Jennifer Prugh of the Sotuo Odede Yoga group with community members of the Lodikidiko Community Water point.
Summer is the season of movement. People travel farther, new landscapes are explored, and connections are formed across places that might otherwise feel distant.
In Kenya, that movement carries a deeper layer of meaning. Tourism not only means visiting landscapes you’re not used to - it is also a system that can support conservation efforts, strengthen communities and create access to resources like clean water and education.
This month, we’re reflecting on what travel makes possible when it is intentional; how it can move resources, spark new opportunities and build infrastructure that lasts far beyond a single visit. We’re also celebrating two of our valued partners, The Safari Collection and AirKenya, whose commitment helps turn travel into meaningful change.
TOURISM WITH PURPOSE: SASAAB LODGE
Handly Eugene and family with the TSP team at Sasaab Lodge.
For years, The Samburu Project has been proud to partner with The Safari Collection Footprint Trust, a leader in responsible tourism in Kenya. Through their commitment to conservation and community development, they have shown us how travel can create meaningful opportunities for the people who call these landscapes home.
At Sasaab, their lodge in Westgate Conservancy, tourism is designed to benefit both wildlife and local communities. Opened in 2007 as a community tourism project, Sasaab was built in partnership with the Samburu community with a vision of ensuring that local people directly benefit from tourism while protecting the landscapes and wildlife of northern Kenya.
Today, Westgate Conservancy is home to more than 600 Samburu families, and guest stays at Sasaab help support community and conservation initiatives throughout the region. Through conservancy fees and The Safari Collection Footprint Trust, investments help fund schools, clinics, roads, healthcare programs, wildlife protection, and educational opportunities. Since opening, Sasaab has reinvested more than $1 million into Westgate Conservancy.
Sometimes, the most meaningful partnerships begin with an unexpected encounter.
While staying at Sasaab, a guest traveleing from Germany learned about TSP and the communities nearby that were still living without access to clean water. Having dreamt of riding camels in Kenya since he was a small child, the donor arrived with a sense of wonder - but what he did not expect was that this journey would lead him to partner with The Safari Collection and TSP to bring clean water to Konyek Village and change lives forever.
Because of Konyek's remote location and unique needs, the project extended far beyond drilling a well. In 2023, together we completed one of our most ambitious water projects to date: a solar-powered borehole system that included a community water kiosk, where multiple people can safely collect clean water at the same time, and a livestock trough, providing a reliable water source for the animals that are central to Samburu livelihoods, plus the wildlife!
And the story continues.
Today, due to the generosity of another traveler and TSP supporter, we're building a preschool at Konyek, creating new opportunities for the village's youngest children to begin their education close to home. It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes a single trip, a chance encounter, and a willingness to act can change lives for generations.
Konyek Community Water Project.
TSP & friends flying AirKenya!
HOW WE GET THERE: AIRKENYA
For years, AirKenya has helped connect people to the land and communities of northern Kenya. Their flights make it possible for our team, supporters, and friends to reach Samburu, experience the region firsthand, and build the relationships that are at the heart of our work.
AirKenya is also inspiring the next generation. For the last couple years, members of their team have joined us in visiting schools in Samburu, sharing their experiences in aviation and encouraging students to dream big. For many young girls, meeting women in the aviation industry has opened their eyes to new possibilities and careers they may have never imagined.
We're grateful for partners like AirKenya and The Safari Collection Footprint Trust, who remind us that travel isn't just about where you go, it's about the connections you make along the way and the impact you leave behind.
Pacos family - 2022 Safari Winners.
A TSP-CURATED SAFARI JUST FOR YOU!
Ever dreamed of witnessing Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife while experiencing the impact of clean water firsthand?
This fall, at Splash Bash 2026, you’ll have the chance to bid on a safari adventure unlike any other.
This once-in-a-lifetime package includes two nights at Hob House in Nairobi, scenic flights aboard AirKenya, and two luxury safari stays at Sasaab Lodge in Samburu and Jamani House in the Maasai Mara. From incredible wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes to warm hospitality and meaningful cultural experiences, this journey showcases the best of Kenya.
And best of all, every bid helps support TSP’s mission to bring clean water, health, and opportunity to communities across Samburu. Mark your calendars for October 23rd, and stay tuned for upcoming ticket information!
Previous Issues:
MAY 2026
Improving health, period
As a women-led organization, this time of year is a chance for us to shine a light on something that is universal: menstruation. In 2014 and 2015, our partners saw improved attendance with access to clean water. But even with water access, one barrier persisted…
APR 2026
STUDENTS UPLIFTING STUDENTS
Every day, women and children in Samburu spend precious hours walking for water - time that could be spent in classrooms, studying, building skills, caring for family, or simply being children. That is why, this month, supporters across California stepped forward at our Walk for Water events…
MAR 2026
Bridging oceans, Building Access
For us, March feels a time to celebrate the power of community - how people coming together locally can create meaningful change that reaches across the globe. In the early years of The Samburu Project, neighbors and supporters joined forces to support families in Samburu…