Marine life at Lake Navaisha with friends

Environmental Solutions in Action

Kenya is an environmental inspiration. In 2017, they banned plastic bags, and you’ll see very little single-use plastic in the country. Many people walk, ride bikes, or use public transportation. There’s a lot the global north can learn from Kenya’s strong leadership on environmental issues. Kenya walks the talk.

Learn about Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai organized women’s groups to replant the deforested areas outside Nairobi. Kids can visit the forest and read more than six children’s picture books written about her life and contributions. Her activism united women’s rights with environmentalism.

Inspiring Animals!

Within Nairobi, you can see wild animals in the national park–including lions walking with skyscrapers in the background. Further afield, a Kenyan safari is magical. We landed at a conservancy north of the capital and, as our little plane touched down on the dirt runway, hundreds of zebras munched lazily. As we spent a week at two separate safari locations, we saw everything on our bucket list–lions, cheetahs, rhinos, warthogs, and hippos–as well as animals we didn’t know existed. Consider the spring hare: a nocturnal animal with a kangaroo’s hop, a rabbit’s ears, and a squirrel’s tail.

The Nairobi National Park juxtaposes a wild jackal with a modern skyline.

There is No Language Barrier

…Assuming your first language is English, that is. Although Kenya has dozens of languages, English is the official language and you can talk with just about anyone. From the Masai warriors to the Muslim communities on the coast, English is spoken here.

In our experience, Kenyans are friendly, curious, and kind. You’ll want to talk to everyone! The dialect has a different accent and vocabulary than North American English, so enjoy the difference. You just might have meaningful conversations and make life-long friends.

Great in Summer Months

Whereas Asia’s monsoon corresponds to the American summer vacation time, and crowds busy U.S. national parks, Kenya’s summer is an ideal time to visit. It was cooler than I expected. Even at the equator, I wanted my puffy jacket at night. It’s not the rainy season or the hot season, it’s just perfect 60-80 degree weather. Tourist attractions are not overwhelmed, plus the great migration begins in late June and July.

Not so hot at the equator

Diversity Inspiration

Kenya surprised me with its diversity. Tribes have by and large lived together peacefully for centuries. Each tribe has a unique language, dress, or other marker. For example, when we attended the wedding in Nairobi, one of the young groomsmen carried a walking stick or staff. He explained that it’s one of the symbols of his tribe and he carries it with pride  to special events. There are 42 recognized tribes, and people of Indian descent are now considered one of them. 

Most Kenyans are Christian, but there are also many Muslims, especially on the coast near Lamu or Mombhasa. 

Safety and Ease of Travel

We felt safe the entire trip. In fact, when we were on safari with Porini camps, a Masai guard walked us to and from our tents after dark with a spear and someone born with the sense awareness only time in nature can grant. No one but trained military patrols or police are allowed to carry a gun. Not even on safari. I asked our guide one day when a rhino was huffing at our safari jeep. He laughed it off to say that rhinos don’t really want to hurt anyone and asked, “is it true that people misuse guns in your country?”

No TSA PreCheck needed!

With all these learning opportunities going for it, consider including Kenya on your international worldschooling itinerary. You won’t regret the decision. Instead, you might, like me, be plotting how you can return.

A group of elephants, otherwise known as a parade of elephants

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