Meet Sinja: Interview with our Kenya Guide

Hey Sinja, who are you?

I am a passionate solo traveler who fell in love with Kenya and decided to follow her heart and do what she loves most: travel and volunteer.

What do you enjoy most about being a guide?

The best parts of being a guide are being around like-minded people, interacting with new people from all over the world, and helping them see the world through different eyes.

What was the strangest experience you had during your time as a guide?

I once had a guest freak out in the middle of the Maasai Mara because of a panic attack. She demanded to be transported back to the US immediately and wanted to be picked up by helicopter. Her mother arranged the trip to Kenya for her to help her overcome her fears and limiting ideas about camping adventures. Putting her at ease and making her feel comfortable was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences ever.

What do you want people to remember about your country?

I would like them to realize that the world is much more and diverse than the society they live in. To get them out of their comfort zone, to make them realize that their "normal" is not "normal" somewhere else, to show them that life has so many different ways of living, and to give them the opportunity to change through travel like I did.

What do you think traveling to COVID-19 will be like?

Travel to COVID-19 will be more flexible in terms of bookings and cancellations. Another point is that travel will be more focused on sustainability. For me this means supporting and strengthening local communities, lodges, conservancies, etc. and travelling slowly and in less crowded areas.

What do you hope will change?

My hope is that travelers understand that they have a responsibility when they travel and that they can have a positive impact and leave a positive footprint. If every traveller chooses to travel locally and sustainably, together we can make a big difference and empower the countries we travel to.

What can travelers do to have a positive impact on your country?

Travelers can make a conscious decision not to check into large international hotel chains and instead choose eco-lodges/camps. Additionally, travellers can choose to support and visit nature reserves to support endangered wildlife.

If you could travel tomorrow, where would you go and what would you expect from your tour guide?

I would travel to Victoria Falls in Zambia and cross over into Zimbabwe. This has been on my bucket list for years. To be honest, I would love to combine this trip with a road trip down to South Africa.

From my guide, I expect him or her to show me hidden gems that I can't find on Google or Tripadvisor and to help me have a unique experience and connect with the local communities there. I also expect a guide to be there for me if I have an emergency or questions.

Thank you Sinja! We look forward to exploring amazing Kenya with you!

Meet Sinja now on the Kenya trip and discover the exciting country up close and authentic! For even more travel inspiration follow us also on Instagram and Pinterest.