It won’t change the world, but will it help create a platform for people supporting people and sharing stories in these isolationist times.
Dr Eliza Smith, a previous UQ veterinary graduate argues the affirmative for “Do our ethical convictions need to go on holiday when we do?” – contributing to ‘The Minefield’ podcast conversation of Waleed Aly, Scott Stephens and Maria Koleth.
Picture yourself and/or your fiscally-able friends or family exploring everything that Malawi – the warm heart of Africa – has to offer. You can do it this year with an award winning tour company, and make a difference to the international work of a University of Queensland born and bred non-government organisation that builds the social security for the country’s poorest in a somewhat surprising way.
The NGO, Kyeema Foundation, empowers communities to be self-sustaining by protecting their income – vaccinating their chickens which represent their currency. The donations you make to the organisation as part of the tour fee will be tax deductable in Australia. The tour company, Crooked Compass, describes their work as uncovering the world’s best kept secrets through small group touring and customised itineraries. Created to inspire, educate and encourage travellers to understand responsible tourism by providing culturally immersive experiences, supporting local communities and projects. Travellers see their destination through the eyes of a local, uncovering the side of a destination they didn’t know existed.
Waleed and Scott play the devil’s advocate and ask if the promise of supporting local economies can truly be realised in new trend ventures like this, or are they just the latest manifestation of the colonial impulse and capitalist agenda?
It depends on the operating partnership. The key to success depends on the triad of the commercial tour company, the locally operating for-purpose community organisation and participating community members all being on the same page. In this case, with the plethora of consumer experiences one can choose to spend money on, why not make it an experience that allows you to see and hear for yourself the riches that different people and places have to offer, with long established, trusted, small organisations that have a vision for connecting and supporting people, rather than dividing and isolating them. The phrase ‘learning exchange’ comes to mind.
We agree with ‘The Minefield’ presenters that whatever one makes of this trend, it does force us to ask the following (and plug why our tour is worthwhile):
What are holidays for?
Surely it is simple – holidays are for rejuvenation. This can be sought through:
1) Physical rest and play. Lounge around and explore Lake Malawi. Tick.
2) New explorations of place and connections with people. Take part in KYEEMA project village visits where you can opt to spend the day with a local. Tick.
3) A changed pace and mental space for reflections, different to the ones that your current everyday life may provide. Explore Liwonde National Park (the quintessential safari part) and Ntchisi Forest Lodge (the last remaining indigenous rainforest in Southern Africa). Tick.
What ethical considerations ought to constrain trips to remote and overseas communities?
Firstly, the accommodation experience for the tourist must not reflect the ever increasing inequality divide. The tourist must be accepting that the accommodation will not be high luxury that aims to provide every experience you could wish for on holiday within its walls. On this tour the accommodations have been carefully chosen to reflect an unmistakable genuine African aesthetic and warmth, whilst at the same time ensuring comfort and security. Opportunities for meeting the actual people must be provided. Both local and tourist must understand the purpose and expectations of such a venture. This must come about first by local community consultation on their needs and wants for participation, coming to agreement on realistic terms of involvement and consent for all activities (including photography if allowed). Finally, an ethos and terms of conduct should be drawn up and presented to all tourists wanting to participate in a particular venture. An acknowledgement and understanding of the privilege that a tourist holds to actually be in the position to spend money on an overseas rejuvenating experience and an agreed upon shared intention for using that privilege for good would be ideal.
More about Malawi: what’s the sell?
Apart from the legendary Malawian friendliness, what captures you first about this vivid country is its geographical diversity. It is widely predicted to be the next big safari destination. Read more here to understand why.
More about KYEEMA work: How can chickens provide social security?
Most people in Australia simply cannot fathom how chickens can be so important to someone’s livelihood. AUD $15-$20 allows a household to buy 2 hens, a rooster and protect their birds from production limiting disease for a whole year. Our model of sustainable disease control encourages people to make an investment in vaccinating each of their chooks at about 10c per bird three times a year through advocacy campaigns and training and supporting locals to make a business in vaccinating birds using locally made vaccine. In our experience, this makes a much greater (and more sustainable) contribution to the local economy and sense of pride than chicken give-ways and free vaccine drives. As their flocks grow, the chicken meat and eggs can be sold for school fees, medical fees, more diverse household diets, reliable household energy and, more often than not, more investment in the health and husbandry of their birds to further improve their business opportunities and quality of life. In this way, we hope our work with Newcastle disease control to be obsolete in endemic areas of Africa – but we have a long way to go yet. We work with women and children, as well as disability or HIV and AIDs affected households because of the place of chickens in these communities (they are traditionally cared for by women and require less resource and time inputs compared with other livestock) and because of the incredible nutritional benefits their eggs and meat can provide to those with little access to nutrient dense or diverse crop foods.
So, no – we ain’t gonna help you change the world by coming on this tour, but we can help you connect with something bigger and create the environment for your rejuvenation and their improved resilience in these hard times. And one thing is for certain, this country and its people will surely make your heart smile.
For more information visit:
Contact 1300 855 790 Lisa Pagotto info@crooked-compass.com
Or Dr Eliza Smith kyeema@kyeemafoundation.org
Looking for more ways to ensure you are supporting ethical travel? Read our Sustainable Tourism Policy.
Stay up to date with the latest travel trends and new destinations opening up. To be the first to go, you need to be the first to know.
Travel professionals are welcome. For partnerships or agent enquiries, we recommend contacting us directly.
This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
Why travellers love our Signature Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
More about out Tour Styles.
Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
More about our Tour Styles.
Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
Why travellers love our Partner Tours:
More about our Tour Styles.
Back to Our Blog
