Environmentally conscious travellers who want to make a difference can now take part in a reforestation project launched by adventure tour company Intrepid Travel in East Africa.
Intrepid, which claims to have been a global leader in responsible travel for over 30 years, aims to reforest 15 acres of land in Kenya with the support of travellers, a local NGO and the Kenyan government.
In an ambitious initiative to combat deforestation, Intrepid will plant thousands of native seedlings to help restore an area of degraded forest in Kenya's Rift Valley.
The tour operator has obtained a licence from the Kenya Forest Service to plant 20,000 trees across 15 acres of land in the country's Mau Forest. The initiative forms part of local efforts to achieve the Kenyan government's goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
The Mau Forest is a vital catchment providing water to the western part of Kenya. It is also an important contributor to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and the Serengeti National Park because the Mara River, which flows through these wildlife reserves, arises from the south-western Mau Forest.
Starting next year
From 2027, participating travellers on selected Intrepid trips in East Africa will visit the site to learn more about the historical context contributing to the degradation and then take part in tree planting and maintenance, helping to maintain the saplings and contributing to the ecosystem they explore on their trip.
Through this initiative and using native saplings provided by NGO Rhino Arc, Intrepid and its guests will contribute to vital reforestation and help combat biodiversity loss and climate change in the region, the company says.
The initial licence is for five years. Intrepid plans to plant 5,000 trees each season to reach its targeted 20,000 trees. The adventure travel company hopes to expand this initiative at the end of the current licence by moving into a new tract of land to repeat the process.
Intrepid general manager East Africa Samuel Karani said that Kenya's rich biodiversity was a vital part of the African and global ecosystem. "We can enjoy all it has to offer but we also have an obligation to protect and preserve this land," he said.
"Our custodianship of these 15 acres is just the beginning – we have already planted over 4,000 trees on the way to achieving our target and we hope to continue planting beyond that 20,000-tree goal."
Wildlife of the region
Intrepid offers a substantial number of safari tours in East Africa that include Kenya. Some explore the bustling capital, Nairobi, to sample traditional Kenyan food, and then head deep into the heartland of the Maasai tribespeople.
The Great Rift Valley is a geological marvel that stretches approximately 6,000 kilometres from Lebanon to Mozambique. It is part of the East African Rift system and is characterised by dramatic landscapes including towering escarpments, volcanic lakes and diverse ecosystems.
Kenya's Rift Valley is a biodiversity hotspot, home to iconic mammals, rare birds, and endemic plant species uniquely adapted to its lakes, savannahs, and forests. The Rift Valley hosts a variety of large mammals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards.
Unique species include the Rothschild's giraffe, an endangered subspecies, and the African wild dog, a social predator adapted to the valley's diverse ecosystems. Other notable mammals include hippos near freshwater lakes and zebras, gazelles, elands, and hartebeests roaming the savannahs.
The Rift Valley's alkaline and freshwater lakes, such as Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Elmenteita, support extraordinary bird populations. Thousands of flamingos create vivid pink spectacles, while white pelicans, fish eagles and over 450 other bird species thrive in these habitats. The lammergeier or bearded vulture, a rare scavenger, is also found in the region.
Treading lightly but contributing heavily
Founded on the idea that a travel company should give back to the places and communities it visits, Intrepid continues to evolve and improve how it can leave a positive impact.
In October 2025, in a standout and possibly controversial statement, Intrepid reset its approach to carbon in response to its progress and the wider global context.
One key change is the replacement of its carbon offset programme with a Climate Impact Fund, redirecting £1 million each year from offsets into practical, immediate emission reductions.
Intrepid says its new approach to climate action is designed to reflect the urgency of the crisis and accelerate the work it needs to do to decarbonise its business.
The Maasai people primarily inhabit the southern regions of Kenya and northern Tanzania, particularly around the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Amboseli National Park. They are renowned for their vibrant culture, which includes traditional dress, music and dance. The Maasai language, known as Maa, is part of the Nilo-Saharan language family and many Maasai also speak Swahili and English due to their interactions with neighbouring communities and the influence of modern education.
More information:
Best Small Group Tours & Adventure Travel | Intrepid Travel AU
Title picture: Chris Clark/Pexels
End picture: Felix Mokaya/Pexels
Other photos © Judy Barford