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June 21 - July 7

Join Us in Kenya & Malawi!

Community • Wildlife • Culture • Connection

A 16-day immersive journey through Kenya and Malawi combining hands-on community engagement, cultural learning, and an iconic Masai Mara safari. Travelers work alongside trusted local partners and can extend their experience with optional stays at Lake Malawi, Zanzibar, or Rwanda for rest and exploration.

❋ Dates

June 21 - July 7, with flexible options to participate in Kenya only, Malawi only, or the full journey, and the opportunity to add optional trip extensions.

❋ Group Size

About 20-30 travelers accompanied by the FMFM team.

❋ Countries

Kenya & Malawi with the option to extend your trip.

We welcome travelers choosing to join us in Kenya, Malawi, or both!

❋ Estimated Cost

~$5,560–$5,960 per person (Excluding optional trip extensions)

Cost estimate based on Kenya + Malawi travel

This journey is ideal for executives, senior leaders, and purpose-driven travelers seeking a meaningful, immersive experience that combines hands-on service, cultural learning, iconic wildlife, and intentional rest. Families with children are welcome! Kid-friendly elements include guided wildlife viewing experiences, hands-on cultural exchange activities, interactive farm visits, flexible participation options that allow families to engage at their own pace, and clear safety and supervision protocols to ensure a supportive, family-friendly environment.

KENYA

  • Community work at Huruma Children’s Home

  • Cultural market visits and optional sightseeing

  • Gatune Farm visit

  • Scenic Rift Valley drive

  • Two-night Masai Mara safari with game drives

  • Optional Maasai village visit

  • Evening reflections and group debriefs

MALAWI

  • Community projects with local partner organization

  • Visits to schools, farms, and women’s empowerment initiatives

  • Shared meals and group reflection sessions

  • Hands-on cultural immersion and relationship-building

  • Optional Lake Malawi extension for relaxation and water activities

Itinerary

June 21

Departure from Chicago

Arrival evening (Chicago → Nairobi). Airport pickup and transfer to Huruma Children’s Home (~25 km north of Nairobi). Light dinner, introductions & rest.

June 23

Huruma Children’s Home

Full day at Huruma: welcome/orientation, engage with children & staff, participate in daily routines or activities. Evening reflection/debrief. Overnight at Huruma.

June 24

Gatune Farm

Day-trip to a working farm: Gatune Farm (community engagement + operations review). Return to Huruma for dinner and rest.

June 22

Arrive & Meet

June 25

Goodbyes & Departure

Morning wrap-up meeting with Huruma leadership. Visit to local artisan or cultural market (e.g., Masai Market or Kazuri Beads). Optional stop at Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen Museum for light sightseeing. Early dinner, rest before safari departure. Overnight in Nairobi hotel (or at Huruma depending on lodging choice).

June 26

Begin Safari

Early departure (~6:30-7:00 a.m.) by Land Cruiser for ~6-hour scenic drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara. Stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for photos and refreshments. Arrive mid-afternoon at Sarabi Wild Ecolodge. Evening cultural storytelling around the African bonfire with cultural dance and entertainment. Dinner, drinks, and evening social time. 🌍🔥🍽️

June 27

Safari & Massai Village Visit

Full day safari: morning & afternoon game drives seeking lions, elephants, giraffes and more. Optional nature walk, visit to community villages, experience the life of Masai people, visit community village school, and Herbal medicine lessons.

June 28

Safari Departure

Full day safari: morning & afternoon game drives seeking lions, elephants, giraffes and more. Optional nature walk, visit to community villages, experience the life of Masai people, visit community village school, and Herbal medicine lessons.

June 29

Departure for Malawi

Hot air balloon experience over the Mara National reserve, a once in a lifetime experience, early morning game drive, or late wake up. Return drive back (≈6 hrs) to Nairobi. Evening farewell group dinner and reflection. Overnight Nairobi hotel.

June 30

Arrive in Malawi

Morning flight Nairobi → Lilongwe (Malawi) and transfer to partner guesthouse. Welcome dinner & orientation.

July 1

Clinic Visits and Campus Tour

Join community health workers for an under-5 outreach clinic focused on vaccines, health education, and malnutrition screening. Afternoon campus tour and evening rest.

July 2

Lake Malawi

Day trip to Lake Malawi, weather permitting. Stop at local markets along the way and spend time at a lakeside hotel before returning in the evening.

July 3

Malawian Church Service & Orphanage Visit

Attend and experience an African church service (optional). Afternoon free time with an optional visit to Patricia’s home/orphanage. Evening celebration with children from the home.

July 4

School Visit & Home Visits

School welcome with ECDC and local primary school. Participate in Orphan Prevention Program home visits, supporting vulnerable families, feeding programs, and permaculture initiatives. Visit the first SFA well and learn about water sanitation training.

July 5

Goodbyes & Departure

Transfer back to Lilongwe. Then return flight Lilongwe → Chicago (via Addis Ababa or Johannesburg). Option to extend trip to Lake Malawi, Lilongwe, or Zanzibar. 

July 6

Depart for United States

July 7

Arrive home in United States

Transfer back to Lilongwe (approximately 4–5 hours depending on extension location). Depart Malawi for return travel to the U.S. via Addis Ababa or Johannesburg.

Flights & Travel Logistics

  • Chicago → Nairobi

    Nairobi → Lilongwe

    Lilongwe → Chicago

  • ~$2,500 per person

    Humanitarian fares when available

  • Ethiopian Airlines

    Qatar Airways

    Kenya Airways (regional legs)

Estimated Cost Breakdown

❋ Estimated Total

~$5,560–$5,960 per person (Excluding optional trip extensions)

❋ International Flights

~$2,600

❋ Visas

~$200

❋ FMFM Expedition Coordination Fee

$500

❋ Travel Agent Fee

$60

❋ Kenya Partner Program

~$400

❋ Malawi Partner Program

~$600

❋ Safari Transport, lodging & Park Fees

~$1,200-$1600

  • Shared 3 person room - $1,200 per person

  • Shared double or twin room - $1350 per person

  • Single room - $1,600 per person

Rates include 2 full days of game drives, accommodation, meals, drinking water, soft drinks, Masai cultural village visits, evening traditional Masai cultural talk by the bonfire, Nature walk and herbal medicine talks. Optional hot air balloon ride or early morning game drive available on final safari day for additional cost.

❋ Optional Extensions

varies

❋ Final pricing depends on flight selection, group size, and optional extensions.

Optional Add-Ons

  • 2 nights
    ~$700
    Beach & water activities

  • 2 nights at Latitude 13 (Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s favorite hotel in Lilongwe)
    ~$450 (sleeps two)

  • 3 nights
    Snorkeling, Tortoise sanctuary/Prison Island, Old Stonetown, historic sites
    ~$850

  • Rwanda extension (Kigali) can be added seamlessly to the international flight ticket, offering significant cost savings and additional cultural insight.

How to Prepare?

  • Schedule a visit with a travel medicine doctor for the most up-to-date recommendations. Below are some common ones needed, but not all of them are required.

    • MMR

    • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis

    • Polio

    • Chickenpox

    • Flu

    • Hepatitis A

    • Hepatitis B

    • Typhoid

    • Yellow Fever - required

    • Rabies

  • Prescription medicines

    Over-the-counter medicines

    • Electrolyte packets

    • Antacid

    • Diarrhea medicine

      • Examples: loperamide [Imodium] or bismuth subsalicylate [Pepto-Bismol]    

    • Antihistamine

    • Motion sickness medicine

    • Cough drops

    • Cough suppression/expectorant

    • Decongestant

    • Medicine for pain and fever

      • Examples: acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen

    • Mild laxative

    • Mild sedative or other sleep aid

    Supplies to prevent illness or injury

    • Hand sanitizer or wipes

    • Insect repellent

    • Permethrin

      • Permethrin is insect repellent for clothing. It may be needed if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Clothing can also be treated at home in advance.

    • Sunscreen

    First-aid kit

    • 1% hydrocortisone cream

    • Antifungal ointments

    • Antibacterial ointments

    • Antiseptic wound cleanser

    • Aloe gel

    • Insect bite treatment

    • Bandages

    • Tweezers

    • Eye drops

    • Health insurance documents
      Health insurance card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms

    • Proof of yellow fever vaccination
      If required for your trip, take your completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis card or medical waiver

    • Copies of all prescriptions
      Make sure prescriptions include generic names. Bring prescriptions for medicines, eye glasses/contacts, and other medical supplies.

    • Contact card
      Carry a contact card containing the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the following:

      • Family member or close contact remaining in the United States

      • Health care provider(s) at home

      • Lodging at your destination

      • Hospitals or clinics (including emergency services) in your destination

      • US embassy or consulate in the destination country or countries