Travel stories from the Hart: What my body remembered in East Africa

Hi, I’m Dre (pronounced “DRAY” like Dr. Dre or André 3000).

It’s been 10 years since I last blogged, at that time I had just moved to Kenya where I’d spend eight years living, playing, creating, and getting sober. What a journey it has been this last decade, finding my way back to center.

I recently returned to East Africa for a one-month journey back to where it all began. Here’s the story of that trip…

First stop – Kilifi, Kenya

Kilifi is a quiet kind of magic—a paradise that holds you gently, without judgment, until your next steps appear. It’s where I landed in 2020, when the world stood still—a place to pause, play, and create freely. No pressure in this beach bum town, just papayas. It taught me that play isn’t the opposite of purpose—it’s a way back to it. Kilifi became the soft launchpad that carried me back to the U.S. in 2022.

Returning to Kilifi this year, I stayed with my bluesy soul sister Sandra Leichum, helping her add the final brushstrokes and tile touches to her Kigelia house and Mindful Motion Feldenkrais Clinic. We sipped fresh madafus at The Food Movement, boogied through Italian night at Distant Relatives, and wandered Baobab Plantation and Red House beach with her pups, Tinga and Roxy—my self-appointed god-doggies.

Next stop – Kigali, Rwanda

Rwanda is where my African journey truly began. In 2007, I had the rare opportunity to serve refugees with Legacy Mission Village—a Nashville nonprofit supporting resettled families—and to witness post-genocide reconciliation through the eyes of Ebralie, its cofounder, as she returned to Rwanda for the first time since fleeing in 1994. That experience opened my heart to the power of forgiveness and lit a guiding north star in my lion heart.

Nearly two decades later, I came full circle—returning to Rwanda to share the healing power of flow arts and embodied movement through Embodied Trainings. I’m grateful to have been part of the inspiring work Kigali Wellness Hub is doing to nurture wellness, connection, and community in the heart of Kigali.

Next up – Nairobi (Kitisuru), Kenya

Nairobi was home for most of my eight years in Africa. I can still smell the grounding red earth and hear the clown-car toots of bodas weaving by. Nairobi taught me a hard-won lesson about love—it’s not about what we can get, but how we show up in service.

From 2016 to 2022, I ran a flow arts scholarship program here, offering underserved youth a chance to explore, express, and eventually teach aerial arts. We performed and shared our passion across the country, weaving movement into community.

On this return, my dear friend Tamara—cofounder and fearless heart behind the Kilifi Wellness Festival—welcomed me into her cozy Kitisuru cottage. This visit felt like a joyful reunion—I led an aerial training for a few familiar faces from those early days. Deep thanks to Beyond Body for opening their space to us.

Fourth Stop – Lamu Island, Kenya

I’ve landed in Lamu more times than I can count on one hand. This island always calls me home—back to the soul of things.

My dear friend and artistic genius Claire (the eye behind most of these photos) met me here. We nested into Kharat Apartments, lingered over strong brews at Bahari, and wandered the coral paths of Shela and Lamu Town—a living, breathing UNESCO dream. We waited out the rain with rounds of Bao at Subira House, perused silver at Lamu Silversmith and doted on every donkey we passed.

There was Transformative Soundwork with Marcella, yoga flowing at Banana House with Kelly, treasure hunting at Aman, garden reminicing at Fatuma’s Tower with Gilles and Feometa, juice and incense savoring at Farasha and Swahili feasting at Msafini, Kijani and Peponi.

And yes, there was a dhow boat ride—with an aerial rig on board, naturally.

Final Stops – Watamu, Kenya and Tsavo West, Kenya

The trees at Watamu Treehouse breathe tantric life into being. They whispered a vision into Paula and I’s hearts and we birthed Alchemy Women Rising to bring women together for deep healing and transformation.

Dancing, breathing, crying, laughing, swimming, flowing, flying—we honored the desire of the universe to express itself through us.

On our final night, we ran bare into the ocean—a beloved Alchemy tradition—howling at the moon as it shimmered back at us in the bioluminescence.

We integrated the retreat with a three-day safari in Tsavo West, rooted in the quiet elegance of Severin Camp.

The terrain was unlike anything I’d seen—majestic and ancient. Palm oases tucked between volcanic rock, mountain skylines stretching in every direction. It was my first time there, and our group spotted a leopard every single day. Our rapturous laughter gave way to reverent gratitude, giddy with the richness of it all.

We visited Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear waters—naturally filtered through volcanic rock—emerge from underground aquifers fed by runoff from Kilimanjaro’s ancient eruptions. It’s a place where the Earth’s deep time meets present stillness.

Thank you Karibu Kenya and ACTS Africa for the incredible support during this journey.