KENYA EXPERIENCE
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A student group gathered at a Diaspora Connection sign in the Kenyan highlands

Vijana

Vijana means young people.

KESCA 2027: three weeks in Kenya, ages 16 to 34

Rediscover who you are. Lead where you come from.

Book 2027Ask a question

Developed with the University of Nairobi as part of the Kenya Cultural Diplomacy Initiative.

Kenya Experience Summer Camp Academy

KESCA is a leadership and cultural immersion program for Kenyan-American youth and young professionals, and for young people who want a real relationship with Kenya. A learning academy in North America, then an immersion in Kenya with host communities, conservancies and the coast.

U.S. students with Kenyan secondary school students in a classroom

Choose your itinerary

Hosted with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the University of Nairobi and other credible institutions in Kenya. Open an itinerary to see every day and pay.

Wildlife on the open savannah of the Maasai Mara2027, 21 daysExpanded Cultural Learning Itinerary 2027Travel with purpose and learn through experienceFrom Nairobi through Naivasha, Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Iten, Kericho, Kisii and Nyanchonori, the Maasai Mara and Mombasa, then back to Nairobi$6,900or up to 6 monthly payments, the first today. No deposit.Book this itinerary

Three steps to a seat

  1. 1Pick your itineraryOpen it to see every day, then choose how to pay. No forms to fill in.
  2. 2Pay in full, or start a planPay in full, or split the fee into equal monthly payments starting today, finishing by May 1, 2027. No deposit, no interest.
  3. 3We take it from thereStripe emails your receipt, and the program team contacts you for participant details and the pre-departure briefing.

Three tracks

The Academy, before you fly

  1. 1Basic FoundationLevel 1. Kenyan history and geography, Swahili for beginners, the 47 counties and the diaspora story.
  2. 2Intermediate DevelopmentLevel 2. Community development, civic engagement, project design and conversational Swahili.
  3. 3Advanced LeadershipLevel 3. Entrepreneurship, cross-cultural leadership, your capstone project and conference presentation.

Vyeti

Vyeti means certificates. You leave with a certificate, a network and a project.

  • Students planting and watering a tree seedling
  • U.S. students with Kenyan secondary school students in a classroom
  • Three Maasai men in red and blue shukas sitting together
  • American students and their Kenyan driver smiling inside a safari van
  • Giraffes crossing the plains under an orange setting sun

What you leave with

  1. KESCA Certificate of CompletionAwarded after the academy sessions, the civic engagement and service-learning requirements and the full Kenya immersion.
  2. KESCA Alumni NetworkGraduates join a growing network of Kenyan-American leaders, mentors and future program staff.
  3. A capstone you can showA community project or venture idea, presented at the Ideas Exchange Conference in Kenya.
  4. Swahili you can useThree levels of language learning, practised with host families and peers.

From booking to the Vyeti Awards

  1. 1NowBooking is open for 2027. Pay in full, or in equal monthly payments starting today.
  2. 2WinterParticipant details, guardian consent for under-18s, and scholarship and sponsorship matching.
  3. 3SpringAcademy sessions: virtual plus in-person weekends at a partner institution.
  4. 4Summer 2027The Kenya immersion. Exact dates are confirmed to booked participants first.

Uliza

Ask the program team

Uliza means ask. Itinerary, payments, ages, safety or sponsorship: we reply within two business days.

By sending you agree to our privacy notice.

Before you book

Who can join?

Anyone aged 16 to 34 with an interest in cultural learning, leadership, community service or heritage exploration. Most participants are Kenyan-American, but KESCA welcomes friends of Kenya too. Participants under 18 need a parent or guardian's consent, and a parent or guardian can book and pay for them.

What does it cost?

The program fee is shown on the itinerary and covers the academy, in-country transport, accommodation, meals, park fees and the conference. International flights are booked separately with our help. You can pay in full, or in equal monthly payments starting today, with no deposit, interest or fees. Sponsorships and partial scholarships are available: ask us.

Is it safe?

KESCA follows current travel advisories and established safety protocols, with staff from both the United States and Kenya, vetted hosts and vehicles, and a 24-hour line. Under-18 cohorts are chaperoned at all times.

U.S. State Department: Kenya
Do I need vaccines?

No vaccine is universally required for Kenya, but consult a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure about malaria prevention and yellow fever.

CDC Travelers' Health: Kenya
Do I need travel insurance?

It is not required but strongly recommended. We'll point you to options once you have booked.

Do I need to speak Swahili?

No. The academy starts from zero. Tell us your level and we'll place you.

What happens after I book?

Stripe emails your receipt straight away and we email a confirmation with your reference. The program team then contacts you to collect participant details, guardian consent where needed, and to share dates and the pre-departure briefing.

How does the payment plan work?

The fee is split into equal monthly payments: the first today, the rest taken automatically from the same card, finishing before the program. No deposit. You choose how many months when you book. There is no interest and no fee, and the plan stops by itself after the last payment.

More about KESCA

Students planting and watering a tree seedling

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