Road-tripping and island-hopping along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya.

Stroll through the dusty streets of downtown Nairobi with ex-street kids Kissmart, Donga and Cheddaz. These three ‘street kids’ grew up in Mathare, one of Nairobi's biggest slums. They used to hang around Central Business District (CBD) begging, stealing, smuggling and dealing. Now they share their street skills with you on a tour of CBD! Thanks to this tour, the boys can create a better life for themselves, their families and the new generation of street children from their slum. The boys show you where they slept as children, what the escape routes from the police were, and they tell you all about the time they spent in jail. Be prepared for a lot of hot stories, bizarre encounters, lots of high fives, fat dances and, above all, a lot of fun. And don't worry, with these guys around you are safe anyway!

Time for plenty of Masai culture. Milking cows, counting goats and fetching water are daily activities you might be able to help with. Food is included but it's good to know that the Masai are not the best chefs.... So don't have too high expectations of the food, although it will be prepared for you with love. At and around Mt Suswa, you can't get bored. For instance, you can cruise around on the back of a motorbike between the inner and outer crater and bring out the caving enthusiast in yourself in one of the rocks. The highlight, however, is the hike to the top! This hike takes about 5-6 hours. Masai will walk with you, so along the way you can ask all kinds of questions about the area and daily life here.

Descend into the Rift Valley and drive between the yellow-gold acacia trees as if you were in an eternal sunset. In the afternoon, a sunset boat safari is scheduled on nearby Lake Naivasha. The shores are home to all sorts of wildlife: giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest,.... Don't forget to bring coolers and purchased snacks on board and then: spot away!

Have a hearty breakfast as an active day is scheduled: Cycling through Hell's Gate National Park! Does the unique landscape look familiar to you? Remember when Mufasa was overrun by wildebeests being chased by hyenas in the Lion King? Hell's Gate was the inspiration for this scene! Fortunately, Simba and his friends are not actually running around here and you can cycle and walk around in peace. You'll spot giraffes, gazelles, buffalo and warthogs, among others, from the bike, while zebras will run with you. And all with spectacular steep cliffs and rock formations as a backdrop. In between, you take an adventurous hike through the gorge created by lava rivers from two volcanoes.

Kweisos means "place of the palms" in Kipsigis, a local language. You can imagine the beautiful setting you’re in here. It’s lush, hilly, and fertile. Perfect for enjoying some peace and tranquillity.

Next stop: Kenya's oldest nature reserve, Kakamega Forest! This last remaining indigenous rainforest in Kenya is millions of years old and boasts an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a romantic, magical, fairytale setting, taking you back to a time when much of East Africa was covered in tropical rainforest. As you walk through this jungle, you’ll hear thousands of sounds surrounding you. Take it all in and enjoy the sensation of stepping into another world. Don’t miss the stunning viewpoints where you can watch the sun set over the forest. A breathtaking sight you won’t forget anytime soon.

Kisumu is Kenya's third-largest city and was Charlie's hometown for 1.5 years! “Kisumu is a vibrant African city on the shores of Lake Victoria, with plenty to explore. I had a wonderful time living here for 1.5 years and discovered many beautiful spots. The weather is warm, the pace of life is slower than in Nairobi, but it still has the facilities and charm of a city.” Fun fact: Kisumu is also the hometown of Obama’s parents!

Mfangano is a peaceful island: incredibly fertile, with lots of agriculture, 20,000 people, very few tourists, and everyone is thrilled that you're there. You can bike around the island, enjoy leisurely walks, or even hike to the highest point of the island. It’s a bit hilly, with occasional climbs and descents. The start can be challenging, but believe me, it gets better! The journey offers stunning views of the island and Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria is one of the Great African Lakes, named after Queen Victoria. Covering 69,484 km², it’s the largest lake on the African continent. On this vast lake lies a small island, Takawiri Island. With its white sand beach, palm trees, and the sea, it’s easy to lean back in your chair and enjoy the view. Everything on Takawiri exudes tranquility, giving you the feeling of being on a coastal beach. There’s not much to do here. Just relax on the beach and maybe do some fishing if you’d like. So, put your feet up, sunglasses on, and it’s time to relax!

Bomanoma is located in the Great Rift Valley, in the heart of Masailand. Sustainability is a top priority here in Narok: from collecting and harvesting rainwater, using solar energy, composting food waste, and keeping bees, to repurposing glass bottles as water feeders for crops. Nestled between wild sage trees and herds of grazing cattle, you can enjoy the tranquility and the surrounding nature. In the evening, you’ll feel cozy by a campfire, enjoying freshly grilled Nyama Choma (goat meat) or a homemade, oven-baked pizza while watching the magical sunset behind the mountains.

The Masai Mara. Needs no introduction. The extension of the Serengeti - or vice versa, backdrop for the Great Migration and otherwise endless plains for the ultimate safari experience. The animals are most active in the morning, when the savannah is still cool. So who knows, you might be met by some big cats. Do you know the BBC series Big Cat Diary? It was filmed here. So chances are you will see a lion or cheetah walking by. Leopards can also be seen lazing in trees or strolling along the road. TIP: Make sure you arrange a packed lunch at the camp the day before, so you don't have to go back and you have some more time. You can then munch these on the banks of the Mara River.

Everything comes to an end, including this wonderful adventure. Fully rested, you pack your bags to get on the plane home. With a nice healthy colour on your cheeks, you board the plane. With your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you relive the cool adventures of the past few days. Full of inspiration and with an overdose of wonderful memories, you return home. Unspoilt nature, lush wildlife, inspiring people & vibrant cities. You now have plenty of stories to tell family and friends later by the fire. An adventure over, but a new set of experiences richer.