You will be working alongside local Kenyans as part of an ongoing development programme with a coastal primary school and the surrounding village to improve the lives of the local people by enabling the community to become self-sustaining.

Work will involve expanding and enhancing existing facilities as well as building new ones. You will spend 7 days assisting in the building and renovation of classrooms and other amenities (e.g. making desks), and this will provide you with opportunities to learn new skills such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, painting, and basket weaving.

There may also be the opportunity to teach and coach sports. Enthusiasm and willingness is everything!

Highlights

• Community development volunteer programme
• Working with the local community
• Game viewing in Shimba Hills National Reserve and Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

Itinerary (13 nights/ 14 days)

Day 1, Mombasa – Mukurumuji Camp - Arrive at Mombasa Airport and transfer to base situated near the Indian Ocean for meet and greet and a brief orientation of Diani. This will be followed by a short scenic transfer to Mukurumuji camp in the Sable Valley for lunch. After settling in to your tented accommodation, you will be given a full briefing and orientation before dinner. (LD)

Day 2, Mukurumuji Camp – In the morning, after a wildlife safety briefing, we enjoy a guided walk to spot elephants (which roam freely in the area) and visit the local community and school. After dinner you will be given a basic Swahili lesson. (BLD)

Days 3-6, Volunteer Programme – Four rewarding days participating in our school and community development programme at Mukurumuji. (BLD)

Day 7, Cultural day – You will be shown around a traditional local homestead of the coastal Swahili people by a specialist guide for a ‘hands on’ cultural experience. This could include basket weaving, roof thatching, and local food harvesting, preparation and cooking techniques. (BLD)

Day 8, Safari, Shimba Hills National Reserve - Mwaluganje Elephant Safari - Safari in Shimba Hills National Reserve. The reserve offers beautiful, lush scenery and has a unique and botanically rich coastal rainforest. It is most famous for its sable antelope that are found nowhere else in Kenya and is also a haven for the endangered Angolan black and white colobus monkey. Game drives before transferring to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. The sanctuary boasts the highest density (per km2) of elephants in Africa. Learn about elephant behaviour and the threats facing this amazing animal. (BLD)

Day 9, Ocean day - An opportunity to relax by the beach, do some shopping, or sign up for one of the many optional adventure activities available at Aqualand Adventure Centre. (BLD)

Days 10-12, Volunteer Programme – Three final days to continue your valuable contribution to our community development programme at Mukurumuji. (BLD)

Day 13, Community Farewell - An opportunity to say goodbye to the people that you have worked closely with over the previous weeks. (BLD)

Day 14, Departure - Transfer to Mombasa and depart. (BL)

Please be aware that the exact nature of the work you will be involved in will depend on the current needs and priorities of the school and village. As volunteers it is important to remain flexible and keep in mind that sometimes priorities and/or emergencies may arise which may result in your duties changing at short notice.

Fitness

None of the activities featured require anything more than a reasonable level of fitness. No special skills are required for any of our projects.

Maximum Group Size

Ten

Travel Dates

Duration: 2 Weeks

Availability is throughout the year. Please contact us for further information