A performer showcases traditional African dance moves during the Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, June 29. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
NAIROBI, Kenya/KAMPALA, Uganda — Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. For a reporter used to the daily grind, the sudden assignment to Africa seemed daunting at first.
My travels had been confined to Asia and the United States, so the thought of exploring the vast and unfamiliar continent of Africa was almost intimidating. Even my mother, whose greatest fear was my expedition to what she considered unpredictable places, expressed her concerns.
But before I had time to fully process the news, I found myself boarding an 18-hour flight with a layover in Dubai, bracing myself for an adventure that promised to be anything but ordinary.
My journey took me through Kenya and Uganda, where the serene beauty of nature captivated me and revealed how strikingly similar the everyday lives of people on the opposite side of the world can be to my own.
A giraffe roams the grasslands of Nairobi National Park, Kenya, July 1. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
First impressions
Touching down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, our Korean media crew was pleasantly surprised by the cool, dry weather, which instantly dispelled any stereotypes of Africa as a uniformly scorching hot continent.
Late June in Nairobi offered daytime temperatures ranging from 10 to 23 degrees Celsius, complemented by clear skies and gentle breezes that set the stage for an ideal African adventure.
A bird's-eye view of downtown Nairobi, Kenya / gettyimagesbank
As we drove to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi's Upper Hill, the stress from my long flight melted away as I gazed through the van window at the expansive horizon, uninterrupted by the city's skyscrapers. Low, fluffy clouds floated across the sky, while herds of untamed goats and cows grazed peacefully on the rugged Kenyan landscape below.
The highlight of the drive came when one of us spotted a towering giraffe gazing at our vehicle from the distant savannah. Encountering such a majestic creature in the wild elevated my excitement for the trip to its peak — giraffes are hardly a common sight in Seoul's concrete jungle, after all.
A boy attends the Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, June 29. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
Cityscapes
Nairobi's natural charm had already won me over, but my visit to Konza Technopolis on June 25 revealed a whole new side of Kenya. About 64 kilometers south of the lively capital, this ambitious tech hub is where the country's rich traditions meet its future advancements.
The skyline of Konza unfolded with patches of modern buildings in different stages of construction, with separate clusters of sites set against the rolling hills and open landscapes of Kenya's wildlife. To a stranger's eyes, the scene was as incongruous as it was intriguing.
Kenyan soldiers pose during the Kenya National Tree Growing Campaign at the Konza Technopolis in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
In my quest to understand this unique blend of tradition and progress, I had the privilege of meeting Paula and Benson, students from the Kenya Medical Training College who were on-site as part of a government initiative to plant trees throughout the city. They passionately shared the Kenyan president's ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees nationwide by 2030, an effort aimed at fostering sustainable growth.
Then there was Paik Yoo-sook, a Korean representative of the wildlife foundation Friends of Nairobi National Park. She spoke to me about the challenges of balancing rapid urban expansion with environmental conservation and noted that her team was closely monitoring how Konza's growth impacts local cheetah habitats to ensure a balance between development and wildlife protection.
My exploration of Konza Technopolis went beyond its technological aspirations, uncovering Kenya's narrative of cherishing its natural heritage amid the drive for urban development — a reminder that progress doesn't have to come at the expense of nature.
A group of students pose as they plant trees during the Kenya National Tree Growing Campaign at the Konza Technopolis in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
Ugandan life
Leaving Kenya's landscapes behind, an hour-long flight brought us to Uganda on June 28. The contrast was immediately apparent as Uganda greeted us with a hotter, more humid climate compared to its neighbor.
Often overshadowed by Kenya and Tanzania — the more popular choices among tourists to Africa, Uganda, known as the "Pearl of Africa," offered a strikingly different allure. While Kenya's expansive savannahs and majestic trees peeking through occasional buildings had been impressive, Uganda's ochre-hued streets were alive with motorcycles weaving between earth-toned structures.
People wash their motorbikes using water from Lake Victoria, Uganda, June 30. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
As we explored the city center, we were struck by Uganda's vibrant motorbike culture. People moved with purpose, and their initial glances at us — a group of visitors from the East — were marked by a mixture of caution and curiosity.
However, the next day, at the Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, I encountered a different side of Ugandan life. Conversations with locals revealed a community of proud citizens who were passionate about peace, showing me that they were not so different from us despite my initial impressions.
The high school girls I met at the festival were just like those I had encountered back in my own country. They delighted in discussing their favorite classic, "Pride and Prejudice," eagerly asked me questions about Korea and life there, and expressed genuine sympathy when I confessed I hadn't yet tried traditional Ugandan food — all a testament to their warm hospitality.
Vendors at Nakasero Market in Kampala, Uganda, sell local fruits and vegetables, June 30. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
The next day, a visit to Nakasero Market continued to reflect the warmth of the Ugandan people. Although the market was filled with the exotic sights of fresh farm produce, tropical fruits and vegetables available at negotiable prices, the way people went about their lives felt surprisingly similar to what I had seen in Korea.
A beef skewer vendor enthusiastically bargained, encouraging us to buy more for better discounts, while a fruit merchant cut open a mango larger than my combined fists for me to taste—its sweetness rivaled that of the best mangoes I'd enjoyed before.
We also went on a cruise on Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake, in Uganda. The view from our boat offered a stark contrast to the previous night's tranquil, mysterious scene near our stay.
As our boat drifted over the tranquil lake, the serene sight of anglers scattered along the horizon against a backdrop of verdant beauty provided a perfect antidote to the previous night's celebrations.
The urban landscape of Kampala, Uganda reveals a mix of residential houses and construction site. gettyimagesbank
African wildlife
Every moment in Africa was a continuous stream of wonder, but if I had to choose one standout experience, it would be standing in a roofless safari van, navigating bumpy roads and watching the sunset during Africa's precious golden hour.
After completing our assignments in Uganda, we returned to Kenya on July 1 with just one plan left: to enjoy the famous safari in Nairobi National Park.
In simple terms, this experience was far from a typical zoo visit. It was, in every sense, amazing, and, in the best of ways, truly transformative.
A herd of female impalas graze in the grasslands of Nairobi National Park in Kenya, July 1. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
As our van rolled past the park gates that afternoon, the cityscape quickly gave way to an expanse of endless grasslands. The bumpy ride was filled with anticipation, a feeling that soon gave way to exhilaration as we encountered our first inhabitants — herds of graceful impalas and gazelles.
Our guide, a local with rich knowledge about the park's inhabitants, pointed out a group of coke's hartebeest grazing nearby. These large antelopes, with their distinctive horns and long faces, seemed unbothered by our presence, continuing their day's routine with an air of nonchalance.
A pair of coke's hartebeests is spotted in the grasslands of the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, July 1. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
Deeper into the park, the sight of ostriches and striped zebras added a whimsical touch to our journey. These creatures, all with glimmering eyes, regarded us with a mix of caution and curiosity, a sentiment echoed by the giraffes looming in the distance.
While I was determined to spot Africa's Big Five — lions, leopards, African buffalo, elephants and rhinoceroses — my safari yielded only a sighting of the white rhinos. These gentle giants grazed in the grasslands, cautiously moving away from the van.
A safari van steers through the vast grasslands against the sunset at Nairobi National Park in Kenya, July 1. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
As the day drew to a close, the golden African sun sank slowly, bathing Nairobi National Park in a warm, golden light. The sky became a masterpiece of fiery oranges, gentle pinks and deep purples, each color melting into the next. The savannah's trees cast dark silhouettes against this stunning, almost surreal canvas.
At that moment, I understood that the true magic of Nairobi National Park isn't found in ticking off a list of wildlife sightings, but in the experience itself. The journey through this remarkable landscape, the surprise encounters, and the breathtaking sunset made the African adventure infinitely rewarding.
It was a chance to see that life's greatest treasures are not always in the most obvious places but often in the quiet moments, waiting to be discovered by those open to life's gentle surprises.