New ecotours offer a taste of rural Kenya

GSE Ecotours is offering new destinations for its Kenyan village homestay tours to rural Kenya. Guests can now enjoy up to 14 nights experiencing the culture and lifestyle of the Taita and Kisii Communities.

To fully absorb local culture and customs, visitors stay as guests with host families and are invited to assist with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, handicrafts and harvesting grass for livestock. There is also a tree-planting ceremony as part of the programme, to mark the guests’ arrival. Other activities include local language tuition, and the opportunity to work on local community projects, which are funded by revenue generated by the holidays. The activities are designed to help guests to feel at home in their host community.

Popular with ethically-minded adventurous families and intrepid travelers alike, GSE Ecotours’ homestay tours are designed to offer visitors a culturally enriching experience. The tours also aid local economies and help to protect and sustain natural resources.

Says GSE Ecotours founder, Jackie Kariithi: “Increasingly people are seeking new ways to give something back and experience different cultures. Village homestays offer the same cultural and ethical benefits as gap year and voluntourism schemes, without the extended time commitment. Staying as the guest of a hand-picked host family in the unspoilt rural Kenyan landscape is an unmissable experience.”

As part of the GSE Ecotours’ package, before arriving at their allocated village, visitors are educated on what to expect during their stay, local etiquette and responsible use of valuable water and amenities. A GSE Ecotours’ guide and translator also stays with each host family to help guests to settle into their new environment and get the most from their stay. To minimise negative environmental impact and to protect community resources, visitor numbers are limited to less than 15 guests per village.

Homestay Package Details:

Community tours to Taita, Taveta District in the Coast Province of Kenya are available throughout July 2009. Community tours to Kisii, Nyanza Province in Western Kenya are available throughout December 2009.

A 7-day tour including: accommodation, all meals, ground transport, guide services, and fees paid to host communities, costs £370 per person (single supplement £27 per night). Discounts are available for groups of 10+.

A maximum of three visitors and one GSE Ecotours guide and translator stay with each host family. Excursions to local national parks and game reserves are included in the itinerary, to allow visitors to appreciate Kenya’s majestic landscape, wildlife and natural habitats.

For more information visit gse-ecotours.com.