Leon Draisaitl Celebrates African Honeymoon Adventure in Kenya
Leon Draisaitl kicked off his summer off‑ice by jetting to Kenya for a honeymoon adventure, posting vivid safari photos with his new wife Celeste Desjardins during the week of 8 July 2026.
The couple checked into Ol Donyo Lodge, a luxury outpost nestled in Chyulu Hills National Park. The lodge markets itself as one of Kenya’s most exclusive safari bases, perched on the edge of Africa’s iconic plains. From their balcony, Draisaitl captured sunrise over grazing giraffes, a sight that quickly filled his Instagram feed.
Their itinerary read like a wildlife‑lover’s dream. The pair rode a guided game drive that brought them within arm’s reach of a pride of lions lounging in the shade. Later, they boarded a helicopter for a bird’s‑eye tour of the park, the rotor blades humming above herds of elephants. The highlight, according to the posted images, was a candle‑lit dinner set on a clearing surrounded by curious antelopes, the couple toasting with champagne as the sun dipped below the horizon.
The honeymoon follows a busy summer for the Edmonton Oilers. Earlier in the offseason, Draisaitl and Celeste joined teammate Connor McDavid and his wife Lauren for a weekend in the Hamptons, then the McDavids headed to Utah for a ski retreat. These get‑aways give the roster a chance to recharge after a grueling campaign that ended in early May. Draisaitl’s social media hints that the African trip was a long‑planned reward for finally tying the knot after a summer wedding.
While the trip is purely personal, the timing matters. The Oilers are gearing up for training camp in September, and Draisaitl’s off‑ice relaxation could translate into fresh energy on the ice. Fans hope the safari’s calm will help him return ready to chase another Stanley Cup run. The NHL’s schedule will see the Oilers open the season on 12 October 2026, giving Draisaitl just under three months to transition from wildlife photography back to power‑play setups.
Beyond the wildlife, the couple’s pictures include friendly faces from the lodge staff, who helped arrange the private dinner and guided the helicopter tour. The images show Draisaitl laughing with a local guide, a reminder that even elite athletes rely on the expertise of people far from the rink.
The Kenyan adventure paints a vivid picture of a star player stepping away from the crease to enjoy some of the planet’s most spectacular scenery. As the Oilers prepare for a new campaign, Leon Draisaitl’s African honeymoon stands out as a memorable chapter in his off‑season story.