nature Centre, Mt Elgon National Park, or Nabongo of Mumia historical site. (See here for story.) Right now, I think my first choice is Mt. Elgon with Kakamega Forest after that.
December 13th – Travel to Turkana
The conference ends; depart Mabanga in the early afternoon with John, Emily, and Holly to Turkana with Lomuria's team.
December 14th – Travel / Visiting Turkana
December 15th – Travel / Visiting Turkana
December 16th – North Youth Conference
Youth conference begins.
December 17th – North Youth Conference
Youth conference continues. I speak on youth in ministry this day or on one of the next two.
December 18th – North Youth Conference
Youth conference continues.
December 19th – North Youth Conference
Youth conference continues.
December 20th – Kisumu
Meet up with Eden and go to Kisumu.
December 21st – Kisumu to Nairobi
Fly from Kisumu to Nairobi and then depart Nairobi at 10:25 pm to Amsterdam.
December 22nd – Travel to Portland
Fly to Amsterdam for a five hour layover before continuing on to Minneapolis, spend a two hour layover there, fly to Portland arriving at 4:35 pm.
365-09 #339Labels: 365-09 Challenge, Africa
