04/07/2025
Throwback to When We Were Younger: Turnup.Travel’s 8-Year Journey
Eight years ago, we were just a group of young, curious dreamers with cameras, backpacks, and bold ideas about how travel could change lives. Turnup.Travel wasn’t just a brand—it was a movement. A vision rooted in the belief that young people deserved to experience the richness of Kenya and Africa on their own terms. We were tired of cookie-cutter tourism. We craved authenticity, culture, storytelling, and community—and so, we built it.
What started as a passion project on Instagram has grown into a disruptive force in African travel. From spontaneous weekend getaways and to curated experiences across Kenya’s hidden gems, Turnup.Travel has always been about more than destinations. It’s been about people, purpose, and the power of stories.
We took the road less travelled—literally and figuratively. We gave voice and visibility to young African travellers, content creators, and photographers at a time when few were being invited to the table. We partnered with airlines, tourism boards, and hotels to showcase the beauty of Kenya through fresh, unfiltered lenses. Our travel documentaries, influencer campaigns, and storytelling tours didn’t just inspire wanderlust—they shaped a new narrative for local tourism.
Through it all, we remained grounded in our roots. From showcasing Nairobi’s nightlife to spotlighting remote conservancies, we always aimed to bridge the gap between urban youth culture and sustainable tourism. Our work with brands like Jambojet, Magical Kenya, and African organizations helped inject new energy into travel marketing—centered on experiences, not just destinations.
Then came the tough seasons—the pandemic, shifting markets, and burnout. But even then, the Turnup spirit never died. If anything, we evolved. We moved from just travel to transformational experiences: supporting inclusive travel with Accessible Travel Kenya, championing domestic tourism recovery, and nurturing the next generation of travel storytellers.
Today, as we reflect on this journey, we’re proud. Not because we did it all perfectly—but because we stayed true to our values. Because we built a platform that allowed young Africans to see themselves as explorers, creators, and innovators. Because we turned up—again and again—for our community.
And yet, we know this is only the beginning. Turnup.Travel is now maturing into its next phase. With 8 years behind us, we’re looking ahead: to regional expansion, to deeper impact, to building an ecosystem that supports inclusive, responsible, and youth-driven tourism across Africa.
To everyone who’s shared a trip, a photo, a late-night brainstorm, a border-crossing bus ride or a wild adventure with us—thank you. You’ve made this journey magical.
Here’s to the road ahead. To dreaming, turning up, and travelling with purpose. Just like we did when we were younger—only this time, wiser and bolder.
