Magical Lamu
Join us for a 10-day adventure in Kenya where you'll stretch under palm trees, sail on traditional dhows, and relax poolside on the magical island of Lamu. When we say magical, we mean MAGICAL. So magical that we cannot adequately describe this small Swahili island with tiny streets and no cars and hidden gems that will take your breath away with every twist and turn through the alleys. You must experience it for yourself to really understand how special this island is -- trust us. Extra bonus: You'll get to meet the women of Zawadisha, gaze at the stars, and be wowed by the wildlife.
Dates: July 30th - August 9th, 2024
Cost: $2,499 for those who commit to fundraising a minimum of $500 of tax-deductible donations to Zawadisha or $2,999 with no fundraising; you can reserve your spot here for a non-refundable deposit of $250.
Cost for add-on: If you are joining us on the cycling trip and would like to add this on to your Itinerary, the cost is $1,500 if you are fundraising and $2,000 if you are not fundraising.
What's included:
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One wildlife game drive where you'll see elephants, giraffe, zebra, and more
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Cultural immersion in the community with Zawadisha
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One massage and three yoga classes with certified Kenyan instructors at the Banana House Wellness Center
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One tour of Lamu's Old Town
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Accommodation in shared rooms, including Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy and the Banana House and Wellness Center in Lamu
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All in-country transportation including train and flights
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All meals except for two lunches and two dinners in Lamu (so that you can explore the island yourself)
Zen level: ALL-TIME HIGH
Impact: TREMENDOUS as this is a fundraiser for Zawadisha; all proceeds benefit our micro-lending program in Kenya that you'll get to see IRL!
Read this: Please note that international airfare is not included. You will need to purchase that separately. The payment you make today is to reserve your spot. You will be invoiced for the remaining payments once your participation is confirmed. CTravel insurance are required. We are committed to creating a safe space for all participants and as such, have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, intimidation, and/or verbal/physical abuse.
Itinerary
DAY 1 | July 30th: Afternoon orientation in Nairobi with Monica, our Chief Operations Officer in Kenya, Ethiopian dinner at one of our most favorite restaurants, and a night at a lovely guest house next to the Village Market (so you can take care of any last minute needs!)
DAY 2 | July 31st: Hop on a quick flight to Lamu where you'll meet up with Jen and the cycling group. Get ready to be transported to somewhere very, very different as you take a water taxi from the airport to our accommodation at the Banana House and Wellness Center. Spend the afternoon at the pool or strolling through the streets of Lamu.
Day 3 | August 1st: Spend time at the pool, book a massage, stretch out in yoga, walk through the carless streets of Lamu, join Jen as she takes you to her favorite hidden gems for shopping and drinks, enjoy a coffee, or sun on the beach -- the options for relaxation and exploration are endless. In the evening we'll unwind with a sail on a dhow, a traditional Swahili wooden boat.
Day 4 | August 2nd: Spend the day exploring the old town of Lamu with a local guide who will explain the history of the island. You'll get to meet woodworkers, silversmiths, and more. And you'll love the boat taxi to and from our guest house.
Day 5 | August 3rd: Rinse and repeat day 3, or book your own adventure swimming through the mangroves, kite surfing, or baby turtle watching.
Day 6 | August 4th: It's your last day in Lamu. What will you do?!? Trust us, there is so much that you'll know exactly what you need to make the most of this adventure.
Day 7 | August 5th: Fly to Mombasa and take the train to Voi where you'll be picked up for a short drive to the rural community that Zawadisha calls home. Spend the afternoon learning about our work and enjoy the mini-game drive on the way to Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy.
Day 8 | August 6th: You'll learn about life in rural Kenya from the women of Zawadisha. You'll travel into the community, visit their homesteads, and meet the Neema Women's Group. Bring your box of tissues and some extra cash for those handmade baskets ;)
Spend the morning and afternoon on safari. Will you see the Big 5? It's quite possible :)
Day 10 | August 8th: Enjoy a first-class seat on the Standard Guage Railway as you gaze at the countryside (and if you're lucky see zebra and elephant) as you make your way to Nairobi. You'll have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Nairobi (it will be one of the best meals you've ever had) and then visit the Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary. We'll make our way to our hotel and have dinner and a bit of shopping at Nairobi Street Kitchen. You'll love this side of Nairobi.
Day 11 | August 9th: Time to say goodbye! If you have an afternoon or evening flight we can spend the morning strolling through the Karura Forest and sipping coffee with the naughty monkeys.
FAQS
How many people are going? Maximum 15 people will be on this trip; it requires six people to run. We will all have a chance to get to know each other before the trip through optional monthly Zoom calls. Anyone regardless of identity is welcome to join us; we will be centering the experiences of women, non-binary, and trans participants.
What will meals be like? Meals will vary from Western dishes, to Swahili dishes such as ugali and Sukuma wiki, to Indian food. All meals will be prepared for you, and we can accommodate dietary needs. It is all healthy and delicious.
What about accommodation at Kivuli Camp? Expect double occupancy, a cozy bed and mosquito net, uninterrupted views of the landscape, and the sounds of wild animals at night.
And at Banana House? Expect double occupancy, a cozy bed and mosquito net, views of the ocean from the property, a private pool and veranda, and daily breakfast.
Who's organizing this trip? Jen Gurecki, the founder of Zawadisha, is organizing this trip in collaboration with the local Zawadisha team.
How do the payment plans work? We will work with you to set up a payment plan. You will need to pay the full amount before the trip starts. You also can pay the full amount at one time if that is more convenient.
What about the donation/fundraising part? We will create a fundraising platform like this one from our 2022 cycling trip that makes it easy for you to raise tax-deductible donations for Zawadisha. If you choose the lower fundraising rate, you are required to fundraise at least $500. We do encourage everyone to fundraise so that we can make the most positive impact in the lives of the women we serve.
What's your refund policy? You can receive a full refund up to six months before the departure of the trip. If you need to cancel within three to five months of the departure, we will provide credit for a future trip. There is no refund provided for cancellations within one month of the departure date. If we are not able to run the trip due to COVID-19 or other circumstances out of our control, we will reschedule the trip for 2025.
Want to learn more before you reserve a spot? Please contact us!