Kenya Wildlife Project Logistics

This questions and information relate specifically to the wildlife projects in Kenya. If you would like to find answers to general questions on Kenya programs, please click here.

Is a there an age limit for participants in the wildlife programs
Is a there an age limit for participants in the wildlife programs
What are the program starting dates?
When should I arrive in the country?
If I want to combine wildlife projects, what do I need to do?
If I want to combine wildlife projects with non-wildlife projects, adventure programs, or beach holiday what do I need to do?
What airport should I arrive at?
Where in Kenya are the wild animals projects located?
Will someone pick me up at the airport? How about airport drop-off?
How do I get to the Kenya wildlife projects there from Nairobi?
Will there be any orientation to the program?
What are the living conditions like?
What will I do with my weekends and free time?
How will I communicate with my folks back home?
What are the health care facilities available?
What immunizations do I need for Kenya wildlife projects?
Do you provide medical Insurance?
Do I need pocket money? How much?
Are there other requirements of the projects I should know about?
Is there a sample work schedule that I can look at?
What support does the program provide me while I am in the field?
What else should I bring to Kenya?

Is a there an age limit for participants in the wildlife programs

Ans. This program is open to healthy people aged 18-55.

What are the program starting dates?

Ans. Kenya wildlife projects take place in cycles. The lion project begins on the 4th of each month and goes on for 2 weeks. The elephant project begins on the 17th day of the month and goes on for two weeks as well. Then its back to the lion project on 4th and the cycle continues. To fit into this cycle, you will need to sign up for both elephant and lion project if you want to work with wildlife for more than two weeks.

When should I arrive in the country?

Ans. Scheduled Airport arrivals are 1 day prior to the project start day, that is, 3rd of the month for the lion project and 16th of the month for the elephant project. When taken in combination with non-wildlife programs, placement begins with the non-wildlife programs and scheduled arrival shifts to the 1st or 3rd Wednesday of the month.

If I want to combine wildlife projects, what do I need to do?

Ans. You can choose to do the lion or elephant project; participate in both animal projects. To combine wildlife projects just sign up for more than two weeks in the application and indicate you want to work with both elephants and lions.

If I want to combine wildlife projects with non-wildlife projects, adventure programs, or beach holiday what do I need to do?

Ans. You can combine wildlife project and non-wildlife volunteer projects or internship projects, such as teaching, HIV and AIDS, health care, etc. You can also combine your wildlife projects with the language and cultural experience, or the Kenya adventure programs. To do so just select all the programs you want participate in, indicate the number of weeks for each program in the comments section of the application, and we will take care of it.

What airport should I arrive at?

Ans. The airport to fly to is Nairobi, Kenya, also called Jomo Kenyatta International; the airport code is NBO.

Where in Kenya are the wild animals projects located?

Ans. The Rombo Lion and Elephant Projects are located at Olowaru a small Kenyan village adjacent to Tsavo West national park. Olowaru is about 250km south east of Nairobi. The nearest towns are Rombo and Loitokitok.

Amboseli Elephant project is located 250kms from Nairobi, outside the Amboseli National Park on private Maasai community land in Kenya, within view of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Will someone pick me up at the airport? How about airport drop-off?

Ans. Airport pickup and drop off are provided. You will be picked up at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, Nairobi (code NBO) upon arrival and transferred to the project site the next day. Transfer to the project area will only be the day after schedule arrival. If you arrive earlier than the scheduled arrival day, you will get airport pickup and transfer to the hotel, but you have to take care of yourself till the scheduled day.

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.

How do I get to the Kenya wildlife projects there from Nairobi?

Ans. 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.

Will there be any orientation to the program?

Ans. Basic orientation will be conducted in Nairobi before transfer to the project area. This will include introduction to the project and project objectives in the context of wildlife conservation and tourism in Kenya. More detailed orientation at camp will take one to two days and will include a lecture on what the work entails, data collection methods, do’s and don’ts of the campsite, emergency response, general daily routine, etc.

What are the living conditions like?

Ans. 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 flush toilets.

Meals: The project will provide you with three meals a day and a full time cook prepares meals - meals are served in a common dining tent. Foods include eggs, bread, fruits and fruit salad, vegetables, vegetable salad, rice, beef and chicken.

What will I do with my weekends and free time?