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Maasai Mara Big Cat & Elephant Volunteering in Kenya logo

Maasai Mara Big Cat & Elephant Volunteering in Kenya

by: Kaya Responsible Travel

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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 ...

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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.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Maasai Mara, Kenya
Availability
Year(s) Offered2023, 2024Duration:
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • Alternative Spring Break
Age Requirement:Varies
Types & Subjects:
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife
Guidelines:
  • American
  • Australian
  • Austrian
  • Belgian
  • British
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Awards

Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

10

Total Reviews

1

That it is the best thing that you can experience!

November 20, 2012by: Jasmin DreierProgram: Maasai Mara Big Cat & Elephant Volunteering in Kenya
10

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.

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Maasai Mara, Kenya

Types and Subjects

  • Causes
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife

Availability

Years Offered: 2023, 2024

Duration:
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months

Age Requirement

Age Requirement Varies

Guidelines

  • American
  • Australian
  • Austrian
  • Belgian

Program Cost Includes

  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
  • Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Resume

Frequently Asked Questions

Kaya Responsible Travel

Kaya Responsible Travel

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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 u...

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