Back in Dublin hating my job and reminiscing about my Asian adventures, I decided to quit my job and go travelling the Dark Continent. I always had a fascination with Africa and all the exotic animals it is home to, now was the perfect chance to experience it first-hand.

As it was a last minute decision, I only had a few days between booking my flights and when I left, these were filled with running around trying to get all the camping and backpacking equipment I needed. So it wasn't until my bags had been checked in at the airport that it really hit me, I was not only heading off to Africa but I was going alone.

I had arranged with my hotel to pick me up at the airport, however two hours later I was still standing there with no sign of the car. I went over to the reception to get them to call my hotel where I was told they had forgotten to record my reservation. So there I was in Nairobi airport, alone, unable to speak the language, no phone/Wi-Fi reception and no transport to the hotel that forgotten to make my reservation. Needless to say, panic set in and I promptly started crying. Thankfully a British lady who spoke Swahili was passing by and stopped to help me. A few minutes later I was in a registered taxi on my way to the hotel. Off to a bit of a rough start but I suppose that's the beauty of travelling, it's unpredictable!

After settling into the hotel I met a few of the other travelers who would be joining me on the trip Victoria Falls. We arrange to go to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage the next day, things were picking up for this trip! Following morning myself, Tess, Adam, Cintsy and Matthew set off to see the elephant orphanage and to a giraffe reserve. Always thinking of the photos I decided to wear a pretty white dress, I quickly realised my mistake as I was covered in red dust within minutes. Lesson learnt white clothes and Africa do not mix well together.... unfortunately I had decided to pack everything white I owned!

David Sheldrick elephant orphanage fast became my favourite place. The elephants are only open to the public once a day for feeding time. You can hear them coming long before you see them, you could feel their excitement for their bottles as they came charging into the feeding area. The first batch are the younger elephants, once they have been fed the next group are brought in.

That evening we met up with the rest of the group who had been arriving throughout the day. We also got introduced to the truck, it would be our home for the next 34 days. The following morning we were up early and on our way to Tanzania.