Join our team to conduct research on dolphins and terrestrial wildlife while teaching in East African rural schools
Program Overview
Collaborate with a group of volunteers from all over the globe to experience breath-taking coral reefs, white sandy beaches, coastal forests and friendly local communities in the awe-inspiring Shimoni Archipelago. This expedition is one of GVI’s most varied programs, and is perfect for someone looking to experience a little bit of everything we do including marine research, primate research and community development.
Dolphin research is the primary focus for the marine research, where you will explore the Kisite-Mpunguti protected area. Here, you may have the chance to site a humpback whale or snorkel with turtles! The primate research consists of spending time in the coastal forests where you will find the rare populations of the Black and White Angolan Colobus monkey. When working with the community you will assist with teaching English and helping to develop sustainable tourism initiatives.
The chance may also arise for you to protect Kenya’s big game by working with rural communities in the hear t of East Africa’s savannas to improve upon alternatives to wildlife poaching.
Life on the Program
Your schedule will shift to the various projects during your time on the expedition, and follow a schedule put together by our staff.
You will receive extensive training upon arrival, so no previous experience is required. The training will cover: oceanography, marine mammal identification and behavior, turtle biology and identification, terrestrial environments, threats and conservation, primate survey techniques, biodiversity and human impact surveys, English language teaching techniques and certification as well as a globally recognized first-aid course.
You will be primarily located on the Wasini Island where the expedition’s main base is managed; however there is also a base in Shimoni Village where you will conduct the primate research. You may spend a week of your time camping and working on the border of Tsavo National Park where you will collaborate with former wildlife poaching and community groups. Your accommodation will be basic, with limited electricity and bucket showers.
Program Details
Your work with GVI in the local communities will fall into the three main categories of marine conservation, terrestrial conservation and community development, covering tasks such as:
- Collecting population and distribution data on marine mammals
- Assessing human impact on marine mammals
- Assisting partners in developing a ‘code of conduct’
- Lending a hand on wildlife conservation projects around the national parks
- Reducing community conflict with wildlife
- Running environmental education programs and teaching English
- Developing sustainable tourism practices
The long-term aim for this expedition is to establish a self-financing conservation system via regulated ecotourism and resource use. Your efforts will be in collaboration with local villagers, conservation groups and tourist operators.
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.
My brief stay in Kenya was the best few weeks of my life, I was so impressed with GVI and love love loved the project, so much so I plan to get my environmental science degree done then hope to come back and do an internship with you guys. You were wicked, the staff and interns were awesome, the work was so interesting and I learnt a hell of a lot. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer.
So...my point is "asante sana" to you and GVI, for the wicked experience, the fun and the inspiration. Hope to see you again one day!
I was impressed with the website - it provided a lot of information and looked professional, which made me more confident in the program. I also was interested in doing an expedition with a variety of activities, which GVI provided. Overall, I appreciated the diversity of the projects and the people. The location went beyond my expectations, and I enjoyed moving back and forth from Mkwiro to Shimoni to Kidong. I really appreciated GVI's dedication to sustainable development and conservation. Personally, I enjoyed learning new skills that I would otherwise not have had an opportunity to use.
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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
