Come home to yourself in Kenya — where your adventure helps protect the wild, preserve culture, and create lasting impact.
My roots in Kenya didn’t begin with birth—but they took hold the moment I first set foot on Kenyan soil.
Something ancient awakened in me. I can’t explain it any other way. It was as if the land whispered, “Karibu Nyumbani,” and every fiber of my being responded with a full-bodied yes.
Over the past decade, I’ve walked the red earth of the Maasai Mara, sat under the acacia trees in sacred conversation, and stood with women who carry the weight of generations on their backs—and still manage to laugh with their whole hearts. I’ve seen children chase goats through garden towers their families built with our help, and I’ve listened to the dreams of elders who remember a different way of life. These moments—raw, real, and soul-stirring—have shaped who I am.
My work in Kenya began with a calling I couldn’t ignore. What started as a single humanitarian trip in 2015 became a mission to walk alongside families in their journey toward self-reliance through food, water, education, and health. I founded 100 Humanitarians International not as a charity, but as a bridge between cultures—between the giver and the receiver, the traveler and the local, the seen and the unseen.
For me, travel isn’t about ticking boxes or chasing luxury. It’s about soul-deep transformation. It’s standing in the stillness of a sunrise and remembering who you are. It’s hearing your own heartbeat align with the rhythm of a drum or the roar of an African lion. It’s realizing that the wildness you seek outside is the same wildness you’re being called to remember within.
Africa has taught me that the most meaningful journeys are the ones where you rewild your soul, reconnect with purpose, and remember your place in the greater story of humanity.
It would be my honor—and my team’s privilege—to help you shape what may very well become the most transformative journey of your life.
Warmly,
Heidi Totten
Founder and CEO, EMPARNAT
Emparnat is a Maasai word that means “A Gathering Place.”
It is a space where people come together—physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
In the spirit of African tradition, an emparnat is more than just a meeting spot; it is where stories are shared, wisdom is passed, community is formed, and transformation begins.
“My intimate knowledge of Africa gives our guests unique access to those people, places and resources I have known my entire life.” - Deborah Calmeyer, Founder & CEO ROAR AFRICA
Emparnat is more than a journey. It’s a gathering place—a sanctuary where personal transformation meets purposeful travel.
Nestled on the edge of the wild in Kokoo’s Guest House on the Maasai Mara, we create life-changing experiences that reconnect you with yourself, your loved ones, and the heartbeat of Africa. Here, you’re not just a guest—you’re part of a story that honors the land, the people, and the wildlife.
Your days begin with quiet mornings under The Wisdom Tree, a sacred space for reflection, followed by an unforgettable breakfast prepared by our exclusive chef, Mancha, whose culinary magic is as nourishing as the experience itself. From soul-stirring moments with the local community to the breathtaking roar of lions at dusk, every detail is designed to awaken something ancient within you.
And when you return home, you won’t just feel different—you’ll be different, carrying with you the knowing that your presence helped sustain the sacred balance of one of the most extraordinary places on earth.
“We almost feel it was a dream.”
ROBERT REDFORD
“We cannot put into words how fantastic our first time in South Africa and Botswana was. ROAR AFRICA’s curation, access, seamless execution and handheld service led us to never have to worry about a thing, as well as the ROAR AFRICA guides and their entire Africa-based team that made this the most amazing and outstanding trip in our lives.”
“Most incredible trip ever!”
Tommy Hilfiger
“The Hilfiger family trip to Zimbabwe was the absolute best most incredible trip our family has ever experienced! The service, the guides, the amount of animals we saw was amazing! Your organization of it was flawless. We thank Deborah Calmeyer and team for making everything seamless!!!”
“I am at a loss for words”
Brian Kelly
“I am at a loss for words trying to describe how incredible this past week has been. Every single day was filled with pure joy and memories to last a lifetime. I’m confident even little Dean will remember his time by the pool watching “Suzy the Crocodile” splash about.”
“You created a journey that opened the door for me to find my way back to myself”
Guest
“I have said it before but it must be repeated: you created a journey that opened the door for me to find my way back to myself. I will never forget the impact you have had in my journeys of rediscovery. Thank you, truly, for being such a force and operating at the highest level to be able to provide and provoke so much in a person”
Our Impact
Transforming Generations
To share Kenya’s wild beauty and wonder is both a gift and a responsibility. At the heart of our work is a commitment to empower women in tourism and community leadership, giving them the chance to rise and thrive. The Emparnat Cultural Centre is home to a training space designed for groups from all over the world—a place where cultural immersion meets transformational learning and meaningful service. Here, visitors experience the rhythms of Maasai life while engaging in programs that strengthen both community and traveler. While we design extraordinary journeys across the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and beyond, our deepest motivation is clear: to conserve, uplift, and protect the land, wildlife, and people who make Kenya unforgettable. Every itinerary we create carries this purpose—inviting you not only to witness Kenya’s magic, but to be part of its future.
Responsible & sustainable tourism
By journeying with us, you step into the role of custodian—protecting Kenya’s wild places while uplifting the communities who call them home. Every adventure directly contributes to solving some of our planet’s most urgent social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Sustainable Food
We have long been committed to conservation, humanitarian work, economic education and development in Africa.
Clean Water
We choose to partner exclusively with people and properties that echo our values.
Education
We have long been committed to conservation, humanitarian work, economic education and development in Africa.
Health
We choose to partner exclusively with people and properties that echo our values.
Explore our KENYA
Embark on a deeply transformative experience with Emparnat Safaris
Embarking on a journey with Emparnat is where luxury meets meaning—seamlessly blending comfort, adventure, and cultural connection. Every detail is crafted with care, so your time in Kenya is both extraordinary and deeply rooted in purpose.
Journey into the heart of Kenya’s untamed landscapes with Emparnat—guided by on-the-ground experts who call this land home. Here, every safari is more than travel; it’s an invitation to experience Kenya in its truest form.
The Great Migration
To journey with Emparnat is to sit by the fireside and hear stories passed down through generations, to walk the land with those who know its rhythms, and to share in rituals, food, and connection that weave you into the fabric of Maasai life. This is not tourism—it is immersion into a living heritage.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Our all-Kenyan team is devoted to sharing experiences rooted in authenticity—stories, traditions, and knowledge born from generations of living on this land. With Emparnat, you don’t just visit Kenya—you experience it through the eyes of those who call it home.
Experienced Maasai Guides
At Emparnat, we are clear on our mission:
When Kenyan women rise, communities thrive. With women leading the way, every journey is guided by strength, enriched with sensitivity, and infused with the natural nurture that defines Emparnat.
“I invite travelers to give themselves permission to pause— to rest, restore, and reconnect on a journey through Kenya that goes beyond adventure. With Emparnat, every experience is crafted to nurture the spirit, immerse you in culture, and return you home not only renewed, but transformed.” - Heidi Totten
CREATE YOUR CUSTOM EXPERIENCE
SPECIALIST TRIP
The SoulSafari
The SoulSafari Experience is more than a journey—it’s a soul-awakening adventure into the heart of Kenya. Here, wild landscapes and timeless traditions become mirrors for your own transformation. Over the course of your expedition, you’ll witness the breathtaking drama of the Maasai Mara and sit in circles with Maasai families whose stories echo across generations.
This is not just a safari. It’s a pilgrimage into meaning, where every moment holds purpose: luxury is found in connection, in conservation, in laughter shared around a fire, in the rhythm of the land itself.
Destination Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara
Trip Date Custom Creation
Starting from $4997 per person sharing
SPECIALIST TRIP
Women's Empowerment Retreat
Co-hosted by Kasia Caldwell—therapist, trainer, and advocate for emotional resilience—this unique journey invites you to Kenya’s Maasai Mara for a transformational training experience. Designed for therapists and healers, the expedition blends cultural immersion, community connection, and the awe of the natural world. Here, learning extends beyond the classroom into the wild, offering a path to healing, renewal, and a deeper way of leading others.
Destination Kenya
Trip Date March 27 - April 5 5, 2026
Private Group
SPECIALIST TRIP
The Family Humanitarian Expedition
Forge deep connections with the female powerhouses at the forefront of women’s empowerment, education and entrepreneurship on ROAR AFRICA’s Women’s Empowerment Retreats. In 2027, we will journey to Tanzania and the exclusive Grumeti Reserve for our sixth retreat, led by Founder & CEO, Deborah Calmeyer.
Destination Tanzania
Trip Date January 10 – 15, 2027
Starting from $23,850 per person sharing
SPECIALIST TRIP
100 Humanitarians International Expeditions
This immersive safari retreat, co-hosted by 100 Humanitarians International, invites you into Kenya’s sacred landscapes on the Maasai Mara. Together, we’ll blend the wonder of wildlife with the wisdom of cultural connection, creating space for both adventure and renewal. Guided by local leaders and infused with purpose, this journey goes beyond safari—it is an experience of wellbeing, storytelling, and service that allows you to see the world, and yourself, in a new way.
Destination Kenya
Trip Date See 100 Humanitarians International
Starting from $4250 per person sharing
Kenyan Safari Destinations
Our philosophy is simple: we only promote luxury safari destinations that we know and love, where our guests can be assured of a seamless experience in the wildest of terrains.
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