Kenya | Exploring the Legacy of Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate

Depart the US and fly to Nairobi.

Evening arrival into Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival, transfer to the Cycad Suites located upscale Karen suburbs of Nairobi, to rest after the long flight.

Start today with an overview of the Green Belt Movement (GBM), including a welcome by Board Chair, Mrs. Jane W. Gitau. The afternoon ends with a visit to the famous Giraffe center.

Visit Michuki Memorial Conservation Park, a spacious city park in the heart of Nairobi, to better understand the struggle that persisted in Kenya to protect green spaces. The park was established in 2008 through concerted efforts geared towards creating a public recreation area at a site previously used as a dumpsite and a criminal hideout. As a result of the rehabilitation program, a total of 20,000 tons of solid waste was removed and a major clean-up of the entire city was also carried out. The campaign to save Karura Forest, also in Nairobi, become the symbols of Wangari Maathai's struggles. After lunch at River Cafe, visit Karura Forest, the world's second largest urban forest. While there, learn about the role the forest plays as one of Nairobi's top recreational places to visit and the history of how Wangari Maathai led the campaign to save it. In the afternoon, participate in recreational activities in the forest.

This morning, visit the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental studies which was established in honor of Wangari Maathai with the idea of transferring knowledge and skills on sustainable use of natural resources from academic halls and laboratories to the citizenry in villages and rural communities throughout Africa. After our visit, we will travel to Maragua, Murang'a County for the Green Belt Movement's Bamboo Biomass Project which started in 2013 aimed at promoting the planting of indigenous bamboo for conservation, climate mitigation benefits, renewable energy and income generating activities for smallholder farmers; involving women groups in local communities. Later in the day travel to Nyeri for an immersion into the work of the GBM.

Spend today in the village of Ihithe, where Maathai was born. Upon arrival and introduction to the host community, work with community members on the following:
- Tree planting with the GBM, how their group was formed, share the success stories and benefits/challenges
- Simple farming techniques, kitchen gardens, reintroduction of indigenous food crops coupled with practical demonstrations
- Advocacy issues they have undertaken to save and preserve the forest
- Income generating activities undertaken by the groups as well as the challenges they have faced
- Communal Lunch - Join the host family and the community group for traditional lunch

Afterwards visit a nearby forest to understand the GBM's approach to landscape restoration and to observe a typical day in the life of a GBM community member. Return to the hotel this evening for dinner and overnight.

Spend today working on a community service project in Ihithe including Gathering fodder for the animals, tilling, weeding and harvesting in their farms as well as tree nursery needs. Today's lunch will be a traditional communal lunch prepared from a host family. After lunch visit Ihithe primary school where Wangari Maathai attended her primary education. This evening enjoy a fireside chat with the community discussing empowerment issues by the village elders.

After breakfast depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, with a stop at the equator along the way. The soda lake is famous for its abundance of flamingos; the area is also home to waterbucks, pelicans, Rothschild's giraffes, black rhinos, and white rhinos. Arrive in time for lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge, located inside the park boasting unobstructed views of the lake. Enjoy a little time to relax before a tree planting activity. Later, set out on an evening game drive around the park. Expect to see well-known wildlife such as leopards, lions, Rothschild's giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, rhinos, hippos, and buffaloes, among others. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Take an early morning game drive before breakfast at the lodge. Visit The Village Experience Medical Clinic in Mbaruk with Nurse Eileen. Eileen will give an overview of the healthcare system in Kenya and in this area in particular, and will talk about the history and impact of the clinic. Meet with the Ministry of Health-employed doctor at the clinic and speak with locals in the area about their healthcare needs. In the afternoon, visit Jacaranda Children's Home, where they provide an empowering environment to girls with no living parents. Learn about their garden project, which provides produce to the girls and also generates an income to help maintain the home. Lake Nakuru Lodge purchases produce from the center to serve to its guests.

After breakfast, depart for the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch at Mara Leisure Camp, located along the Talek River. The camp offers a true African tented camp experience with canvas tents erected on raised decks. Inside the tent, you will find wooden floors, comfortable beds, and an en-suite bathroom. You'll have a little time to rest after lunch before embarking on an extensive afternoon game drive until sundown. The reserve is home to Africa's "Big Five"-lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes, and rhinoceroses-as well as cheetahs, hippopotamuses, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and more than 470 bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Over the next two days, set out on morning and afternoon game drives in the reserve, which borders the Serengeti. In July, the annual wildebeest migration begins and over 1 million wildebeests and other herbivores pass through the Masai Mara/Serengeti ecosystem. Mid-day will be at leisure to relax or take a dip in the pool.

Continue with game drives.

After breakfast, return to Nairobi. Have dinner, and then go to the airport for the evening departure flight home.

Arrive home following your overnight flight.