Nairobi – International Arrivals

Karibu (Welcome to) Kenya! Arrive to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) at anytime today. You will be met at the airport and then transferred to your hotel where you can rest and enjoy the hotel’s amenities. Upon your arrival to the hotel, check in to your hotel room and settle in.

2:00 PM: Check-in at the hotel begins. For all Kenyan staff, please arrive at the hotel ahead of tonight’s gatherings.

6:00 PM: Welcome Reception at the Sky Lounge on the Emara side of the hotel.

7:00 PM: Dinner at Eagle Whisky Bar on the Ole Sereni side of the hotel.

Please note that we recognize your flight may not arrive until late this night and might make it challenging to attend the dinner on Sunday, which is understandable. No additional rooms will be arranged on Saturday, June 8.

Overnight: Ole Sereni Hotel (Nairobi)

Travel to Diani Beach

5:30 AM: Chosen Activity – For those who opted for a game drive in Nairobi National Park, depart the hotel. A breakfast box will be provided for you. As with any game drive, it is unpredictable what you may see in the park, especially having a brief tour. Manage expectations accordingly. You will return to the hotel by 8:30 am to wash up and check out of your room.

7:30 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast begins at the hotel. Eat at your own leisure. Please bring your luggage to reception and check out of your hotel room ahead of this morning’s meeting.

9:00 – 11:30 AM – Kickoff meeting in the Loita Room on the Emara side of the hotel.  There will be an all-staff END Fund meeting, in which Ellen Agler will share opening remarks. Next, there will be other strategic updates, meeting objectives, expectations and an agenda shared.

11:30 AM: Lunch at Acacia Restaurant on the Emara side of the hotel.

After the meeting and lunch, you will be split up into two groups and depart the hotel with your group for Wilson airport for your domestic flight to Diani. The two flight times are:

• 12:15 PM: Fly ALS passengers gather in the lobby to collect your luggage to transfer to Wilson Airport. Ensure that you have your passport or Kenyan identification handy.
  • Depart Wilson Airport: 2:30 PM // Arrive Ukunda Airport: 3:40 PM
• 1:30 PM: SafariLink passengers gather in the lobby to collect your luggage to transfer to Wilson Airport. Ensure that you have your passport or Kenyan identification handy.
  • Depart Wilson Airport: 3:45 PM // Arrive Ukunda Airport: 5:00 PM

Upon your arrival in Diani, you will be transferred to the hotel. Check in to your room and settle in for the night. Dinner will be at your own leisure and is included as part of your accommodation. You will be provided with a soft drink voucher upon check in for tonight’s dinner. Please put any additional soft drinks or alcoholic beverages you consume at dinner on your room tab.

You can choose to eat at any of the hotel restaurants this evening. Dinner is served from 7:00pm – 10:00pm at all restaurants. Please bring and use your drink voucher, which is accepted at all of the hotel restaurants. Options below:

• Majilis: This is the main hotel restaurant and food is served buffet style.
• Baharini: À la carte style. Please make note that not all options on the menu are included on your half-board accommodation package and you should pick an option that is. If you need clarification, please ask the waitstaff.
• Spice Route: Indian cuisine. A reservation is required and can be made at reception.
• Zanzibar: Teppanyaki cuisine. A reservation is required and can be made at reception. The restaurant only serves food during two sessions, one at 7:00pm and the other at 8:00pm, and can only accommodate 15 people per session.

Overnight: Swahili Beach Resort (Diani)

Team meetings, programming, and activities

7:00 AM: Chosen Activity – Optional one hour beachside yoga class led by Bridie. Located near the lower pool next to Baharini Beach Bar.

7:00 – 8:30 AM – Enjoy the buffet breakfast served at the hotel at the Majilis Restaurant

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM –  Day 1 of The END Fund Culture Workshop. Team meeting starts in Conference Room 1. Begin the meeting as a full group and then split into two workshop groups.

12:30 PM: Lunch at the Majlis Restaurant.

Afternoon Chosen Activities – You will be added to a WhatsApp group for your selected activity in which trip information will be communicated. General information for each activity listed below.

• Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest Visit: 2 hour visit. This forest, sacred to the Digo people, is the only one of the area’s sacred forests that’s open to visitors. Walk with a guide to learn about traditional plant medicine. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring mosquito repellant, rain gear, and binoculars if you would like.
• Cooking Class: 2 hours. Test your culinary skills and learn to work with local ingredients in this food experience. Compete to make tasty Kenyan dishes.Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.
• Sunset Canoe Ride on the Kongo River:  Appreciate the ecosystem of the Kongo River and slowly cruise on a traditional dug-out canoe as you birdwatch among the mangroves and enjoy the serene surroundings. Wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit wet. Rain gear is recommended also. After this activity you will go straight to dinner so please bring anything you might need for that.
• If you chose to have free time this afternoon, enjoy at your leisure.

Henna will also be available at the hotel from 2:00-4:00 PM if you wish to have it done. Keep in mind that this takes time to dry! Plan accordingly if you are participating in any other activities this afternoon.

Have some time this evening for a break before dinner.

7:00 PM: Gather in the lobby to depart for dinner at Nomads Beach Bar. You will return to the hotel by 9:15 PM.

Overnight: Swahili Beach Resort (Diani)

Team meetings, programming, and activities

7:00 – 8:30 AM – Enjoy the buffet breakfast served at the hotel in Majilis Restaurant.

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Today will be Day 2 of The END Fund Culture Workshop.  Team meetings start in Conference Room 1 and Conference Room 2. Please go to the room that you ended in yesterday.

12:30 PM: Lunch at the Majilis Restaurant

Afternoon Chosen Activities –  You will be added to a WhatsApp group for your selected activity in which trip information will be communicated. General information for each activity listed below.

• Colobus Monkey Conservation Centre: 2 hour visit. This center works with local communities to promote the conservation and rehabilitation of the endemic and threatened colobus monkeys. Take a guided walk along the nature trail to spot the wild colobus troop and other wild monkeys – vervets, sykes, and baboons – depending on who is around. End your visit by planting native trees to restore the forest. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring mosquito repellant, rain gear, and binoculars if you would like.
• Water Sports (Kayaking, Standup Paddle Boarding, Kite Surfing): 1 hour sessions. Get out on the ocean for a one hour session of your preferred activity. Experience and swimming skills are recommended. Very limited availability for kitesurfing. Timing will be dependent on the ocean’s tide. Wear a bathing suit and comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting wet. A dry bag for your technology is recommended.
• Sunset Canoe Ride on the Kongo River: Appreciate the ecosystem of the Kongo River and slowly cruise on a traditional dug-out canoe as you birdwatch among the mangroves and enjoy the serene surroundings.  You will transfer directly to dinner after this activity. Wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit wet. Rain gear is recommended also. After this activity you will go straight to dinner, so please bring anything you might need for that.
• If you chose to have free time this afternoon, enjoy at your leisure.

Henna will also be available at the hotel from 2:00-4:00 PM if you wish to have it done. Keep in mind that this takes time to dry! Plan accordingly if you are participating in any other activities this afternoon.

Have some rest time this evening before dinner.

7:00 PM: Gather in the lobby to depart for dinner at Casamia. As a reminder, you have pre-selected your meal for tonight’s dinner and will be handed a slip with your selections listed. If you have any concerns, please notify one of the Elevate staff members. You will return to the hotel by 9:15 PM.

Overnight: Swahili Beach Resort (Diani)

Reflections, activities, and gala dinner.

Today is the final day of your team on-site.

7:00 AM: Chosen Activity – Optional one hour beachside yoga class led by Bridie. Located near the lower pool next to Baharini Beach Bar.

7:00 – 8:30 AM: Breakfast begins to be served at the hotel at the Majlis Restaurant.

8:30 – 10:30 AM – In the morning, come together for reflections on culture and discussing next steps. Team meeting starts in Conference Room 1.

10:30 AM: Tea break. Professional headshots begin and will be taken until 2:00 PM. Please dress professionally as your photo will be updated on the END Fund’s website. With your team, please complete your professional headshots at your allotted time with the photographer.

10:45 AM: Proceed for breakout sessions with your team. See breakout locations below.

• IPT: Conference Room 1
• IR: Kahawa Lounge
• S&O: Peacock Lounge
• Finance: Barazza Lounge
• COMMS: Find your own space
• C&T: Find your own space
• CEO: Find your own space
• GSP: Find your own space

12:00 AM: Lunch at the Majlis Restaurant.

1:30 PM: Gather in the lobby to depart for Diani Turtle Watch. Upon arrival, you will partake in a beach clean-up and then be split into three groups to explore the organization’s different projects. Visit green and hawksbill sea turtle nest relocation sites to learn about their nesting, hatching, and excavation. Then end your visit at the information hub to gain insights on the work at Diani Turtle Watch, focusing on marine environmental conservation and the diverse marine life found in our waters.

You will be outside. Please bring your water bottle, wear sunscreen, and hats if you prefer for sun protection.

6:30 PM: Cocktail Reception at the Baharini Beach Bar and Restaurant. Entertainment will be provided throughout.

7:30 PM: Dinner at the Baharini Beach Bar and Restaurant. Celebrate and say farewell to one another. Music and dancing will be offered until midnight.

The theme for the evening is “A Starry Night Farewell.” We encourage you to dress up in your own style for this event!

Overnight: Swahili Beach Resort (Diani)

Travel to Nairobi and International Departures

7:00 AM: Breakfast begins to be served at the hotel at the Majlis Restaurant.

Check out of your hotel room ahead of your departure.  Again, you will be split up into two groups and transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Nairobi.

8:15 AM: Fly ALS passengers gather in the lobby to collect your luggage to transfer to Ukunda Airport. Ensure that you have your passport or Kenyan identification handy.

• Depart Ukunda Airport: 10:00 AM // Arrive Wilson Airport 11:40 AM

9:45 AM: Safarilink passengers gather in the lobby to collect your luggage to transfer to Ukunda Airport. Ensure that you have your passport or Kenyan identification handy.

• Depart Ukunda Airport: 11:25 AM // Arrive Wilson Airport: 12:35 PM

Upon arrival at Wilson airport, you will be transferred to Ole Sereni. If you are Kenyan, you will be asked to arrange your own transport home from Wilson Airport. If you have your own extension plans, you can depart the group for your personal plans from Wilson Airport or Ole Sereni.

Day rooms have been arranged for anyone departing from Nairobi after 6:00pm. Airport transfers have been arranged for you according to your international flight home.

Kwaheri (Goodbye)!

Day Rooms (for late departures): Ole Sereni

Please keep in mind that any travel beyond June 9-14 is at the individual’s own expense. The END Fund will not be covering any travel outside of the team on-site programming.

If you would like to extend your travels in the region, please check out Extend your Travel for some ideas!