Day four of Kenya Beyond Sight introduced a different kind of adventure, one that was not simply meant to be described to the creators, but experienced through their other senses.
The creators visited Haller Park in Bamburi, a remarkable conservation space that has transformed what was once a limestone quarry into a thriving home for wildlife and nature.
For a project that brings together travellers with different disabilities, the visit offered an opportunity to experience wildlife in ways that went beyond visual observation.
Instead, the creators were encouraged to touch, listen and feel their way through the experience. They touched the tortoises, felt their shells, experienced their movement and listened as they learnt more about these gentle giants.
Then came the snakes. Yes, the creators actually interacted with them.
Seeing Wildlife Differently, One Sense at a Time
With the guidance of Madam Celine Mukonzo, the creators got closer to the reptiles, learnt about them and experienced that familiar mixture of curiosity, excitement and, for some of us, that quiet question of, “Are you sure this snake is friendly?”
But Haller Park was not done introducing them to its residents. After the snakes came the giraffes.
And this was not a moment for simply standing nearby and listening about them.The group got to feed them.
Imagine holding out a piece of food and suddenly feeling that enormous, gentle presence moving closer. Then came the moment when a giraffe’s long tongue reached out, wrapped around the food and gently pulled it away.
Read More: Kenya Beyond Sight Brings Inclusive Adventure to Malindi Marine Park
Feeling Wildlife Beyond Sight
After the excitement of meeting the reptiles, the encounter with the giraffes brought a different kind of closeness. This time, it was not just about getting near the animals, but about experiencing their presence through every sense available to the creators.
For the participants experiencing the encounter through touch and sound, it was unforgettable. According to the group, there was a palpable sense of excitement as the giraffes came closer, with reactions filling the air and anticipation building before each interaction.
It was one of those moments when seeing the giraffe was not necessary to know exactly how close it was.
They could feel the encounter.
And perhaps that is Kenya Beyond Sight in its simplest form turning a wildlife experience into something that can be felt, heard, shared and remembered.
Accessibility Means More Than Access
For the creators, accessibility is not simply about getting through a gate or moving from one place to another.
It is also about creating opportunities for people with disabilities to touch, feel, listen, participate, ask questions and experience nature in their own way.
According to the group, that is what made Haller Park special. It created room for interaction, curiosity and discovery, allowing the experience to unfold through more than sight alone.
After all that adventure, they had lunch at the park before heading into another side of Mombasa.
The Streets of Mombasa
From the calm of nature to the pulse of the city, the group proceeded to the streets of Mombasa where they connected with people, exchanged greetings, shared laughter and experienced the everyday street energy that makes the coastal city unique.
There were no staged encounters or rehearsed moments. Just spontaneous conversations, warm exchanges and the simple experience of being part of the life unfolding around them.
Sometimes it can be found in a tortoise beneath your hands or the unexpected presence of a snake.
It could be the experience of standing close to a giraffe, feeding it and feeling the encounter in a way words can hardly capture.
Beyond that, it can be found in the voice of a stranger on the streets of Mombasa, or simply in being present and sharing the experience with those around you.
Each encounter offered a different way of experiencing Kenya, not just as a place to visit, but as a place to feel, hear, connect with and remember.
