By Kelly McBride, Safari Specialist for The Wild Source
As a safari planner I often hear from guests that are looking for authentic experiences to incorporate into their wildlife safari. I feel proud to be able to tell them that a safari with The Wild Source is in and of itself an authentic experience. Each trip is crafted with the guest in mind and our amazing guides and teams we work with are encouraged to be uniquely themselves. So we can tick that box without hesitation. But I understand that what our travelers might be asking for is something beyond the safari, another opportunity to experience something unexpected or to form a deep connection with the continent. With that I will share an experience of my own. Perhaps it will trigger some unique ideas or inspirations for your own authentic travel.
Back in 2013–2014, my husband Chris and I spent 9 months traveling across Africa with our boys who were 8 and 5 at the time. One highlight along the way was our involvement in the Amazing Maasai Ultra, a running race held in Kenya’s Laikipia region. Chris ran the half marathon and the boys and I worked at an aid station handing out water and food to the runners on the course.
The race serves as a fundraiser for the Amazing Maasai Girls Project which raises money to educate Maasai girls, who often miss out on school when families can only afford to send one child, usually a son. It’s a tough reality, but the energy around the race is anything but heavy. It’s joyful, lively, and full of connection. We worked alongside some of the girls receiving scholarships and their proud mama’s.
One of my favorite moments during the race was when we heard people around us excitedly saying, “mzungu, mzungu!” which translates roughly to white person or white traveler. We looked up and saw Chris coming toward us. He was the first non-Maasai runner we’d seen on the course. In a country known for its running legends we were so proud to see Chris holding his own. “That’s my mzungu!” I yelled and we all cheered him on.
There were other more tender moments too, like hearing the story of Jacinda, a nurse who had been married at 13 to a man in his 60s. After running away, she was helped by a woman who supported her through school. Now she’s a nurse and was volunteering her time to advocate for girls’ education.
Another profound moment was climbing around on some rocks with the local kids and seeing the TOMS shoes they were wearing. The brand’s model was to give away one pair of shoes for every pair purchased to someone in need. The shoes were very popular at the time and it was common to see them in the states but on this occasion in rural Kenya I realized that these kids were on the receiving end of the transaction.
Amazing Maasai Participants (Photo Credit: Kelly McBride)
Our time in rural Kenya and being a part of the race will always be a special memory from our road trip and because of the connections we made we continue our involvement to this day. I imagine that’s what people are looking for when they ask us for authentic experiences.
These kinds of community-based events are held all over the continent and most of them are open to everyone. You can run, or walk, or just be there to show support. But showing up, whether to cheer, volunteer, or join in at your own pace, invites a different kind of authentic travel experience.
