Immunizations:

Yellow Fever-injection now predicted to last your whole life (can be close to $150); gets you a yellow card in your passport

Typhoid Fever-injection

Hep A & C--both a good idea in case you need medical attention which in Kenya.

Malaria--there are many herbal/naturopath options that stray outside of the normal provider’s list of antibiotics.  DO YOUR RESEARCH!! Talk to other U.S. participants and find the cheapest option for you with the fewest side-effects.  (Even if you do go with a traditional preventative, insurance costs vary greatly--you might pay $90 while someone else in your group pays $20 through their insurance plan.)

Flu shot--nice for traveling

Ciprofloaxin-antidiarrheal that some women have been thankful to have on hand

Entry Visa

There is now an online process for getting a Kenyan Visa. evisa.go.ke/evisa.html It's a pretty easy process and costs $50. Last year you could still show up and get one at the airport, but double check to be certain that is still the case.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommend.  It's pretty cheap and covers you for just about any problem - theft, cancellations, delays, sickness, evacuation, etc.  World Nomads is a good company, but you can probably find others and that might be cheaper.

Diet Considerations:

There are a couple of things that you cannot avoid in the Maasai diet: Kenyan chai (tea) and starches.

Chai is staple part of their diet.  It is caffeinated and has milk in it.  You will often have fresh milk in Olgulului, donated from someone’s cow, but when that is not available powdered milk will be used.  Lactose intolerant folks often have better luck with fresh unpasteurized milk because it still contains the enzymes needed to break it down in your body, but please take precautions.  Even if you’re ok with caffeine, remember that going from none to 6 cups a day will still have an impact on your body.

There’s lots of grains served with beans.  Meat is a luxury and vegetables consist of onions and if you’re lucky, cabbage.  Carrots are rarely used. There are some vegetable chips available in shops when you travel.  Consider bringing laxatives if this is an issue for you. Mangoes and bananas are abundant and will help as well.  

Costs for Naretoi:

Deposit: $750 (sign of good faith towards your Maasai counterpart’s preparations)

Total Kenya costs (gathered by Rafi into large group pool): $1750 / $1000 after deposit.   You and your Maasai counterpart’s food, transportation within Kenya, accommodations, group gear, park fees and other miscellaneous costs while we are in Kenya.

Airfare: $900-1400.  Check sites early and often.  

Additional transportation: $75-135  Anytime you are not traveling with the entire group you will be responsible for your transportation costs (i.e.: to/from the airport, sightseeing around Nairobi, travel to Kili Springs, etc.).

Kili Springs: $150 for Food and Accommodations ($50/night).  Safaris cost extra (vehicle and park fees). So depending on how many days of safaris you / you and the rest of the group decide to take, plan an additional: $100-330.

Visa: $50  Kenya offers a very easy eVisa option on their website.  (Note: the eVisa form and process is easy; navigating their website is NOT.)

Jewelry: $100-200.  It may sound ridiculous if you’re not into jewelry, but in my experience it doesn’t matter.  After getting to know the women in this community and seeing how difficult it is for them to make money, ALL U.S. participants have been compelled (out of personal desire, not pressure) to buy jewelry from most women they meet.

Gifts: $50-$70  Spending a little extra money here at home to buy small gifts to give in Kenya will go a long way.  Cringe/swallow the disgust and head to Walmart to pick up cheap watches and western jewelry. It is so nice to reciprocate the gifts and love you receive.

Extra Gifts: $20-30  There is often a way that the U.S. women gift the whole community by buying a goat to slaughter and/or buying feed for the livestock.

Souvenirs: $30-100  This is a super rough estimate because only you know how many people you want to bring back souvenirs for back home.  The most popular items (other than jewelry) are Maasai blankets. We visit a dealer in Nairobi where they are available for ~$5.

Immunizations: This is also a big range depending on what your health care provider’s costs are.  Please see the health recommendations document for ideas on resources.

Fundraising Suggestions:

Whether you want to raise funds to buy gifts to bring to Kenya, sponsor a girl to go to school, or help offset the cost of the trip itself, fundraising can be a helpful tool.  Here’s a few things to consider to get you started:

  1. Crowdfunding: This is a great way for lots of your community to support your trip to Kenya.  Websites like crowdfunding, gofundme, and youcaring allow you to set up your own website about your campaign, set monetary goals, post your updates on social media, and collects online giving (for a percentage).  So far, youcaring seems to take the least amount of the money you collect.

  2. Scholarships:

  3. Donations: This can be especially helpful for gear. Many companies have whole departments dedicated to donations.  If you’re feeling exceptionally zealous, ask Rafi for an official letterhead from Naretoi and think about who you can network/approach