Overview
Listen up Leapers - This placement is well and truly back on and better than ever…First departure is January 2014 and its beginning to fly.
Your time will be split between the heavenly Indian Ocean coast at Diani, the green and lush Shimba Hills and the mangroves and oh so white beaches of Funzi Island. But as to be expected you'll be set to work to make considerable differences to the lives of local communities and their environments.
Around Diani Beach on the south coast of Kenya, famous for its shallow, warm, reef protected water and tropical beaches you'll carry out teaching, classroom repairs and projects to benefit the local people.
In the Shimba Hills, a 45 min journey inland from the coast, you'll work alongside the Wildlife Rangers on their conservation projects in the National Reserve. The park has one of the densest populations of elephants in Kenya and the projects are aimed at helping reducing the human - wildlife conflict.
And finally, just a short boat journey away is the amazing island of Funzi where you'll help local conservationists with their marine turtle projects.
So what could be better winter at home or beside the Indian Ocean?
How you help
Help to change the lives of children in Kinondo Village, teach in the community schools and play a key role in conservation in the Shimba Hills and on Funzi Island.
Helping How?
Diani Beach - 4 weeks at start and 2 weeks at the end
- Here you will teach English and sport to the local children at Kinondo and other nearby schools during term time. Assistance is also required to help with the construction and improvement of fresh water facilities, painting murals, building classrooms and improving sports facilities.
- Work alongside local artisans and women's groups on retail projects and traditional African crafts, to provide them with an alternative income.
Marine Turtle Conservation - 2 weeks
Protecting sea turtles from poaching, fishing nets and pollution. Projects include tagging and releasing, nest monitoring, trail maintenance and beach clean ups alongside local families - you may get the chance to spot dolphins in the sea around Funzi Island.
Shimba Hills - 2 weeks
- Help to maintain and improve the roads and fences as well as school educational development programmes.
- Produce a range of quality elephant dung paper products that can be sold to increase revenue for the sanctuary.
- Monitoring of elephants and identification on game drives
- Develop wildlife education programmes for the surrounding communities.
Your base
Your Team
Maximum of 40 volunteers per departure, minimum of 2. During the day you’ll be split up into project groups of about 10-14 with one appointed leader. Anyone between 18 and 27 years.
Your Team
Maximum of 40 volunteers per departure, minimum of 2. During the day you’ll be split up into project groups of about 10-14 with one appointed leader. Anyone between 18 and 27 years.
Accommodation
The house, bungalows and bandas are a short walking distance from Diani Beach on the South Kenya Coast, famous for its shallow, warm, reef protected water and tropical beaches. The rooms can accommodate 2 - 4 people. Their are has showers and believe it or not, a sit down flushing loo!
Food
Food is enjoyed around the camp fire after evenings spent at the pool table or playing football against the school kids. Three meals a day, clean drinking water is provided and vegetarians can be catered for. Food is basic but tasty with a variety of Western and local food on offer.
Wildlife
Elephants, Buffalos, Antelopes, Giraffes, Zebras, primates, Warthogs, Dik Diks, Impalas, Lions, hyenas, Eagles, Kites, Owls, Hornbills, Starlings, Hoopoe, Sunbirds, Swallows, Storks
Weather and Seasons
It is warm and dry 25 - 40 degrees with sunny days and cool nights. The long rains in Kenya are from April – June and short rains (if they arrive) in November. At this time of year you are likely to get the traditional African thunderstorm lasting about an hour or two, clearing the air, then it's hot again.
The coast however is always hot and humid and usually gets the rain between July and August when you'll get a down pour for a few hours early morning.
Time In/Out
Time In
Those choosing a 6-week placement will fly out with the others who have chosen the 10-week option, rotating through the projects described.
Generally activities on the projects will take place 5 days per week for 6 - 8 hours. Saturday and Sunday are free to enjoy the beaches.
Time Out
Weekends are yours to chill out and enjoy all the sights and sensations the Kenyan Coast and bush have to offer! Relax on incredible beaches, try your hand at windsurfing or kitesurfing, deep sea fishing, dhow safaris, snorkelling over the coral reefs or learning to scuba-dive amongst whales and dolphins. In the bush, spend your weekends on safari, bungee jumping or white water rafting.
Top Trips
Safari to Tsavo East and the Maasai Mara, PADI Open Water Scuba Course, white water raft the source of the Nile, climb Mt Kenya or head over the border to Tanzania and have a crack at Kilimanjaro. Visit the island paradise of Zanzibar where you can snorkel in the Indian Ocean and search for wild dolphins, take a Spice Tour or party on the beach at a full moon party!
Costs/Dates
Dates2014 for 10 or 6 weeks
January 6th, April 1st , July 1st (6 weeks only), September 1st
Once on the placement it is possible to switch from 6 to 10 weeks.
Enjoy these extra benefits only available if you stay 10 weeks (Jan, Apr, Sept)
We appreciate that many choose the six week option for financial or other reasons but would highly encourage leapers, if they can, to stay for the full ten weeks – most do.
We are also very flexible and allow people the choice to extend from six weeks to ten weeks either pre departure, when you know how your fundraising is going or once overseas. The flights booked through STA travel are deliberately flexible to allow you to change your plans.
- experience the Shimba Hills project phase – this is in a totally different part of Kenya and plenty of wild game elephants etc that you will get the opportunity to see on game drives.
- a unique chance to work amongst some very remote tribes totally off the beaten track, something no tourist would experience.
- the opportunity to spend longer on marine conservation projects.
- longer time to experience the culture and have fun overseas.
- maximise the value of the international flight.
Costs
Up until 31st August 2014
6 weeks £1987
10 weeks £2887
Includes:
Donation to the project trust – currently £90 per person
Selection and briefing on all aspects of the scheme
Management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager
24 hour emergency back-up both in-country and the UK
Safety and induction course on arrival
Airport pick up and transfer to and from the placement locations
Full board/food and accommodation including water throughout
All park fees – whilst working
Not included:
International flights, internal flight, visas, travel insurance, medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), soft drinks/beer etc. Volunteers will be responsible for any independent/weekend travel expenses e.g. food and accommodation whilst away from the placement location and any excursions not listed above. We are happy to arrange flights through STA Travel (ABTA 99209 and IATA 9122411) who are well known for offering good value.
Donation To The Community
Included in the cost of the scheme is a donation set at the level indicated above are divided amongst the projects you assist ensuring that your contribution benefits everyone where they need it most. Given the average monthly wage is approximately £35 per month the donations go far and in the past Leapers have paid for a child’s school fees, bought materials to build medical clinics etc or playground equipment.
Exchange Rates:
Please note that as the project hosts are converting the pound sterling we pay them into Kenya shillings/US Dollars to cover all in-country costs, and the cost of the placement is set so far ahead, if there is a big change in the exchange rate or fuel increase then we reserve the right to increase the cost of the scheme, as per our Booking Conditions, but will absorb any minor fluctuations, and will give plenty of warning if we have to raise prices slightly.
