KENYAN Safari & Charity Adventure

Today you depart for your unforgettable African adventure. We hope you're as excited as we are!

You will find specific information about which flights to purchase in the tasks section once you register for this adventure. Alternatively, you can contact our team of experts if you want help booking your flights 

Included: Airport Transfers | Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share):

• Budget friendly: Savelberg Retreat Centre
• Mid-range: Severine Cottages, Karen Residences or Eka Hotel
• Luxury: Karen Blixen Cottages 

Adventure Out Loud to meet you outside of the airport and transfer you to our boutique guest house where you can spend the afternoon relaxing.

Notes:

• Arrival instructions:
  • Exit the plane and follow instructions of crew (you may need to catch a bus to the arrival terminal)
  • Have you e-visa paperwork, passport, and vaccination certificates (COVID & Yellow Fever) ready for inspection. 
  • Line up in the E-VISA line (staff may direct you to another line if it is not busy).
  • Collect your bags
  • Walk outside of the building. Our drivers are not allowed inside. You might like to send the driver a WhatsApp message saying you are walking out before you leave the free airport WIFI. 
• Dinner
  • Can be purchased in cash at a restaurant or your lodge. A few we recommend include:
    • Local
      • 3 Dee Restaurant & Bar
      • Everything Fish Restaurant and Sports Bar
      • Or ask a MOH staff member & invite them to dinner if they are free (your shout).
    • Western/tourist
      • Ethiopian: Habesha
      • Beer, food & cocktails: Brew bistro & lounge
      • Italian: Mediterraneo (Junction Mall is probably the closest) or Caffè Concerto
      • Chinese: Chaotianmen Hot Pot
      • Brazilian BBQ: Fogo Gaucho Kilimani
      • Burgers: Mama Rocks
• Taxis 
  • Simply use Uber or call or WhatsApp our trusted driver Thomas Maina (+254 711 214 643) or William Muturi (+254 710 801 121). 
  • Ubers are the cheapest and most reliable way to get around Nairobi. 
  • For down days, we have not included a driver, which would usually cost approx. US$70 - $100/day, because most Uber rides are less than 500KSH (US$4).

Included: Entry | Breakfast | Experience Safari Guides | Transport in 4WD safari jeeps | National Park Permits & Entry Fees | Accommodation (Twin Share):

• Budget friendly: Savelberg Retreat Centre
• Mid-range: Severine Cottages, Karen Residences or Eka Hotel
• Luxury: Karen Blixen Cottages 

Summary of the day:

• 6:00 - 11:00: Morning game drive in Nairobi National Park.
• 11:00 - 12:00: Relax in your hotel 
• Lunch and free time at your lodge.
• 14:00 - 17:00: Mirror of Hope visit.
• 18:00: Dinner with Tommy or Haru Japanese Restaurant.

Today we will kick-start our adventure with an unforgettable safari in Nairobi National Park. Situated in the heart of Kenya's capital, Nairobi National Park offers a unique wildlife experience and is one of the places where you can see a city skyline in the back of your safari pictures.

We will be collected from the hotel with our safari guides and drive to the national park, where we will witness diverse species such as the endangered black & white rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes and giraffes roaming freely against the backdrop of Nairobi's skyline.

Once the safari is complete, we will head back to the hotel where we will have time to relax. Severine has a wonderful spa that offer massages, facials and other treatments. All bookings need to be made the day before. 

In the evening, you will have the option to:

1. Be inspired by Tommy & Judy Nyawir as they share their story of growing up in the Kibera Slums, forbidden love, and a journey to start an organisation that made a difference in their community, resulting in the founding of the heart-warming Mirror of Hope, a community based organisation empowering vulnerable women & children living in Africa’s largest slum through education, health and entrepreneurship. Dinner will be a local style dinner at Tommy and Judy's home. 
2. Enjoy one of Africa's best Japanese restaurants (Haru Japanese Restaurant). Food is prepared fresh daily (including seafood) and we highly recommend the Teppanyaki. 

Notes:

• Breakfast: a lite breakfast will be served at your lodge before we depart. Please confirm timing with reception. 
• Brunch/lunch: we recommend stopping at ArtCaffe or Boho Eatery on the way back to our lodge. These are nice places for brunch/lunch and the food is better than the lodge. Payment can be made with cash or card. 
• Dinner:
  • Tommy & Judy's home: 
    • If you're going to Tommy & Judy Nyawir's home for dinner, please take a small gift for Tommy, his wife, his son (in 2023: aged approx. 12) & his daughter (in 2023: aged approx. 9).
    • Think simple things that are fun, Australian or functional (i.e. clothing, toys, balls, make-up, shoes, cooking utensils, etc.).   
  • Haru: can be ordered from the menu and can be purchased with cash or card. Simply ask the waiter to record drinks and food against each person to allow for split payments, or spilt the bill to make it easier. 
• Optional visit to Kazuri Beads
  • Kazuri is a fantastic charity empowering women through beading and entrepreneurship.
  • They offer a wonderful and free tour of the facility and after you will have an opportunity to shop.
  • Brunch or lunch can also be purchased here. 

Included: Kibera Slum Immersion | Visit to one of our sponsor student's homes | Transport to and from the Mirror of Hope | Breakfast & Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share):

• Budget friendly: Savelberg Retreat Centre
• Mid-range: Severine Cottages, Karen Residences or Eka Hotel
• Luxury: Karen Blixen Cottages 

Summary of the day:

• 9:00: Pick up and transfer to Mirror of Hope
• 9:00 - 10:00: Tour of Mirror of Hope
• 10:00 - 15:00: Kibera Immersion
• Optional drink with MOH staff at a local bar after your tour, or free time at your lodge. 

Today, you'll explore the sights and sounds of Africa’s largest slum under the guidance of the life changing Mirror of Hope (MOH) team. Visit the home of one of the students the MOH work with, meet their family and learn how to cook a delicious Kenyan feast. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse in Kenyan culture, practice your Swahili and get to know some of the most resilient and remarkable people on the planet.

Notes:

• Kibera Immersion:
  • Sponsorship
    • Adventure Out Loud donate 50% of our profits to keep disadvantaged children in school, so simply by travelling with us, you are making a huge impact on the fight against poverty.
    • If you wish, you are welcome to personally sponsor a student through school or to make a donation. 
      • More information is provided once you register & pay your deposit. 
    • If you do sponsor, we will take you to visit your sponsor student's family so you can see first-hand the impact you are making. 
    • Sponsor students: 
      • Most Kenyan secondary schools are boarding schools & many of the MOH students go to schools outside of Nairobi. If you do not visit during school holidays, you may not get to meet your sponsor student. We will however take you to meet their family. If their school is in Nairobi, or you are willing to come a few days earlier, we are happy to arrange for you to visit the school and meet your sponsor student too. 
  • What to wear
    • Closed toe shoes
    • Conservative & comfortable clothing that covers the knees & shoulders
    • 2L water
    • KES Cash (at least KES 2,000pp to purchase supplies for lunch)
    • Small presents for the families you visit (see the sponsorship TASK for more).
      • Please never give money to anyone in Kibera, even to Adventure Out Loud & Mirror of Hope staff.
      • Giving money to people in need, is also not a sustainable way to help them change their lives. Education is the best way we know to make a difference in the fight against poverty. 
      • If you want to make a difference, talk to the Mirror of Hope (or Adventure Out Loud) about sponsoring or donating. 
      • Never give cash to staff members, and always request a receipt when you donate.  
  • Safety
    • You will be accompanied by at least 1 Mirror of Hope staff member who currently lives or once lived in Kibera.
    • You should leave all valuables at home and avoid flashing valuables (i.e. iPhones) around. 
    • Be conscious of trip hazards & low hanging objects. 
    • DO NOT pick rubbish up, particularly plastic bags as they may have been used as a "flying toilet".
  • Photos
    • Please ask your Mirror of Hope guide before taking photos.  
  • Lunch
    • If you are having lunch in Kibera, you will purchase groceries to cook with on the way to the home you are visiting. The Mirror of Hope team will help you with what to buy. Please bring KES 2,000pp (in small notes). 
  • Dinner
    • Most people won't fee like dinner after a big lunch. If you do, you can order at your lodge, or visit one of the following: Boho Eatery, Cultivate Farm, Java House or Artcaffe.
  • Taxis:
    • If you are feeling tired after lunch and do not want to walk back to the Mirror of Hope, ask your translator to get you a taxi. The cost will be about KES 500 (US$5) and you can pay the taxi directly. 

Included: Morning & Evening Game Drives | Masai Mara Permits | Transport in Luxury Safari Jeep | 5 x Breakfast, 4 x Lunch and 4 x Dinner | Accommodation (Twin Share):

• Budget friendly: Fisi Camp (4 nights) and Savelberg Retreat Centre (1 night)
• Mid-range: Mara Maisha, Zebra Plains Luxury Safari Camp (4 nights) and Severine Cottages/Karen Residences/Eka Hotel (1 night)
• Luxury: Entim, Mara Ngenche or Governors (4 nights) and Karen Blixen Cottages (1 night)

Welcome to Africa’s best safari destination! The Masai Mara adjoins the infamous Serengeti National Park and is home to the most spectacular natural show on earth - the Great Migration (Jun - Oct annually). During our Masai Mara safari, we’ll be living inside the Masai Mara Conservation Area. This will give us the best chance to spot all of Africa’s exotic safari animals, including the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. We may even hear these animals as we relax around an open fire, eat dinner under the stars or from the safety of your tent at night.

Here is a summary of your safari:

• Note: the actual plan may differ based on animal activity and how the group is feeling:
• Day 1:
  • 7:00 - 13:00: Drive the Masai Mara
    • If you choose to fly your itinerary may look like:
      • 7:30: Airport transfer
      • 9:00 - 10:00: Flight to Masai Mara
  • Lunch and check-in
  • 15:00 - 18:00pm: Afternoon game drive
  • Delicious buffet dinner and restful night at your safari lodge
• Day 2:
  • 6:00 - 10:00: Morning game drive
  • Free time and lunch at the lodge
  • 15:00 - 18:00: Afternoon game drive
  • Alternatively, if the wildebeest are crossing, today may be a full day safari with a bush lunch box. 
• Day 3:
  • 5:00 - 11:00: Hot air balloon safari & champagne bush breakfast (optional extra) or morning game drive
  • Free time and lunch at the lodge
  • 15:00 - 18:00: Afternoon game drive
• Day 4: 
  • 6:00 - 10:00: Morning game drive
  • Free time and lunch at the lodge
  • 15:00 - 18:00: Afternoon game drive
  • Alternatively, if the wildebeest are crossing, today may be a full day safari with a bush lunch box. 
• Day 5:
  • 8:00 - 10:00: Masai Village Immersion
  • 10:00 - 18:00: Drive to Nairobi
    • If you choose to fly:
      • 10:00 - 11:00: Short game drive on the way to the airstrip
      • 11:00 - 13:00: Fly to Nairobi
      • Free afternoon in Nairobi

Notes:

• Timing
  • Is indicative and activities may be swapped due to weather, availability or other factors out of our control. 
  • Keffa, our head safari guide, will discuss these options with us each night.
• River crossings
  • The wildebeest do not cross the river every day. Keffa will advise on which is the best day/s to visit and we will do our best to ensure you see a crossing. We cannot however guarantee this as wildebeest are wild animals who make up their own minds. 
  • If we do not see a crossing, we will at least see the millions of wildebeest spread-out across the Masai Mara.
• We recommend bringing a fly net to manage the flies. 
• Ladies:
  • We highly recommend you bring sports bras for your safari. 
  • Driving off-road is bumpy and can be uncomfortable. 

Included: Airport Transfers | Breakfast

After a relaxing morning at your hotel you'll be ready to return home with memories to last a lifetime and the knowledge that you explored some of Africa's most exotic destinations whilst also making a difference in the fight against poverty.