Overview
Volunteer on Construction Projects in Kenya

Journey to the edge of Kenya's Tsavo West National Park, in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, where Africa's big game meets rural communities, human-wildlife conflict is a daily reality. You will live and volunteer alongside villagers that have given up poaching and charcoal burning to conserve their natural heritage, developing community infrastructure, educating farmers on ways to prevent elephant damage to crops and developing alternative livelihoods including tourism. Assist in the construction of healthcare, school and tourism facilities, helping to reduce poverty and facilitate access to alternative sustainable livelihoods.

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

They gave up poaching and charcoal burning, many giving up their only source of income, to conserve their environment - it’s incredible working with individuals here that are willing to sacrifice everything familiar to them to save the trees and animals

Ashley Inslee, Construction Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Unreliable rainfall combined with crop-raiding by elephants leads to poor agricultural productivity and dependence on illegal poaching to supplement domestic nutrition and income. The bush-meat trade is more pervasive than simple subsistence hunting, posing the greatest threat to Africa's wildlife. Under this WSPA project, three of the most notorious communities have come together to learn the value of wildlife and potential for socio-economic development through conservation. The challenge is to build their capacity to develop alternative livelihoods, improve infrastructure and relieve their socio-economic dependence on poaching, spreading their message to neighbouring communities

Highlights

Journey through Tsavo West national park, camp in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, visit the crater lake at Chala an view wildlife at Ziwani ranch; help ex-poachers live with elephants, work on community construction, promote sustainable development; experience rural East Africa's culture and history, join traditional songs and dances around the camp fire; community-guided bush walks

Location

The villages of Kidong, Kasaani and Mahandakini lie within a few kilometres of Tsavo West, Mt Kilimanajro and the border with Tanzania close to the town of Taveta, 3 - 4 hours from Voi the town that serves the Tsavo safari circuits, or 7 hours drive from Mombasa

Field Conditions

Accommodation is basic, sleeping in shared local huts or tents (max 4) under the African stars within the villages we work in. Bucket showers and bush latrines with limited access to electricity. Food will be prepared on a rotational basis, basic but nutritious with fresh fruit and vegetables daily