Travel with purpose
Sustainable Experiences in Kenya
Beyond our curated Florence experiences, we invite you to explore Kenya, supporting local communities and businesses while enjoying a journey that makes a lasting difference.
Introducing Travel With Purpose
At Florence Connection we believe that travel should always be intentional, crafted with purpose,
emotion and respect. This is the origins and reasoning behind the notion of ‘Travel With Purpose’ .
When you explore the land, the people and the story behind every stop, your journey becomes
something truly unforgettable and meaningful.
With our founders love of Kenya and invested interest in the local community, Travel With Purpose
was created and now o ffers unique once in a life time travel opportunities to this breathtaking land
of savannahs, sunsets, diverse people, traditions and Africa’s safari soul.
Why Kenya?
Beyond being a bucket list safari destination, Kenya is a vibrant land full of opportunity for meaningful, ethical travel.
- Rich in wildlife, landscapes and biodiversity
- Home to diverse, deeply rooted cultures
- Abundant small businesses eager to share their
stories - A tourism sector ready for sustainable growth
Get in touch and discover how your visit to Kenya can make a lasting impact by uplifting local communities, supporting small businesses and protecting Kenya’s cultural and natural heritage, all while having a deeply enriching travel experience.
Working Itinerary Kenya 6 to 14 January 2025
Day 1 – January 5
Location: Travel Day
Travel Mode/Time: Plane — 25 hours
Events/Experiences: International travel to Kenya
Accommodations: —
Day 2 – January 6
Location: Malindi, Kenya
Travel Mode/Time: Bus from Malindi Airport to Gede — approx. 30 minutes
Events/Experiences:
- Arrival in Malindi at 4:55 PM
- Check-in at Bambakofi School
- Dinner at the school
Accommodations: ATKYE
Day 3 – January 7
Location: Gede / Watamu / Dabaso
Travel Mode/Time: 2 minivans at disposal — 15 to 40 minutes roundtrip depending on stops
Events/Experiences:
- Easy-going day with breakfast at the school
- Explore Watamu area
- Visit Marine Park (Blue Bay or Garoda Beach)
- Optional visit to Dabaso Crab Shack (donation: $10 per person; dinner: $30–$40 per person, pre-booking required)
Accommodations: ATKYE
Day 4 – January 8
Location: Gede
Travel Mode/Time: 10-minute drive to Gede Ruins
Events/Experiences:
- Day at Bambakofi Academy
- Sunset visit to Gede Ruins (consider making a donation for the school)
- All meals provided at the school
Accommodations: ATKYE
Day 5 – January 9
Location: Malindi / Camp Geden
Travel Mode/Time:
- Gede to Malindi — 30 to 40 minutes
- Malindi to Camp Geden — approx. 40 minutes
Events/Experiences:
- Optional historical tour in Malindi with a preservationist (approx. $600–$700, to be confirmed locally)
- Lunch at a local spot
- Visit to Stella Customized Fashion — supporting women in fashion training (donation encouraged)
- Optional visit to Malindi Falconry
Accommodations: Camp Geden
Day 6 – January 10
Location: Malindi / Robinson Island
Travel Mode/Time:
- 40 minutes to Robinson Island
- 1.5 hours back to Watamu
Events/Experiences:
- Visit to Hippo Sanctuary and Mangroves
- Lunch and preservation education with Mamma Goody on Robinson Island
Accommodations: Rafiki Village
Day 7 – January 11
Location: Watamu
Travel Mode/Time: 10-minute drive from Rafiki Village to boat
Events/Experiences:
- Full-day Safari Blue boat excursion
- Marine Park & Mida Creek experience
Accommodations: Rafiki Village
Days 8–9 – January 12–13
Location: Watamu / Tsavo East National Park
Travel Mode/Time:
- Watamu to Jakaranda — 40 minutes to 1 hour
- Ocean Sports — 15 minutes
- 3 minivans for safari transport
- Events/Experiences:
January 12:
- Relaxing beach day at Fortamu or Jakaranda Beach Resort / Ocean Sports Resort
- (Lunch not included; to be booked and paid locally)
January 13:
- Safari day in Tsavo East
- Pickup at 5:00 AM, drop-off around 6:30–7:00 PM
Accommodations: Ngutuni Lodge
Day 10 – January 14
Location: Voi (Ngutuni Lodge) to Nairobi
Travel Mode/Time: 2 minivans — 6 to 7-hour drive
Events/Experiences:
- Travel to Nairobi Airport
- Departure flight at 11:35 PM
Accommodations: —
What We Do
We curate meaningful travel experiences in Kenya that create real impact for both travelers and local communities. At Travel With Purpose, we go beyond typical tourism. We design authentic journeys that connect you with Kenya’s people, culture, nature, and grassroots changemakers.
How We Travel With Purpose:
Curate immersive itineraries blending wildlife, culture and community experiences
Partner with local families, guides and artisans to ensure income stays within communities
Offer hands on activities like cooking, beadwork, conservation walks and visits to social enterprises
Support grassroots projects, schools and cooperatives with every trip
Promote responsible tourism that honors traditions, protects nature and uplifts lives
Challenges Faced by Local Communities
While Kenya is undeniably beautiful, many local communities continue to face significant obstacles:
- Limited access to global visibility and major tourism markets
- Ongoing economic struggles, particularly in rural regions
- Environmental degradation driven by mass tourism pressures
- A persistent need for education, skills training and sustainable infrastructure
What Is Purposeful Travel?
Purposeful travel is about giving back as you explore, making every journey meaningful for you and for the people you encounter along the way.
It means:
• Staying at locally owned lodges and homestays
• Buying from artisan cooperatives and women’s groups
• Engaging in cultural exchanges with genuine respect
• Supporting community led tourism projects and conservation efforts
How You Can Make a Difference
As a traveler, you hold incredible power and using it wisely can transform entire communities.
- Stay in eco lodges or homestays run by locals
- Eat at community run restaurants
- Join tours led by local guides, their stories are the real treasures
- Volunteer responsibly with projects that create long term impact
- Learn about, honor and celebrate local traditions and culture
Success Stories That Inspire
Meet our partners and collaborators who will elevate your travel experience while empowering purposeful, meaningful journeys.
Bambakofi Academy – Gede
For nearly 20 years, this local school has opened the door to an education many children might never have received, made possible through the support of ethical tourism and dedicated community partners.
Camp Gedeng – Sabaki River
An eco camp that offers more than a peaceful stay, it’s also home to a community driven hippo
sanctuary dedicated to protecting wildlife and the river ecosystem.
Stella Customized Fashion House – Malindi
Founded by a Kenyan designer Charity Karimi, Stella’s Fashion House provides free sewing and tailoring training to local women, empowering them with lifelong skills and confidence.
+50 Women
have received free tailoring
and sewing training at Stella’s
Fashion House — helping
them build skills, confidence,
and income.
+3000 students
have gained access to free
primary education through
ongoing support of Bambakofi
Academy in Gede.
Snapshots From Our Expeditions & Guided Experiences
GALLERY
The Value of Traveling With Purpose and What You Gain Along The Way
Purposeful travel isn’t just about giving, it’s about receiving something more valuable than any souvenir.
- Authentic, off the beaten path adventures
- Real human connections
- A deeper cultural understanding
- A sense of contribution and personal transformation
- Stories you will be proud to tell
“IS MY VISIT LEAVING THIS PLACE BETTER THAN I FOUND IT?”
Let this question guide you and let your journey inspire others.
Travel with Purpose. Support local. Connect deeply. Make a meaningful impact.
Book now
READY TO EXPLORE
Contact Us
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Call us
+39 339 779 2426
Our office
Via del Proconsolo, 16 Florence, 50122
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At Florence Connection, we take pride in ensuring to make your experience with us an unforgettable experience
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