Kenya - Beach, Bush Conservation & Community

  Kenya

• Mombasa: 
Mombasa

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Jan, April , July and Sept every year.

Description: Your time will be split living in various tented camps: at the coast, in Shimba Hills at an elephant sanctuary and in the bush at Tsavo National Park. In all locations you'll get stuck into a series of sustainable conservation and community projects that make a considerable difference to the lives of local communities and their environments.

The first camp is a few kilometres from Diani Beach on the south coast of Kenya, famous for its shallow, warm, reef protected water and tropical beaches. A variety of restaurants, water sport centers, internet, shopping and other facilities are close by. 10 minutes away is Ukunda town, home to the indigenous Digo people providing local culture and colourful market stalls.

The second is in the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary found in the Shimba Hills with a 360-degree view over the Sanctuary and herds of elephant. It has the densest population of elephants per square mile for anywhere worldwide and we are fortunate enough to have a mobile camp inside. The Sanctuary is community owned and here you will play an instrumental role in developing initiatives aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict. The journey to Mwaluganje is a 45-minute drive from the beach that winds through stunning landscape. You will work alongside the Wildlife Rangers, local communities and of course, the elephants.

The third is at Rusinga Ranch a tented camp, south of Tsavo East National Park, about 4 hours from the coast. It is a permanent bush camp set out like an African village, surrounded by endless views of the African Bush. There is one large mess area as well as a large campfire area where you can relax after a hard day working in the bush helping on the community and conservation projects.

Highlights: Helping Who:
Children in Makongeni school, wildlife of Mwaluganie elephant Sanctuary and Rusinga Ranch; and the Kasigau community.

Helping How:
Phase 1: The Coast

Diani Beach
Teaching children English and Sport at Makongeni School during term time
Help to construct classrooms
Improve fresh water systems and access to clean drinking water.
Tree Planting with primary school kids to teach about forest conservation, assist with landscaping, cultivating native tree species and planting seedlings to making identity plaques.

Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
Assist rangers with elephant conservation and identification and maintain visitor facilities e.g. campsites and improve roads and fences
Plant trees as a natural buffer zone to reduce human wildlife conflict
Lend a hand in the gift shop and produce a range of quality elephant dung paper products that can be sold to increase revenue for the sanctuary!
Plant indigenous tree species in the sanctuary

Phase 2 - The Bush

Rukinga Ranch, Tsavo

Community projects
Improvement of a rural primary school
Construct sports and play facilities
Provide teaching assistance and environmental education
Promoting local micro-enterprise initiatives
Make traditional African crafts, such as beadwork, jewellery and furniture
Live with the Kasigau community getting to know what it's like to survive in a rural community and gain a greater understanding of rural issues.

Conservation projects
Help to manage habitats, excavating waterholes and planting trees
Learn animal survey techniques, collect zoological samples and help to improving educational displays for the conservation centre. Monitor the usage of waterholes by wildlife. Wildlife viewing and recording Elephant identification (up to 10,000 elephants pass through Tsavo!) Brush up your bush skills.

Adventure:
- Head out on safari
- Scuba dive
- Deep sea fishing
- Climb Mount Kenya
- Sail to Zanzibar Island

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: none needed

Cost in US$: USD 1040

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: committed, team players who are prepared to get stuck in and make a difference to communities and their environments.

Age Range: 18 -27 years

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Year Founded: 2002