GSDE Cultural Adventures take you beyond traditional sights of destination and give you a taste of authentic local culture. It offers opportunity to see “off the beaten track” sights, sounds, customs and history of each country, while being hosted and guided by a local host or living in a locally owned and managed hotel. Cultural adventure involves interacting with the people and experiencing the customs and traditions. Here are some of the special interest vacation destinations and sample adventures.
Lamu Island adventure, Kenya
Lamu is place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at its own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of its medieval stone town. As Kenya’s oldest inhabited town, Lamu hasn’t changes much in character over the centuries. Lamu’s main attraction is its Old town, the narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the market and squires around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transportation. The winding streets of the towns are best explored on foot.
For travelers, Lamu is a hypnotically exotic experience, made even more enjoyable by the relaxed and welcoming attitudes of locals. To visit Lamu is to enter another world, and the visitors find themselves becoming part of this world. Life slows down, and long days are spent strolling along the waterfront, exploring the town or relaxing on the beaches. Dhows safaris can take you beyond Lamu into the surrounding archipelago, where isolated villages, ancient ruins and a few luxurious and exclusive resorts lie hidden among the islands of Manda, Siyu, Pate and Kiwayu. Lamu is best accessed by air. There are scheduled flights daily from Nairobi, Mombasa, Diane Beach and Malindi. The island is serviced by an airstrip on the neighbouring Manda Island.
Activities:
Swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and Maulid Festival is one of the biggest events of the Lamu Island, visit the smaller Pate and Manda islands.
Accommodation:
Guest house and hotels
Kenya Athletics adventure:
Kenya is a home to some of the best runners in the world. You will have the opportunity to train and meet some of the famous Kenya runners, and opportunity to see Kenya’s rich wildlife, Trek in the Great Rift Valley and explore the country.
Activity:
Running training with Kenyan runners, trekking, game viewing.
Accommodation:
Hotels, guest houses, and with host families.
The Aberdare Birding Adventure- Photography and Hiking
The Aberdares National Park is located within beautiful mountain rage in the central highlands of Kenya. The Aberdares is a place of dense forest, misty moorlands and alpine plants where icy rivers plunge in glorious cascades of waterfalls. The birds and other wildlife is the park is abundant.
Activities:
Photography, game viewing, and trekking
Accommodation: Aberdares Lodge.
Homestay in Kenya
Experience local culture, Swahili language, and cooking while living with a Kenyan family. The friendly hosts make you feel so welcome and part of the family.
Activities:
Visit to Bomas of Kenya, where you will experience Kenya’s rich traditions music and dance, Kenya National Museum, visit Mt. Kenya region tea and coffee plantations, visit Karatina, Africa’s largest open air market and community development projects.
If you are looking for special adventure, we can tailor-make one for you, let us know our needs. Contact us for more information.
