An interview about women-friendly Nairobi

Asking girly questions to a fellow kind

Although my ticket was booked two weeks ago, I secretly kept a small escape route in mind until today—just in case Nairobi turned out to be a total shithole. Or if Charlie’s villa happened to be in the middle of the slums. Who better to contact than a fellow woman? Merel lives and works for the Dutch embassy in Nairobi. And, not unimportantly, she doesn’t have, you know, one of those hanging between her legs. I got the chance to interview her, and I can only say: so glad I did! It was great to ask some girly questions without worrying that I’d be denied entry to Charlie’s Castle for not possessing a pair of balls.

Merel, what do you think of Kenya, Nairobi?

In addition to Kenya being a beautiful country in terms of nature and culture, Nairobi is a diverse city with a large international community. With the UN headquarters and its role as a regional hub, Nairobi is a dynamic city with fascinating people. And who can say they enjoy their Friday afternoon drink during a safari, with a view of the city where they work?!

Do you ever feel unsafe?

I think it mostly comes down to realizing you're not at home in the Netherlands and adjusting your mindset accordingly. For example, I never walk around in the dark; I take a taxi, and before I leave, I always think about where I'm going and adjust the contents of my bag/outfit accordingly. But since I've been here, I’ve never truly felt unsafe.

What have been your highlights in Kenya?

A literal highlight was standing at the top of Mount Kenya (4,985 meters) at sunrise. It's hard to choose between: running with Kenyan elite runners, waking up to the sound of a hippopotamus next to my tent, feeding giraffes, and seeing a lion family at sunrise. But of course, meeting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at a UN conference I was working at, or visiting a women's prison and Kibera (a slum) were also profound experiences.

What would your motto be in Nairobi?

"Work hard, play hard(er)." From the moment I arrived here, I became aware of how incredibly beautiful Kenya is and how much there is to discover. That’s why I try to take as many trips as possible to enjoy the country and say yes to every opportunity that comes my way. I often find myself on a Saturday morning, after an intense workweek and a great party with only three hours of sleep, at 6:00 AM, speeding towards a safari with friends.

What do you think of the people?

Kenyan people are incredibly friendly, always willing to help, and have a great sense of humor. It's also nice that about 50% of my colleagues are Kenyan, so I get to experience the underlying relationships (including those between different tribes). The only thing I can't get used to as a Dutch person is Kenyan time, which means I’m always the first one at meetings and an hour early for dinners in the eyes of my friends.

What are your five favorite spots in Kenya (from coffee shops and restaurants to attractions or hidden gems)?

1 David Shedrick Elephants & Rhino’s

– Baby elephants at your doorstep

2 Amboseli National Park

– Elephants here, elephants there, elephants everywhere, plus a few lions, hyenas, and hippos with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

3. Diani Beach

– Ultimate tropical beach vibe.

4. Lake Naivasha

– Ultimate beach paradise feeling.

5. Wasp & Sprout

– Brunch in Nairobi

Would you recommend Kenya as a travel destination?

YES! With some worldly wisdom, it’s an amazing country to travel in. Who wouldn’t want to go from the peaks of Mount Kenya to the pristine beaches in Watamu, from camping in a wildlife park to clubbing in Nairobi, and from spotting lions before breakfast to sundowners with elephants?

Do you have any fun, good, and educational tips for travelers in Kenya?

The ultimate Kenya (Africa) dream is to travel through the country with a 4x4 and a rooftop tent. This isn’t within everyone’s budget, so instead, bring your own tent to wake up to a sunrise with a view over the Rift Valley. Plus, bring plenty of DEET and face wipes, and you’re ready to go for an adventure!

Would you consider Kenya a "female-friendly" travel destination?

When you consider that the Kenyan boda drivers who stare at and whistle at you are really no different from construction workers and street youths back home, it’s not so bad. You do need to be a bit more cautious when you're on your own, but it’s more your skin color that attracts unwanted attention than being a woman. Be prepared that even if you’ve bargained down something by 50%, you’ll still likely get ripped off. On the other hand, you’ll probably pay three times less than you would in Amsterdam... So, if that’s the price you pay? Sounds great!! Next week, I’ll share more about my collaboration with Charles and what I’ll be doing here. Will you keep following my preparations? Love, Caty