Along with soaking up spectacular landscapes, glimpsing extraordinary wildlife and sampling mouth-watering cuisine, we think making deep connections with the countries and communities we visit is vitally important, too. That’s why at Enchanting Travels we always strive to offer one-of-a-kind responsible travel experiences to all of our guests, regardless of their chosen holiday destination.
From selecting local guides to show you around their home cities to organizing memorable trips which provide much-needed support for indigenous communities, there are so many ways to give back to the people and places we visit on our travels. You could also enjoy various hands-on experiences – from craft workshops to building projects – or go completely off the beaten path during a life-changing sustainable travel trip.
To give you an idea of what responsible travel activities we’re able to provide as part of your tailored trip itinerary, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite options below.
Spend a day with Kenyan grandmothers
Not just home to some truly wonderful wildlife, Kenya is also well-known for its friendly and fascinating communities. Why not give back to them with this interactive, once-in-a-lifetime experience?
We’ve partnered with One Horizon, an Africa-based tour company that specializes in responsible travel, to offer this amazing activity option. It’ll see you spending a day with a welcoming group of inspiring older Kenyan women, learning about their lifestyles and gaining an insight into their local traditions and practices.
Many of the grandmas work hard to support their families. Part of your experience will therefore include gifting either one piglet or 25 chicks to their farms which will help provide them with vital sustenance and income in the months to come.
Depending on the day you visit, you’ll be able to assist with chores around the farm and even prepare a traditional – and very delicious! – Kenyan lunch. It’ll be a day for making memories and changing lives – both the grandmas’ and your own.
Enjoy a real-life “Out of Africa” experience with Florian Keller
If you’ve ever watched the 1985 blockbuster Out of Africa, you’ll know just how beautiful the scenery in this corner of the world can be!
This next experience is one we’re able to offer exclusively to guests visiting Kenya. That’s because our company co-founder, Florian Keller, currently calls the same location where the inspiring film was shot 36 years ago his home. Receive a warm welcome into his wonderful property near Nairobi and enjoy breakfast or drinks with views across the stunning Ngong Hills.
In addition to soaking up the scenery and spotting the occasional wild animal in the distance, you could also sit down to dine beside the property’s magnificent fireplace. It was here, three decades ago, that Robert Redford and Meryl Streep’s characters told stories to each other over the crackling of the warm open fire.
A truly unique experience, visiting Florian’s home allows you to glimpse a place that has shaped the imaginations of countless people across the world!
Explore Delhi during a Salaam Baalak Trust City Walk
India’s capital is a true kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, cultures and colors. This next responsible travel experience allows you to see the city through the eyes of a new generation by embarking on an English-speaking walking tour of Delhi organized by the Salaam Baalak Trust.
This NGO supports the city’s street children and gives them access to opportunities to help achieve their dreams. Working and street children in India are at constant risk of crime, exploitation and falling into poverty. Salaam Baalak provide safe centers for vulnerable kids across the city where they can receive essential services such as medical care, education and food and clothing supplies.
We recommend to our guests visiting Delhi that they support the organization by booking one of the organization’s City Walk tours. They’re led by the children themselves, who have been formally trained as local guides. You’ll get to visit corners of the capital that aren’t usually seen on regular tours and receive first-hand insight into the city’s contemporary culture.
Experience authentic Tanzanian culture at the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge
If Tanzania has long been on your travel bucket list, why not plan a safari experience there with Enchanting Travels? One of the many ways you can make your stay more responsible is to book a few nights in the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge.
This incredible property is located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and run by Africa Amini Alama. The 16 lodges resemble traditional Maasai dwellings, complete with straw roofs and earth walls, yet they also all feature plenty of modern creature comforts. Most of the staff at the lodge are Maasai, too, and you’ll be able to embark on a range of remarkable activity options which will give you first-hand experience of their culture and traditions.
As well as providing jobs for members of the local community, the money generated from bookings at the lodge goes towards a range of inspiring projects in the surrounding area. This includes educational and medical programs, in addition to vital wildlife conservation.
Overall, this exceptional accommodation experience allows you to stay in a truly stunning property, while simultaneously giving back to important community projects.
Connect with a local farming family in Kerala, India
The picturesque Kerala region is one of the most popular and naturally beautiful destinations we send our guests to in South India. In addition to enjoying its epic landscapes on organized tours and excursions, you could also embrace responsible travel with a stay at Phillipkuttys Farm.
The property in the backwaters of Kerala consists of seven thoughtfully designed villas. They’re spread out on a working farm located on an island in serene Lake Vembanad. You’ll be hosted by the farm’s friendly owner and his family who are on hand to take you on tours of the farm, cook you mouth-watering Keralan dishes or even just to have a chat over a steaming cup of chai!
The open-plan villas have all been individually designed and are entirely private from both each other and the host family’s home. Soak up peaceful vistas of the water from your verandah and admire traditional furnishings which have all been individually chosen to give the villas a homey feel.
There is also a whole program of activities on offer for guests at Phillipkuttys Farm, including private yoga classes, bike rides to nearby villages and sunset cruises on the farm’s wooden canal boat.
Dive deep into the culture of Laos in Luang Prabang
Laos is a country whose culture remains a mystery to many. Consider rectifying that with a visit to the nation’s most regal city, Luang Prabang.
Tucked away on the northern fringes of Laos, the entire metropolis boasts UNESCO World Heritage status. It was the country’s royal capital for thousands of years until 1975 and now consequently offers visitors a melting pot of architectural styles and beautiful landmarks to explore.
Instead of simply spending a few days touring Luang Prabang’s peaceful Buddhist temples and magnificent Royal Palace, why not embrace its distinctive culture with a few responsible travel experiences?
Get involved with the early morning alms giving led by the city’s local monks or set off on an elephant trek through the Huay Sae Valley with the Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp. The camp based just outside Luang Prabang provides responsible treks which begin with feeding the elephants and chatting to a local veterinarian about their health and well-being.
Another brilliant activity to add to your itinerary in Luang Prabang is volunteering with the Big Brother Mouse initiative. The selfless organization creates, publishes and hands out educational books to the most deprived schools in the area. Spend a morning selecting books to be donated and delivering to schools in need.
Ready to dive deeper on your next journey? Simply tell us your dream destination and we’ll show you ways you can connect with its local people and culture.
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