Notes from Kenya: Giraffes, Beats and Biologists on Tour
Monday 28 April 2025
|
The Kenya trip was an unforgettable ten-day journey combining service, music, cultural exchange and incredible wildlife experiences. Here, the participants themselves talk about the schedule, experiences and emotions of the 'life changing' visit.
After months of planning, packing (and repacking), and learning to spell "Nairobi" correctly on permission slips, 22 students from Year 9–13 set off from school at 2am (yes, 2 in the actual morning!) to head off on a once-in-a-lifetime Music and Biology Tour to Kenya. What followed was 10 unforgettable days of culture, connection, concerts, conservation, and a lot of sunscreen. |
Day 1 & 2: First Steps in Africa
After a long journey via Heathrow, we finally touched down in Nairobi, exhausted but buzzing with excitement. Our home for the first few nights was Wildebeest Eco Lodge, complete with safari tents and the sounds of wild animals not too far away – a big change from dorm rooms and house bells!
The next day, we headed to Brookhouse School, a beautiful Round Square school where we quickly found that, despite living continents apart, we had loads in common (except the bit where turtles randomly stroll across campus – that was a new one). We played our first concert here, and the highlight? One of their students, Reshawn, performed tracks from his own album. Big talent, big vibes.
Day 3 & 4: Making Music, Making Friends
On Day 3 we took a turn off the beaten tourist track and visited Eastlands Library for a music workshop with local kids. At first, we were all a bit shy (teachers included), but after some icebreaker games like musical chairs, everything changed. We jammed, ceilidh danced, and swapped musical styles. Our own Mary B stepped up for a solo piping performance – totally unplanned, but totally awesome.
The next day brought the wild – literally. A safari in Nairobi National Park gave us giraffes, rhinos, and yes – LIONS – all with Nairobi’s skyline in the background. Add to that a visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, and a few tears were definitely shed. Also, fun fact: Gordonstoun now sponsors a baby elephant. How cool is that?
Day 5 & 6: From City to Highlands – and Helping Hands
After a long drive (and a very scenic photo stop overlooking the Rift Valley), we reached Kenana Farm, run by the Nightingale family. We learnt how the farm helps the local community and fights climate change with clever water usage. Bonus: great pizza lunch and monkeys in the trees!
Then it was up to the hills and into the heart of St Andrew’s School, Turi. We stayed in safari tents (again!) and spent the next few days connecting through music and service. The Service Day was especially powerful. One group worked at a care home for disabled children, while the other helped at a girl’s home – cleaning, planting potatoes, and bonding with the amazing girls living there. Meeting Jane, who’s going on to study Biochemistry at university, was a real highlight.
Oh, and some of us even got Kenyan names – shoutout to Mondoni, Washera, and Temja Mongowi!
Day 7 & 8: Watersports, Worship, and Wildlife
We were woken on Day 7 by Mr. Dell playing the bagpipes (as you do), before a chaotic and hilarious morning of watersports – paddleboards, kayaks, and a lot of splashing. Ask Mrs. Cskeni about being capsized twice (oops). That afternoon, we had a biology session with Year 10s at Turi and joined their choir for the Easter service, which was magical. We even wore traditional Kenyan robes and finished the night with a spontaneous cup song session in the cafeteria.
Then came another big safari day – this time in Nakuru National Park, complete with open-top jeeps and a long list of animal sightings. No leopards, sadly, but we saw lions, flamingos, giraffes, monkeys, and buffalo. That night we chilled at the Rising Phoenix Café for a music night and got our shirts signed by students from both schools – front for Gordonstoun, back for Turi!
Day 9 & 10: Hippos, Highlands, and Home
Our final stretch took us to Naivasha, where rain scuppered our Hell’s Gate plans, but donkeys and zebras casually wandering the resort made up for it. Also – fun fact #2 – hippos roam around the hotel at night. Yep. Actual hippos.
On our last day, we took a boat ride out to Crescent Island where we walked among zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and even ostriches – no fences, no zoos, just wild nature all around us. Definitely a memory that’ll stick with us forever.
Why This Trip Truly Embodies Kurt Hahn’s Spirit
One of the coolest things about this trip is how perfectly it fits with the ideals of Kurt Hahn, the founder of Gordonstoun and a huge believer in learning through real-life experience. Hahn talked a lot about the importance of challenge, service, and compassion – and this trip had all three in spades.
From waking up at 2am and navigating new cultures to pushing ourselves out on safaris and watersports, the challenge was constant. But it wasn’t just about ticking boxes; it was about growing confidence and resilience. Like when the pipers had to take charge themselves during concerts, or when students bravely stepped up in the service projects, playing, helping, and just being there for others.
Speaking of service, the day spent helping at care homes and planting potatoes wasn’t just hard work — it was humbling. It showed us that small acts can make a big difference, and that giving your time is one of the most powerful things you can do.
And through all this, compassion was the thread that held everything together. Meeting children living with real challenges, bonding with new friends from halfway across the world, and witnessing the fragility of wildlife – it all opened hearts. This trip wasn’t just about seeing Kenya; it was about feeling it, and carrying those feelings back home.
So yeah, this was more than just a school trip. It was a real-life lesson in becoming the kind of people Kurt Hahn envisaged — ready to take on the world, with open minds and kind hearts.
Home Again… for Now
Curious about Gordonstoun, our ethos and the Hahnian belief in Service?
To find out more about our community and the uniquely broad range of opportunities available to our students, join us on our next Virtual Taste of Gordonstoun Webinar.
Discover more...
