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An artisan safari that is… a skillcation with purpose, hands-on and wildly beautiful, travel that gives back
Kenya · July 24 – August 6, 2027 · $4,950
14 days · small group of 8 · Nairobi + Tsavo + the island of Lamu
Real hands, real relationships, and a version of Kenya you never knew existed
A skillcation that needs to be on your bucket list
We've spent 20 years unearthing the secret gems of Kenya, staying far away from the crowded tourist traps. You won't find any selfie sticks or Disneyland-like experiences here. Instead, our 14-day artisan journey takes you from the creative workshops of Nairobi to the wild savannah of Tsavo and the coral-stone alleys of Lamu. You'll learn basket weaving from the master weavers of Hadithi Crafts, glide past hippos on Lake Naivasha, spend a day with the Maasai far from the crowds, and fall hard for the Swahili coast. Every bit of profit goes to women in rural Kenya. Did we mention it's fun AF too?
If you like baskets & big skies…
Most people travel to Kenya and gaze at wildlife from inside a Land Cruiser, then fly home with a fridge magnet. This trip goes the other way. Everything slows down. You get your hands in the sisal, you learn the names of the women teaching you, and you see the land and the people differently.
But it's not just about the baskets.
You'll glide past some 1,500 hippos on Lake Naivasha, go on game drives in less-traveled conservancies, spend a day with the Maasai far from the Mara crowds, and finish with two unhurried days on Lamu, where there are no cars, only donkeys and dhows.
We handle all of the heavy lifting. All you have to do is show up with an open mind and a pair of curious hands.
How this trip gives back
Our Artisan Safari is a fundraiser for Zawadisha, our nonprofit partner that has been serving women in rural Kenya for more than 15 years with small loans that finance their livelihoods. 100% of trip profits go into that microlending fund. The artisans and cooperatives who teach you, from Hadithi Crafts to the Elementeita Weavers, are paid directly for their time and skill. That means the communities we travel in are taken care of long after we depart.
Who this trip is designed for
This trip is for makers, crafters and the craft curious who want more than a standard safari. It's best suited for folks who:
- Have always wanted to visit Kenya (or Africa) but didn't want to plan it on their own
- Want to trust the people facilitating the trip, and skip the tourist traps
- Care deeply about empowering women
- Love wildlife and have a thing for artisanal goods
- Want a small, real group, not a touristy tour package
No weaving experience needed. Complete beginners are welcomed exactly where they are. The group size stays at 8 so no one gets lost in the fray.
What's included in our Kenya Artisan Safari
- All meals, in-country transport, and accommodation
- Curated tour of Nairobi away from the tourist traps, aka our secret gems
- Game drives in less-traveled conservancies where you are guaranteed to experience elephant, giraffe, zebra, antelope, birds, and more
- Small group workshops and supplies to learn the art of basket weaving alongside our friends at Hadithi
- Community visits and cooking lessons with Zawadisha
- Two days to fully unwind and absorb your experience on the magical island of Lamu
Not included: international airfare, travel insurance (required), Kenya visa, recommended vaccinations, gratuities, alcohol, and personal shopping
Why this trip is right for you
To you, a trip is more than the photos. It's the people, the craft, and the land. You'd rather learn a skill from a master than grab a souvenir from a stall. And you've been putting a trip to Africa off long enough. Whether it's the friend who keeps canceling or the schedule that never clears, you're done waiting.
Solo travelers, you're in good company
Many of our travelers come solo, and this small-group trip is especially popular with solo women, nonbinary, and trans travelers looking for a safe, connected way to see Kenya. We host optional monthly Zoom calls before departure so you'll know your travel companions before you arrive. Standard rooms are shared for two, and a private-room upgrade is available if you'd prefer your own space.
This is not voluntourism
You won't be teaching, building, or "helping" in ways that crowd out local labor or turn community members into a backdrop. Instead, you're the one being taught: master weavers who've done this craft for decades teach you their skill, and you pay them for it, just as you would any expert instructor. The impact comes from fair payment for artisans' work and from trip profits funding microloans.
We've got the receipts
"Your trips have really expanded my view and experiences on so many things. When I travel, I want to be respectful and responsible in where I stay, eat, and spend money (what/who I support). Your future self will thank you for this experience in ways you won't even believe!"
"It's not possible to convey before the trip that going to Kenya and experiencing it the way we did changes you in a very good, positive way. I know I'll be processing this experience for a long time. I have been to several challenging places over a long period of time, and this trip has been a top-tier experience."
"Just being in the women's presence is humbling. They are so brave and so strong. The trip was perfect."
Where you're going
Stage 1: Nairobi & the Rift Valley
You start in the Green City Under the Sun with the Nairobi most travelers never see: an enclave of West African folk art traders, a garden lunch you won't want to leave, and a wander beneath the canopy of Karura Forest.
Then it's down into the Great Rift Valley to glide among some 1,500 hippos on Lake Naivasha and meet the Elementeita Weavers, who dye, spin, and weave their own wool on traditional looms. Next up: a day with the Maasai in the Nashulai Conservancy, far, far away from the crowds.
Where you're going
Stage 2: Tsavo
We catch the 8 a.m. train south to Maungu, the community Zawadisha calls home, and arrive to the sound of drums and the movement of dance. This is where your skillcation truly begins.
Alongside the artisans of Hadithi Crafts, you'll draw sisal thread straight from the plant, coax color from the landscape, and twine the patient beginnings of a basket, all between game drives in search of elephant, giraffe, and zebra. You'll leave with a basket made by your own two hands, and one made by a woman you now know by name.
Where you're going
Stage 3: Lamu
An early flight lifts you to Lamu, a Swahili island and UNESCO World Heritage Site that may just be our favorite place on this earth. There are no cars here, only donkeys and dhows.
You'll lose yourself in the coral-stone alleys of Old Town, sip Swahili coffee poured from a brass pot, catch a sunset dhow cruise, and take a whole day with no agenda at all. By the rooftop feast on your last night, you'll understand why we always find our way back.
Artisan Safari Itinerary
July 24 – August 6, 2027 · 14 days · small group of 8 · Nairobi + Tsavo + the Swahili coast
KARIBU KENYA: A Skillcation Through the Green City, the Savannah & the Swahili Coast
DAY 0 · July 24 · Karibu Kenya!
Arrive in Nairobi. A private transfer with a trusted driver relieves the stress of a new place. Arrive at the guest house, where a soft bed and warm shower await. This is the calm before a very beautiful storm. Rest up, you'll need it :)
DAY 1 · July 25 · The Green City Under the Sun
Over a welcome breakfast, we'll gather and then set out to discover the Nairobi most travelers never see. The morning unfolds in the CBD as we take you to an enclave of West African Folk Art traders, followed by lunch in a garden so magnificent you won't want to leave the table. The afternoon belongs to the Karura Forest, where you can hike, stroll, or cycle beneath a canopy of green. We'll end the day the way we love best: around a table, breaking bread.
DAY 2 · July 26 · Artisan Day Trip to Lake Naivasha
We trade the city's hum for the still, silver waters of Lake Naivasha, driving through the Great Rift Valley before we glide out on a boat safari among some 1,500 hippos and more than 400 species of birds that make this lake their home. Then we meet the Elementeita Weavers, a cooperative that dyes, spins, and weaves its own wool on traditional looms. This is the first of many hands and many stories you'll carry home with you.
DAY 3 · July 27 · Discover Maasai Culture
A visit to Kenya would not be complete without celebrating the rich culture of the Maasai. But we do it differently, keeping you far away from the crowds at the Maasai Mara National Park! We'll spend the day in the Nashulai Conservancy, a UNDP Equator Prize Winner recognized for its commitment to preserving Maasai culture alongside wildlife conservation. You won't simply "see" wild animals; you'll experience them with a warm welcome from the local Maasai community, including a visit to a homestead and a bush walk through the plains of the Maasai Mara.
DAY 4 · July 28 · Maasai Mara
You'll want another day in the Mara, trust us. The tent cabin, the Maasai dancing and singing, and sunsets… too good not to repeat!
DAY 5 · July 29 · Return to Nairobi
You'll appreciate the sleep in before we head back to Nairobi and make our way south to Zawadisha HQ.
DAY 6 · July 30 · Journey South to the Place We Call Home
We catch the 8 a.m. train south to Maungu, the community we call home. You'll arrive to the sound of drums and the movement of dance, welcomed by the women of Zawadisha themselves. Over the afternoon, you'll come to know our microlending program that has lifted this community, woman by woman, for more than 15 years. As the savannah light turns gold, you'll settle into our charming open-air home at Kivuli Camp in the Tsavo Conservancy. Don't be surprised how quickly it feels like yours.
DAY 7 · July 31 · Where the Wild Meets the Made
The day opens on a game drive through the Tsavo Conservancy, and then your skillcation truly begins. Alongside the artisans of Hadithi Crafts, you'll learn to draw sisal thread straight from the plant and coax color from the natural landscape through the ancient art of dyeing.
DAY 8 · August 1 · Basket Weaving & Game Drives
What will you check off your list today? We're out at first light in search of elephant, giraffe, zebra, and more before returning to the community, where the craft deepens: learn the skill of the twining as the patient beginnings of a basket take shape in your hands.
DAY 9 · August 2 · The Finishing Touches
On our last day in the community we call home, a morning game drive carries us once more into the bush before we return to put the final touches on your basket. And because one is never enough, you'll have the rare joy of sifting through finished baskets to find the one that's yours. Each a small masterpiece, each made by a woman you now know by name.
DAY 10 · August 3 · Magic Awaits
Rise and shine! An early flight out of Mombasa lifts us to Lamu, a Swahili island and UNESCO World Heritage Site that may just be our favorite place on this earth. From the moment you step onto the tarmac and are handed down into your waiting boat taxi, you'll feel it. Lamu is a very, very special place, and it is about to work its magic on you.
DAY 11 · August 4 · The Soul of Swahili Old Town
There are no cars here, only donkeys and dhows. We'll lose ourselves in the labyrinth of Old Town, where coral-stone walls rise close and cool, and centuries-old doors are carved with a craftsman's devotion. We'll wander past open workshops, pause for Swahili coffee poured from a brass pot, and then enjoy a sunset dhow cruise before we say goodnight.
DAY 12 · August 5 · A Trip Back in (Island) Time
A day to breathe with no agenda. Surrender to the unhurried grace that has drawn wanderers here for centuries. We'll share our recommendations (and provide a map) so that this day can be all yours to experience Swahili culture at its most generous in the food, the fabrics, the faces, and the welcome. By nightfall, over a rooftop feast beneath a wide coastal sky, you'll understand why we always find our way back.
DAY 13 · August 6 · Kwaheri, For Now
Time to say goodbye, but it won't feel like the end. It'll feel like a promise to return. Or at least that's been our story for the past 20 years.
Want to learn more before you reserve your spot? Please contact us!
Go somewhere /
Artisan Safari
Pay a deposit today, the rest in up to five payments
- Small group, a maximum of 8 travelers
- 100% of profits fund women's microloans in Kenya
- Full refund up to six months before departure
- Airfare not included · travel insurance required
You've got questions
We've got answers
How much does the Artisan Safari cost, and how does it compare to other Kenya safaris?
The Artisan Safari is $4,950 per person for the full 14 days, about $350 per person per day. That's in line with a mid-range private Kenya safari, which typically runs $280–$650 per day depending on lodge quality and season. The difference is what's built into that price here: five days of hands-on basket-weaving instruction with master artisans, a stay in the Tsavo community our microlending program serves, and stops across three regions (Nairobi, Tsavo, and Lamu) that most standard safaris don't combine. On top of that, 100% of trip profits fund Zawadisha's microlending work.
Is this artisan safari good for people who love craft and creative travel?
Yes. This is a craft-focused trip built for makers, crafters, and creative travelers who want more than a standard safari. It's a "skillcation," a hands-on creative vacation where you learn basket weaving directly from master women weavers, meet makers in Nairobi's growing craft scene, and visit weaving and beading cooperatives across the country.
Do I need any weaving or crafting experience to join?
No experience is required. Our basket weaving workshops are designed for complete beginners, and the master weavers of Hadithi Crafts guide you through every step: harvesting sisal, dyeing the fibers, twining, and weaving your own basket to take home.
What is a "skillcation," and what will I actually learn on this trip?
A skillcation is a vacation built around learning a hands-on skill, and on this trip that skill is traditional Kenyan basket weaving. Over several days in the Tsavo community of Maungu, you'll learn the full craft from start to finish: extracting sisal thread from the plant, dyeing it using natural methods, mastering the twining technique, and weaving a finished basket of your own.
What makes this an ethical or responsible way to travel to Kenya?
Three things: transparency, direct benefit, and consent. 100% of trip profits go to Zawadisha's microlending program, which has operated in the Tsavo community for over 15 years. The artisans and cooperatives you'll learn from are paid directly for their time and skill, not visited as a photo opportunity. And group size is capped at 8 people, so visits to homes and communities stay small, invited, and unhurried.
Is this a volunteer trip, or "voluntourism"? How is it different?
No, this isn't a volunteer trip, and that's intentional. You're the one being taught: master weavers who've done this craft for decades teach you their skill, and you pay them for it, just as you would any expert instructor.
With that said, if you possess artistic skills that can help the women we work with expand their artisan offerings, your expertise would be invaluable. If this is you, ask us how you can be more involved.
Who typically goes on these trips?
Our guests are people who have always wanted to visit Kenya (or Africa), but didn't want to plan it on their own. They need to trust the organization facilitating the trip, and they don't want to be caught up in tourist traps. They care deeply about empowering women, and they love wildlife. They have a thing for artisanal goods or are craft curious.
Can I come solo? Is it good for solo women travelers?
Absolutely. Many of our travelers come solo, and this small-group trip is especially popular with solo women, nonbinary, and trans travelers. Our groups are capped at eight people, and we host optional monthly Zoom calls before departure so you'll know your travel companions before you arrive.
How physically demanding is the trip? What's the activity level?
This is a moderate, accessible trip suitable for most fitness levels. Expect gentle activity: a forest walk, hike, or bike ride in Nairobi (your choice), early-morning game drives from a safari vehicle, boat rides, and strolls through markets and the coral-stone alleys of Lamu's Old Town, which are uneven underfoot. There's no strenuous trekking.
What's the weather like in Kenya during the Artisan Safari (late July–August)?
Great, actually. Late July through August is one of Kenya's driest, coolest stretches, and also peak safari season. In Nairobi, expect mild days around 75°F (24°C) and cool nights near 57°F (14°C). Tsavo runs warm and dry during the day, with cool early mornings, so pack a light layer for the 6 a.m. game drives. On the coast in Lamu, it's warmer and more humid, with highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F (upper 20s°C) and a steady ocean breeze.
How does my trip support women artisans in Kenya?
Our trips are fundraisers for our microlending program in Kenya: 100% of the profits from your trip fund Zawadisha's microloans for women in the Tsavo community. Beyond that, your journey directly benefits the artisan cooperatives and craftswomen who host and teach you, through fair pay for their work and direct purchases of their crafts. Your trip is more than a holiday; it's an investment in the lives of women and their families, and you'll get to see that with your own two eyes.
Where exactly does my trip payment go?
Your payment covers the on-the-ground costs of the trip (accommodation, meals, transport, guides, and workshop fees paid directly to Hadithi Crafts and other cooperatives), and 100% of what's left over goes into Zawadisha's microlending fund for women in the Tsavo community.
What's included in the price, and what's not?
Your trip price covers all meals, in-country transport, accommodation, game drives, guided workshops and supplies with Hadithi Crafts, community visits with Zawadisha, and all the experiences in the itinerary. Not included are international airfare, travel insurance (which is required), your Kenya visa, any recommended vaccinations, gratuities, alcohol, and personal shopping.
Do I need a visa to travel to Kenya?
Most international visitors need travel authorization to enter Kenya, which is arranged online before departure. Because entry requirements and fees change, we always direct travelers to the official Kenyan government portal for the current process, and we'll remind you well before your trip. Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, with blank pages for entry stamps.
Do I need to book my own flights? When should I arrive and depart?
Yes, with arrival at JKIA. We suggest you land in the evening on Day 0, and depart late in the evening on the final day. It is very normal to arrive and depart after 11 pm.
What are the game drives like?
Game drives will be about two hours in the evening and in the mornings, which are the best times to see the animals. For morning game drives, we depart at 6 am with coffee and snacks. Breakfast is after the drive at the game lodge, as is lunch. Evening drives start around 4 pm and dinner is served at the lodge afterward.
What is the lodging like?
We will stay in mid-range, comfortable hotels and guest houses. All rooms are shared accommodation for two, but you can upgrade to a private room if available.
What are the meals like?
They are delicious, nutritious, and filling :) We will eat a variety of food, from meals you are familiar with to East African specialties. We can accommodate dietary needs.
How many people are going and how can I get to know them?
A maximum of 8 people will be on this trip. We will all have a chance to get to know each other before the trip through optional monthly Zoom calls.
How can I save $500 and support Zawadisha?
We will create a fundraising platform that makes it easy for you to raise tax-deductible donations for Zawadisha. If you choose to fundraise, you are required to fundraise at least $500. We encourage everyone to fundraise so that we can make the most positive impact in the lives of the women we serve, although it is not required.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes, we offer multiple payment plans. Pay the deposit today and we will bill you the remainder. You can choose up to five payments, and the trip must be paid in full two months before departure.
What's your cancellation 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 two months of the departure date. If we are not able to run the trip due to circumstances out of our control, we will reschedule the trip for 2028.
What if "that guy" ends up being on the trip?
We are committed to creating a safe space for all participants and have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, intimidation, and/or verbal/physical abuse. They will be asked to leave the trip and will not receive a refund.
The fine print
Please note that 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.
Travel insurance is 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.
Questions? Get in touch with us.
And a human will get back to you with the answers.