Description

Volunteer for up to 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.

Travel Types

• 4th World Studies
• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Eco Tours
• Environmental Studies
• Heritage Tourism
• Homestay
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Overland Tours
• RainForest Tours
• Safari
• Sailing
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Sports
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Volunteering
• Photography
• Vacation Packages

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.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

GBP 1,575 / USD 3,150 / EUR 2,205

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

- Pre-departure support
- Airport pick-up and transfer to base
- Food and accommodation
- National park fees and permits
- All training materials and science equipment
- An 'Introduction to TEFL' (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course
- First aid training course and qualification (Emergency First Response)
- Training necessary for research techniques
- 24-hour in-country support
- A 24-hour emergency phone line in the UK
- A free Careers Abroad fieldwork placement and job vacancy service (successful placements depend upon their aptitude and attitude)
- Discounted access to Smugmug services, which is a secure way of storing your photos while you are travelling.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10 - 16

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 day

Yomps's Mission Statement

We work hard to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime through responsible adventures off the beaten track. You will learn new skills, meet new friends, experience cultural activities that are just not available to tourists and you will have the time of your life.

Year Founded

2006