We Didn't Know Such Tours Existed! (6 Days)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.