Travel With Us

Become a Rafiki (or ‘Friend’ in Swahili)! Join us in the field and witness our clean water mission first-hand on our annual two-week “Rafiki” trip to East Africa.

Be a part of meaningful work.

Be prepared to rise early and engage face-to-face with our partner communities. You might experience a new well being drilled, help host a medical clinic, visit a past project, interact with students, and more.

Rafiki with students at Cheptoroi Primary School during new well drill

EXPLORE EAST AFRICA

Experience East Africa in a truly unique way. Go on safaris, enjoy sundowners (a drink while you look at wildlife!), visit animal refuges, and swim in the Indian ocean.

  • Day 1 – Karibu (‘Welcome’) to Kenya! Get picked up at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by one of our trusted drivers and taken to a lovely hotel in Nairobi, where you can catch up on some sleep!
  • Day 2 -- Start off the trip with a relaxing day as we visit wildlife sanctuaries in Nairobi and have lunch as a group at the lovely Karen Blixen Cafe.
  • Days 3-9 -- We hit the road early as a caravan and head into the field for roughly 5-7 days. We will visit multiple Well Aware partner communities, experience the scenery and incredible wildlife, and, if we’re lucky, see a new well drill hit water! After a week of engaging with our clean water work, you will have more than earned a few down days.
  • Days 10-12 -- We wrap up the trip in an amazing house in Mombasa, overlooking the Indian Ocean, relaxing in the pool, and letting the experience soak in.
  • Day 13 -- Back to reality! We will travel back to the Nairobi airport together and head back home, as Rafikis.

Become A Rafiki

  • “My favorite things were playing with the kids, seeing the range of impact from building a new well in real time to visiting communities with wells built at varying times prior to our visit, the animals, the presentations from the tech team and from the community leaders/children; also Mombasa… Honestly I was so impressed by everything and how the trip was planned. It was absolutely amazing!”

  • “The Rafiki trip truly exceeded my expectations. The ability to work amongst the local communities, have such special interactions with the children and adults, and see the impact of our work and clean water was life altering. The trip was planned with such care and thought, the staff was so knowledgeable, professional and fun! And the animals and landscape were breathtaking. I can not say enough wonderful things about this experience, the incredible work of Well Aware and the feeling of being connected to a new “family” in East Africa that I hope to be able to visit on many occasions as a returning Rafiki. Thank you all SO much!!”

  • “Trip of a lifetime! Having access to small rural communities that would otherwise go unseen if it wasn’t for the incredible work of Well Aware was extremely special and life-changing. The few days in Mombasa at the end of the trip was also a favorite….Getting to relax and share your Kenya experiences with one another before returning home was unique and quite the bonding experience. I’ll be friends for life with all of my fellow Rafikis!”

  • “My favorite things were playing with the kids, seeing the range of impact from building a new well in real time to visiting communities with wells built at varying times prior to our visit, the animals, the presentations from the tech team and from the community leaders/children; also Mombasa… Honestly I was so impressed by everything and how the trip was planned. It was absolutely amazing!”

  • “The Rafiki trip truly exceeded my expectations. The ability to work amongst the local communities, have such special interactions with the children and adults, and see the impact of our work and clean water was life altering. The trip was planned with such care and thought, the staff was so knowledgeable, professional and fun! And the animals and landscape were breathtaking. I can not say enough wonderful things about this experience, the incredible work of Well Aware and the feeling of being connected to a new “family” in East Africa that I hope to be able to visit on many occasions as a returning Rafiki. Thank you all SO much!!”

  • “Trip of a lifetime! Having access to small rural communities that would otherwise go unseen if it wasn’t for the incredible work of Well Aware was extremely special and life-changing. The few days in Mombasa at the end of the trip was also a favorite….Getting to relax and share your Kenya experiences with one another before returning home was unique and quite the bonding experience. I’ll be friends for life with all of my fellow Rafikis!”

  • “My favorite things were playing with the kids, seeing the range of impact from building a new well in real time to visiting communities with wells built at varying times prior to our visit, the animals, the presentations from the tech team and from the community leaders/children; also Mombasa… Honestly I was so impressed by everything and how the trip was planned. It was absolutely amazing!”

  • “The Rafiki trip truly exceeded my expectations. The ability to work amongst the local communities, have such special interactions with the children and adults, and see the impact of our work and clean water was life altering. The trip was planned with such care and thought, the staff was so knowledgeable, professional and fun! And the animals and landscape were breathtaking. I can not say enough wonderful things about this experience, the incredible work of Well Aware and the feeling of being connected to a new “family” in East Africa that I hope to be able to visit on many occasions as a returning Rafiki. Thank you all SO much!!”

  • “Trip of a lifetime! Having access to small rural communities that would otherwise go unseen if it wasn’t for the incredible work of Well Aware was extremely special and life-changing. The few days in Mombasa at the end of the trip was also a favorite….Getting to relax and share your Kenya experiences with one another before returning home was unique and quite the bonding experience. I’ll be friends for life with all of my fellow Rafikis!”

Want to be a Rafiki? Here’s the Application!

Prerequisites for trips: You must be a Well Aware Village member, have a valid passport for at least 6 months after the trip dates, inoculations, and the ability to financially cover the trip cost (varies from $3,500-$4,900 – not including flights). Please also note, while we will put you to work in the field, this is not a volunteer opportunity.

If you have any immediate questions, please reach out to lindsey@wellawareworld.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost?

It varies trip to trip, but you can expect the cost to be around $3,500-$4,900.

What's included?

  1. All hotel stays (estimate of 10 nights/11 days, varies annually)
  2. All transportation from arrival to departure (private airport pick up and designated drivers for the entirety of the trip)
  3. Internal flights (to Mombasa where we finish up the trip)
  4. All game drives & excursions (including elephant and giraffe sanctuaries)
  5. All meals, snacks, and water (including a unique meal here)
  6. Service tips
  7. 24/7 Tour Director

What's not included?

  1. Your flight to and from East Africa
  2. Your entry visa
  3. Alcohol
  4. Souvenirs
  5. Innoculations

Do I have to be there for the full trip?

Not necessarily. Under unique circumstances, we are able to accommodate shorter trips, but it all depends on the itinerary. To get the most out of the trip and enjoy the full experience we highly recommend being a part of the whole trip, finishing out with a few days relaxing on the beach and enjoying the views and warmth of the Indian Ocean.

Are children allowed?

Children are considered on a case-by-case basis. It’s a very raw and beautiful experience, which may be too much for the little ones.

Is there a deposit required?

Yes, we require $500 to reserve your spot.

Are there payment plan options?

Yes! In fact, the way we plan these trips and the payment for them is via installment. After the initial deposit, there will be 3 more dates set, at which time you will pay for another portion of the trip.

Do I need any vaccinations?

Absolutely. You can reference the CDC website or, for a more streamlined option, we recommend visiting a Passport Health office near you. They will be able to provide the most up-to-date service and give you everything you need. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time ahead of the trip so you aren’t rushing towards the end.

What about Malaria?

While Malaria is present in parts of East Africa, it’s not something to lose sleep over. Some people may choose to take preventative medicine, but it’s not necessary. Often, we just use Deet. It’s really the best option while on the ground and normally the only precaution the Well Aware team takes on their multiple trips each year.

What do I wear?!

We provide a full packing list to make sure you know exactly how to prepare! Most days, you’ll want to dress like you’re going on a light hike: think sneakers, lightweight pants, and layers. For the ladies, no low cut shirts or very short shorts. Also, there’s no need to bring anything fancy on this trip. Casual clothes will be your best bet.

What are the accommodations like?

We stay at safe, comfortable, and lovely accommodations. This varies for each trip, but normally we are in 4-star hotels, at names you are likely familiar with. Sarova and Hilton are a couple of our trusted brands.