Video Testimonials
Written Testimonials
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” - Sir Edmund Hillary
Having previously completed a wide range of alternative leadership and personal development experiences around the world, with coaches, healers, and trainers alike, I thought I had done the real work. But this wasn’t just an offsite. It was a full-bodied recalibration.
By stepping into a world so different from mine, I rediscovered the power of empathy, purpose, global thinking, and above all, service. And most importantly, I reconnected with myself. Because self-awareness isn’t a leadership buzzword, it’s the core of emotional intelligence; the foundation for leading through complexity.
Coming from Dubai, the camp life forced a new reality, focused on what matters. This stripped-down simplicity revealed extraordinary clarity. From bush flights and dusty trails to camel caravans and campfire storytelling, I immersed myself in the Samburu tribe’s radically different leadership models, grounded in values, community, and simplicity. In a world where consensus leads and hierarchy is earned through wisdom, not seniority, I felt my biases. I slowed down. I listened, and I rethought my "confident" approach.
The standout insight for me was the approach to intergenerational leadership. Organizations struggle to bridge five generations in a workplace, often overlooking age as a form of diversity. The Samburu embrace a gerontocratic model: each generation is mentored for leadership, not managed for output. It made me wonder: What can change if we see succession as stewardship? I intend to find out.
To Boris, Oli, the Safarini elders, Samburu community, and my fellow journeyers: thank you for reminding me that real leadership doesn’t live on a slide. It walks, listens, serves, and evolves.
Thank you, Safarini Leadership, for making this experience possible. Traveling for growth isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about seeing yourself differently in those places. When I stepped out of my comfort zone and into the Ndoto Mountains, the unfamiliar became a mirror, revealing strengths I didn’t know I had and perspectives I didn’t know I needed, on issues that I’d been drowning in.
Each of us on this journey gained strength from the connections made through the conversations, workshops, laughter, and physical challenge that we experienced as we walked with our peers and Samburu companions.
The fact that this journey was shared with peer leaders made it all the more powerful. There is a quiet privilege in walking alongside someone on their journey—being invited into their world, step by step. In those shared moments, the conversations ran deep, peeling back layers of thought, fear, hope, and self-worth, to provide a clarity of focus on what matters most: our true purpose and core values.
This journey gave me new perspectives on myself, my community, and the world around me. I emerged from the Kenyan bush a stronger person and thus a stronger leader.
Thank you for the walk.
Thank you for bringing so much life into this trip during a very pivotal point in my life and career. Boris and Oli, your level of thoughtfulness and detail in crafting this program do not go unnoticed. Dagama, Veronicah, and Steven, thank you so much for shining your light, continuing to preserve your culture’s beautiful way of living and leading.
Aileen’s Substack Reflections: Walking with the Samburu: How a Remote Tribe in Kenya Aligned my Professional and Personal Values
My journey in Kenya with Safarini Leadership was one of the most impactful growth experiences I've had in a long time. If you’re considering an adventure to challenge yourself and reignite your passion, I can’t recommend Safarini Leadership enough.
My journey reshaped how I view leadership and broadened my worldview. Stepping out of my daily routine and immersing myself in a completely different cultural context challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate. It expanded my perspective and taught me to approach situations—and people—with fresh eyes and deeper understanding.
Developing deep human connections across cultural boundaries was particularly profound and rewarding. The experience revealed that leadership isn’t just about the skills you bring to the table; it’s about your willingness to learn, adapt, and grow through the perspectives of others.
Safarini elevated my decision-making, coaching, parenting, and overall approach to life. It also sparked exciting new ideas for approaching mental health challenges, which I'm already acting on as part of my professional practice, but also within my family and community.
Thanks again to Boris, Oli, our dedicated Samburu elders, and the Samburu warriors and community who supported our incredible journey.
