Believing the most genuine way to experience a foreign destination is to immerse oneself with the locals, he took it upon himself to curate the ideal excursion, the perfect blend of authenticity and luxury.
Ever since the age of 14, Skyler has been immersed into the warm and welcoming nature of local communities across Kenya. Having acknowledged the limited opportunities the communities had, he was determined to make a difference.
Desperate to have an impact on communities he calls home, Skyler understood the necessity to create sustainable opportunities for jobs, resources and long-term development. His vision became simple: encourage travelers to seek more authentic cultural experiences and he could change how local communities would directly be impacted by tourism.
In 2017, Skyler took the leap of faith and stepped down from his family business to begin constructing his team and blueprint behind what is known as his company today, SKYIN.
Wanting to ensure travelers could enjoy the same enriching homestay experience he had growing up, Skyler and his team worked hard to find and vet the right host families throughout the city of Nairobi who met their exacting criteria.
All SKYIN host families needed to be proficient and speak fluent English, undergo extensive comprehensive training, and pass rigorous annual government background checks and screenings. Not only were the host families highly vetted, but their homes were too.
Every homestay had to provide the perfect ambiance to ensure a traveler’s ease, comfort, and security. All homestays needed to be in a safe, monitored neighborhood, provide private, clean bedrooms and bathrooms with hot water showers, have accessible WIFI and electricity, and be in close proximity to emergency service outlets.
Understanding each individual traveler has their own limit of immersion, Skyler made sure to design each homestay experience to fit one’s comfort level. Whether it’s culturally connecting with a host family for an afternoon and home-cooked dinner, or spending overnight at the homestay, SKYIN’s host families share keen insight into their culture and traditions providing an intimate view of local life in Kenya.
“I never realized that staying with a host family while immersing myself into their rich culture and fascinating lives would change mine forever,” says Skyler Mason.
Not only did he build extensive relationships over the years with suburban communities throughout Nairobi, but also with numerous indigenous tribes as well. Having noticed most experiences with these tribes offered by other companies were very canned and commercialized, he worked together with the chief tribal leaders of the Maasai and Mijikenda communities that he’s known for years to craft a more intimate and authentic excursion.
An opportunity that gives travelers a deeper exploration of their cultural rituals, traditions and indigenous ways of life. Instead of a one-hour performance you’ll find at a commercialized village, SKYIN’s exclusive village excursions offer travelers the opportunity to story tell with tribal elders who share their archaic history, learn the handmade techniques that go into creating their vibrant jewelry and rustic mud huts, participate in traditional dance ceremonies, indulge in an authentic village lunch, and much more.
By pulling back the veil of commercialized tours and providing a more in-depth experience with these indigenous tribes, SKYIN is offering a transformative journey for travelers to gain a new meaningful perspective on modern way of life.
“My experience in Kenya since I was a young boy impacted my life so much that I wanted others to experience Kenya the way I did – with adventure, insight, joy, and love,” he says.
SKYIN didn’t create these excursions to only benefit the travelers, but to support the communities as well. Skyler and his team made sure these experiences offered were not to exploit the communities, but to help further develop them.
By authentically connecting travelers directly with the communities, SKYIN is creating sustainable job opportunities and resources to help improve daily life for its people. Local community projects such as the development of water wells and children’s schools are also helped by being funded from the engagement of the excursions as well.
While SKYIN believes culture is a big attraction, they understand there’s more to Kenya that makes it such an incredible country to visit.
Skyler and his team designed their excursions to allow travelers to see all different nuances of Kenya by offering an authentic blend of culture, wildlife, beaches and history in their itineraries. Some excursions include discovering exotic wildlife at animal sanctuaries and on safari lodging at elegant properties inside the national parks and reserves, as well as indulging in a luxurious beachfront stay offering traditional dhow sailing voyages, snorkeling, camel riding, and historical tours on the slave-trade era.
Think back to the last time you stayed with friends or family in an unknown city. Their unique observations and ability to share exclusive adventures is what made the experience so vibrant and valuable.
The taste of authentic cuisine, the bustle of local markets, the intimate glimpse into uncharted areas, these discoveries are what made the trip so memorable. With travelers yearning to explore the world, the value of being able to authentically immerse themselves into a country’s culture has never been greater.
Skyler and his team at SKYIN embody the phrase, “Don’t Just See It, Live It”, supporting authentic, sustainable and transformative travel by exploring Kenya off the beaten path, through the lens of a local!