Volunteer in Kenya

Wildlife Research Marine Mammal Studies and Community Development Expedition in Kenya
Shimoni Archipelago, Kenya

Volunteer as a member of a research expedition team for a minimum of five weeks and experience dolphins, primates and big game. The expedition looks at the biodiversity of the immediate region in Shimoni Archipelago, off the coast of the mainland Kenyan border with Tanzania – a unique opportunity to combine marine, forest and national park research. The expedition is based on Wasini Island, part of the Shimoni Archipelago, and due to the diverse nature of the work expedition members also get to explore the mainland village and forest of Shimoni, and the savannah further inland. The focus is on four main elements: marine mammal research from survey vessels and land (specifically dolphins but including seasonal Humpback Whales), primate research in the rare forest nearby, big game research in the National Parks of Kenya (such as the world famous Tsavo National Park), and community development projects including English and sustainable tourism programs. GVI assists local partners to promote this local framework as the basis for a larger conservation-research initiative in tropical coastal waters and terrestrial areas of Pemba Channel and the Tanzania/Kenya transboundary. The expedition is run in partnership with the Kenyan Wildlife Service and other local partners.

GVI assists local partners, including the Kenyan Wildlife Service, by supplying trained manpower, long-term experienced staff, training and equipment for the following projects:

*Marine mammal research recording bottlenose dolphins, Indian Ocean Humpback dolphins, Spinner dolphins and larger cetacean such as Humpback whales
*Marine mega-fauna research, including turtles, whalesharks, and manta rays (seasonal)
*Big game and community projects in National Parks eg. elephant relocation
*Rare coral rag forest exploration and primate surveys, including Angolan Black and White monkeys
*Teaching English to children and adults Environmental education Community infrastructure and sustainable development.