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Maasai Mara Big Cat & Elephant Volunteering in Kenya

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5.0 / 5Overall Rating
1Review
2008Year established

Program Overview

Maasai Mara measures 1,510 km2 in terms of land area. Such vastness requires assistance when it comes to running conservation initiatives. Thus, local conservationists seek volunteers to help with vital monitoring and research.

Your role in this wildlife research and conservation project involves conducting game counts, monitoring big cat populations, and collecting accurate data in the Pardamat Conservation area. Join daily game drives to track elephant sightings as well as identify and monitor wild dogs, cheetahs, and lions.

The project welcomes both qualified and non-qualified volunteers. Any experience or qualifications in education, conservation work, environmental science, or another related field ensures a higher level of involvement. Otherwise, you can work across all areas and undergo training for any compulsory duties. Flexibility, a positive attitude, and the willingness to work as part of a team are important.

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Program Highlights

Volunteer in a newly established conservancy and biodiversity hotspot in the Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem.
Contribute to research activities, including data collection and population movement, which are integral in securing the future of wild animals in Maasai Mara.
Witness spectacular African wildlife while assisting with key conservation and conservancy management initiatives.
Help with practical conservation work, such as collecting litter and removing invasive plant species.
Stay in the heart of the Kenyan bush, with safari-style tents as your accommodation and the sound of roaming wildlife as your early morning call.

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Maasai Mara, Kenya

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • 2026

Eligible Nationalities

  • American
  • Australian
  • Austrian
  • Belgian
  • British
  • Canadian
  • Cypriot
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hawaiian
  • Hungarian
  • Icelandic
  • Irish
  • Italian
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuanian
  • Maltese
  • Manx
  • Polish
  • Scottish
  • Slovak
  • Slovenian
  • Spanish
  • Swedish
  • Swiss
  • The Vatican
  • Welsh
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Other

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Resume

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • Alternative Spring Break
  • Summer
  • Winter

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Kaya Responsible Travel

5.0
1 review

Rating breakdown

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Top categories

Volunteer Placement
5.0
Program Administration
5.0
Living Situation
4.0
Community Engagement
4.0
Health & Safety
0.0
Day to Day Life
0.0

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1 of 1 review

Jasmin DreierNovember 2012

That it is the best thing that you can experience!

I was worried that I would not be able to find the person who was supposed to pick me up from the airport. In the end it was all easy! There was a small trouble in Mozambique but it was easily solved. The highlight of Kenya were the animals and to get know the Masai. I also made a lot of new friends there. In Zambia it was to hold a chimpanzee and in Mozambique to see a 3 metre long shark and mantas. I wanted to be in a big family and to get know the people so that they would accept me as a friend and not just a paying tourist. This feeling was the most important for me. I really want to do more projects, travel more and help were I can. I care a lot about the way animals are treated. It made me more confident about m self, I grew a lot there. That it is the best thing that you can experience! You will meet a lot of people, get to know different cultures, be free, learn a language really easily, make friends and most importantly, grow in yourself. Kenya was just great! Volunteer Experience: Kenya: Every volunteer was really important for the project and their manager. They gave you a good feeling and you really felt, that you are changing something. You had responsibilities. And so you felt important. At the end I had amazing experiences and had tears to say goodbye. Zambia: There was not too much work here. You walked up the cages, cleaned them, feed the chimpanzees and that’s it. The work at the end is ok, but there were lots of workers! Mozambique: There was a little work here but we were out of luck because we didn’t see very many mantas or whale sharks. Living Situation: Kenya: It was easy because you had everything which you needed. The accommodation was good, clean, you had hot water sometimes, and that was a real luxury. The first day when I arrived I felt at home. It was perfect accommodation. The food was great, we had always enough to eat, although we were 5 hours away from the next bigger city…so it was amazing. I would recommend this accommodation to everyone. It’s really great. Zambia: The accommodation was ok. You stayed with some other volunteers in a bungalow although the beds were not as comfortable and the internet signal was very sporadic which made it hard to stay in contact with family and friends. The food portions were also small so I would have liked them a little bigger. Mozambique: We lived in a beach-house which was amazing. There were around 9 people in one dorm, so it was really warm. The living room was big and nice. The kitchen was ok too. Program Administration: I had a really good preparation with Kaya. They helped me a lot. I booked my trip quite shortly, but Kaya helped me everywhere. It was really nice to have Kaya, which could help me about quite everything. A really good thing is the documents about every project which they sent me per mail. They knew the most important things, which was so helpful.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Kaya Responsible Travel.

Is it safe to volunteer in Kenya?

Kaya has helped thousands of volunteers contribute to the great conservation efforts carried out by initiatives across Africa. This project in Kenya has project leaders with years of experience working with animals and navigating through game reserves. Alongside Kaya’s 24/7 participant support, you are in the best hands possible! If you have any more questions on general safety, please consult Kaya’s safety blog.

How should I prepare for this trip?

You should be mindful of the current weather conditions in Kenya and pack accordingly, including sun protection, insect repellant, and any prescription medicine. Training will be provided across all areas of the project, as well as on-site orientation, so there is no need to worry about being thrown into the deep end!

What's the role of the conservation volunteer?

Roles will vary depending on the volunteer's experience; however, in general terms, you will contribute to conservation work in the Maasai Mara! You can expect to conduct game counts, monitor movements, and observe the behavior of the game reserve animals.

What animals are in the Maasai Mara?

Wildlife is abundant in the Maasai Mara, including the Big Five! On this volunteering project, you will be able to get up close and personal with lions, leopards, elephants, and other animals like gazelles, wildebeest, and giraffes.

Do I need experience in working with animals for this project?

This project is open to both participants with AND without qualifications. If you have experience in conservation work or a degree in wildlife or environmental sciences, you will have a higher level of involvement in different areas of the project.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad Finalist 2022
Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad 2021 Finalist
Top Rated Online Program Notable Mentions
Innovative New Program Volunteer Abroad 2020 Finalist
Top Eco-Traveling Enthusiast of 2017 - Sustainable Voluntourism
British Youth Travel Awards 2018 Finalist

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