Go on safari ... at home

Buddies can enjoy a virtual tour around the beautiful plains of Africa during lockdown – all while helping to support charity.

UK charity WasteAid has created the safari tour into the Kenyan wilderness, allowing people to have an immersive experience with science, culture, art, cookery and lots of wildlife to help lift spirits during the pandemic.

The virtual tour will also raise money for waste collectors in low- income countries.

The charity made the decision to launch the tour to help improve mental health while people have to remain at home.

The Virtual Safari offers a change of scenery, plus a fun and educational experience for all ages.

The safari route is around Lake Naivasha, in Kenya, where WasteAid is working with local partners to improve waste collection and recycling.

Zoë Lenkiewicz, head o f p ro g rammes and engagement at WasteAid, said: “We wanted to create something for people to escape into and enjoy, while raising money for our urgent appeal Waste Collectors Rock.

“The communities around Lake Naivasha, especially those working with waste, are in poverty and vulnerable to disease – yet, at the same time, they are surrounded by all this incredible wildlife.

“We thought it would be fun to support waste collectors in places like this, by sharing the beauty and wonder of the environment they work so hard to protect.”

The safari will take you to the Lion King territory of southern Kenya, home to wide open landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Along the way are ten challenge stations, with fun tasks – from baking a lioncake to building the fiercest volcano, or experiencing the wildest safari scenes, learning about Kenyan wildlife, Maasai culture, prehistoric discoveries and more.

The challenges will help you get imaginative with basic ingredients and creative upcycling.

The virtual safari is free to join and everyone is welcome.

Participants are invited to give- as- they- feel or get sponsored to complete the entire safari.

At the end of the safari, the five challenges with the most shares on social media will receive a prize from the WasteAid gift shop.

The virtual safari will run until World Environment Day on June 5.

For more information, visit www.safari.wasteaid.org