Episode 245 - Purvi Shah, Kampur Travel Diaries
In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Purvi Shah.
Purvi’s Bio: In Her Own Words
This is not a typical bio, as I believe you need the story of how I have gotten to where I am to fully grasp the depth of it.
I have an interesting varied background. I was born on 25th January 1981 and brought up in Kenya, a 3rd generation Kenyan-Indian. My parents loved exploring and my dad especially has a love for the Aberdares in Kenya, as this was very close to his hometown. My passion for travel was fuelled from the road trips and visits to national parks around Kenya with my family as a child. Some of my earliest memories are watching elephants at a salt lick in the Aberdares.
In 2018, after completing high school in Nairobi, at the age of 17, I left to study dentistry in the UK. If you are to ask me why I chose dentistry, I really don’t know. But in hindsight I believe that one of my callings has always been to help people and this was one avenue to do this.
I spent 5 years in Cardiff, Wales for my studies, before working in a small village, Newport-upon the Sea, in West Wales for 2 years and returning to Cardiff to work in the dental hospital for a year. I then moved to London and ended up specializing in Paediatric Dentistry.
During my university years, I travelled extensively around Europe, USA, South America and Australia, but there was always a great pull to return home. My soul would always be in Africa. So, when I ended up virtually meeting a boy in Kenya, who is now my husband, it definitely seemed that the universe was conspiring to make my dreams a reality.
Once in Kenya, I still continued working as a dentist, though this was never what truly brought me joy. When we could, my husband and I went on many camping trips exploring off-the-beaten track places and I started writing a blog about. People started approaching us to take them with us on their travels, but we were hesitant. In April 2018, we were setting up camp in a remote location in Northern Kenya, not far from Lake Turkana, when we had some curious chiildren observing us from the other side of the fence. When we looked up at them, they asked us for pens. On investigating further, we learnt that this part of Kenya had been really left to its own devices and the schools lacked a lot. We promised we would return with stationery to the schools, which we did later that year in July and delivered stationery to 4 schools. From these schools, we found one in dire need, so decided we would support this school even further. Around the same time,my husband left his job in banking, and while he was figuring out the next steps, we got approached again to take people on trips. He decided to try it out and it went well and we realised that this could be a great way of generating revenue for our school stationary program that we had started. And this is how Kampur Travel Diaries was born. And our tagline? “Adventure with a Cause”
I continued to work as a dentist and finally decided to quit in March 2023 and joined the business fulltime in July 2023.
Apart from being a founder of the company, I am a senior tour consultant and also the head of sustainability. My passion is to get you to feel the beautiful energy that makes up the diverse countries of Africa so special. I am a qualified tour consultant and specialise in the little details that make your safari exceptional.
Adventure with a Cause: Impact Initiatives Funded through Travel
Purvi’s path into the travel industry didn’t follow a conventional script. She trained and qualified in a traditional profession (dentistry!), returned home to Kenya, and—almost accidentally—found herself building a business from the experiences she and her husband were already living on weekends. Camping in far-flung corners of the country, they began sharing stories and routes on a travel blog, which ignited a steady stream of requests from friends and acquaintances who wanted to come along. The end result: the boutique Kenyan-owned safari company, Kampur Travel Diaries.
“The more people who travel with us…we then support other programs or support other projects. And that’s really the key of our business. And that’s why the name is Kampur Travel Diaries, but our motto is Adventure with a Cause.”
Impact isn’t a side project in Purvi’s work; it is the work. Travelers come for life-changing experiences; their journeys, in turn, help fund projects that change lives at home. It’s a full-circle design that makes “adventure with a cause” more than a tagline.
In the episode, Purvi shares about the first time she began an initiative to address the needs of schoolchildren – a project that has now expanded to provide stationery to more than a thousand students. From there, the effort has expanded to conservation education, kitchen gardens, tree planting, and more.
One of Kampur Travel Diaries’ cornerstone projects to support is the Mara Elephant Project which delivers conservation education in human-wildlife conflict zones. Here, elephants sometimes walk through farms and even school grounds; without understanding and benefit-sharing, it’s easy for wildlife to be seen only as a threat. Educating children and families means changing perceptions. The project connects school wildlife clubs with on-the-ground rangers (often parents in the community), hosts career days to broaden horizons, and ties classroom lessons to tangible actions like tree planting and starting kitchen gardens.
Purvi shares about the menstrual equity work, something that is dear to us at the Soul of Travel. Weaving dignity and sustainability together, Purvi and her team distribute high-quality, reusable kits (partnering with a local Days for Girls production team that also supports a children’s home). Purvi is clear-eyed about the challenges (for example, that reusables aren’t a fit everywhere) but equally clear about the stakes. When communities ensure girls don’t miss school because of their periods, communities are stronger.
Mindful Entrepreneurship
Purvi is candid about how uncomfortable it can feel to lead with trust, especially in the travel space, where there is so much focus on forecasting, chasing, and scaling. Purvi’s leadership lens i
“It’s not always easy to trust and know that things will be okay, and not just focus on the numbers…but it keeps showing me there are times…when certain bookings or certain clients haven’t come through at a certain point, and then suddenly, it’s only later we realize actually that was a blessing in disguise.”
“As soon as we embrace that and we let go and just accept the business that’s meant to come to us, flows in.”
Christine and Purvi mention the Soul of Travel episode from Lila Fox, who discusses what it means to actually look at your business from the lens of what you truly want and need in your life. (Listen to Lila’s episode here!)
“We get caught up in this idea of what we think it should be,” Christine shares, “and it isn’t meant to be that for everyone. And so again, it’s deconstructing the formula, taking the parts and pieces you want in your own business and then putting it together in a mindful way.”
Purvi mindfully notices patterns, too, noticing that booking patterns are similar year-over-year and dedicating time to the learning process of trusting her gut, leaning into her wisdom, and attuning to her inner compass as much as the external plan for the business.
“It’s a very different way of doing business, but I think it’s also a more fulfilling way of doing business.” That fulfillment shows up in the travel experiences themselves, in the relationships with partners on the ground, and in the consistent, thoughtful support of community projects year after year.
Intentional Community-Based Tourism with Local Guides
Purvi has seen the impactful travel + mindful travel model work over and over again with guests. Many arrive for wildlife, bucket lists, and iconic sightings; they depart holding something deeper, more relational, more human. In her words, “we’ve actually left having fallen in love with the people, and I think that’s very powerful.” That shift happens when travel moves beyond seeing into listening, when stories become exchanges, and when itineraries hold space for serendipity and connection.
Guests often talk about the guides in the same breath as they talk about lions or elephants, because the lens through which they experience the wild is human, relational, and real. As Purvi says, “I cannot imagine our business without the wonderful guides that we have, without the wonderful partnerships that we have.”
At the heart of Purvi’s model are the people who hold the place: local guides, lodge teams, and partners rooted in the communities travelers visit. Their presence shifts a trip from sightseeing to belonging. Guides interpret not just wildlife behavior but the meaning of land and culture; staff from nearby villages bring lived experience into every welcome and exchange. Over time, these relationships create a web of trust that travelers can feel—even if they can’t name it.
Purvi’s work proves that business can be a vehicle for good in many different ways without losing its heart and soul. As we know, this type of impact travel, where relationships and community is at the root of every choice, has the potential to be the vehicle for good that stays true to its soul along the way.
“As soon as you go inwards and start trusting and be mindful and …do every little thing that you do with intention – and I think you also have to believe. With that belief, we’ve seen things slowly fall into place or paths open up.”
Soul of Travel Episode 245 At a Glance
In This Episode, Christine and TBD discuss:
Transitioning from a traditional career to full-time tourism work in the field of impact-driven travel
How to emphasize storytelling and soul connection in travel
The power of impact initiatives that support community projects including menstrual equity, animal care, and education
Mindful entrepreneurship that focuses on trusting the process, following intuition, and aligning business with values
Intentional community-building through local guides and authentic cultural exchange
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Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode
Visit Kampur Travel Diaries to connect with Purvi and discover your next safari adventure in Kenya.
Connect with Purvi on LinkedIn and check out Kampur Travel Diaries updates on Instagram and Facebook.
Learn more and support the Mara Elephant Project.
Visit Days for Girls International to learn about and support menstrual equity and education.
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable Development Goal #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Sustainable Development Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Sustainable Development Goal #8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Sustainable Development Goal #11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Sustainable Development Goal #15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
About the Soul Of Travel Podcast
Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of people making a positive impact in the tourism industry. In each episode, you’ll hear the stories of women who are industry professionals, seasoned travelers, and community leaders. Our expert guests represent social impact organizations, adventure-based community organizations, travel photography and videography, and entrepreneurs who know that travel is an opportunity for personal awareness and a vehicle for global change.
Join us to become a more educated and intentional traveler as you learn about new destinations, sustainable and regenerative travel, and community-based tourism. Industry professionals and those curious about a career in travel will also find value and purpose in our conversations.
We are thought leaders, action-takers, and heart-centered change-makers who inspire and create community. Join host Christine Winebrenner Irick for these soulful conversations with our global community of travelers exploring the heart, the mind, and the globe.
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Soul of Travel Episode 245 Transcript
Key Words: women’s travel, transformational travel, sustainable travel, social entrepreneurship
Christine: Welcome to Soul of Travel podcast. I am very happy today to be joined by a recent connection. Um, actually we keep connecting in all these places, but as we'll talk about in this conversation in the right time, we finally truly connected. So, so grateful to be bringing Pervy Shaw to the podcast who is the co-founder of Camper Travel Diaries.
And, um, we have a beautiful conversation in store about, um, mindful business and leadership and soulful journeys and meaningful travel. So I'm really excited to welcome you to the podcast. Thank you for joining me.
Purvi: Thank you Christine. Really nice to be here. And as you said, I think, um, it has been lovely to connect with you and I think, um, things happen. We are talking about mindfulness and I think we both believe in the universal connection, and I think things have happened as they're meant to, especially getting here today.
Christine: Yes, we've had technological hiccups, but we're gonna hold fast to the fact that they're worked out for the time being. Um, well, to begin, um, I actually wanted to share the quote that you shared in my intake form because, um, I just loved it so much and when I read it I was like, oh, this just feels like.
Your work, and it feels like your heart from what I've gotten to know so far. So I'm gonna, um, just start with that. Um, you shared this beautiful quote from Bridget Dore or Dory, I'm not sure. Um, the quote is, you cannot leave Africa. Africa said, it is always with you there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents in the swirl of your thumbprints, our drumbeats, counting outside your pulse, counting out your pulse, our coastline, the silhouette of your soul.
Um, oh, and I love that so much because for me that is like, that is the gift of travel for me, is this storytelling that places offer us. And like that's what, to me, it. It's telling us when we listen. And so like I know this quote is about Africa and I can actually think of that exact moment that like, feels like that to me.
But I also have that resonance in so many places, um, where stillness just allowed that. So I wanted to just use that as a way to begin our conversation.
Purvi: Yes. Um, and you know, for, for me, particularly having been Bo born and brought up in Kenya, in East Africa, I think, and even though I'm of Indian origin, Kenya is always home. I, it's not like I'll go to India and feel like I'm home. I always feel at home when I'm in Kenya and there's something, there's something powerful about the energy over here.
And I think it's to do also with our wi, uh, wide open spaces that we've got, um, you know, not everywhere. Of course our cities are getting quite built up, but, um, it. It just, there's something here and it's the sort of thing that just keeps drawing you back and back. Like I, I was brought up here. Um, got my love of travel, I think from my parents.
Um, you know, we used to live near one of the national parks, so one of my earliest memories were being going there for game drives or four o'clock tea to one of the lodges and just watching all these elephants come to the Waterhole and the Salt Lake. And, um, not realizing at, of course, at that age, what a privilege that was.
You know, for me that was the norm that I grew up in. And I think that, uh, love of exploration came from there. And even when I went to university, um, you know, I, I did go and travel. I mean, I went to South America, Australia, um, lots of other places around Europe, but. Uh, after all of that personally for me, Kenya, Africa was calling me back.
There's something in the beat over here in the energy, and it's one of these things we even say to guests if, if, if Africa gets into you, if you come here and it gets into you, you know, you'll always be wanting to come back. There is something magical that happens, I think, when you allow yourself to fully, like immerse yourself, um, in over here because there's just so much vibrancy, you know, different cultures, different people, and you know, one of the biggest things for us is, um.
Most of our guests, they'll come here. They say, we came to see the wildlife. You know, we came to see the big five. We came because we wanted to go on safari, but we've actually left having fallen in love with the people, and I think that's very powerful.
Christine: Yeah. Um, thank you so much for sharing that, and as you were talking. You know about Kenya? I just was reminded of a time I was with, um, two friends and we were in the mountains outside of Nairobi, several, like mini hours outside. And I remember just sitting in that expansive space that you were talking about and the like rich, lush greenness that was around me and like just sitting there looking out and I, one, just couldn't believe I was there.
And two was also really sad that I know so little about Kenya at the time that I didn't even know there were mountains that I was enjoying. And three, just like that, that depth was so present. Like it just felt like how wise. The place was, and that it was just like holding me in that moment to like have all these feelings and to witness what it was showing me.
And, um, yeah, anyway, it was just a, like a very spiritual and very soulful moment. And those are, that's one of those things I always kind of tap back into, um, when I think about. What travel offers and, and to also have that, um, moment in Kenya was really beautiful. And so, yeah, it's just really resonates. So I love that about our, our, um, connection.
Um, well, I wanted to, I guess as we've already jumped right in, so as we're jumping in, I would love for you to just take a moment to introduce yourself. Um, this is what I love most. Like, we're like, oh, small talk. We don't need that. Let's just jump right into heart talk. Um, but I would love for you to share, uh, just a little bit about who you are and your business, and then we'll, we'll keep going with our conversation.
Purvi: Okay. So, uh, uh, to start in the middle, um, uh, my, I'm Pervi Pervi Sha, uh, born and brought up in Kenya. In fact, uh, I would say I'm a third or fourth generation, Kenyan, fourth generation on my mom's side. Um, and, um. Yeah, I went, I have a interesting, um, story in going into travel. I am actually qualified as a dentist and having moved back to Kenya in 2012, uh, when I got married and met my husband, we used to do, we used to travel around Kenya and then at some point we were doing a lot of camping trips, going to off the beaten track places, and I started writing a small blog about it.
Unbeknown to me that that was going to lead to further things. People started asking us to take them with us on our trips. Um, and in the meantime my husband, who also wasn't in, in, uh, travel, but we just loved traveling and organizing trips for others. Um, he happened to decide to, um, to stop his job in the bank and, um.
People were like, again, approaching him. So he is like, okay, let me try this out. And from there, uh, the travel business grew, but more so than that, um, the, uh, the name of our company's Campo Travel Diaries, the reason for the travel diaries was the blog. And I still love the part of the travel diaries 'cause it just gives me that open space as much as I don't always do it to story tell.
Um, and, uh, Kampur is actually. It's a play on words. It's, it's the first three letters of both our names, but it's also a play on the word camper. And because we were doing a lot of camping, it kind of just fit together. And, um, when we were doing our travels, there was one time we were setting up camp in a very remote part of northern Kenya and we had these children approach us and they asked us, uh, you know, just curious, seeing what we are doing.
And then they asked us for pens. And usually with the kids we normally get asked for sweets or water. So this was a bit unusual. So we started talking to them and then we also started, uh, talking to the person who owned the campsite, who, um, then told us that there was a great need in these regions, uh, that, uh, were kind of.
Forgotten. Um, and the next day we went to visit some of the schools. We saw some of the needs and we said, look, let's start with how we can slowly, and we just committed not knowing how we would do it to take some stationary to the schools. So, uh, we started with four schools, uh, which, uh, we'd been advised to go to.
And from there we saw that one school was in dire need. I mean, the class, the black, they had, the blackboards were not black. Um, you know, the desk, there were no desks in a more, a lot of the classrooms, the, these kids just did not have any stationary school books. Um, I mean, forget digital is just on another level, but just even the basics.
So we made a commitment to start supporting that and when. And so, and you know how things just fall together. So when this idea of the travel business came in, 'cause people were asking us, the first thought that we had was immediately like, actually this is something that can fund all the different projects and work we wanna do.
Um, obviously starting from those stationary distribution programs, which we now have going in about seven schools, and we, uh, it's about over a thousand kids who we go and see at least twice a year to distribute stationary to. And this has been going on since 2018, so I think we're at seven years now. Um.
And, um, and then we've evolved and developed more programs. So the more people who travel with us, uh, just through the money we make, we then support other programs or start other projects. And that's really the key of our business. And that's why, uh, the name yes, is Campo Travel Diaries, but our mo motto is Adventure with a Cause.
So it's like, come and have fun, come and, uh, enjoy, come and get transformed in a lot of cases. And, um, and at the same time know that you're making a difference.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you for, for sharing that and that's definitely where I wanted to, to. Start was just kind of understanding your foundation because I think it's, um, yeah, it's really important to the intention behind what you're doing is that it was this idea of how can travel support the other things that you would like to do.
And it's interesting 'cause I've run into a few other companies that were doing kind of this social impact work and then the travel came along after as this tool to support it. And because you already have this deep knowledge and these personal connections, you can actually then create very unique travel experiences.
So it's, I think a beautiful model. Um, and I'm really curious to see, you know. How that continues to evolve. And as I hear about the work you're doing, how that has evolved in your business, because I think it's a, it's really, um, I just think as a, a beautiful compliment when you can create travel experiences to support the work that you're doing versus having a travel company and then seeking how you can create impact later, or that intentionality or that piece, like being an afterthought.
I love that. That's the roots of, of what you started. So I, that's really, I just wanted to know a little bit more about like how did you, you had that moment. How did you realize, 'cause there's other ways to make money and there's other ways to generate, um, revenue and donations, but what was it about travel that you really thought was that connector?
Purvi: So I think one because of the pla because I think also this whole thing had TR started as a travel blog, you know, so it was us traveling that had triggered this in us to do something and to give back and to support these communities. Um, and because of that, uh, and also like, as I said, we were kind of at a crossroads of, you know, uh, that, uh, we wanted to do something.
I think neither my husband or I were really, um, fully happy or content in the work we were doing. And, uh. I don't know. Uh, Christine, how do I say this? I think the universe stepped in. I think the universe saw the intention, the universe saw the intention and showed us the path that I truly believe, like, you know, how did we decide to get into the travel?
I really think we just knew that this is something we want to continue. And then secondary to that, because of the blog, you know, people started wanting to travel with us. And from there, step by step, it just evolved. And I think we've just trusted a lot of it for us, um, is trusting the process. You know, and I know, uh, and I think in fact.
In, just generally in our business, a lot of it, as much as we can is run on that. Sort of trusting the process on the intuition, on believing that when we're doing the the right things the right way, then things will fall into place. Does not mean we don't get challenges, but I, but uh, yeah, so I, I would say that, uh, the reason we chose the travel path was.
Just because of how things fell into place. And also, the other thing about it, Christine, was we didn't want to become like a NGO or a charity organization where we were fundraising all the time or, and things like that. Um, I mean, we have done a few things here and there to raise funds, uh, on occasion.
But, uh, we found that by building this solid business, having, you know, delivering great experiences for our guests, um, was giving us a great enough income to continue this work. And as we then build by word of mouth and, uh, more people traveling with us, then we're actually able to expand and do more. And it's a, and it's a constant evolving journey as to, you know, who we support, what we support, how we support, uh, on that.
Christine: Yeah. Um, well that really reminds me of kind of some of the places we've connected before is kind of talking about mindful leadership because that's, I think, just a different way of stepping up and crafting your business. And like you've said, kind of that this felt like it, it just appeared like you didn't create it, it appeared and you just kind of took, followed the lead of, of this.
And um, you know, we've talked about like business being guided by an internal compass and how important that is. Like that's, um, actually kind of the metaphor I've been playing with because it ties nicely into travel and travel businesses, but also is a real easy way for people to understand. What that looks like on paper is, is having an internal compass using your personal values to create the business that not only that you want other people to experience, that you want to have impact, but also that you want be a part of.
There's all of these elements as to why kind of stepping into this mindful construction of a business is important. So I wanted to talk a little bit about that, like, and the complexities of that, because like you said, it, it evolves, uh, involves a lot of trust, which is something that's very hard for us as humans in business and trusting.
And just like normally you'd be like, here's the numbers, here's the plan, here's the forecast, here's the goals, and we're following this. And when you kind of step back and say, okay. Uh, growth at this level and this scale isn't my my highest objective. Then all of those checkpoints are questioned and then you're like standing there thinking, okay, I have all the parts and pieces, but now what am I building because I'm letting go of this model that exists.
So anyway, that was kind of a non-question question, but I think you can handle it. But what does that felt like for you? What does that look like and why do you think that's important?
Purvi: So I'll tell you, it's not always easy, as you've said, the trusting is not easy. Um, and, uh, especially for me, I mean, I, I think generally I go into things more with emotion and feeling about how it feels. Um, and then I let things fall into place. It does, it may not always work out, but, um, it's, I think, and you know, Christine, I think as we've started the business, it's also been an evolving journey.
And I, for us and for me. The universe keeps reminding me because as I said, it's not always easy just to trust and know that things will be okay and not just focus on the numbers and you know, things like that. But it keeps showing me like there are times, and I'll just give you some examples, there are times when certain bookings or certain clients haven't come through at a certain point, and then suddenly it's only later we realize actually that was a blessing in disguise.
So, you know, having seen these little moments. It's a constant process of reminding ourselves that, okay, even if next month doesn't look busy, there is a reason for it. Maybe we need to get rest. Maybe we need to learn that this is our time to rest. And as soon as, and and, and I think we've just found this again and again, that as soon as we embrace that and we let go and just accept the business that's meant to come to us, flows in.
But the moment we start really chasing things kind of get stuck. And is it an easy process to keep doing? No, because you keep questioning. 'cause our go-to is. Is not the trust our go-to is what we've been conditioned to be like. No, you have to think about the numbers, which are important 'cause they're al always important and it's really interesting.
Um, Christine over here, I just want to interject 'cause I listened to one of your other podcasts where, um, I I, I'm not great with names, but the lady was saying how, you know, she always starts with, when she's mentoring people, she always starts with actually what do you need in your household to be okay?
And sometimes you realize that actually when you're chasing the numbers, you're just working too hard and overworking for something you don't even need. And as soon as you go inwards and start trusting and be mindful and um, and, and just do a. Do every little thing that you do with intention. And I think you also have to believe, because if you don't believe that it'll work.
Um, I don't know if it will, but I think with that belief, we've just seen things slowly fall into place or paths open up or, and not just on, on the getting the guests and getting the bookings, but also with where we then decide that we want to support in terms of our conservation, in terms of our, uh, uh, you know, reforestation programs, our education programs.
We, we find that the pots open up and they're leading to bigger things. I, I, I, it, I know it's, it's a difficult one to. I, I, I, I'm finding it difficult to put into words because I just think it's just been a lot about trusting and then when you can't trust, trying to find ways of reminding yourself to trust.
Christine: Yeah. Um, and I think, yeah, it, it is really hard to put into words. I, I was thinking of two things, um, but before I share those, I'm gonna just, Lila Fox was the episode that you were mentioning, and that example is such a strong example of kind of redefining success and redefining leadership when you, when you look at what you really need, the example, you know, she was saying like, I need to earn this much to have the lifestyle that I wish for, and I'm working so much harder to earn above that.
And if I just let go of this extra 20%. That can come back into my life and my quality of life. And so I think that is such a powerful thing, especially when we run our own businesses, because again, we get, we get caught up in this idea of what we think it should be. And it doesn't, it isn't meant to be that for everyone.
And so again, it's just like deconstructing the formula and taking the parts and pieces you want in your own business and then putting it together in a mindful way. But when you talk about like trusting the universe and kind of the flow and these signs and the way like that river and that current will come through, um.
I think about when I launched my business, um, when I launched Lotus Sojourns, and it was kind of a rocky start, and then I, I got some traction and then, um, I went to this huge travel show. I got a lot of people who were super interested in trips. This was in February of 2020 and I got a lot of interest in trips in like December, November.
Um, but nobody was interested in the trips that were gonna be in March and April of 2020. And I had a deadline of March 1st to pay deposits and all of this stuff. And, and this was gonna be my first full year of running trips. And, um, I was meant to have had a group of mothers and daughters in remote Guatemala, like the 18th through the 25th of 2020, including my daughters, uh, of March.
Yeah. And, um, and so like right after that show I was like, I just think the responsible thing. Even though I might get some travelers is to just, can cancel those trips right now, reschedule them, put them the next spring. And so like I was agonizing and doing that. And then of course, you know, we know what happened after.
But in that moment, that choice felt like failure and that choice felt so difficult. And then afterward I was like the universe, so had my back because I would've lost all that money. I, if I would've had those women and children in Guatemala when the borders were closing. It would've been so challenging or it would've been closed.
And yeah, so all of those things, and the same with Peru. Like I know people that ended up getting stuck in Peru for like a year, waiting for paperwork and things like that. And so. Yes, I, I'm so grateful that the universe was like, I don't think you're ready to handle this in your business yet. So the hard thing you have to do is the less hard thing that you would have to do.
So that was one example. Like in hindsight, I can kind of see the gift and then like in a more positive way. When I started my career 20 years ago, I had finished school. I had just finished a sociology degree. I was super curious about how people like would see the world and engage in the world. And I had worked in tourism.
But like I was trying to put all my parts and pieces together and I was working at a portrait studio taking pictures of, um, you know, families for Christmas cards. This was my part-time job in college. And this woman came in and I was telling her I just graduating and like a couple months, this is the things I was interested in.
And I'm like, they're kind of weird things, but I'm really interested in like education and travel and conservation and like how travel can be something different. And she's like, oh, my boss runs this organization all about education and conservation and travel and we're looking for an intern for a conference we're putting together like in two months
and it's down the road from where my parents live.
And I'm like, whoa, that's crazy. And then she knew a master's program and had connections and then there's this thing and this thing. And so like in that moment I just like. I took off on this wave of signs, right? Like I knew something was there, I could feel it, but I didn't know what it was. But I just was like, okay, just say yes to this thing and now this is a little more clear.
Say yes to this thing, and this is a little more clear. But like, never did I see the end, nor do I still, I have no idea. Like I'm actually in one of those moments where I, again, I'm like, Ooh, I think I'm really close to this next thing that I can't see or understand yet. And I'm impatiently waiting for the wave to come, but I'm trusting that it's there.
So that was my two examples of, of kind of what you were saying, like, oh, it's really hard. And yet it happens over and over again.
Purvi: Yes, and, and it's, and it's funny 'cause quite often I have this conversation, I'm like. I know when I trust it works, and yet I still keep questioning it. It's, it's, it's just a bizarre place to be. But those are beautiful examples, Christine. And, uh, yeah, I, I think for me, I, I, on, on my side is, um, just the fact that my path led me back to Kenya.
'cause when I went to study, I was in the uk. I lived there. Uh, I was there for 14 years. Didn't ever think that I'd come back. But I guess there were other plans for me. And again, it was just about trusting and just letting go and, you know, going with the flow on it. So, um, yeah, so I, it's the pieces of the puzzle, all the little jigsaws you see coming together later.
Christine: Yeah. And when it, when you dump it out of the box onto the table, you're like, Nope, it's never gonna happen. Um, one of the things you and I talked about, and you just kind of mentioned it, and again, this is kind of this human side of entrepreneurship, because I think this is a huge element to what I'm gonna call mindful leadership, is actually acknowledging that we're humans first in business, and also recognizing that our employees and all of the people we work with and our partners are human first in our businesses.
Because I think that shifts everything. But you were talking about, you know, in trust, there's also the doubt or the worry, right? That's on the other side of that. And this. Cycle. Again, this is maybe similar to the wave, but how, how have you walked yourself through that when you like, you know it's gonna happen every single time, and yet you, you go through the same loop, like there's no bypass to the loop.
And then, um, the other part of that I guess is maybe like, what have you learned about yourself witnessing these patterns and behaviors that you have in your business and like how you navigate it?
Purvi: So I think the, one of the things and, and I, and I, and I'll come back to the thing that you talked about people, 'cause I think that's just so important, you know? Um, but what the biggest thing for me now is being more intentional and also. Always reminding myself that, look, Purvi, it worked out in the past.
You know, at that time you were questioning it. And at that time, and, and I also look, and I'm starting to see patterns every year, just like, you know, if I'm, if I'm to take something small, like how we get our inquiries, the bookings coming in, um, you know, we, I'm seeing patterns like they, there's that point where I start to get worried and then I'm reminding myself that actually last year at this time, I was worried too.
And then things worked out, and then these, the, these, uh, you know, these guest inquiries came in. These bookings came in, you know, so it's, it's a constant thing about reminding myself, uh, uh, that things did work out in the past. So I think as much as the loop is there, I'm learning to intentionally. Bypass some of it so I'm not going through the same full cycle again.
It doesn't take away all the doubt though. 'cause you're all, there's always a little bit of an element, but I think it's a bit less. And, uh, and yeah, and I think from what you've said, it's, it's slowly, it's it, and it's a constant learning process. It's still teaching me to trust, to trust the intuition, to trust the gut, to lean more into that.
Um, and you know, also to, to know that, look, if, if, if when I'm doing something it's not feeling right and sometimes it might not be that it's not right, it might be that it's just not right at that time that I'm doing it, then you know what, come back to it another day or look at it at another point. And, um.
And then you might see it from a different perspective or even something simple like sometimes Christine just working on, on, uh, creating a guest itinerary. You know, I might start out and then I might just take a break from it for a, for, for 12 hours because it's just not flowing. And then I'll just leave it and then come back to it because I know that actually the time at that point just wasn't right and then re-look at it and then, you know, then things will, uh, come up and be more easy.
So, so yes. I think the biggest lesson for me is learning and reminding myself to trust the intuition and that if challenges do come along the way, if you know that we are, I'm also meant to learn something from them. I think it's a very, and. I know you, I know you are, you are you. I mean, you buy into this, this is what you do.
But it's a very different way of doing business, but I think it's also a more fulfilling way of doing business.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you. And I'm gonna, um, take you back and jog your memory about, um, why the human side of entrepreneurship and humans in your business and, and realizing that's who you're working with. 'cause I wanna hear what you had to say.
Purvi: Yeah, no, I'll, and and it comes back to what I also said initially. You know, one of the things that people are like, yeah, we came for the wildlife, but we've fallen in love with the people, you know, and also it's, Africa is one of those places where you come and you know, you feel. You, there's, there's something that changes in you.
I, it's like the, the, the feeling that you had sitting in front of the mountains. You know, there is some shifts that happen here, but a lot of those shifts come because of the people who are around you. I mean, we, like, we work with a great team of guides. We have like a lot of, I mean, in all our, uh, lodges camps, you know, the staff is all local.
In fact, in some, in a lot of the areas, the staff is from the local areas. And when, even when we go and visit, even when we hear the stories or the feedback from our guests, a lot of it is about the people you know. When they talk to us, it, they'll say, oh, yes, we saw this, this, this, but then they'll be like, but the guide and the way he approached things and the way he, you know, explained it to us and all of this, you know, you, it's, you start without the people, without, and without those strong connections and those, those human connections, I think travel, I, I don't know how travel would be because it is about those connections.
It is about learning. Like, I mean, one of the big things we get as well is, especially with. I know mental health is a big issue everywhere. Uh, but like how people will come and they'll be like, but these people have so little and are so happy when, when we say little, little, according to a westernized mindset of seeing things.
And they're like, and yet we have everything and yet we're not happy. So getting that human, and I think that also comes from that human connection and, uh, just, yeah, I cannot imagine our business without the wonderful guides that we have, without the wonderful partnerships that we have. You know, the, like the staff, the, the teams that are there at our partners, the accommodations, things like that.
It's, um. It really, it transforms the travel experience. It, it makes, it, it, it, it takes it, I don't know, 10 notches, I don't know how many levels up. It, it leaves You changed, I think
Christine: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. And I think it's interesting 'cause when we put a travel catalog together, we're not just putting pictures of the people you're gonna meet. Right. It's like all these beautiful things we're gonna see because that's how we. How we think about travel and why we think about travel. And just this picture of this guide isn't maybe gonna convey as much just with the picture, but the imprint at the end of the journey will be that connection.
And I just think about some of these humans that I have met around the world and spent time with, and I, I just honestly can't believe what they've shared with me. And, you know, their stories about their culture and their upbringing, but their struggles and, and their humor and their love. And it's like them just putting their arm around you and, and taking you through their home.
And it, it's so hard to explain, kind of like you said, but yet it's, that's it, that's the only thing that at the end of the day is going to matter. And so. As a traveler, if you find someone who can put you with someone who also shares as a guide, that authentically of themselves, like you will have the best experience.
Because not every guide is gonna be that person, unfortunately. And because it's a level of vulnerability that not everyone is gonna access on a daily basis in guiding. But in these kind of more intimate boutique travel experiences being curated by someone like you who's attracting because of the energy you're putting out, the people that want to tell the story the way you want to tell them.
Like that's where all of this starts to come together. And yeah, I again, like I want every person I know to have that moment on the mountain. And I also want them to have that moment with this guide who I know is just like a shepherd of this story of. Place and, uh, they're masters at it and they never get enough credit for what they they do in this travel experience.
So, um, okay. There's now 5 million things that I still have left to talk to you about, and we have not 5 million hours. Um, because we just mentioned Lila. So we're gonna, I'm gonna kind of come back to something else she has shared about consciously curating your digital presence and, and what you share and how you share it.
Because she's someone who, her boundaries are some of the most beautiful things I've seen and I've learned a lot by watching the boundaries she creates. Um, you mentioned with. You know, within your own business you have canceled your personal Facebook and Instagram. Um, she's done the same thing I notice on LinkedIn.
She never has comments on, even though like she shares something and I desperately wanna comment, it's not there because she just did it to put it into the universe and she doesn't need anything else. And I'm like, wow, that's so cool and beautiful. Um, and conversely, you always comment, this is part of how our connection has deepened because you do that as a way of acknowledging and appreciating what people are creating.
So I wanna talk a little bit about this with you. Like how, how are you kind of crafting your digital presence and using that to intentionally create community and attract. Your clientele. That's where I'd like to play.
Purvi: So, um, yeah, so as you know, like apart from LinkedIn, Christine, I don't have, uh, I'm not on any other social media. I've deleted completely my Facebook and Instagram accounts and I'm going to soon be deleting my ex and TikTok accounts. I don't even have them on my phone. I've logged out, but, um, I just haven't gotten around to deleting them purely.
'cause I probably don't even remember the passwords. But it's interesting for me with LinkedIn, I've just found the platform to be very different from the other social media platforms in that people actually read what other people are saying. I find that a lot of things of value are put and I'm, and I think the reason I'm starting to comment more and also put, maybe put a few more posts than I would on other, um.
Other social media when I was on it is that I'm finding that I'm, it's, it's a place where I'm able to build a community. It's, you know, like you, I'm finding that there are people who are like-minded. So I think my reason, so the reasons for me for commenting one is yes. So people know that, you know, it's difficult to know is my post being read?
Has anyone seen it? Yes. You see some of these likes and stuff and you know, you get this thing on LinkedIn saying it's had 200 impressions, but I don't know what that means. Um, but just knowing that someone that I wrote this and someone actually took the time to read it and comment on it, or, or even just put a thumbs up or a love heart to say, yes, actually this, this sounds good.
I just feel that. It just builds a small amount of connection. 'cause I, I have never been very comfortable with putting myself out there and I don't know, um, I mean, I, I know we are both, um, members of women travel leaders and I know that's where we kind of had our first conversation. And I remember on that we were all saying that things that we were going to do.
And one of the things was actually I wanna try and put myself out there more because it's not a very comfortable place for me. It is a bit of an uncomfortable situation, but, um, I've also done it intentionally that I'm going to put myself out there and. Just accept whatever response comes. If there's no response, it's fine.
If there's a great response, fine. If someone doesn't like it, fine. But I think before I, you, I was putting, putting up posts, not about myself, but to see, okay, how many likes do you get? How many comments do you get? Whereas for me now, I don't think that's important, but I do feel, especially when other people are writing, and I also go through phases.
'cause there's days I, I, I just don't want to be on LinkedIn or anything. But when I, so, you know, then I'll be like, actually, I, I, I, I, I don't want to comment, but at least I'll put a like, or a, or a, um, you know, on that so that the person knows that actually my post is being seen. If nothing else.
Christine: Yeah, thank you. Um, and I had forgotten the, the statement of you saying that you weren't comfortable putting yourself out there. And I immediately swooped in. I was like, you shall and you shall be on my podcast.
Purvi: yes, yes.
Christine: putting you out there. Um, so I am grateful to you for trusting me to, uh, hold you accountable and to give you a space, um, for that.
'cause this has been a blessing for me in doing that together. So just to acknowledge that. Um, and, uh, I deeply appreciate the, the comments and it is interesting how we can kind of use those spaces to kind of grow ourselves as well if we're doing it intentionally again. Right. And, um, I have really the last couple months.
Been putting content out there, trying some new language, um, putting a lot of these beliefs about mindful leadership and business and like trying to make them take shape and see what they look like together. Like this is that place that's like this playground and Play-Doh and I'm like, maybe this is getting me closer to that thing I can't touch yet.
Um, but it's fun to do it there where I do get a little interaction instead of as an entrepreneur, I'm often like using that Play-Doh all by myself over here
Purvi: Yep.
Christine: and I get no feedback. And that place there is.
Purvi: No, I, I agree. And I, I, I, I must say, Christine, I love your post. I, I do read them and, um, yeah, it, they, they always make me think. And I'm like, okay. And even more so in the last, uh, like last few weeks, I'm like, okay. Like, am I mindful about what is my intention? So I love them 'cause they are prompts, they keep prompting me that, okay, I just need to rethink about this.
Is this the way we want to go or not? And you know, and it is, and, and they are powerful posts. And sometimes the decisions you make intentionally, as you've said about some of the things at the time are difficult. But then in the long run you understand why that decision was the correct decision to to, to make.
So, so, yes. No, thank you for, thank you for posting. I, I, I will say that because it's, it's, it's been personally for me, I think it's, it, they've been absolutely great and they're just like, they keep, and I love that you put them out as often as you do. 'cause it keeps jogging my mind and I love that it's just that message out there all the time.
So now it's like, I think it's getting, uh, really set in my subconscious.
Christine: Yeah. Uh, that's great. And also a motivator for me to check and see where my scheduled posts are at because that now I don't wanna leave you hanging.
Purvi: Okay. Sorry. No pressure. No pressure.
Christine: Um, well I don't wanna end our call without talking a little bit more about the, the impact work that you are doing. 'cause that is what really inspires me and this adventure with a cause. So I wanna go back to that and talk about some of the projects that you have been working on. Um, one I know you recently just shared about on LinkedIn, and at this point this is like my 9000000th conversation giving praise to LinkedIn.
So I'm waiting for the universe to pick up on that and create some sort of, I don't know, partnership. But, um, anyway, on LinkedIn you shared about the Mara Elephant project. Um, that is one that. I really wanna talk about, and then on your website I had seen the, um, work you do in menstrual equity and empowering girls and that is something that's close to my heart.
So if we can maybe talk a little bit about both of those, um, and then we can also point listeners to where they can learn more about the work you're doing. 'cause I think it's such a great example of how we can com, we can combine our impact with our businesses.
Purvi: Yes. No, definitely. And I think before I even talk about that, I just wanna say that for us, and we, and I even say this to guests, Christine, that you as a guest having a great experience is up there. It's like one of our top goals, but equally is this impact that we are creating, you know, uh, both of them are as equally important.
It's not that, oh, we just focus on the guests and, and we are quite hands-on with what we do. So with Mara Elephant project, it was, I mean, again, I'll tell you it universe, I, I, I, I keep using that word, but we, um, you know, we. We ended up, uh, speaking to their director and uh, we were actually supporting, uh, like part funding, uh, girl who was doing a master's in conservation educate, not conservation education in conservation studies.
And they came back to us and they said, look for the next batch. We already do have funding, but we have this conservation education project that we want to get off the ground and. Our interest has always been in education because we think, we always believe that by educating the current generation, you know, change can happen.
You know, it's important. Education is one of the most important things. So when they came to us with this program, and it started out as a pilot in four schools, um, and now they've expanded it to over 12 schools and also around the communities. For us, it was like a no-brainer. You know? We're like, yes, we're going to support this.
And I think, and I'll be very honest, when we went in, I don't think we realized the amount of impact that it would have, you know? But we, we, we, we, like a few months ago, we were on the ground at these schools, seeing what they were doing, what they'd learned, and. They, they're working with the wildlife clubs in each of the schools, and it's really interesting that the messages, you know, are going across because these are, these are schools, um, Christine, that are in human wildlife conflict areas.
So these are the kids who have to live with the elephants, walking through their sh uh, their gardens, which we call, or their farms, which we call chambas, you know, destroying their crops, walking through the school. I mean, in fact, when we went to see, visit one of the schools earlier this year, they were just telling us that morning there'd been some elephants that walked through the school.
You know, so the, these are the people who are really, so it's like, and if they don't see the, then, if, if there's no benefit to them from the conservation or from tourism, you know, what? I, I don't, I don't blame them if they see these animals as a nuisance rather than anything useful. So trying to change those perceptions and doing that from this age is so important.
And the reason I love the way the Mara Elephant project does it is, you know, they have different arms. ESP and research is a big arm of theirs. So what they've done is they've taken the schools where some of the rangers that they have also have their kids. So there's also that, that connection that, you know, my father's ranger, so they know what they're doing in protecting the elephants, protecting the humans as well.
And, um, and the impact is crazy. I mean, you, the, they've, they've planted I think over 200, 300 trees. We've started kitchen gardens in two, three schools and, you know, conservation education, they've had career days where people. I have now realized that they have more options than they had before because career guidance is not always great in these areas.
So this is like broadening their perspective and their mind in what else they can do. And, um, uh, this year we also, with some of the schools had a, a menstrual hygiene menstrual education day, and we distributed reusable, uh, washable, um, uh, uh, sanitary towels, which, which, uh, unfortunately, you know, period poverty is a problem and because.
Of that, like especially the schools we work with in Northern Kenya and in other regions, through other organizations. This is something that we have started. It's something that we are monitoring, but sometimes it is a little bit of hit or miss because sometimes with the re washable ones, 'cause we are also thinking about the environment.
We can only do it in places that have water. In some places, one or two places we've gone to, it hasn't worked because they've had times when there's been no water. But I think, I know time is also running out, but I think, um, you know, where it's important 'cause it helps give these girls dignity, you know, it stops them from missing school.
And we do it in our little way. I always say it's a little way, but sometimes when I'm now seeing the impact coming back, I'm like, okay, actually it wasn't as little as I thought it was. Sorry, I could talk about this for a longer time.
Christine: Yeah. No, I, I, I appreciate it and I feel like this actually maybe I need to have a, a larger discussion and invite. Um, women who have been a, a part of this in their own way that have been on the podcast to see the collective impact, because like you said, it is sometimes as individual like warriors, we don't see the work we're doing.
Um, but I, I just had an interview with, um, Jaylon Rowe who has the Fury project and she, that is her work is working in period poverty to end period poverty. And um, many seasons ago I had, uh, Celeste Morgans on, um, who also has Days for Girls, which is a, a huge organization, um, working to end period poverty.
Purvi: So the, the, the sanitary towels that we, we distribute are days for girls. So there's a children's home in Masai Mara who makes them the money they make goes to some of the ladies and some of it goes to the children's home where abandoned girls are taken in, and we then buy the sanitary towels from then.
So it's a complete cycle. So yes, I, and, and their products are of the highest quality. So, because one of the biggest things for me was I wasn't going to give out anything that I wouldn't use myself, which was very important to me. So, and, um, I was very impressed. I'm very impressed with the Days for Girls program.
So it's, I love these full circle things.
Christine: Yeah, I do too. And I'm, I will connect you with Jaylon as well, because sustainability is kind of her differentiator and she's really looking at, um, compostable products and, and when you don't have access to water, what's your solution? And, um, so yeah. Um, I also could go on about this subject, but it's so important.
So I, I love when it finds its way into these conversations. Um, for those of you listening, I definitely just encourage you to, um, visit the website. I'll have the link in the show notes so that you can learn a little bit more about what the work you're doing at Camper Travel Diaries to really, like you said, it, it, and we, we started here at the beginning of the conversation like it's.
On par. Like, it, it is the work, it's not a side project, it's not a part of the travel experience, like it is the work. And, um, yeah, I, I just am so grateful to have spent a little more time learning about your vision and, and how, how this comes together.
Purvi: Thank you. Thanks for Christine for giving me this opportunity. I am grateful. I truly, truly am.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you. Well, before we end our call, I have a few rapid fire questions, which I'm sure you're familiar with since you, I know you listen. Um, but the first question is, what are you reading right now?
Purvi: So I, at the moment, not much, but I'll tell you the book that's been on my bedside, uh, table for a long time and I keep dipping into it. It's called Ivory Apes and Peacocks, and it's by a gentleman who's now passed away called Alan Root, and he pioneered a lot of the wildlife, uh, filming in East Africa and in Africa.
I mean, he was the person who introduced hot air balloon safaris in the Masai Mara and his stories, I mean, are just unbelievable, but absolutely amazing. And I always, I know a lot of people who come to Africa, they're told, you know what? You should read out of Africa, but I think you should read ivory apes and peacocks.
Christine: Hmm. Thank you. Um, what is always in your suitcase or backpack when you travel?
Purvi: I think, uh.
Christine: I.
Purvi: I guess my phone chargers. Um, and now, uh, a water bottle. Um, I, I add probably food. I'm Indian, so there's probably some food in there. Yeah,
Christine: you'll be the right person to be traveling then, um, to sojourn, to me means to travel with somewhere with the respect as if you live there. Uh, where is someplace you would still love to? Sojo? I,
Purvi: I think for me, I, the one place, and I've been there, but I'd love to go back is Peru. I think, uh, generally South America is that continent where I would love to go and sojourn everywhere, but especially Peru is, would be my answer to that.
Christine: Hmm. Yeah. Uh, I feel like Kenya and Peru ironically have very similar energy, so that's
Purvi: Oh wow.
Christine: Um, what is something that you eat that immediately connects you to a place you've been? I,
Purvi: Something I eat. I don't know. It's, it's an interesting one. I think each place is so unique for what they do. Um, I don't think I have an answer for that, uh, but yeah.
Christine: okay. Um, who, who was a person who inspired or encouraged you to set out to travel the world?
Purvi: I think that would be my mom and dad, both my parents. I think they, they did a lot of traveling in their younger days. Um, and even when we were growing up, as much as maybe we didn't do international travel, we did a lot of road trips around the country. And I think that just always, uh, grew my love for travel.
Christine: Yeah, if you could share an adventure with one person, fictional or real, alive or past, who would it be?
Purvi: That would be for me, be my paternal grandfather, I think. Um. I never got to meet either of my grandfathers and especially my paternal grandfather. I've heard some of his stories and adventures, and I think he'd be one person who I'd I've loved to go on a trip with. I.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you for sharing. Uh, the last question. Um, soul of Travel is a space for celebrating women in the tourism industry, who is a woman you admire and would love to recognize in this space.
Purvi: So for me, um, a couple of women, both Kenyan for one, I will say Abigail Ette, she's the lady who really spearheads our conservation education program in the Mara. And just amazing with what she has worked with, what she's achieved. Um, her story is just incredible. Uh, I mean, she's gone and studied horticulture and um, yeah, just.
She's, she's very inspiring. And we have another, there's another lady who I truly, truly admire. Her name is Nicole, and she's, uh, she's now actually a cluster manager of a group of camps called Uni in Samburu, which is in northern Kenya. And she's from the local Samburu community. And I think she's just one of those people, like, I mean, she started out as, uh, you know, doing the housekeeping at one of their lodges called Siri Samburu.
And just her path and her way that she grew and became the camp manager and now a cluster manager. The, it's just, it's just very inspirational. These are people who've like just gone and beaten all the odds to do absolutely amazing things.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you so much for, um, recognizing them. I really appreciate that and giving them the space here. And also, um, I'm just so grateful. For the conversation. I'm also so grateful to the universe for giving us enough wifi connection to make this happen, um, because I really, really enjoyed our time together today.
Purvi: Me too, Christine. This was lovely. I, I, this is the first podcast I've ever done. I wasn't sure, you know, but I think it's just so easy to talk to you and it's such a, always a beautiful conversation. So this, this was just easy and fun.
Christine: Thank you. Thank you so much.
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