Camp Kenya Community & Conservation 3 Months
This is our longest programme option and it’s the one to go for if you want to make maximum impact on the communities that you’ll be living and working alongside. Twelve weeks in Kenya will give you a real insight into the wonderful people and cultures of East Africa, as well as understanding the challenges each community faces.
A warm welcome will greet you at the local schools where you’ll really get stuck into improving school infrastructure. You’ll find building new homes for deserving families and the elderly hugely rewarding. Help reduce human-wildlife conflict and learn about elephant conservation. Immerse yourself in the local community, meeting inspirational women’s groups and assisting them with micro-finance initiatives. Plant indigenous trees, helping the community to live sustainably. Spend time with a Maasai tribe, see their homes and join in with their customs and rituals. Enjoy some chill out time in the lively town of Voi, where you can laze by the pool, haggle in the markets and explore the restaurants.
A measurable difference to the lives of rural communities in Kenya will be made during your three month programme, the people you meet will long have a place in your heart after you leave East Africa.
Camp Kenya Community & Conservation 3 Months
$5,530 per traveller
The impact you will make
01
Conservation Work (Tsavo)
Human wildlife conflict is an ongoing and significant issue here, threatening the future for many important species such as elephants and lions. You’ll get involved in initiatives to promote a peaceful co-existence between the community and the local wildlife, like improving natural waterholes and planting indigenous trees to safeguard the future for these wonderful animals.
activities include
- Expanding waterholes for wildlife
- Tree planting & wildlife monitoring
- Clearing roads & building elephant deterrent fences
- Taking part in environmental education workshops
- Making paper out of elephant poop!
02
School Improvement (Tsavo)
The local school and educational facilities are very dilapidated and erosion from seasonal flooding is threatening the buildings foundations making them liable to collapse. You will help by building or renovating school buildings and tackling erosion so that the children have a clean and safe academic environment in which to thrive.
activities include
- Digging classroom foundations
- Laying bricks
- Plastering, painting and decorating buildings
- Making classroom furniture
- Erecting gabions to prevent further erosion
03
School Improvement & Traditional House Building (Muhaka)
Muhaka village remains one of the poorest communities in the area and many of its residents cannot afford to repair or rebuild their houses, which have deteriorated over time. The school is also in a constant state of disrepair. You will help by building traditional housing for people and supporting the ongoing renovation of the school.
activities include
- Helping to build a traditional house for needy families
- Take part in various environmentally friendly income generating activities e.g. tree planting
- Digging classroom foundations & laying bricks
- Plastering, painting and decorating buildings
- Making classroom furniture
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What people say
I absolutely loved my time in Kenya - the people I met were amazing, the country is just incredible, and Camps really made my time there unforgettable! Larissa – Kenya
I climbed Kilimanjaro, became a qualified scuba diver, met countless incredible people and played a part in some of the amazing ongoing Camps projects. If you're thinking about doing a trip with camps, BOOK IT... Michael – Kenya
Camp Tsavo
Camp Tsavo gives you the chance to experience life in the real African wilderness. Surrounded by the picturesque Marungu Hills that lie close to the world famous Tsavo National Parks, this area is famed for its wildlife and providing a safe haven for elephants, lions, cheetahs and other amazing animals.
The camp itself is situated in the heart of the charming local village, where you will experience authentic African culture and hospitality so welcoming that you won’t want to leave.
Location: 130 km (3-4 hours drive) from Mombasa Airport, 355 km (6-7 hours drive) from Nairobi Airport
Accommodation: Traditional bandas & tents with comfy mattresses & bedding. Modern showers & sinks
Power: Mains electricity backed up by generator (between 18:30 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
Phone Signal: Intermittent
Meals: Three healthy, well balanced and tasty meals a day e.g. toast, sausage and omelette for breakfast; pasta, chicken stew/curry with chapatis and veg for lunch/dinner & fruit
Signature dish: Pilau (Swahili local food)
Social: Camp fire, football pitch, small bar & gift shop, town nearby
Camp Muhaka
Camp Muhaka will quickly become your home away from home. With stylish traditional buildings and a great social scene, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Being in the heart of the village also has its perks; all your project sites are only a short walk away and you can walk with the children to and from school so you’ll be a local in no time!
Location: 50 km (1.5-2 hours drive) from Mombasa Airport, 540 km (8-9 hours drive) from Nairobi Airport
Accommodation: Traditional bandas with comfy mattresses & bedding. Modern toilets, showers & sinks
Power: Mains electricity backed up by generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
Phone Signal: Intermittent
Meals: Three healthy, well balanced and tasty meals a day e.g. toast, cereal, and omelette for breakfast; rice, beef stew/curry with veg for lunch/dinner & fruit
Signature dish: Ugali
Social: Chill out zone, Camp fire, pool table
Camps crew
Local camps crew
Gladys
One of the welcoming faces you will see at the airport when you arrive and possibly half way up a mountain, when you think you can’t go any further. Gladys is one of few female guides in Africa, a real character and all round super woman.
Local camps crew
Sammy K
He greets problems with ‘Hakuna Matata’, Swahili for ‘no worries’. Sammy K will always have you smiling and get you energised for project work. Known to chase elephants out of camp and source birthday cakes in the middle of Tsavo National Park, he’s an all round champ.
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Example itinerary
Day 01
Arrive Mombasa Airport & Transfer to Camp Tsavo
Camp Tsavo is located approximately 3-4 hours’ drive from Mombasa Airport. Here you will be warmly welcomed by our Camp Manger who will run a camp safety briefing and orientation of the camp. Our project leader will give you an overview of what your time will involve and finish your day practicing some Swahili phrases (local language) around the campfire.
Day 02-03
Project Orientation & School Visit
After a much needed sleep, our project leaders will take you round to visit the various location where you will be doing your projects, to familiarize yourself with the areas and have a broad overview of the projects that you will be tackling as well as to establish your goals and objectives. You will also visit a local school and practice your Swahili phrases with school children as you get ready to support the school project work.
Day 03-05
School project work
Over the next few days, we get stuck into project work. You will be helping to improve school infrastructure and facilities by building classrooms or toilet blocks, making desks or erecting gabions to counteract soil erosion. You will work alongside our staff and local people, interacting with school children and supporting teachers in improving English speaking in the local schools.
Day 06
R&R Day Voi Town
You will be taken to a nice lodge/restaurant within the local town to enjoy some delicious local Swahili food and interact with the local people. Have a good rest and enjoy watching blue sky while basking under the sun. Go for a refreshing swim to cool your body in the pool. Grab some snacks from the local supermarkets and head back to camp (optional) via a Maasai village to experience a true part of traditional African Culture.
Day 07-11
School project work
You will spend the next 5 days continuing to improve school infrastructure and facilities and supporting teachers in the local school. You’ll feel really rewarded seeing the great impact your work has in the community.
Day 12
R&R Day to Voi Town
Today is your rest day and you will return to Voi town to enjoy some food and drinks at a local restaurant, have a dip in the pool and relax in the sun. You’ll get the chance to pick up some snacks at the supermarket before heading back to camp for the evening.
Day 13
Cultural day
On this day you will help local families with crop production & animal husbandry, administering livestock deworming. You’ll meet an group of inspiring local women who will show you how to make bead crafts and teach you more about African society.
Day 14-21
School project work
Project work continues for the next few days.
Day 22
R&R Day to Voi Town
Enjoy a well-earned rest day in Voi town.
Day 23
R&R in Camp
Relax in camp, do your laundry, update your diary and just chill out and enjoy the day.
Day 24-25
Wildlife conservation and Environmental project work
You will spend the day at Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary where you will enjoy a safari and get involved in wildlife conservation project work. Help to make elephant deterrent fences – a method regarded by the locals as the best way to deter elephants from their farms and prevent human-animal conflict. You will also participate in education & environmental workshop: making paper out of elephant dung to bring a source of revenue to the community.
Day 26
Marungu Hills trek & Survival skills day
Have breakfast in the camp and get ready to join a full day adventure trek to the Marungu hills where you will enjoy a picnic lunch in ancient caves while enjoying the panoramic views of the Rukinga ranch. You will also practice bush survival skills which will involve making a bush shelter, making fire and Bushmen bow and arrow shooting.
Day 27
Environmental project work
On this day you will get to work with the local community group on indigenous tree planting project at their location; a project that benefits nature and mitigates carbon emission in the air. In the evening you will play sports with the local children before saying farewell to your local friends that you’ve made during your stay.
Day 28-32
School project work
You will spend the next few days continuing to improve school infrastructure and facilities and supporting teachers in the local school. You’ll feel really rewarded seeing the great impact your work has in the community.
Day 33
R&R Day to Voi Town
Spend a rest day in Voi town – eating, shopping and relaxing.
Day 34-39
School project work
Project work continues for the next few days.
Day 40
R&R Day to Voi Town
Spend a final rest day in Voi town, and maybe take the chance to buy some souvenirs for your families and friends before you head back to camp for the evening.
Day 41
Transfer to Camp Muhaka
Transfer to Muhaka Camp which is 4-5 hours drive. After settling in to your accommodation, you will be given a full briefing of the camp and the village community we have been working closely with for over 7 years. Spend the day familiarising yourselves with the projects and people who will be your family during your stay.
Day 42
Village & Community Orientation
We take a walk in the village meeting local families and a having a briefing and orientation. During the briefing, you will learn more about the current situation and challenges faced by the community. You’ll spend the rest of the day learning more about the culture and meeting the local children.
Day 43-45
Community project
Over the next few days you’ll work on improving a traditional house in the village. You could be helping with flooring, painting or plastering to improve living standards for a local family in need.
Day 46-47
Beach weekend
Spend your Saturday at the beautiful Diani coast where you can sample the numerous shops, restaurants and beach bars that it has to offer. There are also a number of hotels along the coast, offering spa treatments if you feel the need to pamper yourself for the day! Sunday you’ll spend the day relaxing in camp, doing laundry, updating your diary or just chilling out.
Day 48-50
Community project
Work continues on improving a local house.
Day 51-52
Cultural work
On these days you’ll join up with a group of local women in the village who will teach you how to cook local delicacies. You’ll have an opportunity to interact with the local families more and assist them in their farms by cultivating and harvesting (season permitting) which is their main source of income and learn how to make Makuti (Palm Leaves) which is another way local people generate income. This is a great opportunity to really have a deep insight into rural village life.
Day 53-54
Beach Day & RR in Camp
Another day at the beautiful Diani coast to shop around for souvenirs for your family and friends back home. Relax and enjoy your well-earned rest days!
Day 55-59
School project work
School project work kicks off with a visit to a local school to get involved in our ongoing project work improving the facilities. Working alongside our staff and local people, you could be helping to plaster classroom walls or painting murals in the school library. You’ll also interact with school children and support teachers in improving their English speaking.
Day 60-61
Beach Day & RR in Camp
Spend your Saturday at the beautiful Diani coast where you can sample the numerous shops, restaurants and beach bars that it has to offer. There are also a number of hotels along the coast, offering spa treatments if you feel the need to pamper yourself for the day! Sunday you’ll spend the day relaxing in camp, doing laundry, updating your diary or just chilling out.
Day 62-66
Environmental Work
Let’s go green and address environmental conservation at the sacred Kaya forest. We will be clearing a buffer zone for indigenous tree planting and building a sheltered tree nursery. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy a guided walk in the sacred forest with the Kaya elders learning its interesting historical background, uses of its indigenous plants and fascinating cultural practices.
Day 67-68
Beach weekend
The weekend is here! Enjoy your rest days at the beach, soaking up the sun at the beautiful Diani coast.
Day 69-73
Mangrove Conservation Project
For the next few days you’ll get involved in important conservation work, where you could be helping to plant hundreds of mangrove seedlings, constructing an information and education centre for marine conservation, extending the boardwalk and refurbishing existing fishponds.
Day 74-75
Beach Day & RR in Camp
Spend another day at the beach on Saturday and enjoy a laid-back day at camp on Sunday.
Day 76-77
Cultural work
On these days you’ll join up with a group of local women in the village who will teach you how to cook local delicacies. You’ll have an opportunity to interact with the local families more and assist them in their farms by cultivating and harvesting (season permitting) which is their main source of income and learn how to make Makuti (Palm Leaves) which is another way local people generate income. This is a great opportunity to really have a deep insight into rural village life.
Day 78-80
Permaculture project
Camp Muhaka has developed a permaculture design for its 3-acre farm that includes a greywater system, production of fruits, cereals and vegetables as well as cash crops such as chillies and moringa, a woodlot, a nursery and a composting system. The farms partners with a high school in the community, with the aim of teaching useful skills to local youth to try and address unemployment in the area.
As a Permaculture volunteer you will be working alongside trained Camp Muhaka staff on the farm to help develop and maintain the permaculture design. You will also be joining in outreach efforts, implementing permaculture projects with local farmers and in local schools.
Day 81
Beach day
Enjoy a final day at Diani beach, reflecting on all your amazing memories and saying your goodbyes to your new friends.
Day 82
KWAHERI!! Departure Day
Today we say final goodbyes before transferring you back to Mombasa Airport.
Please note:
This itinerary is for example purposes only and is subject to change.
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Find Out MoreWhat's included
Food
Drinking water
Accommodation
Beach weekends
Marungu Hills & survival skills day
Pre-travel support from dedicated UK team
In-country support from dedicated local team
In-country airport & activity transfers
All project costs & materials
Orientation & language lessons
24-hour emergency support
Camps t-shirt
Don’t forget… flights, travel insurance, visas and vaccinations. Please note, you must be over 18 years old at time of departure.
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