Big Cat volunteers support our conservation efforts in the Naboisho Conservancy, which borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. You will actively monitor big cats and other wildlife whilst conducting important research that contributes to long-term park and animal management plans.
AS A VOLUNTEER, YOU’LL GET TO:
- Monitor big cats every day, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. This data collection will help to protect these endangered predators
- Go out on research game drives three times a day to collect data for conservancy management
- Live in the middle of the bush while you enjoy one of the most authentically wild experiences Africa has to offer
- Immerse yourself in Maasai culture as you volunteer alongside our experienced Maasai safari guides from the Koiyaki Guiding School
- Help new students graduate from the Koiyaki Guiding School
- Contribute to our conservation education classes, helping to ensure that future generations understand the importance of wildlife conservation
Overview
Your home during your stay in Kenya is a unique location in the middle of the African bush. You will live at our volunteer base in the wild Kenyan Mara Naboisho Conservancy, which borders the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is a wild and untouched open space, and at night you will hear roars from lions, hyenas laughing and thousands and thousands of wildebeest and antelope roaming the Great Plains all from the safety of our camp.
The Maasai Mara area has one of the highest lion densities in the country, and the wealth of wildlife ensures a unique encounter in their natural habitat as you gain an understanding about the animals. The Mara is home to “The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth” the Great Migration that takes place every year.
Your accommodation is a truly authentic and comfortable rustic safari camp with a choice of dormitories or large tents or private 1-person safari tents.
We have an excellent chef that cooks three delicious meals for you every day, you can enjoy eating and socializing with other volunteers and staff in our outdoor area listening to the sounds of the bush. Mosquito nets and towels will be provided.
Volunteering in Africa does not get any more authentic than this. As a wildlife volunteer in Kenya, you will gain a better sense of why volunteering is important, and experience first-hand the positive impact you can have in the world.
Work & Impacts
Research Work
As a wildlife volunteer, an integral part of your contribution will be to monitor animal groups and conduct research. You will do this by going out on drives to monitor wildlife and doing bi-weekly game counts. You will document big cat sightings and build the leopard database for the conservancy, which serves as the center-point for all information on leopards in the area.
Physical Conservation
As part of your volunteer work, you will need to implement specific conservation efforts within the conservancy, such as clearing out alien plant species, marking out and creating new roads, and doing soil erosion control.
Education & Teaching
The Koiyaki Guiding School is geared toward molding local young Maasai’s to be future tour guides. Your voluntary teaching involvement will be appreciated in teaching the local school children about wildlife and how to speak English, plus it will give you plenty of great memories of just chatting to them about all kinds of topics.
Fun & Travel
Volunteer Group Activities
Movie nights, camp-fire nights, bush dinners and board games are all activities you will enjoy with your volunteer group and new friends. You could also stroll across to our neighboring safari camp – the Eagle View – to have a cold drink, use the wifi and enjoy the spectacular views and watch the wildlife visit the water hole undisturbed from the terrace.
Go on Safari
You can take an excursion to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, and, for an outstanding safari experience, enjoy it from the sky in a hot air balloon! There are also some luxury safari camps where you can stay a night or two – camping like you’ve never experienced before.
Go to the Beach
Kenya has a wealth of coastal tourist attractions, with its extensive coral reefs and beautiful beaches. Surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other water sports are all on offer. The Malindi Marine National Park is protected and has superior beaches, clear water and very colorful fish.
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