Orbit Africa Horizon

30 Sept to 6 Oct 2026

The EastAfricaExperience

Thirty-three explorers left Lagos with hand luggage and big plans. Three countries, four flights, one long bus ride and one awards night later, this is the proof.

scroll to take off

days away from Lagos
7
countries, one after the other
3
explorers on one manifest
33
border crossed by bus
1

Wheels up from Lagos

Out of Murtala Muhammed at 12:25 and clean across the width of the continent. We landed in Nairobi in time for dinner.

Date
30 Sept
Transport
One plane
In the air
5h 20m

Good morning, Nairobi

First morning, first photoshoot. Somebody found a Kenyan flag before anybody found breakfast, and by noon half of us were wrapped in shukas.

NAIROBIKENYA30 SEP 2026ARRIVED

the flag did the rounds

The giraffes came in for a kiss

Hold out a pellet and a five-metre animal with a blue tongue does the rest. Some explorers were braver than others.

keep going, they move sideways

Then we took Nairobi from the top of KICC

Up the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the round tower in the middle of the city. All of Nairobi behind us on the roof, and just enough time for a pose before the evening flight to Kigali.

Second country, same day

Giraffes in the morning, a rooftop at noon, and Kigali by nightfall. A ninety-minute hop west and the hills started.

Date
1 Oct
Transport
One plane
In the air
1h 30m

Kigali, where the car park became a dance floor

Morning three. The bus to Uganda was loading, the phones were already on tripods, and nobody could wait until we got there.

KIGALIRWANDA01 OCT 2026ARRIVED
  • ready before the bus was
  • the wall never asked for this
  • window seat, secured
  • all aboard
  • this is the face of someone who slept well
  • packed, dressed, undefeated

Some of us came in pairs

Thirty-three explorers, and a few who only ever needed one other person on the bus.

In a world of their own

Wherever one went, the other was already there. They danced together, posed together and filmed together, and the remaining thirty-one of us were mostly background.

The power couple

They did not need to be side by side all week. One photo together was enough to remind the single explorers what we were going home to: a suitcase and a phone charger.

No boarding pass for this one

The road north out of Kigali, hill after hill after hill, then a border post, then Uganda. Country three, and the only one we drove into.

Date
3 Oct
Transport
One bus
Country
Number 3

Uganda, by zip line

We drove all the way to Lake Mutanda and then threw ourselves off a hill, on purpose. Screaming was optional. Most of us took the option.

one of us took a selfie halfway down. respect.

LAKE MUTANDAUGANDA03 OCT 2026ARRIVED

Then we met a gorilla the size of a house

Back over the border and into Volcanoes National Park, where a gorilla woven out of bamboo sits on the lawn with a volcano behind it. The carved stool outside the thatched house saw a lot of us too.

VOLCANOESRWANDA03 OCT 2026ARRIVED
  • she was not scared of it
East Africa Experience Award

The night we dressed up

Last night in Kigali. Dinner on the lawn at Velvett, the East Africa Experience Awards, and thirty-three explorers who had clearly packed for this exact moment.

Six trophies, six legends

Voted by the people who watched them do it all week.

  • East Africa Fashion Icon, Male

    Lumee

  • East Africa Fashion Icon, Female

    Ria Yung

  • Most Punctual

    Rachel

  • Most Adventurous

    Audrey

  • Life of the Group

    Saviour

  • Orbit Africa Iconic Legend

    Wisdom Okoko

Everybody went home with something

A certificate for every explorer and the loudest applause of the whole week. Bowing was encouraged.

the people who fed us

Dinner was at Velvett

Velvett Resto-Bar in Kigali gave us the lawn, the cocktails and a bar that kept up with thirty-three Nigerians. If you are ever in town, go and eat there.

KK 349 St, Kigali, Rwanda

Find Velvett on Google Maps

We laughed.We complained.We argued.We vibed.We danced.We ate food without pepper.

“Mr. Wisdom…”

how every single complaint began

seven days. we are fine. mostly.

Roll the tape

Photographs only tell you so much. Press play and turn the sound up.

  • The recap

    film by Örela Creates

  • The pool, after dark

    film by Saviour

The explorers

Thirty-three of them, and one group chat that will never recover. Tap a face to meet one.

And then, home

Kigali to Lagos with heavier bags, a few trophies in the hand luggage and a camera roll that needs its own hard drive.

Date
6 Oct
Transport
Two planes
Touchdown
21:45

Home. Still not over it.

Every photograph from the week is in one place. Go on, find yourself.

Fly it again

  • A woman in a pink T-shirt and sunglasses holds a Kenyan flag out beside a hotel pool in Nairobi
  • A woman in a pink T-shirt throws her head back with a Kenyan flag stretched out behind her by the pool
  • Three women pose by the pool, one lifting a Kenyan flag overhead
  • A woman in a blue and orange print two-piece smiles with a Kenyan flag draped behind her shoulders by the pool
  • A woman with long curled braids and flower earrings wraps a Kenyan flag around herself beside the pool
  • Two women hold a Kenyan flag out between them beside the pool, one with a red afro, one in a crochet hat
  • A woman with a red afro raises an arm in the air while her friend holds a Kenyan flag beside her
  • Two women walk arm in arm past the pool, one with a red afro and a brown leather jacket, the other in a crochet sun hat and striped linen
  • A man in a black T-shirt and sunglasses stands on the walkway at the Giraffe Centre
  • A man in a black cap offers a pellet to a giraffe with its tongue out at the Giraffe Centre
  • A woman in a brown top glances at the camera while a giraffe leans in to be fed
  • Two men in white T-shirts grin at the camera, one flashing a peace sign
  • A woman in a crochet hat and striped trousers laughs on the boardwalk at the Giraffe Centre
  • A woman in a crochet hat throws both arms in the air on the Giraffe Centre boardwalk
  • A woman with a red afro and a flower in her hair spreads her arms wide, laughing, on the boardwalk
  • A woman in a maroon print top and cream skirt walks along the Giraffe Centre boardwalk
  • A woman in a purple print dress walks along the boardwalk looking at her phone
  • A woman in sunglasses and a black leather jacket stands on the boardwalk
  • A man in a blue embroidered cap and striped trousers points at the camera in front of the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A woman in a striped top and wide jeans poses with a hand to her hair in front of the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A woman in a navy cap with a pink patterned scarf over her shoulders stands by the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A woman in a brown patchwork outfit walks past the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A woman in a crochet hat laughs with her eyes closed, sitting under the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A man in a black jacket and cap smiles outside the Giraffe Centre
  • A woman in an orange and blue print set sits under the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A man in a green crochet cardigan spreads his arms in front of the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A woman in tinted glasses with a green jumper over her shoulders smiles in front of the Giraffe Centre sign
  • A woman with long braids in a red and white zebra-print shirt smiles outside the Giraffe Centre
  • A woman with a red afro dances across a car park with her arms out
  • A woman in a purple checked shuka and beaded headband laughs behind her hand at the roadside
  • Three of the group in checked shukas pose with a dancer in beads and feathers
  • A woman in round sunglasses, a rust top and an orange gingham skirt sits on steps holding an Orbit Africa Horizon water bottle
  • A woman in an orange gingham skirt leans on the rooftop railing at KICC with Nairobi spread out below
  • A man in a mint sleeveless top tips his black cap down on the KICC rooftop, the Nairobi skyline behind him
  • The round tower of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, seen from the forecourt
  • A man in a mint sleeveless top tips his cap in the KICC forecourt, the tower and amphitheatre behind him
  • Large white KICC letters in the gardens of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre
  • A man with locs, dark glasses and a camouflage top grins beside a safari vehicle on a paved forecourt
  • A man in a camouflage top and green bandana laughs while holding his phone on the forecourt
  • A woman in a headscarf and a man in a camouflage top stand close together in front of a safari vehicle
  • A woman in a patterned headscarf and visor sunglasses dances in front of a safari vehicle while a man strikes a pose behind her
  • A woman in a headscarf sticks her tongue out mid-dance as a friend poses behind her and a phone films on a tripod
  • A man in a beige polo and camouflage shorts stands in the sun outside a hotel entrance
  • A woman in a bright blue shirt and shorts set kicks one leg up against a white wall
  • A man in a brown T-shirt and black cap looks down at his watch against a white wall
  • A woman in glasses, a blue headband and a blue top checks her phone in a window seat on the bus
  • A woman with long braids in a red top smiles as she steps off the bus
  • A woman in a white print set and a man in a white cap and tan shirt stand together by the roadside
  • A woman in a white print set and a man in a white cap and tan shirt pose together at the roadside
  • A woman in sunglasses and a red and blue patchwork print dress throws a peace sign on a quiet road
  • A woman in a red print outfit takes a selfie at the roadside
  • A woman in a black top and wide navy trousers stands in the middle of a quiet road
  • A woman in white cat-eye sunglasses tilts her head and laughs
  • A woman in an orange and blue print shorts set stands outside the hotel
  • A woman with a red afro, a flower in her hair and a pink gingham dress stands by her suitcase
  • The zip-line crew in harnesses and pink helmets jump and cheer on the grass at Lake Mutanda
  • Nine of the group in harnesses and helmets wait their turn for the zip line
  • A woman in a pink helmet takes a selfie mid-air on the zip line, skimming the lake with her shoes
  • A man in a jacket throws a peace sign as he rides the zip line over the lake
  • A man in a pink helmet and white T-shirt spreads his arms wide on the landing platform
  • A woman in a blue top and jeans poses in front of a giant woven bamboo gorilla, with a volcano under cloud behind
  • A man in a black T-shirt and jeans sits on a carved stool outside a thatched Rwandan house
  • A man in a cap and brown top sits sideways on a carved stool outside a thatched house, chin on his hand
  • Two woven bamboo giraffes stand on the lawn beside the giant gorilla sculpture
  • The giant woven bamboo gorilla seen from behind, people walking beneath its arm
  • The entrance of Velvett Resto-Bar in Kigali, with its banner over a palm-lined courtyard
  • Rows of upturned white teacups on saucers laid out beside a window at Velvett
  • A plate of bread, a boiled egg, salad, cake and a fruit skewer at Velvett
  • A man in a pale blue agbada stands on the lawn before the awards night
  • Four men in green, pale blue, maroon and white traditional outfits stand together at the awards night
  • A man in a white embroidered kaftan, cap and sunglasses smiles at the awards night
  • Six gold trophies lined up on a table, each with an East Africa Experience Award plaque
  • A man in a blue floral shirt smiles with a hand on his chest, trophies on the table behind him
  • A man in a blue aso-oke cap and layered blue agbada with long black beads stands with his hands clasped
  • A man in a blue agbada and a man in a denim jacket and brown cap smile side by side
  • A man in a brown cap and an oversized denim jacket smiles on the lawn
  • A woman with a copper fringe wig, round sunglasses and an orange tie-dye set dances holding a beaded bag
  • A woman with long copper hair and round sunglasses poses in an orange tie-dye halter set
  • A woman in a red and blue print top and yellow skirt leans on a table, smiling over her shoulder
  • A man in a red cap, sunglasses and a red brocade waistcoat with coral beads raises both hands to his cap
  • A man in a red cap and red waistcoat with coral beads looks past the camera
  • A woman with cornrows and gold earrings in a strapless kente-pattern dress sweeps her hair to one side
  • A woman in round sunglasses and a red and white halter dress stands with a hand on her hip
  • A woman in a yellow and green striped kimono throws her hands up, laughing
  • A woman in a teal print dress smiles beside a cocktail table
  • A woman in red beaded earrings and a blue ankara dress dances with open hands
  • A woman with long curls in a yellow adire kimono smiles with her hands together
  • A woman in a red and white adire dress smiles, holding a red woven bag
  • A woman in a red and white adire dress blows a kiss to the camera
  • A man in a blue agbada raises a cocktail glass and one hand in the air
  • A woman in a black satin top and lace skirt with waist beads stands by the cocktail tables
  • A woman in sunglasses and a red and white print dress walks across the lawn carrying a yellow bag
  • A woman in sunglasses and a purple tie-dye set points across the lawn mid-dance
  • A woman in a purple tie-dye top and skirt dances in sunglasses
  • A woman with long braids and big red earrings adjusts her sunglasses, wearing a red top and yellow skirt
  • A woman in glasses and a pink floral halter set walks through the party holding her phone
  • A woman in a pink halter set in profile, her long ponytail threaded with cowrie shells
  • A woman in a pink halter set looks back over her shoulder, cowrie shells running down her ponytail
  • A man in a blue aso-oke cap and blue agbada with long beads holds a cocktail out to the camera
  • A man in a blue agbada laughs and holds a cocktail glass out to the camera
  • A woman in glasses and a pink floral dress smiles and points over her shoulder
  • Two men sit back on a leather sofa, one in maroon with sunglasses, one in white
  • A man in a blue agbada and a woman in a white off-shoulder dress and headwrap stand together
  • A woman with braided hair in a bright blue ankara dress looks straight at the camera
  • A woman with a fringe in a black and white print dress flashes a peace sign
  • A woman in a black and white print dress pulls a wide-mouthed funny face
  • A woman in a white crochet top dances with both arms in the air, braids flying
  • A woman with braids in a red and green floral halter dress stands with a bag on her shoulder
  • A woman in a red and green floral dress poses with a hand under her chin
  • A woman in a floral dress and a man in a blue agbada lean together, him throwing a peace sign
  • A woman in a print top and yellow skirt holds up her certificate beside the host in white
  • A woman in a red print top holds her certificate between the two hosts
  • A man in a green kaftan holds his certificate beside a woman in a brown top
  • A woman in a white crochet top and orange skirt laughs with her eyes shut on her way to the front
  • A woman in a black and white print dress laughs as she is handed her certificate
  • A man in a white kaftan and cap holds a certificate between two women at the awards table
  • A woman in a blue ankara dress holds her certificate between the two hosts
  • A woman in sunglasses collects her certificate while a man beside her grins
  • A man in a black outfit gives a thumbs up with his certificate
  • A woman in a red floral dress holds up her certificate between the two hosts
  • Two women in sunglasses take a selfie together at the awards night
  • A woman in a teal dress with a red bag holds up her certificate
  • A woman in a red and green floral dress holds her certificate between the two hosts
  • A woman in a kente-pattern dress strikes a pose with her certificate
  • A woman in a red and white dress holds a gold trophy between two men in agbada
  • A woman in sunglasses and a red and white dress holds the Most Punctual trophy beside a man in a pale blue agbada
  • A woman in a white crochet top throws her hands up in shock as her name is called
  • A woman in a white crochet top and orange skirt speaks, holding a gold trophy
  • A woman in a white crochet top sings into the microphone with her eyes closed, trophy in hand
  • A man in a red cap and waistcoat receives a gold trophy from two hosts
  • A man in a red cap lifts his gold trophy above his head with both hands
  • A bearded man in a red cap and red brocade waistcoat smiles, holding a gold trophy
  • A woman with a red afro in a patchwork ankara jacket, white shirt and black tie holds a black hat on her hip
  • A woman with a red afro and a patchwork jacket takes a bow as she receives a trophy from the hosts
  • A woman in a yellow adire kimono receives her certificate from the two men presenting
  • A woman in a pale blue shirt dress holds her certificate between the two men presenting
  • A woman in a green print dress receives her certificate from the two hosts
  • A woman in a green lace top holds up her certificate between the two hosts
  • A woman in a red and white adire dress holds her certificate between the two men presenting
  • A woman in sunglasses and an orange print dress stands between the hosts as her certificate is read out
  • A woman in an orange print dress leans in, smiling, with her certificate