Join a multi-focused expedition to assit wildlife and education projects
Program Overview
Live and work with a team of volunteers from around the world in the beautiful Shimoni Archipelago and experience the areas amazing coral reefs, white sandy beaches, coastal forests and friendly local communities. The expedition is multi-focused which is ideal for those looking for experience in marine research, primate research and community development.
The marine work involves researching dolphins in and around the Kisite-Mpunguti marine protected area where you may occasionally spot visiting humpback whales and snorkel with turtles. You will also spend time assisting with primate research in the coastal forests, home to a rare population of Black and White Angolan Colobus monkeys. The community work involves teaching English and helping the local community with sustainable tourism initiatives.
You may also have the opportunity to journey in-land to the heart of East Africa’s savannas, working alongside rural communities to develop livelihood alternatives to wildlife poaching and so protect Kenya’s big game.
Scholarships
We are always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to join our team. This expedition offers qualifying and high-performing volunteers the chance to stay on the expedition for a longer duration on a GVI Scholarship free of charge and as part of the staff team in the field. If you would like to work towards a field career and make the very most of your time abroad, you might want to work towards a place on a GVI Scholarship. Successful scholars may find themselves offered full time employment with GVI, and many of our current staff have come through this route. Contact us for more information!
Please note, the awarding of scholarships is at the sole discretion of GVI and may be offered immediately after the completion of your program or at a later date.
Life on the Program
During your time on the expedition you will rotate around the different projects according to the schedule.
No previous experience is required as you will receive detailed comprehensive training on: oceanography, marine mammal identification and behaviour, turtle biology and identification, terrestrial environments, threats and conservation, primate survey techniques, biodiversity and human impact surveys, English language teaching techniques and certification, and an internationally-recognised first aid course.
The expedition’s main base is located on Wasini Island and there is another base in Shimoni Village where the primate work takes place. You may also spend a week camping and working on the edge of Tsavo National Park to work with former wildlife poaching community groups. Accommodation is basic, so expect limited electricity and bucket showers.
Project Details
GVI is assisting the local communities in the three main areas of marine conservation, terrestrial conservation and community development. Below are examples of the work you will be expected to participate in:
- Collecting population and distribution data on marine mammals
- Assessing human impact on marine mammals
- Assisting partners in developing a ‘code of conduct’
- Aiding wildlife conservation projects around the national parks
- Reducing community conflict with wildlife
- Running environmental education programs and teaching English
- Developing sustainable tourism practices
The expedition’s ultimate aim is the self-financing of conservation through regulated ecotourism and resource use and this can only be done by collaborating with local conservation groups, tourist operators and local villagers.
How this program makes a difference:
The GVI Kenya Expedition is making a difference by supporting our partners, including Kenya Wildlife Service, in three focus areas; dolphin surveys, forest research and community development. Through education, environmental awareness and current wildlife monitoring studies, our collaborative work has been building capacity within the communities, assisting them in developing sustainable tourism practices and protecting marine mammals and primate species within the area.
Volunteer Testimonials
I arrived in Kenya excited and anxious about the 10 weeks ahead of me, and it ended up being the most rewarding 10 weeks of my life. Participating in community development work and conservation...
I arrived in Kenya excited and anxious about the 10 weeks ahead of me, and it ended up being the most rewarding 10 weeks of my life. Participating in community development work and conservation was a great way to see an amazing part of Kenya. I feel like I gained so much from my time with GVI, I went to Kenya looking for something different and found it and I am now looking at jobs in international aid work and working with GVI inspired me to do this.
The communities that I lived with during the expo were so welcoming and by the end of the trip they felt like family. If anyone is looking to travel and immerse themselves in something different I would strongly recommend going with GVI. Teaching in the schools was so rewarding, I got to Kenya thinking I would never be able to stand up in front of a class of 30 kids and teach them English but the GVI staff gave me tools and the knowledge to be able to and by the end it all I wanted to do was get into a class room.
A highlight of the trip was the week we spent at Satellite Camp in Kasasni where we slept on the floor of a hut with no roof, but every morning we would wake up to a view of Mount Kilimanjaro . We were teaching ex-poachers alternative livelihoods and I had never met a bunch people so happy. The week was amazing and stargazing was one in lifetime.
I found GVI through The Africa Guide website after filtering through many options and I'm supremely glad I did. GVI was an experience like no other. It gave me the opportunity to experience a wonderful little village as only a local would and take part in volunteer work with a legitimate and extremely important long term goal. Our interactions with the locals were so educational and inspiring and getting that chance to work out in the elements spotting wildlife and completing forest surveys was challenging and completely wonderful. If you're the kind of person that can weather trivial things like cold showers, long walks and a bit of dirt in order to have an authentic African experience then this is perfect. I'm already looking into the next trip. 10/10; Absolutely the best time!
I just recently returned from Kenya and was very impressed with GVI. All of the programs are very dynamic and seem to be extremely effective. In particular, the program in the Taveta region is spectacular and the people are amazing! I will be making ongoing donations to this program to help the communities, and purchase needed supplies for the products they are making, such as jam pots, sugar, beads, kangas, etc. My hope is that in a couple of years I can come back to this region and see what progress has been made.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Transfer to expedition site
- First Aid & CPR training
- GPS training
- Marine radio and camera trap use
- Dolphin identification
- Tropical forest ecology and identification skills
- Scientific techniques in collection for transect work, incidental observation techniques
- Introduction to TEFL
- Community work workshop
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
