We Didn't Know Such Tours Existed!
6 Day Cultural Tour
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$5180pp
Adults 17-65 years
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$4990pp
Senior ≥ 66 years
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$3885pp
Children 7-16 years
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Freepp
≤ 6 years
Overview
The most common feedback from travellers regarding our ‘cultural tours’ is that “we didn’t know such tours existed,” or “we’ve been looking for something like this for ages’ or “we didn’t know about One Horizon.
And the reviews we get are testimony to the uniqueness of One Horizon Africa’s cultural tour experiences. Nothing less than 5-star reviews for the last 10 years! So different are we that our travellers have said that finding cultural experiences like ours is like looking for “a needle in a haystack”! And as one reviewer noted:
“This tour is a must! To experience the lives of the Kenyan people in this most authentic way is priceless. I loved hearing about these women’s stories. They are a true testament of strength and triumph rising above all adversity. One Horizon, a local non-profit, has helped these women see another side of life, a way out of poverty to care for their families. It’s about women empowerment and the ability to fend for themselves through entrepreneurship. Learning how to make chapattis was so much fun. It felt like how I learned to cook with my own grandmother. We ate, laughed, and listened to each other’s stories. I definitely bonded with these women, and in complete awe of their growth and progress through the foundation. Keep up the great work”!
Our tour experiences showcase different communities in an interactive, respectful and deeply moving way. As a social purpose organisation and not for profit, our programs are not tour bus experiences. The underlying work we do is in implementing initiatives that help people step up and away from ‘doing it tough’. And we are passionate about it. And it’s good to know that a traveller’s tour fees go completely into the programs and projects you will see.
Gallery
We are a proud member of The International Ecotourism Society
Which brings together individuals and organisations committed to helping local communities and the environment.
Itinerary
An Introduction to this Incredible Week
Each day of this 6-day itinerary is about connection. Connecting with the mothers, grandmothers, families and youth in our communities. As our guest you need to know that on our tours you don’t build anything, you don’t have to do any work, you don’t have to put your hand in your pocket. You won’t be asked for money! But we do ask a couple of things of you.
We know you are thinking about such a tour like ours because you are like minded like us, you have worked hard all your life, you’ve learned lessons along the way, and you wanted your next holiday to be a little more about ‘giving back.’ So now we ask you to share that wisdom with people who really want to understand what life has thrown at them and why! From our part, we want our communities to understand they are not alone. Your story about your own life reflect the challenges we all have.
Think of it this way. Do you remember when you went to a partner, parent or friend for support? When what was happening to you was taking its toll on you emotionally and physically. It may have been a failing relationship, a divorce, a loss of a beloved family member or problems with your children. And you probably remember the intensity of your feelings, distress and loss.
It’s your lessons that have shaped you that can help others. Your ability to listen, to offer support and empathy is worth a lot to a person confronted by life’s challenges. And what you offer to others who are travelling the road that we have all be on, is connection. It’s makes our tours so satisfying.
And along the way you’ll laugh, sing, dance and eat with the people you meet. And you will also get the opportunity to sample some aspects of what travellers like to do when in Nairobi. We also spend a day getting to know Nairobi, a city tour and visit to the new National Museum and a picnic in the park. Come join us for an experience that you will remember for life.
City Drive
This is an introduction to Nairobi with a drive time experience in an around Nairobi. Travelers get a real feel for the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city and it’s a great way to be able to see ordinary Kenyans going about their day.
National Museum
We will also stop for a visit to the National Museum which displays the history of Kenya and which will give you a glimpse of the various stages in Kenya’s evolution and development.
Lunch In the Park
And it’s on to Uhuru Park in the centre of the city and lunch in one of the most vibrant and lively places in the city. A place to sit and relax as Kenyans go about their day.
Some Amazing Vistas
And along the way we will take you to some amazing viewpoints. One Horizon knows Nairobi in and out and we go to places that others rarely get to go to which we want to share with you.
Senior citizens raising their grandchildren.
This day is all about meeting some amazing grandmas who live in a society where grandchildren are often left in their care. A cultural tour in Africa and Kenya specifically which is changing the face of tourism.
And in a society where social security benefits are not part of life, the challenges to educate and feed youngsters can often be overwhelming. But these grandmas are resilient and unstoppable. And their efforts as entrepreneurs have helped them forge a brighter future. And it’s their stories that will amaze you.
The journeys of these women have covered their early years in colonial East Africa (as Kenya used to be known) to the current day. Incarceration in camps confronted them in their earliest years and life was a daily struggle. Some were fortunate to go to school whilst others missed out completely. And along came marriage and children which threw up a lot of challenges. And the perspective of their lives is in context to where they have ended up today and what they make of their past experiences. A day which will leave you rivetted.
Maasai families coping with change.
On day 3, you find yourself in a Maasai village that includes revered elders, married women and young men. It’s set in a village less than an hour from downtown Nairobi in a picturesque village surrounded by the Ngong Hills.
Their challenges are about navigating their changing world. It’s becoming increasingly harder to maintain their life of customs and rituals. And for a society that are passionate about their culture this is particularly challenging. No longer are they able to hunt lions or practice century old traditions associated with rites of passage. Yet with their great sense of humour and English language skills, the discussions are fascinating, beguiling and emotional. There is a lot of laughter along the way.
This is an amazing day and you can be assured that your Maasai hosts will want to know as much about you as you do about them. They define cultural tours in Africa.
Single mothers striving to keep their families together.
On day 4 you will meet young mothers who are raising a family’s whilst at the same time gaining new vocational skills. The skills program equips the women to be able to earn a living so that they can support them. It’s been a tough road to this point but the vocational centre is a place of hope, hard work and inspiration.
The young mothers are focussed on what they need to do and enjoy the discussions with their peer group and others. The discussions are often about how to work through difficulties and emerge into a better situation. It’s a respite centers where the women can heal and learn from each other. Empowerment is the theme and this is the beginning of a new future for the women.
The woman are eager to hear of other people’s stories and the challenge we all face trying to bring up children where there are many demands. Its sharing the information from which they draw strength and over a cup of tea and homemade lunch you can guarantee a lot of laughter and happiness as well.
Families navigating life.
On day 5 you will visit a centre for families and it’s a great way to meet the locals. And the locals drop in because the centre provides peer support and meals each day to help them get through tough times.
The centre is a beehive of activity and it acts as a day out for many families who toil in the search for work. You will meet amazing people who have a quiet determination to succeed. And they love engaging people in conversations about life, its challenges and its rewards particularly as it relates to their families. And it’s this interaction which helps families cope each day with the daily struggles they confront. Being able to talk about the challenge and learning how other people have overcome them is a great support system.
The centre is one of the few places where families can relax, even momentarily, and to take some time to sit down and look after themselves with good food and conversation. And our guests can also involve themselves in helping prepare the food if they want to.
Lunch with Mama Carole in her home and a party to end all parties.
Today is the final day of your incredible journey cultural tour in Kenya with us. And to make you last day memorable, we are getting together a large group for a party to say thank you and goodbye. In every society, cooking and culture are inextricably linked. Within Kenyan communities, the rhythm of life is influenced by the seasons and what is grown in local gardens throughout the year. It is the freshness and home-grown nature of the produce that results in some of the healthiest food available in any country of the world. And hence we will enjoy a Kenyan banquet.
All the People You Met Will Come to the Party
The party group will be made up of some of the amazing people you have met from the group of grandmothers, women, Maasai, youth and assorted staff that you have spent the day with.
An Image and Video Review
We will review your week in images and hand you up to 150 images and videos that we took for you. The food will be great and we can guarantee a lot of singing and dancing. It will be the perfect Kenyan party to say ‘thank you and farewell”.
Singing and Dancing Galore
This is a day to relax and enjoy food grown in the garden within Carole’s home. A great way to end this incredible week.
Inclusions
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) each day
- Air-conditioned hotel transfers in luxury vehicles. We’ll collect you from your Nairobi hotel at a prearranged time and drop you back late afternoon.
- Please note that your vehicle has charging facilities for your mobile phone and internet for your convenience.
- A personal guide who is also your driver and One Horizon staff members each day, whose task is to ensure that you enjoy every moment of the day.
- You will also receive up to 150 images of your adventure as well as videos that capture the moments you will treasure for life.
- In addition to lunch each day there is unlimited fruit, tea, coffee and water available.
- There are modern toilet facilities at the venue for your comfort.
Testimonials
Di and Steve Shaw Australia
Outstanding experience
Today we got to visit the drop in facility for street kids in one part of Nairobi run by One Horizon. What a privilege. We watched the kids perform some welcome items, visited their classrooms and read some stories about some Australian kids and animals, helped prepare lunch and serve it to them and participated in an art activity and face painting. Watching happy faces and learning about their plight and the great work of One Horizon from its founder and being hosted by Mary and Solomon was fantastic. I encourage you to take up the opportunity to visit when you come to Nairobi. Thanks for the experience.
Iona Romania
An exquisite experience
As a European, this experience was absolutely fantastic! The people I met, the things I’ve heard and seen, all was overwhelming. It was also definitely an energy exchange, a great communication and a lovely atmosphere overall. The hosts were more than welcoming and I truly hope I also able to bring something in this exchange with the hosts. One Horizon was perfectly organising everything and the staff that accompanied me were very friendly and paying attention constantly to my comfort and well-being. So, a really exquisite experience!
Kennedy Family
Everyone who visits Kenya should do this
We had our One Horizon experience on the first day of our two-week Safari holiday in Kenya. Visiting the grandmothers and learning about their challenges was one of the best parts of the whole trip. We highly recommend this to anyone visiting – it gives you a different perspective on the great people of Kenya and the challenges they face. We visited two grandmothers and their pig farm project on the outskirts of Kenya. Our family with two teenage children were given an amazing welcome by our hosts. We were shown the pigs, the biogas plant and all the other improvements that One Horizon have helped with. We helped to feed the pigs and make chapatis which was hands-on and great fun. We then had a chance to hear the full story from our hosts and how, with help from One Horizon, they have turned their lives around. Highly advised for anyone.
Unique Cultural
Holiday Experiences
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