Catalyst Kenya

June 2020

A Note from Mindie...

Kenya has always been a catalyst for me.

When you venture so far from your own country and culture, you get the opportunity to see things from a new perspective. It was in Kenya that I first got clear on what I was supposed to be doing with my life and planted the seeds that grew into my business, which ultimately led me to meet Sean, and build the life that we had together.

I tell a lot of stories at my HeartPath retreat about Kenya, so after a number of years doing that, I thought... why not have them experience these things in real life instead of just through stories?

I first visited Kenya in 2001 and again in 2003. I then lived there on a Global Health Fellowship in 2006-2007. The first Catalyst Kenya trip was in 2017 and I am so ready to go back.

I believe education is the best way to change the world, so I'm taking a small group of adventurers to work in a school outside of Nairobi. And no trip to Kenya is complete without a safari. :)

You'll come back a better version of you. I know, because it happened (and continues to happen) to me. ❤️

Karibu Kenya (Welcome to Kenya),

Mindie Kniss

Informational Call

Recorded: March 5, 2020

As you can see, I got pretty emotional in the video above when I said, "For some people it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..." and I realized that, for Sean, it was.

He truly wanted all of his friends to experience this. So, here, in his own words, was a bit of his experience.

I am ever so grateful that we got to experience this together.

2020 Itinerary

June 7: Depart US (Nonstop flight from JFK New York on Kenya Airways)

June 8: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya -- Jomo Kenyatta Airport

June 9-12: Nairobi (includes working with the school in Kibera slum, visits to the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre, plus shopping in the Kenyan markets)

June 13-15: Safari at Maasai Mara National Reserve

June 16: Depart Nairobi

June 17: Arrive in US

Registration

Included in your registration:

All lodging and breakfast each day
Full board (3 meals) while on safari
All transportation within Kenya
All game reserve and park fees
Tax deductible donation to the Fred Outa Foundation ($1,000)

Please note: Registration fee does NOT include travel visa ($51), passport cost, excursions (hot air balloon or Maasai village), gratuities, incidentals, or travel insurance. It is common practice to tip the driver for his/her service.

Total registration fee for single occupancy is $4,900. A $1,000 deposit is required to hold your spot.

Divider Text

FAQ

If your question isn't answered below, contact us and we'll add it.

Is it expensive to eat in Kenya?
Restaurants in Kenya are usually less expensive than in the US. You can see a menu from one of my favorite restaurants, Java House, by clicking here. Most of the items are less than 1,000 KSH which is around 10 dollars. You could roughly estimate for $10 for lunches and $20 for dinners.

How much should we plan to tip?
You could consider $10 per person per day for the driver, and then any tips for any food service, maid service, etc... In 2017, we had a particularly awesome driver so we ended up giving him more than that, but it's not required.

How much are the safari excursions?
Plan for a few hundred dollars if you want to take a hot air balloon ride or visit a Maasai village. I'll update with exact pricing soon.

What language is spoken in Kenya?
English and Swahili are both considered official languages; there are also more that 60 different tribal languages spoken.

Is this trip handicap accessible?
Accessibility in Kenya isn't great and we will be in places that have no pavement or flat land; therefore, this is not a handicap accessible trip.

What is the currency in Kenya?
Kenyan Shillings. As of this writing, the exchange rate is $1 USD = 102.6 KSH.

Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is recommended. Visit TravelInsurance.com to compare rates and learn more. (I have no affiliation with this site.)

Do I need vaccinations to travel in Kenya?
Vaccinations are recommended. Visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to learn more about traveling in Kenya. Passport Health has lots of information on travel vaccines and has clinics around the US to receive your vaccinations.

Isn't it dangerous to travel in Kenya?
The U.S. State Department has warned against U.S. citizens traveling the border area between Somalia and Kenya based on threats from al-Shabaab. We will not be anywhere near this area. Learn more at the US State Department.

Apply Now

Space is limited to six people.

To confirm your interest, a $1,000 fully-refundable deposit is required.

International travel can be intense. If I feel you are not qualified for this experience for any reason, I will refund your payment immediately, or you may prefer to donate your payment and receive a tax donation receipt.

Once I receive your payment, I'll contact you to set up a quick call. This will allow us to connect and get any of your questions answered.

GET STARTED

REFUND POLICY: If you cancel between March 1-31, 2020, you may receive 50% of your registration back. After March 31, 2020, no refunds will be issued.