These diaries are written in small notebooks which have no covers, with loose pages inserted. They consist of 9 parts (part 7 appears to be missing).

This consists of 145 pages, in a small notebook, with cover, and describes his journey to South Africa, in company with his fellow-missionary R. Price. The voyage is described in detail and at the back of the notebook are notes on his fellow passengers. During the voyage MacKenzie learns Dutch and reads David Livingstone's "Travels". They are welcomed at Cape Town by the Moffat family and plans are made for the journey to Kuruman, where he is to reside whilst he is learning Sechuana and absorbing the experience of Robert Moffat. This diary was intended to be circulated amongst his family circle and to take the place of "Vica voce chit chat at the family fireside".