*Kenya Travel with Heart
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Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism Program Includes the Following:
- One on one consultation with our travel experts
- Private registration and trip page
- Pretrip Packet
- Handpicked accommodations
- Experienced Private Guide
- Artisan shopping opportunities
- Our favorite tour activities
- Donation to one of TVE’s community partners
Kenya is located on the northeast coast of the African continent boasting stunning Indian Ocean coastline, savannahs full of wildlife, Lake Victoria, and The Great Rift Valley. Home to the famous Maasai Mara National Park, Amboseli National Park, Samburu National Park, and many more expect to see lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, rhino and more on game drives throughout your trip.
Experience the hospitality of the people who have intertwined the culture of their ancient ancestors into everyday modern life. The Village Experience can introduce you to local communities in a unique way including cooking classes, visits to Women’s cooperatives, time with local families, walking tours, and visits to social enterprises.
An experience in Kenya should include time in the Lamu Archipelago, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and home to well preserved Islamic and Swahili cultures. A visit to Lamu Island would not be complete without several boat rides aboard a local dhow on the warm Indian Ocean. Wooden dhow boats were historically used to transport goods and spices between the Middle East, India and Africa. The influences of these journeys can still be seen throughout the island in the food, architecture and handicrafts. Add Kenya to your bucket list today.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Transfer to hotel for the evening.
Day 2 – Morning visit to Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust to see the feeding of the orphaned elephants and learn about conservation efforts throughout the country. Continue on to the Giraffe Conservation Center to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Stop for lunch and artisan shopping in the afternoon. Return to hotel.
Day 3 – Morning drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Check into eco-lodge and enjoy an afternoon safari to go in search of black and white rhino, lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra, and more. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Morning game drive to witness the predators of the park hunting. Return to lodge for breakfast. Spend the day at one of the Village Experience partner projects. Afternoon safari. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Morning drive to Mbita, located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Check into eco-camp and meet the local Village Experience team. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Days 6/7 – Spend these days with our community partners at Mbita primary school, Geera Village, and the the Live Long Self Help Women’s Group. You’ll see your fundraising dollars put to good use and work alongside the community to help improve the standard of living for our partners. Some activities can include building a home for one of the women, participating in the school feeding program, learning how to make chapati, and helping to maintain and beautify the village.
Day 8 – Morning drive to Kisumu to catch flight back to Nairobi Wilson Airport. Connect to flight to the Lamu Archipelago. Meet your TVE representative at Manda Airport and transfer via boat to Shela Village. Check into your Swahili style accommodations and relax for the evening.
Day 9 – Free morning to relax and enjoy the beach. Enjoy a walking tour of Shela in the afternoon. Sunset dhow trip through the mangroves on Hippo Dhow in the evening. Hippo Dhow is part of our socially responsible tourism program on the island.
Day 10 – Spend the day with our community partners in the village. Activities can include a community cleanup project, projects with the local art center, time with a local family on their shamba, and more. Enjoy a samosa making class and dinner with the Shela Women’s Association in the evening.
Day 11 – Board Hippo Dhow this morning for a day sail around the islands. Relax and take in the beautiful scenery. Anchor on a secluded beach and enjoy the Indian Ocean while the crew prepares a fresh fish bbq right on the dhow. Sail back to Shela Village in the afternoon.
Day 12 – Morning flight back to Nairobi. Connect to onward flight home.
Flight Reservations
Arrival & Departure: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)