Kenya – Maasai Mara Lion and Wildlife Conservation

The Maasai Mara in Kenya is known as one of Africa’s finest safari destinations, most famous for its annual wildebeest and zebra migration, which has been called “the greatest wildlife show on earth.” This area has one of the highest densities of carnivores in Africa, as well as supporting a range of endangered species. Kenya itself is on the equator on the eastern coast of Africa, boasting a range of ethnicities and cultural vibrancy.

The volunteer program is in the Pardamat Conservation Area. It is roughly 250km from Nairobi and the drive will take approximately 6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Pardamat Conservation Area is part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Surrounded by bushland and located 30-minutes’ drive from the nearest village and 2-hours from the nearest town, you will stay in a remote yet spectacular part of Kenya.

Volunteers will be involved in two primary initiatives: wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. You will be based at the newly developed educational and research hub in Pardamat Conservation Area, which is The Wildlife Tourism College of the Maasai Mara, The Pardamat Conservancy is a dynamic area where 850 Maasai landowners have legally registered their 26, 000 acres as a wildlife conservation area. They continue to live and to care for their livestock within certain zones of the conservancy.

Some of your tasks may include:

• Lion, cheetah and wild dog research and data collection. This includes daily game drives in Pardamat and some of the surrounding conservancies to track, identify, monitor and record big cats and wild dog.
• Data collection on elephant sightings, including the location, size, and composition of elephant groups.
• Diverse data collection, particularly during the Great Migration in the summer months (game drive routing, road identification, species recording, and wildlife monitoring)
• Physical conservation initiatives with the conservation area’s management team to enhance the health of the ecosystem. This includes alien plant species removal, soil erosion control, grass monitoring, game drive routing, de-fencing exercises, collection of litter, road repairs, and joining the Pardamat Conservation Area staff in putting up predator proof boma’s for Maasai Mara herders to keep their livestock safe at night.
• Volunteers will engage both formally and informally with the local students at the Wildlife Tourism Colledge, studying different courses.

Internet: Internet will be available in the common areas of the accommodation facilities (library, meeting halls/classrooms, and dining area). A SIM card can be purchased upon arrival.

Accommodations: The volunteer camp is simple, yet comfortable with all necessities available. You will experience life in the wilderness in an authentic bush camp. Accommodation is in semi-tented structures shared between 4 to 6 people with en suite bathrooms that include flush toilets, overhead showers, and a hand wash basin area. Each accommodation tent has a deck/verandah that overlooks the savannah below. Showers are solar-powered and the camp has a 24 hours solar-powered electricity system. There is a common living and dining area for you to relax, unwind and share stories of your sightings with fellow volunteers. There is a fire pit and barbeque for evenings out under the stars. You will live in the middle of the African bush with zebras, wildebeest, giraffe, and gazelles, often coming very close by to graze. You are likely to hear a symphony of sounds during the night, and don’t worry about setting an alarm for the morning. The animals will do that for you!

Food: You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is served after the early morning drive or activity. Lunch and dinner are full meals and will be prepared for you. Packed lunches are provided when out for the day.

• Minimum age of 18
• Height of at least 1.55 meters tall (5 feet 1 inch)
• Police clearance
• Volunteers MUST travel with proof of a Yellow Fever Vaccination
• Good level of English
• Motivation to learn about conservation
• Motivation to work with children and/or adults
• High level of independence and flexibility
• Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

There is a good deal of optional travel and excursion options volunteers will arrange once on site for an additional fee.

These include:

• Walking safaris
• Night out in the bush
• Excursion to Maasai Mara Game Reserve
• Balloon safaris
• Lamu getaway
• Overnight at Eagle View Camp, Naboisho Conservancy
• 2 night stay at Basecamp Maasai Mara overnight, including game drives in the National Reserve
• Please note: these excursions may change according to availability and that entry into the park is not included in the project cost.