Fitness holidays & fitness courses in Kenya
My wild quest for super-fitness BY IAN BELCHER of The Times. A two-week work out in Kenya, can leave you sweating like John Prescott in a sauna. Read more about this
Kenya fitness holiday here... This operator caters for groups of all fitness levels - from those who have not exercised for years to athletes training for a specific event. All levels and ages are encouraged to apply. Those who are fit will be pushed hard, while beginners will be put through a more gradual progression. Some people have never run before and have always hated running, while others are tri-athletes. On the rare occasions that they feel someone is too unfit to benefit from the course they can help with pre-course personal training in London.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We minimise water use by using salt water for toilet flushing system, rain water catchment for showers and eliminating washing machines and baths. We give our clients CDs of all the relevant materials associated with the course instead of paper handouts. All the information in their rooms is on laminated sheets which we can then reuse. We have a compost system where any biodegradable waste is then used in the garden.
Information and guidelines from the KWS are displayed and strictly followed at all times ensuring that we cause no damage to the coral reef ecosystem which we are privileged to have access to. Whenever snorkeling, swimming or diving activities takes place marine park tickets are purchased providing a direct benefit to the parks conservation efforts. Plus when we do an activity in the village, we give money to the community for each person. A minimal disturbance policy is in place for our surrounding ecosystem. This ensures that no vegetation, coral, shells or animals are removed or unduly disturbed by our actions or decisions.
We give a monthly donation to Watamu turtle watch and we encourage guests to purchase fund-raising goods and adopt turtles or nests raising significant amounts of money for this organisation. Educational talks and visits are also arranged. Visits that infer either direct or indirect benefits to the environment are suggested such as trips to the snake farm (involved in anti-venom research), turtle talks, snorkelling. Safari's on horseback, bikes or on foot tie in well with our natural fitness objective and are suggested as alternatives to vehicle safari's.
When vehicle safaris are requested care is taken to book through respectful companies who obey wildlife guidelines and only drive on designated paths, don't harass or chase the animals. Clients are given information regarding suitable behaviour within national parks and reserves.
Community
Economic Commitment
Local people are given employment opportunities in preference to outsiders when suitable candidates are available. We also invest a lot in training local staff, we are currently training four local trainers and our senior kitchen staff are sent on yearly refresher and development courses. Care is taken that locally made products and services are purchased subject to availability providing a direct economic benefit to the community. We are currently assisting the development of a small business initiative, by a local staff member who provides taxi transfers to the airport.
Social Commitment
Pre-departure information regarding the political and social situation is provided to all clients. On arrival a more detailed information pack is issued ensuring that guests act in a respectful and socially sensitive manner and are also able to learn something of the culture of local people. Groups are kept small (max 11) to minimise disturbance. Local guides are used on village trips to enhance the experience and provide an income to the hosts. All the local staff are taken on an outing to a beautiful environment twice a year (e.g. coral reefs, Arabuko Sokoke forest). Visits are suggested to projects such as the butterfly project in which people are paid to rear butterfly larvae to sell in a sustainable manner. This not only provides employment but gives the community a reason to preserve its forest habitat and an appreciation of it.
1of10
