Kenya Part 1: The Kilifi Crew

I never meant to go to Kenya - I was planning on going to Tanzania with my long-time-sis Lindsey. You see, I already missed our Kenya trip in 2013 when Lindsey went the first time. I was in the planning meetings, I was excited to “start booking” but the way my bank account and life was set up… I had to bow out and watch my friends go to Nairobi. The pictures looked incredible! But alas, there was always the hope of a next time, but how often does a next time for a Kenya trip come up?

In a “Happy New Year” text, Lindsey pushed the gas about getting the travel-train back on the tracks! We celebrated our new lives in a much needed reunion the previous July in Brooklyn, and it was a new year for new beginnings. 

“Morocco this year?” she inquired, not knowing I would be going 2 weeks later.

But her follow up from my text back was “Tanzania?” 

My whole body screamed YAASS typing my reply! It was set and we blocked our calendars - Tanzania 2023 babyyy!

For Lindsey, Kenya was the most special. As we planned, she said she would be doing a few days solo in Nairobi, and we would meet in Mombasa. The “Kenya next time” was happening!

[Full Tanzania post coming next week!]

Flash to a few months later - I’m chit-chatting with my mother about how Lindsey and I would include a few days in Mombasa during our Tanzania trip. While breaking down our 10 days in Tanzania, my mom said “well, you’ll already be there…” like she remembered something I had forgotten. I was sure she was recalling an old conversation we had about my BIG plans which included Cape Town.

“Are you talking about Cape Town? Mom, I let that go...”

“Oh, well, I just knew you were going to be in Africa longer than that.”

Not sure how or WHY she got that impression, but she sounded like she was sure of it.

Was I supposed to “already be there”?

That feeling again - something in my chest had me pick up my phone to look at the calendar of my nomad group. Just to see…

I hadn’t bothered to look because I already had plans - MY plans.

I scrolled down to September/October. 

Coincidence, Mom’s intuition or something Greater - the group was going to be in Kilifi, Kenya.

Daring not to assume I had ever heard of Kilifi, I rushed to Google to find it on a map - 1 hour outside of Mombasa - our meeting point, with dates that would line up perfectly.

Without a pinch of hesitation, I rushed to the nomad group whatsapp and sent a message that I was interested and to send me an invoice. 

ZERO research on the region, the housing, my bank balance, the weather, just YES - with my mind still in disbelief. By morning I had an invoice, which I paid in full. Hey, Morocco really did a number on my fears!

With full excitement that I WAS GOING, I looked up the accommodation (lol). Oh boy, the description explained this trip would be “for the more adventurous traveler” and we would be staying in an ecolodge in the mountains of the small fishing village of Kilifi. 

Level 2 - Let’s go! 

I arrived at the hidden gem of Distant Relatives Ecolodge, and to my delight we were far from “roughing it” -not even close. I don’t know if I would call it “glamping” but that’s a made up word anyway. We were living large; with monkeys as our neighbors. And they were there first, so who were we?

The ecolodge is award winning and was equipped with a full restaurant, bar, games room, daytime DJ, swimming pool and breathtaking views (with access) to the Kilifi Creek. Each of us had our own traditional Banda hut, with an en suite outdoor bathroom. Sure, no window screens and my shower was affixed in a tree - but it was magical everyday. I became great friends with the staff who didn’t necessarily treat me like a “guest” but rather “the cool girl always reading that book by the pool” which was the most special.

There were only 8 of us “nomads” and we grew tight. The best part about this group is that we all had some common thread in our stories that led us to Kilifi, of all places. From the adventure-seeking to the soul-seeking, we became bonded in the most unique way in the most unique place. A true gift. If you’re wondering where Molly popped up in my story, that lead to a trip to Vietnam six months later, it’s here, in Kilifi.

We did it all, together - traveled for a weekend getaway to the Kiasi Music festival in Watamu and stayed at a plush AirBnB with a private chef. We ate oysters straight out of the ocean on the grand Musafir, steps away from Distant Relatives and discovered the bioluminescence of the Kilifi Creek. We explored the small fishing town on boda-bodas (motorbikes) daily, and no day was the same. I can never thank this group enough for our late night talks that empowered me and for each of their genuine friendships, I will always deeply cherish. Kilifi Crew foreva!

Our bond would be cemented during the real reason we all came to Kenya - a 3 day wild-ride that took us through the depths of Tsavo National Park on safari. I had no expectations which is why I think my mind was so blown. We saw the Big Five, gotdamnit.

Full Safari run-down in PART 2 on Sunday May 19th - Let’s GO!