> WHEN YOU GO

Do your research: Me to We’s trips to the Maasai Mara generally last 10 days. Trips start at about $5,700 and cover pretty much everything (food, drinks, guides, accommodation and local transportation) outside of international airfare. It’s also possible to extend your adventure with Me to We and tack on a safari and/or a trip to Kenya’s coast. Visit metowe.com. (Keep in mind you will likely need a cocktail of vaccinations before travelling to Kenya. Visit a travel medicine clinic or the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website (phac-aspc.gc.ca) for details. Get there: Kenya Airways (kenyaairways.com) and its partners can get you from Toronto to Nairobi via several European cities. Once in Nairobi, you can get to the Maasai Mara over land or via a short flight from a domestic airline, such as Safarilink (flysafarilink.com). If travelling with Me to We, all domestic transportation will be arranged for you. Get around: Once on the ground, Me to We will cart you around in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Kenyan roads are notoriously bumpy, so a trip like this is not recommended if you suffer from a medical condition, such as severe back problems. Also expect to do a lot of walking over uneven terrain. When to go: Kenya’s two dry seasons — mid-June to October and late December to mid-March — are the best times to visit the country. April, May and November are the wettest months and should probably be avoided. It’s best to pack for hot days (shorts, T-shirts) and cool evenings (jeans, light jacket). Stay: In the Maasai Mara, Me to We’s Bogani Tented Cottages and Camp offers everything from shared dorm-style rooms for students, luxurious safari tents for couples and solo travellers, and sprawling, well-appointed villas for families, groups or those wanting a little something extra. All accommodation options are equipped with electricity and well-appointed bathrooms. If you have extra time in Nairobi, the brand new Radisson Blu Hotel (radissonblu.com) boasts fine dining, a swimming pool and airport-style security, making it one of the city’s sleekest (and safest) options. Buy: Me to We’s artisans specialize in exquisite Maasai beadwork, and buying gifts from the organization directly supports the communities they work with. There’s a well-stocked gift shop inside Bogani that also sells carvings and shukas, the colourful robes worn by the Maasai. If you’re not going to Kenya, you can still buy gifts through Me to We’s online shop (shop.metowe.com) and at the new We Store inside Toronto’s Eaton Centre.