SKYIN — Local services in Denver

SKYIN was an unbelievable trip that not only met my expectations, but far exceeded them. This was truly a one-of-a-kind experience that takes you off the beaten path. We started the journey in Nairobi, where we spent several days traveling around various parts of the city. Our host family, Mama Joy & Joy, welcomed us into their home with open arms and made me feel like family day one. They both would go out of their way to always make sure we were comfortable and well situated. Mama Joy’s cooking was phenomenal as well and gave me a real experience on what Kenyan cuisine is like.

While in Nairobi, we spent time with the joyful children at Mama Joy’s school, visited local Kenyan markets for souvenirs, explored the urban downtown scenery, and had an amazing time visiting a baby elephant orphanage & giraffe sanctuary where we got to pet and interact with the animals. We then drove just a few hours outside the city limits and had a once in a lifetime experience spending a day with a Maasai village. These were some of the kindest and most humble people I’ve ever met who gave me a whole new appreciation of life by the time we left. The chief welcomed us into their community like we’re one of their own and we had an authentic experience learning about their culture and ways of life.

From Nairobi, we flew to Mombasa where we spent the next several days in tropical paradise. The resorts we stayed at were exceptional and had very friendly staff. We started our journey in Mombasa visiting Fort Jesus where we learned about the city’s fascinating history and had an amazing seafood lunch right on the water. The next day we sailed the warm pristine waters of the Indian Ocean where we snorkeled and saw plenty of fluorescent fish and other wildlife. SKYIN timed a rest day perfectly afterwards so we could recharge by the beach and pool before embarking on a journey to see the Mijikenda tribe. Much like the Maasai, this community welcomed us into their village like one of their own. We had an amazing experience learning their culture, ancestral history, and appreciation for the trees and the environment they live in.

From Mombasa, we took a very comfortable train ride to start our 6-day safari visiting 4 different National Parks. We started at Amboseli National Park where Mount Kilimanjaro made for the perfect backdrop while seeing all the animals it has to offer. We then drove through the beautiful Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru and stayed in luxury huts at the top of a mountain with breath taking views of the lake. From there, we traveled to Lake Naivasha and saw hippos in their natural habitat while in a motorized canoe on the lake and stayed at a remarkable resort where the wildlife comes right up to your room. Our last stop was the Masai Mara which is exactly what I expected when thinking of an African Safari with the wide-open plains and pockets of bushes. We saw practically every safari animal you can think of, including: many lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, hyenas, and many many more. It was incredible to see all the unique scenery and different kinds of animals each park had to offer.

We drove back to Nairobi on our last day where we got to say our goodbyes and reminisce on all of the wonderful experiences we had over the past 2 weeks. All aspects of the trip were exceptionally coordinated and I felt extremely safe throughout the whole journey. The drivers were phenomenal as well and made the trip that much better from their knowledge and ultra-friendly service. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip and none of this would have been possible without SKYIN and the authentic travels it...

Our two-week adventure with SKYIN was one of the most remarkable experiences I’ve ever had. From the seamless booking process to the authentic cultural encounters, every detail was carefully crafted by Skyler, SKYIN's owner, and his incredible team. If you're looking for an experience beyond ordinary travel, SKYIN is the way to go.

The journey began with Skyler, who made booking easy and introduced us to our host family before the trip, allowing us to build a connection early on. We started in Nairobi, staying with a warm Kenyan family, Momma Joy and her daughter Joy, who welcomed us like family. They prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner—delicious meals that truly captured the heart of Kenyan cuisine. Spending time with the children at their daycare was incredibly heartwarming; we sang, danced, and played, leaving a lasting impact that words can’t fully express.

From Nairobi, we traveled to a Maasai village, where we met Chief Joshua. The Maasai warmly welcomed us, sharing traditions preserved for generations. We played soccer with the kids, dined with the community, and enjoyed traditional dances. There was something truly special about how the Maasai hold onto their heritage, and SKYIN provided a respectful, immersive way to experience this unique culture.

Next, we headed to Kenya's stunning coast with Shipa and Brian as our guides. One of the highlights was swimming with dolphins in the wild—a pure thrill! The boat tour was filled with songs and laughter, and Brian later showed us some local dance moves during a night out, making us feel like part of the community. Kenya’s coastal culture, with its warmth and vibrancy, was infectious.

We then visited a Mijikenda village, where we witnessed a traditional wedding, met elders, and spoke with a fortune teller. This glimpse into their customs was another reminder of Kenya’s deep cultural heritage, which remains alive and revered.

Our final stop was Kenya's national parks, guided by Michael, who went beyond the expected to make our safari extraordinary. With his stories, humor, and knowledge, Michael made each moment memorable, and by the end, he felt like family. Thanks to his keen eye, we saw the "Big Five"—lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos—plus countless other animals in their natural habitat. It was breathtaking to see these animals up close, and Michael’s skill and care made it even more special.

When we returned to Nairobi, we were welcomed back with warm hugs and another delicious meal from Momma Joy and Joy. Their kindness and hospitality truly defined the trip, making us feel welcomed, cared for, and part of their family. Kenya’s hospitality isn’t just about service; it’s about making people feel at home, and we felt exactly that.

In every way, SKYIN crafted an experience that allowed us to deeply connect with Kenya’s people, traditions, and natural beauty. Skyler and his team’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail made this a once-in-a-lifetime journey. For anyone looking to immerse themselves in another culture fully, SKYIN is the way to go. Kenya now holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to returning to...

Thanks Skyler Mason and all your team at SKYIN for a fabulous adventure in Kenya, Africa. My wife and I had an incredible trip in early March 2023. The Homestay with a local family gave us insight to the lifestyle of a local Nairobi, Kenya, African family. Thanks to Eunice, Joseph, William and all the others. They welcomed us, kept us safe and fed us with love. It was a joy to meet their neighbors and relatives. The trip to a local orphanage was heart breaking to see how little they get by on but the joy of the youngsters was infectious – we were very moved. The Elephant orphanage was also moving – to understand that a motherless elephant cannot survive without a mother to care for it for two years is remarkable – then the process to restore them to the wild - incredible. The love and care that was provided for both of those groups, the human and animal was very astounding. Hats off to our driver Vincent for getting us around the traffic. Interesting to see how other cultures solve traffic congestion by so many speed bumps. We enjoyed the plane ride to Mombasa and the beautiful beaches – the snorkeling and boat entertainment. Wow! And the food was extraordinary everywhere we went on the SKYIN trip. Our guide Joy was such a help to keep us on schedule, safe and well fed. She is a great SKYIN asset. My thanks to her. The train ride into the interior was sleek, smooth and a delight. There we were picked up by Michael who was a great guide and an excellent driver for our Safari’s into four Kenyan National Animal parks. We saw zebras, lions, gazelles, giraffes, warthogs … We saw everything but a leopard (which we later saw stuffed at the Kenyan National Museum – another whole delight). Kenya has had a drought for the last two years as you may know but we were lucky to have rain on our last two days. Fortunately, the storms were at night but the transformation of the parks and the city was miraculous. Suddenly fields that had been dust covered turned green overnight, wild flowers bloomed - it was a transformation! In the city there were suddenly raging torrents were there had been only empty water beds. This tour allowed us to see the heavily populated areas competing with the vast wild park spaces where animals are allowed to roam free. Old growth forests are being cut to allow crops to be planted but when the rains come the tree roots can no longer hold the soil and it washes away. Africa is filled with challenges. SKYIN allowed us to see so much of Kenya in a few weeks that we never would have been able to see on our own. It made me appreciate how lucky and blessed I have been. Thank you Skyler Mason for the trip...