Requirements and Training
Wildlife Research and Community Development in Kenya

Skills Required

No previous experience or foreign language skills are required, but expedition members must be able to work as part of a team, have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation, a sense of adventure and be prepared to enjoy Africa in a rustic way. Days are hot and dusty, and expedition members can expect to experience all the adventures and rigors of Africa on a continual basis. In addition, all expedition members will have to complete a swimming test on arrival at the expedition base (an unaided 200m surface swim, followed by a ten minute float in the open sea environment). Participants must be enthusiastic, adventurous and respectful of their host country’s culture and environment.

Training and Qualifications

Expedition members receive comprehensive training that is continuous and rigorous, and involves both indoor lectures and field practicals. The first ten days of training consist of presentations and field lectures, combined with practical field experience to build upon the theoretical knowledge. This provides expedition members with a baseline and holistic understanding of all aspects of the region’s terrestrial and marine environment on which to build throughout your stay. The topics training covers include: oceanography, marine mammal identification, marine mammal behaviour, turtle biology and identification, terrestrial environments, threats and conservation, primate survey techniques, English language teaching techniques and certification, and an internationally-recognised first aid course.

BTEC in Biological Survey Techniques

Through this wonderful and unique opportunity GVI offers you the chance to earn a BTEC in a range of habitats in coastal Kenya. You will learn a range of skills applicable to almost any environment. This combined with your experience gained in Kenya should provide you with the confidence and ability to run scientific surveys around the world. Within this BTEC you will learn a variety of survey techniques, from marine mammal surveys to forest based or in water turtle surveys. You will also have the chance to experience community work and witness its importance in the developing world. The course will also run through general health and safety and risk assessments, both in general and specific to working in this area of Kenya.

Visit this BTEC courses home page here