Kenya - Safari Camps and Lodges

Overview

Kenya has a multitude of spectacular National Parks, each vastly different in character including the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Meru and Samburu. In addition, it is blessed with the Indian Ocean with miles of white sandy beaches fringed with palm trees.

The Leap works exclusively with a number of luxury lodges/safari camps located throughout this amazing country and several are based in the Maasai Mara, home to the famous migration of wildebeest between July and October.

Each lodge or camp has its own style, environment and local tribes that they work in partnership with. The work and specific activities vary from camp to camp but in all the camps you will become totally immersed in safari life, making invaluable contributions to the local communities and their conservation initiatives.

Our Favourites:

Muthaiga Safari Camp www.impiripiri.com or www.muthaigasafaricamp.com
This camp has been set up by Keith Hellyer and his family after Keith returned from his own Leap placement a few years ago. Their Impiripiri Mara Camp is located in a private 64 Hectare exclusive concession on the South East boundary of the world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Their tents look out onto the sweeping vista of the Siana Plains where leopards, elephants, lions and a myriad of antelope come to drink at the natural artesian springs.

Camp Activities
Walking safaris, game drives, balloon safaris, donkey safaris, swimming, fishing and mobile safaris.

Serian Safari Camp www.serian.net
The charismatic bush home of Alex Walker, filmmaker and guide in the Maasai Mara. An exclusive wilderness camp set alongside a secluded valley flanking the Mara River close to the Siria Escarpment. The private marquee tents are set in the shade of large Oleadendra and Walburgia trees that cover the site, a tranquil setting that borders one of the finest Game Reserves in the world. It is situated in a beautiful private concession bordering the Maasai Mara and close to the Serengeti. This location is famous for the vast plains, its' beauty and wildlife, including the big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

Camp Activities
Walking safaris, game drives, fishing and mobile safaris.

Che Shale Beach Resort
Che Shale is a beach boutique hotel and kite surf centre located on a huge beach (5 kms of deserted sands) and set in a very natural and tropical environment. They are 25 minutes from Malindi, a medium size town, with most facilities (bars, restaurants, shops, etc).

Resort Activities
Fishing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, Stand Up Paddling, surfing and boogie boarding (in July and August on high tide).

How you help

In both camps you'll be required to work in many different areas: from setting up bush breakfasts, organizing clients' itineraries, to masterminding advertising campaigns and problem-solving around broken generators! You can be assured that every day will be different and the best skills you can take with you are self-motivation, flexibility and a sense of humour.

Impiripiri Safari Camp
The camp is keen to take two volunteers at any time of year (either 2 males or 2 females as you share a tent!).

In The Camp
You'll help to host the camp’s guests and arrange both day and night game drives with a driver/guide and Maasai spotter in their custom built safari vehicles and arrange safari walks with an experienced certified guide.  You'll also help with the general duties of the camp such as helping out with administration, catering (if skilled), stores, food and beverage preparation, inventories and general maintenance.

On Conservation and Community projects
Keith is keen for you to help with community educational programmes such as wildlife and human conflict issues and data collection. This research will in turn be used to help educate the local Maasai with weekly or monthly educational visits to schools. By working and immersing yourself in the local culture you will see for yourself what the managers are doing to improve the lives of the local communities.

Serian Safari Camp
The camp accommodates 18 clients and is keen to take two volunteers at any time of year.

In the Camp
Predominantly time will be spent helping with the safaris, hosting the guests and when necessary with the mobile ‘camping out’ safaris.  However in addition time will be spent helping out with management, administration, catering (if skilled), food and beverage and with the general maintenance of the tents. If you have the right skills there is scope to help contribute to marketing, improving his website and helping on his films.

Your base

Your Team
Join the dynamic camp and safari teams, made up of both African and Europeans.
We recommend this Solo Leap to those of you who are adventurous, independent and self-motivated, who want a truly unique experience.  You need a certain level of maturity to deal with the isolation of a safari camp and the ability to deal with guests from all walks of life, which is why we recommend that unless in exceptional circumstances you must be aged 22 and over.

Accommodation
Impiripiri Safari Camp
You’ll live in either a client or mobile safari staff tent (a staff tent if the camp is full) with bucket shower and long drop loo. You’ll eat with the camp staff.

Serian Safari Camp
A staff tent with bucket shower and long drop loo overlooking the plains! You’ll eat in the camp with guests.

Seasons and Weather
The camps are open all year round.  It is warm and dry all year apart from the long rains in April – June when it rains most afternoons. The busy season is December to March.  As it is in a private concession and you are staff there will be no park fees to pay, if you visit the Mara Reserve you will need to pay your own park fees currently $40 per day.

Time In/Out

Time In
In both camps the working hours vary - usually an early start, rest at midday and working late.  There will be time off at the discretion of the Manager and will be when the camp is low on guests. There are no specific days given off but they are flexible.

Time Out
Impiripiri Safari Camp 
Walking safaris, game drives, balloon safaris, donkey safaris, swimming, fishing and mobile safaris.

Serian Safari Camp
Walking safaris, game drives, fishing and mobile safaris.

Costs/Dates

Dates

Flexible departures dependent on local weather/seasons. Placements are for 12 weeks but can be extended when on the ground.

Cost
£2400 current until 31st August 2010.
In rare circumstances there may be an increase in cost, such as when the hosts are unable to get local park fees -  confirmed on application.

Includes:
UK
Consultation and briefing on all aspects of the placement.
Organisation and preparation of entire placement from start to finish.
Exclusive access to researched work placements.
Supporting travel documents including effective fundraising guide.
Management, advice and 24-hour backup and support.

In-country
Management and support by an in-country director and placement manager.
24-hour emergency backup and support.
Living allowance of £40 per month (if applicable).
Payment to the host towards your management care.
Airport pick-up and transfer to and from the placement.
Full board and accommodation.
Access to amenities at staff rates.

Not included:
International and internal (if applicable) flights, visas, medical expenses (recoverable through travel insurance) and innoculations, personal expenses – such as drinks etc and any independent travel at weekends, National Park fees (if applicable), travel insurance.

View and Print full details

You can view and print the details of this destination in pdf format by clicking the link below:

Kenya Solo Leap career breaker destination - PDF