Overview This volunteer project will bring you to the remote and beautiful Shimoni peninsula on the Indian Ocean, home to globally important coastal forests and incredible wildlife.
You will assist us with our work on one of Kenya's most critical populations of Angolan black and white colobus monkeys and help conduct biodiversity surveys in the forest on the rare Zanj elephant shrew, birds and butterflies.
You will live within a traditional Swahili village directly supporting community-based conservation initiatives and economic development through sustainable resource use.
You will also learn diverse survey techniques and contribute to vital research that will be used to increase environmental awareness and provide conservation management.
What Difference Does This Project Make? The East African coastal forest ecoregion is the smallest Global Biodiversity Hotspot with the highest density of endemic vertebrate species. Facing the highest rates of extinction due to habitat loss, it is one of 11 'hyperhot' priorities for conservation.
Shimoni's colobus monkey rank amongst the top three most important populations in Kenya, the forest also home to the critically endangered spotted ground thrush, Zanj elephant shrew and other vulnerable mammals, birds and plants. It is of immense cultural value, as well as a vital natural resource to surrounding communities, but lacks any form of protection. Supporting community initiatives offers the best hope of realising conservation goals.
Highlights Learn diverse survey techniques in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, hands on volunteer work alongside experienced and enthusiastic field staff, study behaviour of the colobus monkeys; undertake critical elephant shrew research, collect data on endangered and vulnerable bird species; live by the Indian Ocean, experience swahili culture in a Historic Conservation Area; take the slave cave tour and forest night walks.
Location Approximately 70km south of Mombasa, close to the Tanzanian penisula lies the Shimoni peninsula. A 14km dirt road brings you to Shimoni village at the southern tip, gateway to Kenya's premier marine protected area , finest coral reefs and most important dolphin populations.
The stunning white beaches of Diani are an hour and half away.
Daily Life Days will be spent in the forest and may start before sunrise with dawn bird surveys where you may see trumpeter hornbills, the endangered spotted ground thrush or even fish eagles. During the day you will carry out a variety of other research work on butterflies, elephant shrews and of course primates. You may also conduct forest night walks where you might see bushbabies, suni antelopes and other nocturnal species.
Field Conditions Accommodation is basic, sleeping in shared tents (max 4) within Shimoni Reef Lodge with access to electricity, kitchen facilities, cold water showers and western style toilets. Food is prepared on a rotational basis, simple but nutritious with fresh fruit and vegetables daily.
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 Tour of Shimoni's historical sites including the slave cave community project Forest training with time in the field to practice skills Swahili lessons
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
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This trip: Volunteer with Colobus Monkeys in Kenya
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
I found this through The Africa Guide website after filtering through many options and I'm supremely glad I did.
It was an experience like no other. It gave me the opportunity to experience a wonderful little village as only a local would and take part in volunteer work with a legitimate and extremely important long term goal.
Our interactions with the locals were so educational and inspiring and getting that chance to work out in the elements spotting wildlife and completing forest surveys was challenging and completely wonderful.
If you're the kind of person that can weather trivial things like cold showers, long walks and a bit of dirt in order to have an authentic African experience then this is perfect. I'm already looking into the next trip.
