It all started with excitement in the air as our cheerful group took off from Arlanda, with a layover in Ethiopia. But the adventure kicked off sooner than expected. Just before boarding our flight to Nairobi, Alexandra — one of our travel trustees — realized her passport was missing.
She and our Head of Travel, Ludwig, were forced to stay behind in Addis Ababa while the rest of us continued to Kenya. With the Swedish embassy closed for Easter and no way to check into the airport hotel without a passport or boarding pass, they were stuck — literally — at the airport, with nowhere to sleep for three days.
Finally, Alexandra was cleared to return to Sweden with the embassy´s help. But just as she prepared to leave, word came through: her passport had been found. She rerouted and joined us in Nairobi — three days late, but with a story to tell.
Meanwhile, the rest of us had already spent some time in Nairobi, starting off with a visit to the slum area of Kibera and the organization Wale Wale that operates there. It is the second-largest slum in the world, housing an estimated 1 million people. They gave us a walking tour of the area, which was an eye-opening experience for all of us. It was very emotional to meet the people of Kibera, see their homes, and hear their stories. The money we paid to be able to have this tour went directly to the Wale Wale team and their families that we visited. This hopefully contributes to the continuation of their important work with youth activities and other social projects in the area.
On Tuesday, Alexandra finally joined us in Nairobi — and we kicked things off with a visit to the International Commission of Jurists. It was a fascinating meeting where we learned about how they work with human rights and law in Kenya. Afterwards, we enjoyed a flavorful Indian lunch at Mangrove Café — the samosas were a hit! The afternoon was spent lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun. In the evening, the whole UF Uppsala crew cooked a classic tomato pasta and played cards — a cozy night in!
The next day started with a few early risers hitting the gym, followed by a visit to the Swedish Embassy. A diplomat gave us great insight into how Sweden supports both Kenya and Somalia through development work. After lunch, we headed to the Raoul Wallenberg Institute. In the evening, it was time for a true Nairobi classic: Carnivore. This legendary restaurant served every kind of meat you can imagine — from crocodile to ostrich to, yes, testicles. Skewers kept coming until we could eat no more. It was a wild and unforgettable feast!
Thursday began with another gym session for the dedicated few. We then visited Kazuri Beads, where we watched artisans craft colorful jewelry by hand and enjoyed a lively Kenyan dance performance. Most of us left with bags full of beautiful souvenirs. The afternoon took us to the University of Nairobi for a campus tour and chats with local students, followed by bargaining fun at the Maasai Market — a crash course in bargaining! Everyone bought matching Kenya football jerseys before winding down at the pool. Dinner was Indian again, with a fun diplomacy-themed quiz to close out the day.
On Friday, the 25th, we had a free day. Most of us stayed by the pool to tan and relax, while a few explored the city. Some squeezed in yoga or another gym session before the day ended.
Saturday, the 26th, started early — 5:30 AM — for our big safari day at Nairobi National Park. It was magical. Within minutes, we saw a lion devouring a gazelle, then rhinos, ostriches, giraffes, zebras, and even a cheetah in the distance. Watching these animals in their natural habitat was surreal. After the park, we visited the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center — both heartwarming and unforgettable experiences. After six hours of adventure, we were exhausted. The rest of the day was spent resting by the pool before heading to a rooftop bar for food and drinks to celebrate our final evening. Some of us checked out a Nairobi club — though we may have arrived a bit too early for the real party vibe.
On departure day, we squeezed out the last bits of sun by the pool after one last gym session. Our journey home included a stopover in Addis Ababa, where we shared a final group meal — classic Ethiopian injera. For some, it was a new taste; for others, a comforting reminder of the Ethiopian taste.
A trip we’ll never forget
