East Africa Conservation and Community Expedition

  Kenya

• Mombasa: 
Mombasa

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 09 Jan to 13 Feb 2009, 09 Jan to 20 Mar 2010, 13 Feb to 20 Mar 2010, 03 Apr to 08 May 2010, 03 Apr to 12 Jun 2010...

Description: Volunteer for either 5 or 10 weeks in Kenya, East Africa, and contribute towards valuable Marine, Primate and Community-based efforts: collecting data on marine mammals in the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean, walking in lush forests observing the phenomenal Colobus Monkeys and spending time working with local Kenyan communities on development initiatives.

This East Africa Conservation and Community Expedition will take you to live in Kenya and volunteer towards the future sustainability of the country's marine and terrestrial wildlife, and communities. Based in the stunning Shimoni Archipelago, off the coast of the Indian Ocean, volunteers will be part of a team that focus their efforts on the ecological protection of the amazing area. Your home for this Kenyan adventure is located on the Shimoni Peninsula an area surrounded by long stretches of white sand beaches, remote islands and phenomenal coral reefs.

The unique aspect about this Kenya volunteering trip is that participants get the rare opportunity to experience three different aspects of volunteering: Marine Research, Primate Research and Community Development in Kenya's satellite towns. You also get the chance to explore the National Parks and game reserves of wild Kenya, where you will live and work alongside local partners, such as the world famous Kenyan Wildlife Service.

Through working on marine, primate and forest research programmes, and becoming involved in community development projects (which includes teaching sustainable tourism initiatives and the English language); volunteers will experience all aspects of Kenyan life, as you live in a true tropical paradise surrounded by an area rich in biodiversity. After your initial training, volunteers will conduct research on the Angolan Black and White Colobus monkeys in the coastal forest, carry out humpback whale and dolphin research and go snorkelling to observe turtles and collect valuable research data. Volunteers will also work hand-in-hand with local communities in order to develop alternatives to poaching, to protect Africa's Big Game. With community development, cetacean research and terrestrial ecology studies, volunteer efforts are having a real positive impact on the area.

Throughout your time in Kenya, you will be an active member of a team of like-minded individuals. Together, you and your fellow volunteers will develop your knowledge of conservation and marine studies, pick up tracking wildlife skills, and experience Kenya's awesome wildlife, which includes dolphins, whales, primates and the stunning variety of game that lives in Kenya's National Parks. So if you are looking for an amazing way to spend part of a gap year, an awe-inspiring way to spend an ethical holiday or just the chance to volunteer; this Marine, Primate & Community Work volunteering project in Kenya will provide you with the opportunity of a lifetime!

Highlights: An internship is open to all those who volunteer for ten weeks, and at the five week stage you will be given the opportunity to apply. This internship gives you the opportunity to stay on the expedition for a further ten weeks at no cost. If you are successful in your application to become an intern you will, in effect, become an unpaid member of staff, assisting the permanent staff with the day-to-day running of the expedition and training new volunteers.

Qualifications: No previous experience or foreign language skills are required, but volunteers must be able to work as part of a team, have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation, a sense of adventure and be prepared to enjoy Africa in a rustic way. Days are long, dusty and hot, and volunteers can expect to experience all the adventures and rigors of Africa on a continual basis. In addition, all participants will have to complete a swimming test on arrival (an unaided 200m surface swim, followed by a ten-minute float in the open sea environment). Also, volunteers should be adventurous, enthusiastic, and respectful of their host country's environment and culture.

Cost in US$: GBP1,575 / USD3,150 / EUR2,205

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10 - 16

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Year Founded: 2006