“The Unseen Kenya”A Vision Trip of Volun-tourism
and SafariThis is not a working trip. You'll have the same safari
experience with wildlife all our past groups enjoyed. We just
added exposure of locals and interaction with children to further
enhance your African vacation.
October 10-19, 2010
Activity Level: Easy
Attention
AFS adventures, the elephants and children are calling! For 18 years,
our classic safari has been our best seller. Hundreds of our happy
campers stated it was their best vacation ever. Kenya is nature’s
museum teeming with exotic wildlife. Throughout this trip you’ll enjoy
the traditional game drives to witness the great migration, visit the
Maasai, ride balloons and be pampered in luxury lodges with delicious
meals. This year we will make it a profoundly moving journey.
Here within the soul of Africa, there is a primal feeling of oneness with
nature and humanity as you immerse yourself in its landscapes and spirit
of its hospitable people. Over the years, Kenya’s children have stolen
my heart. I often wondered, “can we do good while traveling?” I wanted
to travel with a purpose here. To shape the way we see the world and
provide a sense of global relationship. I wanted a trip that would
benefit all with a bridge of understanding.
This year we add a new “voluntourism” dimension of charity to our
safari. It’s a journey meant to take you from your comfort zone and
provide a life lesson never to be forgotten. After a year of research
with my local contacts, I found the answer. For several days, we
incorporate visits to selected orphanages for you to serve the children
and deeply experience the authentic culture. It will be a powerful way
to feel connected with Africa and its people. We will be reaching the
unreachable. Imagine visiting a home of 34 children who never had
visitors or perhaps never saw a white person. Just your presence, in a
spirit of compassion will bring encouragement and the feeling that
someone across the world cares about them. Our visits are not about
missions or work, but about enlightenment. These are “joy visits” to
simply offer our hand in friendship. We will sing together, play games,
deliver gifts, help feed or teach a little English. The orphanage
directors will guide us in protocol on how to empower these forgotten
children with love.
Our capacity to care gives us significance. Helping others is self
transforming. Recent studies reveal that “boomers” are now driven less
by material things and more interested in life enriching experiences.
Internal motivators are now about self respect, realization and
fulfillment. To be inspired, sometimes we need to step outside our
fortunate lives into the unknown and witness first hand those in the
grip of poverty. Intensive exposure may be hard, but it is enriching to
share our hope with them and show our respect. It builds our character
and increases gratefulness for our abundance. I hope this initial AFS
Vision Project will launch future missions with a larger purpose. I have
great dreams of fruits that will make a difference in Kenya. For now,
we are just planting seeds.
This unique trip is both a privilege and a joy that will leave you with
an attitude of gratitude. It’s not just a photographer’s dream with awe
inspiring scenery, its bringing cheer to communities of children for
cultural exchange. I believe it could be our most life
changing adventure ever.
Here is a short video of our visit to Kieni Orphanage in 2009.
Oct 10
Depart USA for overnight to Kenya. Group air will be announced in
Feb. or you can arrange own air to Nairobi.
Oct 11
Jambo!
(Welcome) On airport arrival we are met and transferred to the
beautiful Nairobi Safari Park Hotel. Deluxe accommodations, 64
acres of landscaped gardens, 3 restaurants, health club, tennis,
casino and more. After a briefing, get to know your fellow
travelers over dinner in the hotel.
Nairobi Safari Park
Oct 12
After buffet breakfast, we head to
Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. It’s a delightful
visit to watch the delicate care of the baby elephants by the
handlers here.
In the afternoon we visit the Kibera Slum area.
(1 million people in 2sq miles) to sensitize you to the living
conditions. You must be emotionally and physically fit
to walk here. You may skip it. Dependant on local conditions,
we will see a feeding program for vulnerable babies and
children. And then visit Kibera Nursery School.
These children are adorable. They
are in great need here so please bring some gifts or supplies to
distribute. You will be surrounded by hugs, also by song as the
children love to sing. We will learn a song in Swahili to sing
in response to them.
At each orphanage, the children have practiced in
advance to give us a special presentation to demonstrate their
gratitude for us. Our visits have been arranged by my dear
Nairobi friend Bishop Thagana (aka Bishop David) of GOA. You
will meet him. Kenya is in a desperate food crisis now due to
crop failure and reduced herds from a 4 year long drought. I
often ask Bishop if we should send money? He responds, “Suzy,
just bring your groups. These kids need inspiration, love and
to just know that someone cares.”
Nairobi Safari Park
Oct 13
After
checkout, we head through the Great Rift Valley to one of my
favorite areas of Kenya, lush Lake Naivasha. We will visit Beat The Drum,
an orphange named after the movie after the movie by David McBrayer. This unique place in
the village of Mai Mahiu is home to orphans infected with HIV.
It began in 2007 from heart breaking circumstances when founder
Connie Cheren performed HIV testing in the area. There are now
8 girls and 9 boys living here getting medical treatment. A
second home will soon be added.
Check into the fabulous Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge –
2 story thatched cottages with huge rooms and balconies, 2
swimming pools, gardens, fitness center. (I was once chased by
hippo on the hotel grounds here which was terrifying until the
armed guard chased it away along with a dozen baboons.) After
lunch we board boats to sail
Lake Naivasha, home to many hippos, crocs and amazing
bird life. Later we embark at
Crescent Island for a
guided nature walk. You will get extremely close to the
giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, impala and monkeys that reside here.
Dinner at lodge.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Oct 14
Today we head by jeeps in the
Aberdares, a stunning region of alpine meadows with the
backdrop of 14,000’ Mt. Kenya. We arrive to Serena Mountain
Lodge for lunch. The meals here are exquisite! This unique “tree lodge” sits on the fringe of
forested mountain slopes in
Aberdare National Park. It has
floodlit waterholes and salt licks to draw animals near such as
elephants, buffalos and rhinos. Guests can now observe them
from a new underground bunker for even closer photography day
and night.
After lunch we visit our final and most special
children’s home called “Kieni.” This small home
of 33 young children is remote and never receives
visitors. This is the chosen orphanage AFS will be
sponsoring in the future as it has the greatest need of
all the 126 I researched. They have little food
and no shoes. We will spend 2 hours here
interacting with some children who may never have seen a
white person.
At dusk, the animals are on the move. In this diverse eco-system you
may see leopards among a fine array of diverse species.
Serena Mountain Lodge
Oct 15
A scene from our safari here in Nakura in
2009
Depart north through Nyahuru to the magnificent game rich wetlands of
Lake Nakuru. Home to 400 bird species and famous for
its pink flamingos which can number over a million on the
alkaline lake. If the flamingoes startle to flight, the sky
becomes pink with the greatest bird spectacle on earth.
Check into our lodge, an oasis of comfort in charming cottages, pool,
internet, shops and great evening entertainment by dancers from
local tribes. Lake Nakuru National Park is Kenya’s most densely
populated wetlands. We travel down to the lake to see
flamingos, cormorants, pelicans and more. The surrounding
acacia forest is a haven for leopard, giraffe and baboons. This
is also a protected sanctuary for both black and white rhino
which have been given a new lease of life here to multiply. Lake Nakura Lodge
Depart north through Nyahuru to the magnificent game rich wetlands of
Lake Nakuru. Home to 400 bird species and famous for
its pink flamingos which can number over a million on the
alkaline lake. If the flamingoes startle to flight, the sky
becomes pink with the greatest bird spectacle on earth.
Check into our lodge, an oasis of comfort in charming cottages, pool,
internet, shops and great evening entertainment by dancers from
local tribes. Lake Nakuru National Park is Kenya’s most densely
populated wetlands. We travel down to the lake to see
flamingos, cormorants, pelicans and more. The surrounding
acacia forest is a haven for leopard, giraffe and baboons. This
is also a protected sanctuary for both black and white rhino
which have been given a new lease of life here to multiply. Lake Nakura Lodge
Oct 16
A 3 ½ hour drive via Nakura town takes us to Mara Serena Lodge in time
for lunch. You’ll toughly enjoy 2 nights here in a traditional
Masai styled village with spectacular views. The restaurant
overlooks a watering hole to observe animals while you dine.
Also great “sundowners” (happy hours) and barbeque bush dinners
take place.
This is the Masai Mara, nature’s stage for one of the richest
wildlife pageants on earth. Located on Tanzania’s border, it’s
a thrilling reserve of sweeping grasslands teeming with exotic
game. We’re there at the tail end of the great migration where
you can witness hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and
gazelle crossing the plains. Have your cameras ready. We do 2
game drives, morning and dusk. All the “Big Five” (lion,
elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino) are residents. The Mara is
noted for its abundance of lion, large herds of elephant and
cheetah too. Mara Serena Lodge
Oct 17
(Optional early morning hot air balloon adventure. Nothing can compare
to the magical silence above the Mara at dawn under a sky shaded
in hues of colors. Skim over herds of animals that dodge the
balloon shadows. It follows with a champagne breakfast in the
bush.)
Early morning game drive. The Mara, part of Serengeti’s eco-system
is dotted with flat trees that are watered by 2 rivers. At the
Mara River see huge crocodiles, hippos and many “causalities”
from crossings by thousands of wildebeest.
This is home to the nomadic Masai who dress in traditional red
capes. We’ll enjoy a visit to an authentic village or
“manyatta” for an exchange of good will. Hear the elders share
stories of tribal life, enter a mud hut and dance with
children. It’s always a scene right out of Nat Geo. Later we
do another game drive at dusk which reveals different predators
and their prey. Mara Serena Lodge
Oct 18
Early morning departure overland from Masai Mara back to Nairobi
through the Great Rift Valley. Back in the city, you may have
time to shop the craft market. We have an evening flight
departure so we secured day rooms at the Hill Park Hotel for you
to relax. Transfer 7pm to airport for flight home
Oct 19
Arrive USA
Land Price: $2195 (based on minimum of
28 participants. Trip limited to 36 in 6 jeeps.)
Includes: 4 guided orphanage visits with $40
donation included to be distributed, 8 nights first class accommodation,
23 meals, game drives, Nat Park entrance fees, full time game ranger
guides and AFS escort
Not included: Gratuities, $25 visa
Single supplements are very limited and are waitlist only
Group Air:
$1395
+ 163 tax
(subj to change until ticketed) includes
airport transfers
1 DL9357U 10OCT S JFKAMS *HK28 630P 800A 11OCT
2 DL9585U 11OCT M AMSNBO*HK28 1015A 710P
3 DL9496U 18OCT M NBOAMS*HK28 1020P 530A 19OCT T
4 DL 81 U 19OCT T AMSJFK *HK28 1025A 100P
Check in 3 hours before departure and allow
2 hours to clear customs
upon return home.
Add on air –
The recent travel trend is for travelers to finalize their add
on air closer to departure time as airlines have been changing
air schedules. We suggest waiting 60 days prior to get air from
your hometown.
A $500 deposit to AFS will secure
your space on a first come basis. Final payment due July 10
How do I book?Book
Now
or by phone call us at 877-813-9421 or in GA 770-432-8225
Airlines have added substantial
surcharges to offset fuel inflation. The total ticket cost is not
final until we receive your final payment and are ticketed. If doing
own air, airport transfer may or may not be included depending on your
air schedule. Itineraries and hotels, though unlikely, are subject to
change. See terms for details
Itineraries are prepared often
a year in advance. Though not likely, AFS and our suppliers
reserve the right to change or modify such to meet local conditions.
Adventures For Singles Inc. 1907
Daniel Green Ct. Smyrna GA 30080 770-432-8225
www.adventuresforsingles.com
Adventures for Singles is the original
singles travel company for the international group traveler. We specialize in
travel for singles, post to travel blogs or singles travel blogs regularly with
Suzy's trip journals. Though Adventures For Singles is not primarily about
dating, it does happen and we've have had 17 marriages directly related to our
single vacations. Our goal is to provide an affordable, quality vacations for
adult singles. Singles travel packages, single travel, adventure travel
destinations for singles describes what we do. We always are looking to add
single male travelers to our groups and singles cruises
Download a printable itinerary
Jambo!
(Welcome) On airport arrival we are met and transferred to the
beautiful Nairobi Safari Park Hotel. Deluxe accommodations, 64
acres of landscaped gardens, 3 restaurants, health club, tennis,
casino and more. After a briefing, get to know your fellow
travelers over dinner in the hotel.
elephants by the
handlers here. 
(Optional early morning hot air balloon adventure. Nothing can compare
to the magical silence above the Mara at dawn under a sky shaded
in hues of colors. Skim over herds of animals that dodge the
balloon shadows. It follows with a champagne breakfast in the
bush.)