Assist with wildlife research and gain invaluable experience on a conservation work placement

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Live and work with a team of international volunteers in the stunning Shimoni Archipelago. This part of Kenya is home to beautiful white sandy beaches, coral reefs, coastal forests and friendly locals.

The first 12 weeks of the internship is spent training and assisting with GVI’s dolphin research in the Kisite-Mpunguti marine protected area and monitoring primates (such as Angolan Black and White Colobus monkeys) in the coastal forests. You may also assist with community education programs and sustainable development projects. During this phase you will qualify in First Aid, learn Swahili and gain an internationally recognised qualification in Biological surveys.

After successfully completing the training stage you will gain additional experience on a conservation work placement, either with GVI or our local partners.

Life on the Program

For the first 12 weeks you will rotate around the various projects gaining experience in a range of fields.

You do not need any prior experience as you will receive comprehensive training on: marine mammal behavior and identification, turtle identification and biology, primate survey techniques, biodiversity and human impact surveys, terrestrial environments, conservation, local threats and some basic teacher training for the community work.

There are two main bases, one on Wasini Island which is where we conduct the marine research and another in Shimoni Village where the primate work takes place. Both camps are basic and you should expect limited electricity and bucket showers. The conditions are similar whilst on the work placement. You may also spend a week camping and working on the edge of Tsavo National Park to work with former wildlife poaching community groups.

Program Details

GVI is collecting valuable conservation data on both terrestrial and marine wildlife. Below are examples of the work you may be assisting with;

Determining human impact on marine mammals
Collecting distribution and population data on marine mammals
Assessing habitat relationships and residence rates
Helping project partners develop a ‘code of conduct’
Conducting behavior and population studies of Angolan black and white Colobus monkeys
Contributing to wildlife conservation projects in and around the national parks
Reducing local community conflict with wildlife

GVIs long term aim is to empower the communities to finance the conservation of their local area through regulated ecotourism and resource use. This can only be done by collaborating with local conservation groups, tourist operators and local villagers.