— Experiences & Adventures
From Poverty to Prosperity in One Season
Support smallholder farmers as they build sustainable livelihoods for their families and communities in Kenya.
Activity overview
Step beyond the safari and into the heart of Kenya's agricultural transformation. With a donation of $5,000 USD, witness firsthand how KickStart International—a nonprofit social enterprise that has helped over 1.6 million people lift themselves out of poverty—is transforming subsistence farmers into thriving entrepreneurs through innovative irrigation tools, one family at a time.
Your morning begins at KickStart's Nairobi headquarters, where you'll meet the passionate team driving Africa's irrigation revolution. Learn how their "MoneyMaker" pumps and irrigation training—designed specifically for smallholder farmers—have equipped farming families to generate billions of dollars in revenue across 17 African countries, creating the stability needed to nourish their communities, support their children's education, access healthcare, and invest in long-term goals. Then visit the Ngando Demonstration Farm, where their R&D team tests tomorrow's life-changing technologies. A few days later in your itinerary, visit two farming families in Kisumu, and learn firsthand about how their livelihoods have been transformed.
An 80days signature experience
This isn't charity tourism. It's entrepreneurship in action. The day moves seamlessly from strategy to soil, from conversations about scale to conversations with farmers who know what it takes to build thriving farms from the ground up. You'll leave with stories that matter and proof that progress is possible.
Day 1 — Nairobi
09:00h
Depart Hemingways Nairobi by private transfer for the 30-minute drive to KickStart International's headquarters.
09:30h
Arrive at KickStart HQ. Meet the team and receive a comprehensive briefing on their mission to irrigate Africa, one farmer at a time.
10:30h
Transfer to the Ngando Demonstration Farm (30-minute drive), where the Kenyan R&D team designs and tests new irrigation tools.
11:00h
Explore the demo farm. See the evolution of the MoneyMaker pump and upcoming innovations, and roll up your sleeves to plant a few heads of kale.
12:00h
Depart the farm for the 10-minute drive back to Hemingways Nairobi. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 5 — Day Trip to Kisumu
09:00h
Depart the Maasai Mara via light aircraft, soaring over Kenya's patchwork of farmland en route to Kisumu—a region reshaped by irrigation.
10:00h — 14:00h
Arrive in Kisumu. Visit two farming families using KickStart pumps. Walk the irrigated fields, see diversified crops thriving beyond the rainy season and hear directly from farmers about how irrigation has transformed their farms, households, and future plans. Enjoy snacks and refreshments from the KickStart team to share with the farmers—a gift of thanks and an opportunity for conversation, connection, and shared stories.
14:30h
Depart Kisumu via light aircraft for the return flight to the Maasai Mara, arriving back by approximately 15:30h.
Inclusions:
All transfers, charter flight to Kisumu, guided tours, snacks with farmers, and a commemorative KickStart impact report.
Requirement:
$5,000 USD donation to KickStart International + $1,000 USD service fee.
Meet James from Kenya
"I quit my job and rented a small plot of land. With KickStart's pump, I began irrigating year-round. With my farming success, I built a new house, opened a shop, and sent my kids to top schools."
About KickStart International
KickStart International is a nonprofit social enterprise unleashing the power of irrigation to move millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa out of poverty—quickly, cost-effectively, and sustainably. Their affordable MoneyMaker pumps enable smallholder farmers to grow and sell crops year-round, generating new income that families use to build businesses, educate their children, and invest in their futures.
Download the KickStart overviewBeyond offers travellers vetted impact opportunities to save or improve the most lives per dollar in the places they visit. Visit beyond.charity for more information.