Kaleidoscope of Kenya
Official Name: Republic of Kenya
Capital: Nairobi
Official Language: Swahili (also known as Kiswahili) and English
Currency: Kenyan Shilling, symbol: KSh
Population: 54.2 million (2026)
Best time of year to visit: Kenya is at its best during the dry seasons, from July to October and January to February. December brings the short rainy season, with refreshing showers and lush green scenery.
Travel Insurance I purchase for every International trip: Columbus Assicurazioni
My trip: Sep 28th - Oct 5th, 2025 (8 days)
VISA: Make sure you get your Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) online. Processing time is listed as 3 days, so plan accordingly.
September 28 — An Opportunity of a Lifetime
Some journeys begin with a destination in mind. Others begin with a purpose.
For me, Kenya was both.
I had long dreamed of traveling to Kenya, but this trip offered something even more meaningful: the opportunity to participate in a Women’s Empowerment Conference, combining travel with service, learning, and connection.
Blending purpose with passion felt particularly important to me. With a background in finance, experience in coaching, and, above all, empathy and a desire to contribute, I hoped I could add my own small grain of sand to something much bigger than myself.
Our journey began at Fiumicino Airport in Rome. We flew to Addis Ababa, where we arrived late and found ourselves running through the airport to catch our connecting flight—only to discover that this flight was delayed too. It was comical. Hurry up and wait.
Eventually, we boarded and continued our journey to Mombasa, arriving about two hours later than scheduled. Tired, but safe and sound, we collected our luggage and made our way through customs.
The process reminded me of entering Mexico: press a button and find out whether you have been randomly selected for inspection. I wasn't selected. My friend was.
She was quickly ushered aside while I walked out, watching from a distance as customs officers began opening her luggage. The issue? We had brought clothes and toys for children as donations.
Nothing was new. These were our own children's gently used clothes and toys, items we had brought with the intention of giving them to families who could use them.
The officers wanted to charge her substantial fees for bringing them into the country. Through diplomacy, patience, and some very skillful negotiation, she managed to explain the purpose of our trip and avoid the fees.
Outside, our private transfer was waiting.
Around 9 p.m., we finally arrived at our first destination: the beautiful and historic Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa.
Our journey to Taita Taveta would officially begin the following day, but logistics had given us an unexpected gift: one day to experience Mombasa first.
And what a joyful beginning it was.
September 29 — Mombasa, Indian Ocean & A Day of Joy
The following morning, we hired a private transfer to explore some of Mombasa's highlights.
Our first stop was Fort Jesus, the imposing 16th-century fortress overlooking the Indian Ocean. Walking outside its walls was a reminder that Mombasa has been a crossroads of cultures, trade, and history for centuries.
We also stopped at a local artisanal shop, where we browsed souvenirs and admired the craftsmanship and creativity of Kenyan artisans.
By lunchtime, we headed to Tamarind, one of the restaurants we had been highly recommended to try. Afterward, we returned to the hotel to work on our presentations and make some final edits before the conference. But eventually, work could wait.
I took the opportunity to jump into the Indian Ocean.
It was exhilarating.
The white sand stretched along the shoreline, the water was crystal clear, and there was practically no one around—except for the vendors. They were wonderfully persistent, approaching with confidence and endless enthusiasm, eager to show us their handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. A “no, thank you” was rarely the end of the conversation, but their warmth, humor, and determination were hard not to admire. I did end up purchasing some souvenirs, which they offered to personalize with our names and brought back the next morning.
The temperature was perfect—around 26°C—and I swam, floated, and simply allowed myself to be present for a solid hour. I was completely lost in my thoughts. And deeply grateful to be there.
That evening, we had dinner at the hotel and joined the entertainment team for some dancing. It was the perfect end to our first full day in Kenya: relaxed, joyful, and full of anticipation for what was ahead.
September 30 — From the Coast to the Hills
The conference organizer arrived to pick us up in a private van.
We were about to embark on what my friend had described as the most dangerous part of our journey: the approximately four-hour drive from Mombasa to Taita Taveta.
Years earlier, when she had made the journey herself from Nairobi to Taita Taveta, the trip had taken more than ten hours.
I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary road trip.
But when she had invited me to participate in the conference, she had mentioned this as the only particularly challenging part of the adventure. I wasn't dissuaded. Somehow, I believed we would be okay.
Kenya also reminded me of something that still felt unfamiliar despite having experienced it before: driving on the left side of the road. The steering wheel was on the right, and traffic flowed in the opposite direction from what I was used to.
About an hour into our journey, our driver overtook another vehicle on a two-lane road. Shortly afterward, a police vehicle pulled us over.
Our driver was instructed to cross the busy road and was questioned by the officers. For a moment, the situation escalated. They threatened to confiscate the van, take our driver away, and impose a penalty. What felt like an eternity was probably much less time in reality.
Our event organizer handled the situation with remarkable calm and diplomacy. He explained our situation, why we were traveling, apologized on behalf of the driver, and negotiated our release. Eventually, we were allowed to continue. And we arrived safely.
The scenery had transformed completely.
We had left behind the beaches and tropical atmosphere of Mombasa and entered the lush, mountainous landscape of Taita Taveta.
It felt like entering another Kenya.
October 1–3 — Women’s Empowerment Conference
The heart of our journey had finally arrived.
More than 100 women gathered for the second edition of the Women’s Empowerment Conference, an initiative designed to encourage women to recognize their own potential, strengthen their personal and economic well-being, and build the confidence and tools necessary to navigate life's challenges.
The program was founded by Tony Silard, founder of the Center for Social Leadership, whose connection to Kenya dates back to his own time living in the country. Through his work with leaders and educators in the region, he has conducted seminars and conferences focused on social and personal leadership.
In 2022, Karla Silard brought that vision into a program created specifically for women, launching the first Women's Empowerment Conference in Kenya.
The second edition built upon that foundation, expanding the conversation beyond leadership and empowerment to address some of the practical and deeply personal issues women face every day.
The conference brought together discussions around psychology, mental well-being, nutrition, healthy living, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, idea generation, budgeting, saving, and personal development.
What made the experience particularly powerful was the combination of practical knowledge and emotional encouragement, especially because we invited special guests to contribute their personal stories, expertise, and unique perspectives. Their willingness to share their experiences brought the topics to life and made the conversations more relatable and meaningful. Rather than simply listening to presentations, the women had the opportunity to hear directly from people who had walked different paths, overcome challenges, built expertise, and were willing to share what they had learned along the way.
These personal stories created a sense of connection and community in the room. They reminded participants that empowerment can take many forms: learning from someone else's experience, gaining practical tools, finding inspiration in another woman's journey, or simply realizing that the challenges they face are shared by others.
The result was a program that combined knowledge, lived experience, practical tools, and human connection, making the three days both educational and deeply personal. The conversations addressed the women’s real-life challenges—from raising children and managing finances to overcoming discouragement, building livelihoods, and finding the strength to move forward.
And I had the privilege of being part of it.
October 4 — Leaving with a Full Heart
At 5 a.m., we left Taita Taveta.
We were tired, but our hearts were full.
There is a delicate balance between giving and receiving.
You arrive somewhere hoping to contribute—to give your time, your knowledge, your experience.
And somehow, you leave feeling as though you received far more than you gave.
On our way back to Mombasa, we had organized one essential stop.
A safari.
If there was one thing we could not leave Kenya without experiencing, it was the wildlife that had made this country legendary around the world.
So we entered Tsavo East National Park.
We saw monkeys, buffalo, giraffes, gazelles, elephants, zebras—and lions. So many lions.
This was what safari dreams are made of.
But the highlight was undoubtedly the moment we came across a pride of approximately ten lions.
We sat there mesmerized, watching them in their natural environment.
Next to us, I noticed another person with an enormous camera lens.
I thought to myself, This must be how National Geographic gets those incredible close-up shots of lions.
Then I looked down at the vehicle. There it was. The National Geographic insignia.
I laughed. Yep. This was definitely the real thing. I wished I had a better camera or at least binoculars! Tip for next time.
That evening, we stayed at a hotel inside the national park.
Even getting there was part of the experience. We continued driving through the park, surrounded by wildlife, occasionally stopping because elephants had decided to cross the road.
There was nowhere else to be.
No schedule that mattered more than the moment.
Just us, the animals, and the extraordinary landscape around us.
At the hotel, another unforgettable experience awaited us.
A tunnel led underground to a secure viewing area, with small windows positioned close to a watering hole.
From there, we could watch enormous elephants approaching the water.
We simply stood there, watching. No cages on their end.
Just a quiet, protected place from which we could observe these magnificent animals living their lives.
It was humbling.
And unforgettable.
October 5 — Kaleidoscope of Kenya
The return flight from Mombasa to Rome offered a quiet moment to reflect on the experience, mixed with the excitement of being reunited with my family.
When I think back on those eight days in Kenya, I see a kaleidoscope of moments: turquoise waters, historic walls, lush hills, long roads, unexpected stops, laughter, dancing, lions, and elephants.
Most of all, I remember more than 100 women coming together to learn, share, question, and encourage one another—through conversations about motherhood, mental health, money, nutrition, entrepreneurship, resilience, and hope.
I went to Kenya hoping to contribute, but I left feeling enriched. The experience reminded me that empowerment is never one-way. We can share knowledge, courage, and experiences, but we can also receive them in return.
Kenya was a country of contrasts, a journey of purpose, and a profound lesson in humanity—one I will carry with me for a long time.
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