Eco-Wise Tourists and Family Volunter Vacations

Eco-tourism is becoming a buzz word with todays traveler and with the holiday season kicking in, many would be travelers are on a roll, making plans for their holiday destinations.

The desire to scour the horizons has always fascinated man. It could be spurred by the need to escape from everyday stress and unwind; the desire to encounter the spectacular and different or the outright search for adventure, discovery and challenges. Yet for others, particularly the mass tourists, it could be the lure of the three 'eses' Sunshine, Sand and Sea. Whatever the motive for traveling, how you conduct yourself during such a sojourn will determine whether you will be a welcome visitor or your host community will look forward to your leaving and sign with relief at your departure. certainly, there some considerations you will need to make if your tour has to be worthwhile for the locals, and even you. Before you venture out, it helps to gather as much information as possible about your destination. This will forewarn you of the challenges to expect, so that you are forearmed.

Eco-tours in particular it is important to, learn about the language spoken, history, customs and religion. Besides, get to know the environmental issues your target area is presently grappling with- be it deforestation, water scarcity, pollution or famine. Knowledge of such issues will enable you to be sensitive to local environmental concerns customs, values and traditions. A grip of the prevailing ecological issues will help you to avoid exacerbating them through your activities.

Cultural awarness will help eliminate unnecessary friction emanating from your ignorance. What to you may appear as primitive; to the locals it could be a highly regarded, even sacred tradition. From a group it is easy to pick out the decant traveler, Audacious in mannerisms most of them are loud-mouthed, flashy dressed, with the ubiquitous cell phone dangling from the neck, the string of which spots a label of some club in the English premier League. They carry themselves with an air of importance. They stick out like sore thumbs ignoring the key rule for the conscious traveller. The need to mesh in with the local people. As a result the are a soft target for tricksters, con artists and hustlers who move in stealthily to prey on their ignorance. meshing in does not mean loosing your identity, but just floating with the local tide. For instance in some areas, some foods could be a taboo, so in eating them, avoid being conspicuous.

Family Volunteer Packages

Another form of Eco-tourism are volunteer packages. Today a number of family vacationers  are looking for packages where they can not only have the sunshine, sand and sea but also help in building local communities either by volunteering in working with them or contributing to projects in various areas. Some of tour operators in Kenya offer such packages. Please fill our contact form for such a request.