Big Cat Wildlife Research Project

The Maasai Mara forms the northernmost part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. It is home to the big-5, most of Africa’s large mammal species, famous for its population of big cats and most importantly the annual wildebeest migration – the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth.

Africa’s wildlife is declining rapidly due to a number of reasons such as human-wildlife mitigation. The great migration, the biggest and most species-diverse migration in the world, has seen its 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and hundreds of thousands of Thompson gazelles, decline drastically in the last 30 years. Thanks to human population growth, expanding agriculture, poaching and fencing we could lose the migration in less than 5 years.

Big cats have found their hunting grounds reduced, and forced to hunt livestock, they are coming into contact with local communities more frequently. Data collection on the movements of these big cats is critical in learning how to protect both the communities and wildlife, making it possible for predators and people to co-exist.

Together with African Impact, you will be assisting wildlife researchers and scientists in the Mara Naboisha Conservancy which borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve. We are pioneers in conservation volunteering in the conservancy and are making a positive impact in the Maasai Mara.

As a volunteer you will be actively involved in exciting conservation and wildlife research activities. You will also be involved at the Koiyaki Guiding School helping to train young Maasai to become qualified safari guides, and helping run wildlife classes at the local Maasai schools.

The Maasai Mara ecosystem is home to the greatest number of wildlife anywhere on earth, and we must do everything we can to protect it. Join this project and make your impact on Africa’s wildlife. (Figures: Voice of the Mara Magazine: 2016)

Location Highlights

This remote volunteer project is located in the Naboisho Conservancy in the heart of the Maasai Mara ecosystem just north of the National Reserve. The conservancy is a protected area that allows wildlife to move over 20,000 hectares. It is part of a greater conservation area, made up of other wildlife conservancies as well as the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself which is home to the great wildebeest migration which happens from around Jul-Sep. It is also one of Kenya’s prime wildlife viewing areas and is renowned as the best place in the world to see big cats.

What Else Will I Be Involved In?

In partnership with Elephant Voices, we aim to build a network of knowledge about elephants in the Maasai Mara ecosystem, working together to monitor and protect them. Volunteers will be responsible for collecting observations on the location, size and composition of groups. You will also be actively involved with the Koiyaki Guiding School, interacting with students on daily game drives and weekly interactive sessions.

Duration:  2 – 6 weeks

Countries: Kenya

Experiences: Volunteering and Conservation

Ages: 17 and up (17 with parental permission)

Experience Requirements:

• Genuine love and concern for people and the environment
• Enthusiasm, and interest in wildlife and the natural environment
• You must be in good physical health, as you will be expected to participate in physical activities
• Ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and cooperative

**Note: Patience and enthusiasm are essential for this project J

Project Starts: Every Other Monday during selected dates

Dates: 12 & 26 March | 9 & 23 April | 7 & 21 May | 4 & 18 June | 2, 16 & 30 July | 13 & 27 August | 10 & 24 September | 8 & 22 October | 5 & 19 November | 3 December (2 weeks maximum stay on last arrival date)

Price:
2 weeks – $2,311.00
3 weeks – $2,933.00
4 weeks – $3,555.00
5 weeks – $4,177.00
6 weeks – $4,799.00
7 weeks – $5,421.00
8 weeks – $6,043.00

Please contact us if you have any questions!

Accommodations

You will be staying in our volunteer house in Limuru on Sunday night, and leave for the Mara on Monday morning at 8am. You should book an evening departure flight on the Monday that your project ends, your flight will need to fly out after 9.30pm. If you are not able to get a departure flight on Monday evening, we can arrange for you to spend the extra night at our cottage in Limuru, for an additional fee of US$50 to cover your food and accommodation for that night.

Once you arrive You will be living in a beautifully authentic safari camp in the heart of the bush where animals roam right through the camp. Listen to lions roaring in the distance and the serene sounds of the bush at night before waking up on your early game drives. The camp offers shared rooms or private safari tents if you prefer to experience the real outdoors! You will be provided with mosquito nets, towels, daily housekeeping, hot showers in our ablution block. All your meals are included, cooked by our excellent chef and you will have 24-hour support from our experienced project team.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  Airport Collection and drop off on arrival and departure

Wi-Fi available at the Brackenhurst Centre for a small fee

Laundry

All your daily transport to the project sites

3 freshly cooked meals a day

A full-time housekeeping service and 24-hour support

Comfortable shared accommodation

A great experience with the opportunity to make new friends!

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Items of a personal nature, personal insurances, visas and gratuities

 Gratuity

Optional extra activities, not specified above

MORE INFORMATION

Expectations and requirements

Helpful travel info