Big Cat & Wildlife Research, Masai Mara Kenya

As a volunteer on this project, which borders the famous Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, you will have the unique opportunity to get involved in vital conservation and wildlife research in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

Assist with exciting lion and elephant research, the development of a local wildlife guiding school for sustainable development and a rural primary school - all within sight of the breathtaking wildlife-filled Mara plains.

The highlights

• Big Cat research and monitoring.
• Diverse data collection guided by experienced field staff. This is particularly exciting during the months of July-October during the Great Migration.
• Learn from experienced Masai guides about life in the African bush.
• Work alongside local Masai expert instructors in training and educating students from the surrounding Masai community to be safari guides.
• Assist in efforts to empower the local Masai communities to value their environment through conservation education.
• Be involved in helping and improving the facilities of a Masai school located on the edge of the Masai Mara ecosystem.
• Get a taste of the Kenyan / Maasai culture; learn a bit of Swahili & Maasai (Maa)!
• Make friends for life.
• Live in the heart of the finest safari destinations in the world – watch out for the elephants!

What's included

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, etc. Project fees are also used to buy vehicles/equipment and for developing new housing for volunteers to provide for the expansion of the project.
• Transfers to and from Nairobi International Airport on scheduled dates.
• Stay over in Limuru if necessary and transfer to Mara Naboisho Conservancy.
• Full board and lodging for the duration of your stay.
• Weekly laundry service.
• Orientation programme.
• All project-related transportation and equipment required to carry out your project work.
• 24 hour support and guidance from the project management team.
• Kenyan sim card on arrival at the project, so that you can stay in touch with family and friends. This SIM card is to be returned at the end of your stay (you will need to purchase your own phone credit).

Where will I sleep?

You will be staying in rustic yet comfortable dormitories at Koiyaki Guiding School in the heart of the Kenyan bush. You will be staying in a male / female dormitory with an outside eating / kitchen area. There is no formal plumbing system but toilet seats have been secured over traditional toilet facilities.

Hot water is available at night for showers. KGS provides secure and simple accommodation with everything that you will need. Mosquito nets and towels will be provided at your accommodation.

Cell phone reception is patchy around KGS, although a Safaricom sim card will be available for your use during your stay and is to be returned at the end of your time on project. Airtime needs to be bought and is available from your project coordinators. Should you wish to use the internet, it is recommended that you bring your own laptop and buy a 3G modem at the airport in Nairobi. This gives you better access to internet during your own time.

A cook will be provided to cook for you in the kitchen of KGS. Included are laundry and housekeeping services on a weekly basis. Remember you will be living in the 'wild', so you will need to be accompanied by a guide when going for walks.