Overview
Dolphin Research in Kenya

GVI Volunteers will live and work in the beautiful Shimoni Archipelago, off the coast of the Indian Ocean on the border with Tanzania, a world class location for dolphins as well as other wildlife. Volunteers will conduct dolphin research from a surface vessel and have the opportunity to snorkel to observe turtles. Full training is provided by GVI's full time research staff allowing volunteers a hands on and invaluable contribution to the preservation of these majestic animals. Volunteers can also choose to combine this project with other GVI programs in the area including our teaching english project and primate research project.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

It’s always incredible to see dolphins in their natural environment, performing peduncle dives, tail dives, belly ups and bow riding.

Mellisa Pepper

What Difference Does This Project Make?

This project is making a difference by supporting our partners, including Kenyan Wildlife Services, in cetacean research. Through education, environmental awareness and current wildlife monitoring studies, our collaborative work has been building capacity within the communities, assisting them in developing sustainable tourism practises and protecting cetacean and primate species within the area.

Highlights

Assisting local and international researchers to monitor dolphins; camping out under the African stars; living on an African island; developing your knowledge of marine studies, experiencing the amazing mega-fauna of the island that includes whales, whale sharks and manta rays (seasonal), snorkeling some of Kenya’s finest coral reefs.

Location

If you are looking to volunteer in Kenya in a truly exotic location, this is the project for you! Shimoni is a peninsula located next to the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area, which lies at the tip of the Pemba Channel. With scattered islands covered by coastal forest, mangroves, rocky shores, sandy bays and fringed by coral reefs, Shimoni is a tropical haven and divers’ paradise. The projects main base is located on Wasini Island, which is situated alongside the famous Kisite National Marine Park.

Field Conditions

Accommodation is in shared housing that has a large communal banda where volunteers can eat, conduct training and relax after their day out on the ocean. You will be living with different volunteer teams either from the GVI expedition or from volunteers choosing to work at the local school. This is a great way to learn more about what GVI does in the area and you will also have the opportunity to stop in to see other projects at work. The communal area has a beautiful view of the channel and Mkwiro beach. The base camp will have limited electricity, powered by solar panel and backed up by a generator. Volunteers can wash either in the ocean or using bucket-style showers on the base. Wholesome and varied meals will be cooked on a rotational basis