Vacations for Women in Kenya
| country: | Kenya |
| location: | Masai Mara, Rift Valley |
| departures: | The itinerary below is an example of what we can offer. However, the trip can be also be arranged on a tailor-made basis for 2 or more people and altered to suit your requirements |
| price: | From £2250 (12 days) excluding flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This safari is designed by women, for women.
There is infinitely more to Africa than its wildlife, yet the fascinating cultures of the many tribal peoples are all but ignored in most safari itineraries. Even when the cultural aspect of the tribes is explored, it is generally the male side that is explained, as the guides are invariably men. The women are far too busy farming and raising families to spend time with tourists! Yet the women of the continent are the glue that keeps families together; they grow the food that prevents starvation. Without the backbreaking labor of African women, and their endless efforts to ensure their children are healthy, safe and educated, African culture would not exist.
Yet women traditionally have little or no rights, are unable to take part in village meetings and in many places are even unable to leave their village without their father or husband's permission. Female circumcision is still practiced by many tribes; even when the mother and daughter object, the father has the final say. Monies earned by women are given to the men of the household who then decide how to spend it. Even a bank account in the wife's name is not sacrosanct; a husband may access his wife's account without her permission.
Very slowly, this is starting to change as a few brave women speak out and create new ways of living. This safari is designed to spotlight these women, their ideas and provide an insight into the lives of East African women.Combining traditional game viewing with visits to local villages and women's community projects, you'll learn what it is like to be a woman in Africa, both in a tribal and a colonial culture. Speaking with several of the country's women's rights leaders will highlight the traditional and the new cultural developments of the area, and the effects upon the women of the country.
A part of your safari charge will be donated to each of the community projects that you visit, helping to further advance these women’s groups. Upon your return, spread the word by working together and helping your peers learn about each other’s cultures. Together, we can change the world, one journey at a time.
There is infinitely more to Africa than its wildlife, yet the fascinating cultures of the many tribal peoples are all but ignored in most safari itineraries. Even when the cultural aspect of the tribes is explored, it is generally the male side that is explained, as the guides are invariably men. The women are far too busy farming and raising families to spend time with tourists! Yet the women of the continent are the glue that keeps families together; they grow the food that prevents starvation. Without the backbreaking labor of African women, and their endless efforts to ensure their children are healthy, safe and educated, African culture would not exist.
Yet women traditionally have little or no rights, are unable to take part in village meetings and in many places are even unable to leave their village without their father or husband's permission. Female circumcision is still practiced by many tribes; even when the mother and daughter object, the father has the final say. Monies earned by women are given to the men of the household who then decide how to spend it. Even a bank account in the wife's name is not sacrosanct; a husband may access his wife's account without her permission.
Very slowly, this is starting to change as a few brave women speak out and create new ways of living. This safari is designed to spotlight these women, their ideas and provide an insight into the lives of East African women.Combining traditional game viewing with visits to local villages and women's community projects, you'll learn what it is like to be a woman in Africa, both in a tribal and a colonial culture. Speaking with several of the country's women's rights leaders will highlight the traditional and the new cultural developments of the area, and the effects upon the women of the country.
A part of your safari charge will be donated to each of the community projects that you visit, helping to further advance these women’s groups. Upon your return, spread the word by working together and helping your peers learn about each other’s cultures. Together, we can change the world, one journey at a time.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive into Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Nairobi, where your representative meets you. Take the 20-minute drive to the Serena Hotel. Centrally located and with friendly staff, the Serena is famous for being the most eco-friendly chain hotel in Africa. Overnight at the hotel. (Dinner not included) |
| Day 2: | Drive into the Rift Valley, past the extinct volcano of Longonot to the blue-green waters of Lake Naivasha. Surrounded by flower farms and intensive vegetable farming, Lake Naivasha also hosts the delightful small park of Hell’s Gate. Here you will meet Catherine Wakesa, one of the few Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) female park wardens, and learn about her struggles and celebrations as a successful warden. Later, enjoy a walk with some of her rangers on their daily patrols. Learn about the conservation issues in this densely populated area and enjoy learning about the Kenya Wildlife Service itself. |
| Day 3: | Leave Naivasha today for a four-hour drive to Nyeri. We’ll stop at the private home of Grace, one of the members of the Nyeri Upendo Women’s Group. This group of mostly single or widowed mothers was formed to help fund school fees for their school children. A variety of handicrafts are made on special order; the profits are used for personal loans, school fees and medical expenses, as necessary.You’ll have the chance to see the handicrafts being made, as well as giving it a try yourself! We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with these wonderful women, as well as the opportunity to sample some of the local dishes of githeri and irio. Enjoy talking to these women about their culture, their difficulties and their successes as you share experiences and learn just how similar we women are, despite our various nationalities! After your meetings, you will transfer to the Aberdare National Park to the Ark Lodge for superb overnight game viewing. Enjoy dinner and overnight game viewing at the Ark. |
| Day 4: | Leaving behind the mountains and fertile valleys of the Kikuyu Highlands, today you drive around Mount Kenya to the arid, scrubby area of Meru. Surprisingly rich in wildlife, the Meru area is where you will be introduced to the conflict between animals and humans. Here we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the home of a highly successful Meru woman, Florence Imathiu. Florence and her old school friend Grace started the Kithoka Women’s Group in 1982. In Meru, the elephant often raid the small, subsistence farms of this area, and more importantly, rip up the precious water pipes that feed the farms. The Kithioka Women’s Group raises money from monthly contributions and fundraisers, using those funds to build reservoirs for water storage and to lay pipes to local homes |
| Day 5: | Today you’ll have the chance to game walk or game drive as you please in the Meru National Park with your guides. Lunch is at the Elsa’s Kopje Lodge and your afternoon is spent relaxing at the lodge or taking another game viewing expedition. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (All meals included) |
| Day 6: | Leaving Meru Park behind, we head back into Meru town where we meet up with Winfred Kimathi and Gladys Kitonga who run the Gakurine Family Restoration Self Help Group. This small group of volunteers raises money and donates time to help families devastated by the AIDS virus. AIDS orphans have their school fees met; families are helped with burial fees and medical expenses. You’ll have the chance to learn about the effect of this disease on the Meru area and meet some of the children who have lost their parents. After your meeting, it’s time to head towards Isiolo with a picnic lunch as we go further north to the Samburu Serena Lodge for dinner and overnight in the Samburu National Park. |
| Day 7: | After breakfast, we’ll game drive enroute to the small village of Archer’s Post and the Samburu village that is the home of the Meyangar Women’s Group. Here the Chairwoman, Jane Lengima will introduce you to the Samburu culture and the work that her group is doing. This group helps single or widowed women develop a micro business of their own, thus providing for their children and families. The businesses can be handicrafts, farming, selling second hand clothing sales or just about anything that will help eke out a living in this incredibly arid area. The group has set up a curio shop and a nursery school within their village; you’ll have the chance to explore the village and share your respective cultures with these wonderful women.Return to the lodge for lunch and then game drive or relax in the afternoon. Overnight at the lodge. (All meals included) |
| Day 8: | After a morning game drive, fly back to Nairobi and the Serena Hotel. Check-in to the hotel and relax or shop before enjoying dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. (All meals included) |
| Day 9: | After breakfast, drive into the outskirts of Nairobi and meet your next guide, Zippy Wanakuta, from the African Conservation Centre. Zippy is working with a group of Masai women who have set up a beadwork co-operative to pay for their daughters’ education. You will take the one-hour drive to the Masai village to meet the women involved with this project. Masai women are very seldom educated in a formal sense and they have virtually no rights within the village. Daughters are used by their fathers as bartering tools for cattle and goats; little consideration is given to their own needs. This small group of Masai mothers has started to change this tradition by creating beautiful beadwork dog collars, baskets and jewelry to sell in the United States, thus creating an education fund for their daughters. You will meet the children at their schoolhouse, see the workshop and visit one of the traditional Masai village homes of the women. |
| Day 10: | After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to the Masai Mara and the permanent tented camp of Base Camp. This lovely camp is set just on the outskirts of this famous game park and is operated with the assistance of the local Masai tribes people. Base Camp offers good quality, comfortable accommodation with friendly staff and wonderful wildlife viewing. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit local villages and to learn more about the culture of this famous tribe. |
| Day 11: | Spend today exploring the Masai Mara on foot and by vehicle. Keep an eye out for the big game as your guides point out local medicinal plants and trees as well as the birds and animals that you pass. Enjoy a Masai Manyatta (village) visit after lunch and then game drive in the evening before returning to dinner and overnight at the camp. |
| Day 12: | After breakfast, game drive enroute to the airstrip for your flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival you’ll be met and taken to the Serena for a dayroom; the driver/guides and vehicles will be at your disposal for shopping in the afternoon. Enjoy an early dinner at a wonderful traditional Indian restaurant, the Haandi, and then transfer to the international airport for your flight home. |
tailor made holiday
This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more luxurious trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments before relaxing in comfort in some of the best and most characterful local accommodation! Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips.how this holiday makes a difference
|
A part of your safari charge will be donated to each of the community projects that you visit, helping to further advance these women's groups. Upon your return, spread the word by working together and helping your peers learn about each other's cultures. Together, we can change the world, one journey at a time. This safari is designed to spotlight a few brave women who have spoken out to create new ways of living. Generally, when the cultural aspect of the local tribes is explored, the guides and translators are invariably men. This trip features Kenya's women, allowing them to showcase their causes and issues.
A part of the safari charge will be donated to each of the women's community projects that you visit, helping to further advance these women's groups. Animals and people both need land. Ecotourism provides an alternative income for the people, leaving space for the migratory animals. We actively support the villages and projects that are protecting East Africa's environment and culture. We develop self-help eco-projects, which promote wildlife conservation. We also educate both our consumers and our partner camps with two free ezines. We use renewable energy products, reduce paper and plastic consumption in our office and have left the natural vegetation unscathed, resulting in duiker and monitor lizards visiting the office! We donate 10% of all post-tax profits to fund community and/or conservation projects. Community projects are operated with the local villagers as the operators and managers; We provide advice and guidance when requested, but abides by local beliefs and traditions. Our current projects include: The Children of the Rising Sun Orphanage, which provides accommodation, meals, medicine and schooling for 28 street-children. Our goal is to have a vocational job-training center operational at the home, for the kids and local villagers. The Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, the last remaining tract of coastal lowland forest in Kenya, which provides the only refuge for several endemic birds and mammals, such as the golden-rumped elephant shrew and the Sokoke Pippet. Designated as one of Conservation International's 26 global bio-diversity hotspots (www.conservation.org) and surrounded on all sides by an ever increasing human population, the Forest is in danger of disappearing as trees are cut for carvings, land cleared for subsistence farming and animals trapped for food. We hope to ensure that the local villagers become the greatest supporters of the Forest. One of the many projects in the Forest trains the local villagers to breed forest butterfly species for export to the live butterfly market. With two local butterfly farms already in operation, over 400 people in the area bordering the Forest now have an income that relies upon the continued health of the Forest. Our goal is to employ another 100 people. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |