Wildlife Conservation

Kenya - Africa

An African wildlife adventure beckons in Coastal Kenya. Volunteers converge from all over the world to conserve the primate population, particularly the endangered Colobus monkey. You are billeted in a forest camp-100 meters from a white sand beach on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

Tags: Volunteer for Wildlife

Duration:

Departing:

$ 800

Reserve your place for a $300 deposit

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Fast Facts

Project length:	Min 1 week
Project costs:	US$800 for 2 weeks
Location of project:	The southern coast of Kenya, 33 km south of Mombassa
Arrival airport:	Mombassa – Moi international (MBA)
Volunteer work:	fixing monkey bridges, de-snaring, maintaining monkey cages and animal husbandry
Number of participants:	5 - 10 International volunteers
Age limit:	18 - 70 (Families welcome with children +13)

What's Included

Accommodation:	Comfortable shared cottage near the beach
Food:	3 meals a day
Airport pickup:	Included on arrival day
Orientation kit:	full project details will be sent following registration
Training:	Pre-departure preparation and In-country orientation
Support:	Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

What's Not Included

Flights, Insurance, Personal expenses and Visa (if required)

About the project

This project is run by a private charity since 1997 that aims to conserve primates in the region of Kwale, in particular the colobus monkey, which only thousands of its kind have survived in Kenya. Kwale is considered one of the top 25 global 'biodiversity hotspots' (area containing a large variety of plants and animals), therefore its conservation value is extremely important. However due to rapid and uncontrolled economic growth, the natural resources of this region are under pressure. As a volunteer in this project you can take an active part in the conservation and study of primates and their natural habitat, while enjoying the natural treasures and amazing beaches of this area. You will live with other volunteers and staff from around the world, meet local people and experience new cultures.

Volunteer work and contribution

There is a variety of projects underway at any one time. As a volunteer in this project, you will be allocated specific duties depending upon your relative experience and current openings, however all volunteers should be willing to assist with any aspect of the work when required and to change focus if the need arises. These are some of the activities you will be expected to carry out:

Participate in animal welfare, husbandry, rescues and releases;
Work with local communities in education, wildlife conflict and habitat restoration;
Work alongside Kenyans fixing monkey bridges, de-snaring, maintaining monkey cages;
Carry out valued primate consensus and forest health surveys;

Your normal working week will be Monday to Friday 0800 to 1700, and some help on Sunday with care of monkeys in rehabilitation. Saturdays and evenings are your own, and you are free to take time out during working days, as long as all your assigned work is completed.

Accommodation

Accommodation is basic and comfortable. You will be sharing a room and bathroom with other volunteers. Facilities include electricity, gas, showers (hot water is turned on once a day), overhead fans, mosquito net, cleaning and laundry service. The cook will prepare good quality African meals Monday to Saturday. On Sundays raw foods are provided. The house is in a secure area and has a night guard who patrols the house and garden area, There is also a silent alarm button in each room.

The house/office is nestled in the forest, only 100 meters away from the Indian Ocean and the white sand beach. Also on the property are the quarantine and rehabilitation cage for monkeys and the veterinary clinic.

The forest of the Cottage is also home to resident troops of baboons, vervet and Sykes monkeys and the endangered Black and White Angolan Colobus Monkey and much more wildlife.

Not just work...

A hotel near by offers free access to the swimming pool, sun lounger beds, restaurants and bars. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, walks in sacred forests, bird walks, are also locally available at own cost. Trips to the nearby national parks can be arranged from Diani.