To inquire about group discounts or recruiter discounts, contact expeditions@choicehumanitarian.org.

Travel with purpose to rural Kenya and work together with community members to develop meaningful change and positive connections. 

Located just below Ethiopia on Africa's eastern coast, Kenya offers a diverse landscape of central plateaus, arid deserts, and coastal plains that stretch along the Indian Ocean. Each CHOICE Kenya expedition begins and ends with a village celebration of song and dance to welcome you to the beautiful region of Samburu.

Interested in another date or location? Reach out to us at expeditions@choicehumanitarian.org

Enjoy an incredible opportunity to learn about local culture while also experiencing international development and humanitarian work firsthand. Along with your fellow expeditioners, you will expand your view of what it means to be a global citizen.

Project Information

Once we find out more information about the community and project you'll be working on during this Expedition, we'll be sure to include that information here. Until then, trust that the project will be a sustainable, locally led project identified by the community. No matter your abilities/skill-level, there will be accessible options for you to participate every step of the way!

On Expeditions to Kenya, we frequently work in the following areas: Classroom Construction, Healthcare Education, Leadership Training, Social Welfare Education, Desk Construction, Agriculture Training

Cultural Exchange

Cultural exchange is one of the most important aspects of CHOICE expeditions. When people of different backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, experiences, perspectives, and knowledge, the world becomes a more connected place. These authentic and meaningful interactions can generate empathy and foster open-mindedness.

Ethical & Sustainable Service

CHOICE employs qualified local country staff who work with community members to organize and lead projects designed specifically for the needs of their community. By focusing on the causes rather than the symptoms, our projects can create multidimensional, long-lasting solutions which increase the community’s capacity to build a path out of poverty.

For more information, view our Expedition Philosophy and FAQ's!

Each Expedition is led by a Certified Expedition Leader (CEL). The CEL works together with CHOICE's local country team to make each part of your trip intentional and valuable.

More information on your leaders to come!

Expeditioners are responsible for booking and paying for their own air travel. The Expedition Fee does not cover airfare.

We recommend booking your flights two to eight months before departure for the best pricing and availability! 

ARRIVAL INFORMATION:

Airport: Moi International Airport (MBA)

Date: DAY 1 (August 23, 2026)

Time: 6AM-6PM Local Time

DEPARTURE INFORMATION:

Airport: Moi International Airport (MBA)

Date: DAY 8 (August 30, 2026)

Time: Anytime

Tour Add-On Travel Information

The Safari Add-On Tour will take place after the Expedition, and it will end in Mombasa. Book your return flight directly from Mombasa.

Nakupendakenya Safari & Tours

For those joining our Kenya Expedition and looking to extend their adventure, we’re thrilled to recommend Nakupendakenya Safari & Tours — our trusted partner for meaningful, memorable, and beautifully organized safari experiences.

They specialize in personalized, high-quality Kenya travel, offering everything from classic safaris to tailor-made itineraries that showcase the heart of the country beyond the tourist path.

Whether you want wildlife, culture, relaxation, or a mix of all three, their team will help you craft a seamless add-on to your expedition.

To plan your safari, please reach out directly to Bettina:
✉️ Email bettina@nakupendakenya.com or Call +254 719 284 603

Travel Agencies

CHOICE partners with CV Humanitarian and Velocity Travel, trusted agencies that specialize in humanitarian travel to the remote places where CHOICE works. In order to avoid duplicate bookings and airfare cancellations, please contact one agent at a time. If you would like to work with one of their trusted agents, please find their contact information below: 

Agent: Blair Greene 

Email: blair@cvtravel.com

Phone: +1 (205) 484-2029

Agent: Trent Hendrickson 

Email: Trent@velocitytours.com

Phone: +1 (801) 296-8687

For any other questions, please visit our FAQ's page, or contact the CHOICE Expeditions Team.” 

Basically, we just need to add this sentence: “In order to avoid duplicate bookings and airfare cancellations, please contact one agent at a time.

CHOICE Humanitarian requires all expedition participants to purchase medical evacuation insurance. This insurance covers transportation to a clinic or hospital during medical emergencies. It must cover at least $25,000. Proof of coverage must be provided to CHOICE as part of registration. 

Medical evacuation insurance can be purchased separately or as part of a travel health insurance policy. It can cover emergency transportation from a remote area to a high-quality hospital, which could otherwise cost more than $100,000.

In addition, CHOICE encourages all expedition participants to purchase standard travel insurance and trip cancellation coverage due to unforeseen circumstances that might cause trip disruptions or unexpected flight cancellations. 

Suggested Policy Providers:

Travel Guard

1 (800) 826-5248

Medjet

1 (800) 527-7478

Allianz

1 (866) 884-3556

Travelex

1 (800) 228-9792

Major credit card companies also provide free and/or low cost travel insurance to cardholders. Please be sure that such coverage is actual insurance and not just insurance consultation.

If you are a student or faculty member, the least expensive way to acquire emergency evacuation/medical insurance is the international youth/student/faculty I.D. card ($20). Most universities offer these through their study abroad office. You will need to provide proof of current school enrollment or faculty employment and a passport-sized photo.

CHOICE Registration Materials

• CHOICE Registration Materials
• Medical Evacuation Insurance
• Book Flights + Upload full Flight Itinerary

Kenya Arrival Requirements for U.S. Citizens

• Passport (Valid for 6-months beyond Expedition return date)
• Kenya E-Visa (See here and here for instructions.)
• Kenya E-Visa Payment ($51 USD)
• Minor Travel Consent Form** 

**Required for volunteers under 18 years of age traveling without a parent. 

For more information see here. For CDC Travel Guidelines see here.  

Extra Suggestions and Recommendations

• Did I read all important pre-departure materials (accessible on this site)?
• Did I check local weather reports before departure?
• Did I make copies of passports and insurance policies to take with me (or save digital copies to a device)?
• Did I receive recommended and/or routine vaccinations? (For updated recommendations see here.)
• Did I pack proper electrical adapters/converters?
• Did I contact my banking institution before departure (to use credit/debit cards abroad)?
• Did I grab some spending cash for personal expenses? (~$250 for souvenirs and extra food/drink.)
• Did I leave phone numbers with friends and relatives?
• Did I check with the airline(s) regarding baggage weight limits and potential excess baggage fees?
• Did I reconfirm flights and/or check for changes in flight times?

Travel Information

CURRENCY 

Kenyan Shilling (KES) 

1.00 US Dollar = 134.88 Shillings (2024) 

ELECTRICITY 

220­240 volts AC (50 Hertz) 

Plugs: round 2­pin / flat 3­pin (same as United Kingdom) 

WEATHER 

DRY “HOT” SEASON: December ­ March (hot and humid in the afternoons, cooler in the evenings) *rain is intermittent 

HIGH: 90°F – 95°F / LOW: 75°F – 80°F 

DRY “COOL” SEASON: June ­ September (warm and humid in the afternoons, cooler in the evenings) *rain is intermittent 

HIGH: 80°F – 85°F / LOW: 70°F – 75°F 

RAINY SEASON: October ­ November/ April ­ May (warm and humid in the afternoons, cooler in the evenings) 

*rain is heavier and more frequent 

HIGH: 85°F – 90°F / LOW: 70°F – 75°F 

FOOD

During the expedition, CHOICE will provide 3 daily meals to all volunteers while in the village. The local diet consists of vegetables, rice, potatoes, chicken, nyama choma(roasted meat), and possible mandaazi (fried dough cakes). Expedition participants can expect to eat standard American foods combined with local elements: cereals, breads, salads, soups, chicken, fruits, salsas, etc. CHOICE will also provide drinks such as milk, fruit juices, and soda pop. Participants are encouraged to bring personal food and snacks that will not be available in the villages (supplement bars, sweets, etc). Drinkable water will be provided in the village. We encourage each participant to bring a reusable water bottle.

PACKING LIST

This comprehensive packing list has been prepared as a convenience. The recommendations reflect the experience of CHOICE as well as recommendations from previous expedition participants. If you have questions about anything on the packing list, feel free to ask the Expedition Staff, the Expedition Leaders, or post a question in the expedition WhatsApp group. When reviewing this list, please refer to the weather information provided above to coordinate which items to pack and take on a specific expedition (according to the month/season). 

CHOICE recommends that all volunteers check the weather forecast prior to departure to ensure appropriate packing. It is wise to think in LAYERS when preparing for a service trip abroad.  Foam pads will be provided in the village. 

CHOICE recommends that all volunteers pack as light as possible (since brief hikes might be required before entering and/or departing from the village). CHOICE also suggests duffle bags and camping backpacks as ideal packing equipment (instead of suitcases). Please check with the airlines regarding baggage allowances and excess baggage fees. CHOICE will not be responsible for such fees.  

Participants have found that packing items in large, reusable storage or sealable bags makes it much easier to stay organized during the expedition—especially when it comes to finding socks, shirts, and other essentials. These bags also help keep clothes clean and odor-free. We also recommend bringing an extra reusable bag to store dirty laundry throughout the trip.

Important: Please note that Kenya has a strict ban on single-use plastics bags. Be sure to travel with only reusable bags to comply with customs regulations.

One golden piece of advice: Leave behind a clean change of clothes at the hotel or keep a clean change of clothes inside a bag during the entire expedition. Why? So that there is a fresh outfit to wear when boarding the international flight home! You’ll thank us later!  

NECESSARY ITEMS 

Clothing

• durable walking shoes (hiking boots or well-built tennis shoes)

• sandals or flip-flops (for use in shower and inside sleeping area)

• swimsuit (for use in shower)

• multiple pairs of socks (lightweight long socks protect ankles from insect bites)

• three (3) pair of work pants or knee-length shorts (casual, quick-dry – not jeans)

• four (4) or five (5) t-shirts or work shirts (casual, quick-dry – not sleeveless)

• sweatshirt and/or light jacket

• one (1) long-sleeve shirt for the evenings

• simple rain poncho/waterproof jacket

• underclothing (enough for entire trip without washing)

• pajamas appropriate for group sleeping

• hat or sun visor

Toiletries/First-Aid

• antibacterial wet wipe packets (80-100 per person) and/or antibacterial hand gel

• toothbrush/toothpaste

• deodorant

• pocket size packs of tissue

• water bottle (plastic or aluminum)

• inexpensive durable watch

• camera (plus extra battery and extra film/disk)

• extra prescription medicine (packed in carry-on luggage)

• sunscreen

• lip balm

• minor blister/wound care (band-aids, moleskin, triple antibiotic cream etc.)

• pain reliever (ibuprofen, etc.)

• diarrhea medication (imodium, etc.)

• constipation medicine

• decongestant or allergy medication

• personal prescriptions

• mosquito repellent with at least 20% DEET

• chigger cream

Other Items

• travel pillow

• headlamp with new batteries

• good work gloves

• jumbo and mid-size reusable/sealable bags (for dirty/wet clothes, garbage, organizing and packing)

• personal hygiene items: towel, washcloth, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.

• day bag (to transport water, jacket, hat, gloves, camera, snacks to worksite)

• personal journal and pen

• passport

RECOMMENDED ITEMS

• sleep aids (ear plugs, etc.)

• travel pocket guide

• cultural sharing items (small musical instruments, photo albums, etc.)

• supplies and games for village activities (fingernail polish, materials for necklaces and

• bracelets, frisbees, soccer balls/ pumps, etc.)

• small multi-tool or pocket knife

• compact travel games or cards

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• bandana (used around head or neck)

• sunglasses

• snacks (granola bars, fruit leather, etc.), sweets, powder juices

• compact indoor games or projects

Flight arrivals will take place throughout the day (by 6PM local time), with transportation to hotel in Mombasa. Orientation/Welcome Dinner and Hotel Check-in. 

Option to explore Mombasa, a major trading center in the Arab world for centuries, with strong Muslim roots still evident in modern Swahili culture. In 1498, Vasco da Gama was the first European explorer to discover Mombasa – now a popular travel destination in eastern Africa. Participants can visit Biashara Street to purchase vibrant kangas, as well as Akamba Carvers to find exquisite gifts of handcrafted wood. 

Group transportation will be provided in the morning to the developing region outside of Mombasa (4-hour travel). Participants will arrive to a gracious rural village in the afternoon and be greeted with a warm welcome from local villagers. Time available to unpack, rest, and interact with local residents. Overnight accommodations provided in Safari-style canvas tents. 

Development projects will be scheduled throughout the week (construction of various village-identified initiatives). 

Village activities and interactions will be provided to promote powerful intercultural exchanges between participants and local villagers.

Ceremonious village farewell will be scheduled in the morning (or evening prior). Group bus transportation will be provided back to Mombasa. Arrive to Mombasa in the late afternoon and check-in to hotel for overnight accommodations. Group dinner will be scheduled in the evening to conclude the expedition and discuss experiences. 

Those flying home will depart from Moi International Airport (MBA) anytime.

Experience the wild-side that Kenya has to offer!

Nakupendakenya offers a wide variety of safari and travel options to suit all kinds of travelers — whether you’re after a quick wildlife peek or a full-fledged multi-day expedition.

👉 Ready to plan your safari? Reach out to Bettina at Nakupendakenya:
✉️ bettina@nakupendakenya.com

+254 719 284 603