Family adventure holiday Kenya

Family adventure holiday Kenya

How this holiday makes a difference

Responsible mission: As adventure travellers we relish and celebrate the diversity of the world. We also recognise our obligation to protect the environments that we explore. Our aim is to tread lightly, whilst contributing to maintain the world’s culture and nature, and most importantly to engage the help of all our customers to utilise the potential of tourism as a tool to aid sustainable development. We believe that responsible travellers are welcome in the places that they visit.

On this trip: We travel in small groups (max 14 people) so have a minimal impact on the environment as we go. On this trip we use a local agent from Kenya, locally owned hotels, local leaders. Not only does this mean that more of the money we generate stays within the community, but their local knowledge and expertise helps us to better understand the environment in which we are travelling, whilst reinforcing within the local community that preserving this environment is both important and worthwhile.

During your stay in Nairobi, you will visit Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the giraffe centre. These are conservation projects where you get to view the animals in close proximity and learn about them and their plight in the modern world. Our Foundation sponsors the elephant orphan "Shukuru" at the David Sheldricks Wildlife Trust. The Trust works to look after rescued elephants and rhinos before ultimately releasing them back into the wild when they are ready. You may be able to visit your orphan personally.

Responsible code: Being Responsible is at the heart of everything our company does - full details of our code can be found on our website. The local supplier for this trip will promote our responsible travel code throughout your adventure. You will also receive specific information on this trip’s responsibility in your trip notes.

Helping to minimise negative impact: All of our customers are invited to offset their international flight emissions. Contributions go to the Blue Ventures Carbon Offset program, a non-profit organisation which provides solar stoves for subsistence communities in Madagascar, benefiting the people and protecting the environment. We also contribute £2 per person towards offsetting of your in-country travel. We fully offset all emissions from our staff travel and run an energy efficient office.

Giving something back: We have a foundation that collects the funds that you donate to us to support our projects. All our customers are invited to make a £1 per person contribution to the foundation at the time of booking. We will match every contribution that you make with our own £1. You as a customer choose where these funds are used from a shortlist of nominated projects – so it really is YOUR foundation.

Partnerships: As a company we support The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practises throughout the whole of the travel industry. We also work with a number of charity partners who work in the destinations that we visit; including Friends of Conservation and Born Free Foundation. We partner with many small grassroots projects throughout the destinations that we visit - they all share our responsible vision.

Family adventure holiday Kenya

Reviewed 31 Oct 2007 by Valerie Rogers

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Every day was an adventure, from orphan elephants to flamingos, migration queues of wildebeest, close encounter with lions, elephants and seeing the elusive leopard and cheetah - and that was only the safari aspect. We also took part in a traffic jam par excellence on a muddy hill and danced with the Masai warriors. Then maybe floating over the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon with champagne breakfast in the bush also competes. As well as making lots of new friends.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

You don't need swimming towels - they are provided at each of the excellent lodges.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. We used knowledgeable local drivers and guides. We left clothing and toiletries with the Masai and stopped at local stores and lunch stops.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent. My grandson has not stopped sharing his memories and his photos with all and sundry. I also appreciated the friendly help and assistance of my travel consultant Angela, which I felt was extra and personal.

Reviewed 26 Aug 2007 by Morag Reid

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

There's so much in terms of both variety and number of experiences, it's hard to capture one moment. I was delighted by the touching friendship between my son & our guide Speedy, and won't forget watching them splashing in the Indian Ocean. Dolphins, elephants, stampeding water buffalo, oh and the wonderful stars at night, and the warm, smiling people. It was all unforgetable.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Keep a positive attitude - yes sometimes it's tiring, cold or you don't see what you hoped to that day, but open your mind & enjoy every minute anyway. Also, book an extra day or two off work afterwards to recover - you'll be happily exhausted! Take paper & pencils for the local kids - they so appreciate them.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes, there were several opportunities to help local people, through trade & giving gifts such as paper & pencils for the children. Though we travelled a lot by minibus, we did support projects to help the wildlife & environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Absolutely wonderful - I can't wait to go back to Africa.