Take part in a conservation work placement where you will gain incomparable wildlife research experience
_0.JPG "Boat Survey")
_0.JPG "Cooling Off")
_0.jpg "Turtle")
_0.JPG "Out on a Survey")
.JPG "Boat Survey")
.JPG "Cooling Off")
.jpg "Turtle")
.JPG "Out on a Survey")
Program Overview
Make the white sandy beaches of the Shimoni Archipelago your home while you live and work with a dedicated volunteer team on wildlife conservation. Here you will find Kenya’s most vibrant coral reefs and coastal forests inhabited by friendly and welcoming locals.
Your initial 12 weeks on the internship placement will be focused on training and researching the dolphin population in the Kisite-Mpunguti marine sanctuary, while also trekking through the coastal forests to monitor the area primates (Angolan Black and White Colobus monkeys). In addition to this you may have the opportunity to assist with community education programs and sustainable development projects. To complete your training you will also qualify in First Aid, take Swahili lessons and earn a globally recognized qualification in biological surveys.
Once you have finished your training period you will be placed on a work site either with GVI or our local partners to continue your program via experiential education.
Life on the Program
Your initial 12 weeks will allow you to gain experience in a range of fields by rotating around to the different projects.
The training you receive will be comprehensive enough so you will not need prior experience to participate. Subjects covered include marine mammal behavior and identification, turtle identification and biology, primate survey techniques, biodiversity and human impact surveys, terrestrial environments, conservation, local threats and some essential teacher training for when you work with the communities.
The internship is based out of two locations: Wasini Island where marine research is conducted and Shimoni Village where you will do the primate work. Conditions on both bases are basic, so please expect limited electricity and bucket showers. Work placement conditions are similar to this. You may also spend a week camping and working on the edge of Tsavo National Park to work with former wildlife poaching community groups.
Program Details
Valuable conservation data is collected by GVI on both the terrestrial and marine wildlife. Listed below are a few examples of the type of work you will be doing:
- Determining human impact on marine mammals
- Collecting distribution and population data on marine mammals
- Assessing habitat relationships and residence rates
- Helping project partners develop a ‘code of conduct’
- Conducting behavior and population studies of Angolan black and white Colobus monkeys
- Contributing to wildlife conservation projects in and around the national parks
- Reducing local community conflict with wildlife
GVI’s sustainable vision for this program is to empower the communities to finance the conservation of their local area through regulated ecotourism and resource use. The only way to do this is by collaborating with local conservation groups, tourist operators and local villagers.
Volunteer Testimonials
Latest from the Base...
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
- An internationally recognized qualification in Biological Survey Techniques
- An internationally recognized qualification in Team Leading
- Transfer to expedition site
- First Aid & CPR training and certification
- 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
- Weekly evaulation with your mentor
- Final evaluation
- Certification and summary of training and experience received
- Confidential professional reference
- Work placement
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
