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Kenya
Wildlife
Study Conservation Project Issues
Arrival Dates and Combining Projects Kenya wildlife projects take place in cycles. The lion project beginins every 4th of the month, followed by the elephant project begining every 17th of the month; then its back to the lion project on 4th, and the cycle continues. You should plan to arrive a day before the starting date, that is, 3rd of the month for the lion project or 16th for the elephant project. You will need to sign up for more than 2 weeks to be involved in both projects. If you only want to be involved in only one wildlife project, you can combine your wildlife project of choice with other Kenya volunteer and internship projects like teaching, HIV and AIDS, health care, etc. You can also combine your placement with Kenya adventure programs like beach holiday vacations, language and culture,etc. Project Location Rombo Lion and Elephant Projects: At Olowaru a small Kenyan village adjacent to Tsavo West national park within view of Mt Kilimanjaro. Olowaru is about 250km south east of Nairobi. The closest towns are Rombo and Loitokitok. Amboseli Elephant project: This project is located 250 kms from Nairobi, outside the Amboseli National Park on private Maasai community land in Kenya. Arrival and Airport Pickup You will be picked up at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, Nairobi (code NBO) upon arrival on the starting day and transferred to the project the next day. Transfer to the project area will only be the day after schedule arrival. If you arrive early you will have to take care of yourself till the scheduled day of transfer to project. Kenya wildlife projects offer one night accommodation (without food) at 2/3 star hotel, Kenya Comfort Inn, in Nairobi on the arrival night. Other than the first night/ scheduled arrival day, subsequent nights at the hotel and all meals will be on you. Accommodation at the hotel costs about USD 40 (single) and USD 60 (double/twin) Meals at the hotel are in the range of USD 7-15 per meal. Transport From Nairobi From Nairobi, you will be transported by project vehicle, or public bus as determined by the project country coordinator and will be accompanied by a project representative. The trip takes about 9 hours because of bad roads. Orientation
Living conditions Accommodation: International volunteers, interns and wildlife study abroad students sleep in 2-people shared camping tents, and must bring a sleeping bag, mosquito net and pillow. There is no fluch toilets. Meals: The project will provide you with three meals a day and meals are prepared by a full time cook - meals are served in a common dining tent. Foods include eggs, bread, fruits and fruit salad, vegetables, vegetable salad, rice, beef and chicken. Leisure and Weekends Schedule: Monday to Friday. Weekends are off for volunteers, interns and wildlife study abroad students to relax, wash clothes, visit nearby towns. From Olowaru, Rombo and Loitokitok towns (1.5 hours drive) to shop, communicate with their families by emails, and letters. We volunteers, interns and wildlife study abroad students often go to nearby Serena Hotel for an afternoon swim, eating out at the Hotel. From Amboseli, Loitokitok is about 90 minutes drive away. Communication, Internet, Mailing From Rombo, internet and mailing can be done at the Post Office and the Serena Hotel. Facilities at the Serena are much quicker, but much more expensive than at the Post Office. From Amboseli: Internet, mailing and landline phone facilities are available about 13kms from camp in the town of Taveta. Telephone: Due to the distance from calling facilities, you are encouraged to buy a cell phone so your family can easily to keep in touch with you. A phone of USD 45 will normally work ok. Most of the cell phones sold in North America are attached to specific companies and they fail to work in Kenya. Unless you are sure the cell phone you are bringing is open to working with microchips from other companies, you are better off planning to buy your cell phone in Nairobi. Most of the time you can sell it to incoming volunteers, interns and wildlife study abroad students at departure. Health Care From Amboseli: A Health center is located 3km away and a district hospital 13kms away, in the town of Taveta. The hospital also has an airline landing strip. From Rombo: A sub-district medical center is in Loitokitok town about 40kms (1.5 hours drive) away. There is small clinic at a five star lodge nearby (some 4kms away), and there is an airline landing strip in the Park. Medical Insurance: All participants are required to produce proof of medical insurance including evacuation. Vaccination and immunization: We suggest you consult your local travel doctor before your leave the country to determine what you need. But generally, you are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated for Yellow Fever before arrival. You may also get rabies and anti-tetanus injections before arrival. Many areas of Kenya have malaria risk, so it is best to take something for Malaria. Pocket Money This depends on your spending habits. The program basically covers most of expenses of room, food, and transportation. However, about $150 would be more than sufficient unless you wish to participate in additional optional tours or excursions in which case you may require more. Other Requirements Project Rules: There will be in-house rules for each project, which must be respected. Contact With Animals: Wildlife rehabilitation is a sensitive program where Wildlife are encouraged to return to the wild (if possible) therefore personal contact with animals will be limited unless the animal is injured, orphaned or needing to be nursed. Age: The age limits are 18 to 55. Dressing: Dress code for most projects should be natural color clothing – nothing too bright. You will get dirty so don’t plan on wearing anything you wont want stained forever – rough outdoor clothes are best. Kenyan cold season (May –July) can be very cold especially in the night - bring a warm jacket and long trousers/pants. You will also need good walking shoes, thick socks, raincoat, and a hat. Physical capabilities: Applicants are expected to be physically able to complete tasks and generally get involved with the rest of the younger volunteers Language: Understanding of BASIC English is required, otherwise and our programs are open to anyone who has an interest in African wildlife. Tentative Daily Work Schedule
Field support Our local partner cares for our volunteers, humanity, wildlife, and the African continent and wish to make the world a better place for all. We also support our volunteers further:
In addition to bringing a sleeping bag and pillow, we recommend you also bring personal toiletries and towels, Sunscreen lotion, Insect repellent, Powerful flashlight (you can buy batteries locally) and Sunglasses. For your registration, you must also bring two passport size pictures and a copy of your passport. |
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Last update April 22, 2007. Copyright ©2002-2007 Jubilee Ventures. All rights reserved.