Immerse yourself in the Maasai culture as you volunteer with members of the tribe, helping in conservation efforts in one of the most unique places in the world. Witness the annual great wildebeest migration – the most spectacular wildlife display on Earth!
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your accommodation for the night in Limuru.
Day 1, Monday: Leave for the Mara early in the morning and then get settled into your new home.
Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: You will be involved in three major tasks during your time in the Maasai Mara: big cat monitoring (collect data that will be used to support conservancy management), wildlife counts (go on game counts and measure the number of species in the area) and other conservation and community work.
Days 6-7, Saturday-Sunday: Your weekends are free and an opportunity for you to make the most of your African experience. Take a safari to enjoy the annual wildebeest migration (mostly July-September), or fly in a hot-air balloon to enjoy the Maasai Mara Reserve from the top.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow a similar schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having Saturday-Sunday free. Treat yourself to a luxury weekend at a neighbouring safari camp, or even take a trip to nearby Tanzania. Departures are on a Monday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Program Highlights:
- Volunteer in the best place in the world to see wild cats
- Help to preserve the Masai Mara ecosystem, the home to the greatest number of wildlife on earth
- Research and monitor lions, leopards and cheetahs in their natural environment
- Live right in the African bush
- Learn new skills from experienced Maasai guides as you collect crucial wildlife data numbers in the field
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your accommodation for the night in Limuru.
Day 1, Monday: Leave for the Mara early in the morning and then get settled into your new home.
Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: You will be involved in three major tasks during your time in the Maasai Mara: big cat monitoring (collect data that will be used to support conservancy management), wildlife counts (go on game counts and measure the number of species in the area) and other conservation and community work.
Days 6-7, Saturday-Sunday: Your weekends are free and an opportunity for you to make the most of your African experience. Take a safari to enjoy the annual wildebeest migration (mostly July-September), or fly in a hot-air balloon to enjoy the Maasai Mara Reserve from the top.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow a similar schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having Saturday-Sunday free. Treat yourself to a luxury weekend at a neighbouring safari camp, or even take a trip to nearby Tanzania. Departures are on a Monday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Location of the Project:
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Project length:
Min 2 weeks - Max 6 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Volunteer Work:
Lion monitoring, conservation efforts, teaching environmentalism
Age:
18 - 80
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 16 international volunteers
Important Note:
Cell phone reception is sometimes patchy, volunteers will need to purchase airtime. A SIM Card will be provided upon arrival.
What's Included
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in tents (beds included inside the tent)
Food:
Three meals daily
Airport Transfers:
Airport transfers are included on both arrival and departure days
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, entry visa (approximately $50 USD), travel health insurance, personal expenses, airtime for cell phone or internet
The Maasai Mara in Kenya is known as one of Africa's finest safari destinations, most famous for its annual wildebeest and zebra migration, which has been called "the greatest wildlife show on earth." This area has one of the highest densities of carnivores in Africa, as well as supporting a range of endangered species. Kenya itself is located on the equator on the eastern coast of Africa, boasting a range of ethnicities and cultural vibrancy. This project is situated in the newly established Naboisho Conservancy, in the heart of the Maasai Mara and just north of the National Reserve. This conservancy area is geographically linked with a number of conservancies as well as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, encouraging wildlife to move over large areas.
You will be involved in three primary initiatives: wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts, environmental education at a local primary school, and developing resources/helping to educate future local tour guides at a guiding school.
Some of your tasks may include:
Volunteer Involvement at the Field school in 2019 (when classes are in session):
Some of your tasks may include:
- Lion research and data collection
- Elephant monitoring and research
- Diverse data collection, particularly during the Great Migration in the summer months (game drive routing, road identification, species recording, and wildlife monitoring)
- Running an environmental club and developing English skills at a local primary school
- Help out at a tour guiding school for local residents to become more involved in the tourism process surrounding Maasai Mara. This may include teaching English, cultural lessons, building/repairing facilities, etc.
Volunteer Involvement at the Field school in 2019 (when classes are in session):
- January 12 - February 20
- March 1 - April 20
- May 3 - June 30
- October 12 - November 15
Internet:
There is no Internet available at the camp or project, but there is a tourist resort within walking distance where WiFi is available with the purchase of a drink.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in rustic, but comfortable tents that include beds and are walking distance from the dining area and toilet facilities.
Food:
You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is served after the early morning drive or activity. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be prepared for you. Packed lunches are provided when out for the day.
Please take note of the project's minimum requirements:
- Minimum age of 18
- Height of at least 1.55 meters tall (5 feet 1 inch)
- Police clearance
- Volunteers MUST travel with proof of a Yellow Fever Vaccination
- Good level of English
- Motivation to learn about conservation
- Motivation to work with children and/or adults
- High level of independence and flexibility
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)
There are many optional travel and excursion options that volunteers will be able to arrange once on site for an additional fee.
These include the following:
These include the following:
- Walking safaris
- Night out in the bush
- Excursion to Maasai Mara Game Reserve
- Balloon safaris
- Dorobo Bush Camp overnight including guided walk
- Lamu getaway
- 2 night stay at Basecamp Maasai Mara overnight including game drives in the National Reserve
- Overnight stay at Basecamp Wilderness
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