Overview
Volunteer with Colobus Monkeys in Africa

This volunteer project will bring you to the remote and beautiful Shimoni peninsula on the Indian Ocean, and the globally important coastal forests. You will assit projects on one of Kenya's most critical populations of Angolan black and white colobus monkeys, including behavioural studies, and survey the unique biodiversity including the rare Zanj elephant shrew, birds and butterflies. Living within a traditional Swahili village you will directly support community-based conservation initiatives and economic development through sustainable resource use. Learn diverse survey techniques and contribute to vital research that will be directly applied for environmental awareness and conservation management

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I loved all the work in the forest, especially the variation provided by all the different surveys. Seeing a Zanj elephant shrew was amazing and I particularly enjoyed doing colobus behavioural surveys.

Katherine Gist

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

Field Conditions

Accommodation is basic, sleeping in a shared dormitory style thatch hut 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