All Posts

I used to buy a “Rough Guide” for every destination I went to. It was a no-brainer for me, as my first solo travel started young. The guide was my security, more so than the phone is today. It told me where to go, where to save money, and what accommodation I needed.

What are the Kenya ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) requirements? The ETA replaces the old VISA system in Kenya. You can go online and sign-up for the ETA before you travel to Kenya. You need this to enter Kenya. Many airlines, will need to see this before they let you fly

Best Safari 4x4 Vehicle used in May 2026 Kenya - Green Season Why Safari Vehicle and Seating matter for photography I recently posted this picture of me on Safari with our 4x4 Safari Vehicle. I got so many comments on it that I thought I would write this post. What were the comments? Many of them said things like “your vehicle is luxury,” or “the size of that thing,” and “no wonder you took great pictures.” Well this might seem obvious but if you go on your dream Safari but

Navigating your arrival and departure in Kenya So, you booked your dream holiday to Kenya. You will visit the city, and then get picked up by your 4x4 and head off to the Masai Mara or Samburu. Good for you! But first step first, let me help you get past airport security. So when you land. You will need to have your ETA for Kenya ready, as that will be your first navigation hurdle. After passing security you will have to collect your luggage. By this time, you are tired, and

Menstrual Health Education on Kenya Safaris: Active Community Support In May 2026, we hosted our first-ever ethical safari for women in Kenya. We had a pilot last November, which was fantastic, but this time with paying customers it was tremendously important validation for what we are trying to achieve. What are we trying to achieve? Well we would like to combine luxury travel that is ethical with community impact initiatives. So you enjoy a brilliant Safari and then do a d

Jomo Kenyatta airport currency exchange So, your holiday to Kenya is booked. Your ETA arrived and now you just need the final details. How to get the best rate for cash in Kenya, without being ripped off. How to get the Best Exchange rate in Kenya at the JKIA on arrivals. When you land in Kenya for the first time, you come off the plane and you head to immigration. By this time you are already tired from the flight, its late at night and you will have a huge queue in front

Ballet Mosquito Repellent is the best mosquito repellent in Kenya. I call myself the acclaimed mosquito expert because I have been there, been bitten, been eaten and am still alive. I have sweet blood, they love me! What can I do? Well, lo and behold. This recent trip to Kenya, I found the perfect solution. In fact, it's almost too good to be true. It’s a Kenyan petroleum jelly or what we call vaseline. It is 100% herbal and even after you have been bitten if you put it on,

WW1 Battlefield On the way to Lion’s Bluff, I passed a sign saying WW1 Battlefield. My mind was immediately intrigued, and I thought, was this the British? So, I asked the guide, and he offered to take me there later on in the week. I went alone and to be honest, its quite tough to find. The grass was high, and we had to search for a while, go down sketchy tracks, but in the end we made it. Raised Machine Gun platform Historical Facts The Taita Hills served as a vital lookou

I gave my first Reiki Session of the tour in a stunning location The Reality of Ethical Safari: Our First Taita Hills Tour Report Our first Best Safaris ethical Safari took place in May 2026. It was a monumental moment for me as I had planned the itinerary with the help of our charity partners (CWC Kenya). If you don’t know, my name is Bena Roberts and after a lifetime of being an Analyst and Technology Teacher, I changed my career. In November I got the opportunity to join

Watamu Treehouse Pool I believe in destiny, so I put my pendulum above a map of Kenya and let it fall. It fell into the ocean, but the chain circled Watamu. Two weeks ago, I had never heard of Watamu or the Watamu Treehouse. My turning up for a yoga retreat was a spontaneous decision that made me feel fun, young, fresh, and spontaneous. I didn’t read the small print. I saw and shot over words such as Treehouse and “no windows”. I mean, this is all marketing speak right? Ever

My first solo safari over 50 My Over 50 Safari Club I remember the nerves I had before my first solo safari at 50 years old. Now don’t get me wrong, I am a seasoned traveller, and this was not my first rodeo in the world. I have been to 63 countries, and that number will increase to 67 by the end of 2026. I travel. But, I travelled with my husband. Or I travelled with my children. In the past year I did several long-haul trips with my son to Asia and also my daughter to Zan

Get Ready, Giraffes Approaching! Another reason to love Reteti ! I was watching a Giraffe watch me in Reteti . I was staring at it and it was staring at me. I was taking pictures and sending "love you" Reiki vibes as I was close. No. I was really close. Not intentionally. Or Unethically. (I am both sustainable and ethical , I promise) The landscape with the Giraffe - so stunning On my knees in front of the Giraffe in Reteti I was scary close because I got down on my knees to

Community Conservation, Wildlife Protection, and Cultural Partnerships Women-Only Safari in Kenya - Ethics Ethical safaris are no longer simply about wildlife viewing. Increasingly, they are built around conservation partnerships, community-led initiatives, and sustainable economic opportunities that benefit the people who share their land with wildlife. Kenya has become a global example of how responsible tourism can support both ecosystems and communities. Many of the most

Active Samburu Safari | Ethical 2026 Women’s Itinerary Stop watching from a jeep. Join our 2026 Samburu safari for ranger-led bushwalks and real community impact. See the truth of eco-tourism in Kenya today A Day in the Life of an Active Samburu Safari - Our Day 5 Community Wildlife & Conservation Itinerary Safari Jeep Fatigue in Samburu Sitting in a 4x4 for eight hours a day isn't the only way to see Kenya. In fact, it’s the quickest route to " jeep fatigue ." My itineraries

Eco-tourism UNICEF WASH program school toilets Samburu Kenya The Ethics of School Visits in Kenya: Beyond the Social Media Narrative Recently I read a post on Instagram that made mockery of school visits as part of eco-tourism in Africa. It insinuated that visiting a school was not ethical and we should “leave the children alone.” It also implied that “watching children was bad.” When I read the post, initially I was shocked at how someone could post such statements. But then

I have written about Larsens Camp Samburu a few times. You can read the Larsen's review and a low-down of the camp here. But this post is about the “soul of Larsens.” The magic of just being there, and how I overcame any fear of being in a tent in Africa! Beyond the Zips: Overcoming my “Tented Camp” Nerves The visions of camps are often memories of camping in a small tent in the garden outside of London. In fact, I remember once when I was at Reading Festival in the 1980s,

Solo Travel for Women in Africa? I started solo travelling very young. This is because my parents sent my sister and me off to the United States for holidays every other year from the age of six. This gave me confidence, and by the age of 18. I had already been to several European countries alone. Traveling to meet my cousins when I was six I also fell in love with Eastern Europe and made friends for life in both Hamburg and Spain. In fact, I would consider some of the people

This is a tourist dilemma that you mull over quite a lot before booking your first Safari. And, this is before you start reading about the Serengeti and then contemplate Tanzania too. Now, I have been to all of these places and I will give you my low down based on two aspects. Safety Ethical Values For me, these are the two key principles that I look at other than cost when choosing a Safari.

What colours attract bugs in Africa? Many people say black and blue are the colours to avoid in Africa. As they attract a special biting fly and mosquitoes. I say, check where you are going first! Read my When is Mosquito Season post.

Do I have to pee in the bush? No. Many outposts or gates in the National Parks in Kenya have toilets. It is very common for the rangers or drivers to stop and let everyone out for toilet breaks. So, you can go to the bathroom on Safari when on a game drive. The issue is only if you are desperate when you are out in the wild.

Why shouldn’t you wear white on a Safari? I get asked this question a lot! But to be honest, after 10 safaris, I have no idea. I often wear white on Safaris. Especially if I am in the heat. The worst is being hot and sweaty when you are in a vehicle. Wear white, it will keep you cool. Also, wear cotton or linen. Wearing a white linen top on Safari in Kenya in November Can white clothes get dirty on a Safari? Yes. They can. Remember, you have to get in and out of the jeep, and