How much does the trip cost?
2023 trip fees are $1,290 per person. 2024 trip fees are $1,490 per person. The fee covers all in-country transportation, meals, accommodations, travel insurance, and including excursions where possible.
We estimate that most total trips will cost between $2,500 and $3,500 plus personal spending money for shopping and tips.
How much walking/physical activity will there be?
We attempt to get as close to the orphans as possible with the vehicles, but there is walking involved. This is rarely more than a quarter mile on unpaved, sometimes rocky or inclined terrain. One can always choose to opt out of visiting an area that is difficult to access.
Zoe Empowers is careful to only travel in areas we feel are safe. The Zoe staff members take our safety extremely seriously. They know their own culture well and do everything possible to ensure we do not get into difficult situations. The Zoe staff will give team members tips to help us interact well with those we meet. It is important that we listen to the Zoe staff at all times. For U.S. State Department Travel Information and Advisories please see: https://travel.state.gov/travel/.
What medications do I need?
Zoe Empowers cannot legally give advice on what medications you need since we are not health care professionals. We advise you to contact your doctor or travel clinic for this information. Your doctor will often consult the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) to find this information. The American Zoe staff find it helpful to take a general antibiotic such as Cipro or similar, an anti-diarrhea agent such as Imodium A/D, and anti-malarial medication such as Malarone or Doxycycline, and a sleep aid such as Tylenol PM, or Ambien, in addition to our doctor recommended immunizations.
Yes, Zoe trips typically include some tourism, such as a safari, visits to local museums or historical sites, and/or dining at area restaurants. Tourism varies per country so please check with Elena at elena.ballam@zoeempowers.org for details regarding a specific trip.
The accommodations vary based on the country. Please contact Elena at elena.ballam@zoeempowers.org for specific accommodation info for your trip.
In general, the hotels chosen by our Zoe staff are comfortable. They usually provide internet access and we typically plan for breakfasts and dinners at the hotel restaurants. In Africa, the hotels will likely provide mosquito netting.
Our goal is for everyone to have their own room and this is usually the case. However in country plans can change and it is possible that you will have a roommate if the hotel is overbooked. Earplugs are a marvelous idea.
If travelers are departing from different locations, ideally they will meet at a layover destination before arriving at the destination country. The team leader and several other travelers may be wearing Zoe Empowers T-shirts. Occasionally we may meet some people at the destination airport, but when this happens we walk you through exactly what to expect. Our destination airports are small and fairly easy to navigate with many helpful people around, and Zoe Empowers’ program staff members are always there to meet us once we are through baggage claim. Even if you are not a seasoned traveler you should be able to follow the crowd to the right location.
Yes, we stop at several places throughout the trip for you to purchase items if you choose. You will even learn how to barter. In Rwanda, some of our orphans also make baskets, wood carvings and wonderful cards which you can purchase. In both Rwanda and Kenya we have orphans who are accomplished tailors and can make custom clothing for you. Be sure and ask them to put in some extra room or else your clothing will fit…. exactly!
Our Zoe staff members are working with children on the edge of poverty and emergencies come up regularly in their lives. Our itinerary will likely modify several times during our stay, although the sample schedule below is typical:
