Voices of Adventure: SKYIN's Story of Connection and Sustainability in Kenya
Meeting Skyler, the creator of SKYIN
Towards the end of last year, I had the pleasure of connecting with Skyler, the visionary behind SKYIN, on LinkedIn. His company's work in Kenya, offering unique, immersive travel experiences, immediately piqued my interest and I was eager to know more. Skyler was happy to engage in the idea of collaboration, and we soon scheduled a call to talk.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
First and foremost, I was curious about how an American developed such a profound connection with Kenya. He mentioned from the beginning that he had family ties in Kenya, a fact that further intrigued me, and I wanted to learn more about their history. Skyler explained that his fascination with Africa already started at the young age of 2. He was fascinated by the culture and persistently asked his parents to take him there. He wanted to immerse himself in indigenous life and connect with the tribes. This was somewhat perplexing to his parents who had never been to Africa before.
At the age of 14, his dreams finally became a reality. Skyler’s father had a Kenyan colleague who, when learning about Skyler's fascination, graciously invited him over for a summer stay with his family. He spent the whole summer traveling around and discovering the country, feeling much like a kid in a candy shop. This experience only deepened his love and fascination with the ancient continent. He kept on going back, revisiting his family and deepening his relationship with them.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
In response to my question about whether he is still in touch with his original Kenyan family, Skyler lovingly mentioned Mama Joy, his second mother in Africa. His connection over the years only deepened with the family and they are now an integral part of his travel business.
From Idea to Execution: The History of SKYIN
When I asked Skyler where he got his inspiration to start his travel company, he credited his father as one of his greatest inspirations. Back in the US, Skyler’s father created and was running a successful company that employed a diverse workforce, among them immigrants. He was a true leader and created much-needed jobs in the community. Skyler wanted to create something similar in Kenya, so he quit his job and started working towards realizing that goal.
He wanted to offer travelers an experience similar to his own during his many visits to his Kenyan family. He dreamed of experiences that would be centered around creating deep connections and authentic discovery of this beautiful country.
Skyler also shared the story behind the company's name: SKYIN. He created this name as a verb to signify the deep dive into the nation’s culture: to sky in, to descend, and be completely immersed in the culture and nature of this beautiful land.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
Why Visit Kenya?
I asked Skyler what makes Kenya a particularly attractive travel destination. He mentioned its temperate climate, pleasant throughout the year. The equator cuts the country in half, which means that there are no drastic weather and climate changes. Visitors can travel there year-round and experience a consistent array of wildlife and activities. One of the natural wonders that attract many visitors to the country annually is the Great Wildebeest Migration, which takes place from July to September. This event sees hundreds of thousands of wildebeest crossing from Tanzania to Kenya.
Besides this phenomenon, Kenya is a kaleidoscope of experiences including safaris, national reserves, conservation wildlife sanctuaries, and even Lion King tours. Visiting Nairobi is also a unique experience as it is the leading business hub of Africa. It has a strong governance and great infrastructure which makes it easy to navigate. Besides the city life and savannas, Kenya also has some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches with turquoise, warm waters and exotic tropical climate.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
Cultural Experience and Homestays
In terms of culture, Kenya is incredibly diverse. You can find suburban, city-dwelling people as well as indigenous tribes living the lives of their ancestors, often in mud huts without electricity and running water. Despite their humble lifestyle, they are well known for their kindness and hospitality, treating everyone as one of their own.
To drive home the importance of cultural immersion, one of the main travel experiences SKYIN provides is homestays. All the homestays of SKYIN are in the capital Nairobi, in safe, suburban neighborhoods. This is a unique opportunity for travelers to stay with host families and get intimately acquainted with the local culture. And it’s an excellent way to make local friends from the get-go. Initially, there were apprehensions regarding the comfort and reliability of this travel option. The task was to reassure travelers that Nairobi is just like any other big city. It has good infrastructure, houses with complete bedrooms, bathrooms, electricity, and WIFI in safe neighborhoods.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
The journey for a homestay starts way before the actual day of the trip. Travelers get to know their host families by connecting through a video chat from their home countries. This creates a sense of security and anticipation as they learn more about their hosts who are waiting for them with anticipation. As if they have always been connected in some way.
The hosts in this program love their role in the tours. First of all, it creates jobs for them and a steady, much-needed stream of income. The people of Kenya are also natural-born caretakers who love to meet and welcome visitors into their homes. This gives them a chance to interact with people from other cultures and share their own rich culture and history with them. They stay true to themselves, showcasing their genuine lifestyle to preserve and promote their culture.
Travelers can also choose to stay in boutique hotels, as the various experiences cater to the level of immersion travelers seek. There is the option to stay with a host family for a couple of nights or just spend one evening with them. During this visit, the hosts will cook and share their story and culture with the visitors.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
Trip Details
SKYIN provides all-inclusive excursions and the trip is handled by local team members from the touch down until you leave. The team handles all activities, safaris, experiences, domestic airfare, trains, accommodations, and meals, except for pre-travel arrangements, visas, or international flights. Kenya is not yet a place where it is advisable to improvise, so it is better to travel with a company that can arrange the trip for you. This allows you to feel more relaxed and enjoy your time to the fullest.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
Addressing the common concerns of travelers, Skyler emphasized safety, assuring them of private transportation throughout their stay and accommodations in secure areas. Their hotels or homestays are located in safe, suburban areas of Nairobi with security systems in place. Another important aspect of managing travelers’ reservations is educating them to disperse incorrect assumptions. SKYIN wants to make sure that they are the right fit for travelers. They strive to facilitate compatible matches between hosts and travelers.
Reassuring clients about their comfort is also essential. SKYIN cultivates a highly personal relationship with agents, operators, and clients. This way there is no question about the trustworthiness of any of the parties. They believe that the more they can educate people on both sides of the equation the more trust they gain as a company. Testimonials from other travelers further boost their credibility.
SKYIN has a team of supportive staff on the ground to help visitors ease into the experience as soon as they land. People might worry that they will stand out once they arrive because of their lighter complexion. The team on the ground is there to help them feel at ease and realize how welcoming and accommodating the locals are.
Sustainability at SKYIN
SKYIN is a business that has sustainability at its core. It is an ongoing process aimed at supporting the locals and contributing to the local economy. Their homestays and job creation empower the natives, raising their living standards. They work closely with the Mijikenda and Maasai tribes, offering travelers immersive experiences with the communities, further empowering them financially.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
The connections formed during these visits often inspire travelers to give back, addressing challenges such as education, food security, and immediate needs. One of the biggest challenges for locals is getting an education which is a considerable financial investment in Kenya. Through the visits of the tourists, the money that flows into the community goes towards educating the young generation of the tribes. Furthermore, money also secures food and water resources and covers the immediate needs of the tribes.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
The homestays create stable incomes for suburban families as well. These local communities would otherwise receive minimal income, but through SKYIN they have stable, ongoing jobs that support them in the long term.
Skyler's leadership approach fosters deep trust within SKYIN, resulting in zero turnover among its employees and collaborators. He views himself as a leader, not a boss, working alongside his team to create experiences that benefit all. This collaborative spirit fuels the company's growth, which in turn supports the locals' growth.
Future Plans
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
Looking ahead, Skyler has ambitious expansion plans. Initially, he plans to extend the SKYIN concept to other African countries where tourism is already established. However, his ultimate goal is to venture into regions where tourism is yet to make its mark. These areas hold the potential for achieving significant positive impact. He wants to build awareness and open up markets beyond Kenya by enhancing the brand's visibility and, consequently, earning the trust of more travelers. With local agents and operators already receiving inquiries for countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa, Skyler dreams of expanding their services even further, to Western Africa and countries like Senegal.
Visiting Kenya is more than a vacation; it's a life-changing experience. It's not just about the sights and activities, but also the fresh perspectives you gain along the journey. Kenya offers an opportunity to absorb and integrate new experiences into one's own life. The fears towards the country and local culture get eliminated quickly upon arrival. Experiencing the locals' joy and warmth, despite their adversities, gifts visitors with a new outlook on life. This makes the Kenyan experience fundamentally different and transformative, rather than just another touristy excursion. If you approach the journey with an open mind and heart, it has the potential to transform your life.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
To illustrate, Skyler shared the story of a client from California. Before her trip, she was extremely introverted, to the extent that she had never interacted with her neighbors. She embarked on the Kenyan journey as a means to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone. Three months after her Kenyan adventure, she returned to the U.S. transformed. The trip had instilled in her the value of community and the importance of being there for others. Guided by her newfound perspective, she introduced herself to her neighbors, letting them know they could count on her. Now, she actively participates in community projects, attributing this change to her transformative experience in Africa.
This is where the magic of SKYIN adventures lies: they not only show people around this beautiful, enchanting country, but they also empower travelers to learn and implement valuable lessons they learn along the way. My chat with Skyler felt like a big welcome into this wonderful family that SKYIN is. I was convinced from the beginning that participating in this experience is unique and special for anyone who embarks on it.
Make sure to check out SKYIN’s website to learn more and get inspired for your next trip.
Photo Credit: Skyler Mason
