Veterinary Medicine with the Kenya Wildlife Service

  Kenya

Nakuru

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: This is an opportunity for participants to gain field experience with the Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Services Department. The department's activities are divided into three sections: field services and research, diagnostics and laboratory services, and animal capture section. The main goal of the veterinary services department is to sustain healthy, stable, and viable breeding animal populations in Kenya. The department has played a key role in the conservation of some of Kenya's most endangered wildlife including Black Rhinos, Grevy's Zebras, and Cheetahs by establishing breeding groups within national parks and sanctuaries. Depending on the skills, interests, and experience of the intern as well as the needs of KWS, interns may assist with a variety of activities including veterinary clinical interventions, translocation, disease monitoring, research, captive animal management, animal rescue, and policy development.

Highlights: Kenya is an incredible country to experience. The country boasts some of the most incredible natural wonders in the world as well as a warm culture with a rich heritage. Participants stay with host families and are welcomed into the community and work with local organizations. Many of the programs are based in and around the city of Nakuru, a perfect base for a stay in Kenya. It is the fourth largest city in Kenya, located two and a half hours by bus northwest of Nairobi. The highlights of this rich farming area include the Menengai Crater, an extinct volcano from which you get stunning views of the famous Lake Nakuru as well as archeological sites of settlements that go back as much as 3000 years. But the greatest attraction here is Lake Nakuru National Park, second most visited park in Kenya and renowned for its astounding shallow soda lake, euphorbia and acacia forests, rocky cliffs and the huge variety of wild animals: lions, warthogs, buffaloes, gazelles, leopards, baboons, rhinos, hippos and dozens of species of birds. Working directly with the Kenya Wildlife Service in a national park each day is an unforgettable opportunity. The city of Nakuru is home to lively bars, restaurants, and cafes volunteers and interns can explore in their spare time.   

Qualifications: This program is open to participants with veterinary experience or students in the fields of veterinary science, applied biology, or animal health sciences.

Cost in US$: $935 for two weeks

Airport Pickup: Volunteers are met at the airport in Nairobi and provided with transportation to their host family.

In-country Orientation: Each volunteer program starts with a two to three day orientation which covers important topics on the logistics of living and working in Kenya, a historical overview and introduction to culture, survival Swahili lessons, a morning safari in Lake Nakuru National Park, and visits to sites in Nairobi such as the US embassy which was bombed in 1998 and the elephant orphanage.

In-country Staff Support: ELI's Kenya coordinator has years of experience working with visitors to Kenya. She is very resourceful and on call 24/7 in case of emergency.

Accommodations: Volunteers will stay with a local host family where they will be provided with a room and breakfast and dinner each day. By living with a family, volunteers will learn about the day to day rhythms of Kenyan life first hand as well as sample traditional meals not usually available in restaurants.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There is no typical ELI volunteer. We work with people from all over the world and a variety of backgrounds. ELI has placed volunteers ranging in age from 18-81. Successful volunteers are flexible, upbeat, energetic, and inquisitive.

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

ELI-Experiential Learning International's Mission Statement: ELI, a registered non-profit organization, partners with organizations from around the world that make a difference in their communities. We work closely with these groups to ensure ELI volunteers get meaningful experiences at reasonable prices.

Year Founded: 2001