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under 18s Programme
Under 18s Kenya Itinerary
MARINE CONSERVATION + COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT + SAFARI + 16 UCAS POINTS
Our under-18 programme in Kenya offers an immersive, action-packed experience, combining adventure, conservation, and cultural engagement to inspire and empower.
Bahari Hai
Arrival
From the moment you step off the plane you’ll be hit by the hustle and bustle of Kenyan life. There will be piki pikis weaving through tuk tuks and matatus, women selling mangoes out of wheelbarrows, and perhaps the odd donkey wandering the streets.
It’s about a 2-hour drive from Mombasa airport to your new base in Vipingo, called Bahari Hai, which is set right on the beach, with lots of ensuite bungalows, surrounding communal hang-out areas and a small pool.Y ou’ll be met with a delicious lunch, and time to unpack your bags before your first swim the warm Indian Ocean.
In the afternoon you’ll meet the Oceans Alive team who will give you an induction covering their goals, your participation and staying safe whilst on the adventure in Kenya, before you get stuck into some fun raft building to help you bond and acclimatise.
Induction + Coral Restoration
Today begins at the Oceans Alive Centre, located on the shores of Kenya’s first Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) in the Kuruwitu Lagoon. You'll head out into the warm, waist-deep waters for your first underwater safari, exploring the vibrant coral structures. Expect to encounter a kaleidoscope of marine life, including brightly coloured clams, sea anemones, and tropical fish—a truly stunning experience.
Vipingo
After lunch, you’ll learn more about the conservation efforts directly from the Oceans Alive team. Then, it's off to Vipingo Ridge, where a scenic hike leads you to the dam in search of resident giraffes and antelope. Capping off the day with a refreshing swim and supper at the Vipingo Ridge Resort.
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Coral Regeneration
The morning will be dedicated to hands-on work with coral regeneration projects, focusing on three key tasks: plug creation, coral gardening, and building artificial reef structures. You'll be divided into three teams and rotate throughout, ensuring you experience each stage of the process.
Team A: Plug Creation
This is where it all begins. You'll create small concrete plugs, about the size of an egg cup, onto which broken fragments of coral are attached. These newly formed plugs are then placed into the coral nursery in the ocean, helping to nurture new coral growth.
Team B: Coral Gardening
Equipped with a snorkel and mask, you'll head into the shallow waters to tend to the coral nursery, gently cleaning the coral plugs with a brush. If the coral has grown large enough, you'll help transfer it onto an artificial reef.
Team C: Artificial Reefs
Here, you'll assist in building artificial reef structures made of concrete or wire. These are constructed on land and later submerged in the ocean, where they serve as a base for the coral plugs you've helped cultivate.
Shariani Market
After lunch, you’ll visit the vibrant Shariani Market for a firsthand look at local community life. From fresh produce to clothing and electronics, this bustling market offers a true taste of everyday Kenyan life. It's the perfect opportunity to practice your haggling skills and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Supper: Bahari Hai, fancy dress night having bought something at the market.
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Joyland School
Today will be spent at the local school with the children. Expect a lively mix of games, arts and crafts, and perhaps even an impromptu football match. The kids are always excited to meet new people and will welcome you with open arms, making for a truly heartwarming experience.
Jiko Stoves
In the afternoon, you'll visit the nearby village to build jiko stoves which is one of Oceans Alive’s community projects aimed at reducing the pressures of overfishing in the lagoon.
You’ll notice that many homes in the village still rely on open flames for cooking, which is both hazardous and fuel-inefficient. Oceans Alive is addressing this issue by introducing Jiko stoves into fishermen’s homes. These stoves not only make cooking safer but also help preserve fish by providing a frying option, extending shelf life. You’ll have the chance to help build a Jiko stove—an experience that puts you right at the heart of community life.
Cooking Lesson
In the evening, we’ve arranged for you to join a cooking lesson led by local women, where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Kenyan dishes such as mandazi (a sweet, doughnut-like bread). Afterward, you’ll sit down together to enjoy the delicious results of your efforts.
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Marine Projects
This morning, you’ll dive back into the coral regeneration project, focusing on your next task, and continuing your hands-on contribution to marine conservation.
Community Football
In the afternoon, prepare for some friendly competition as you join an exciting football tournament against the spirited and football-loving teenagers from the Shariani community. They live and breathe the sport, so expect a lively and energetic match.
Dhow Sailing
After the game, you’ll unwind with a serene sunset cruise along the Kilifi River aboard a traditional dhow sailing boat, before returning back to base for a late supper.
Church Service
Today is all about immersing yourself in the vibrant local community, beginning with an unforgettable church service — a lively, joyful, and colourful celebration of local culture that will leave a lasting impression.
Vertical Gardening
After lunch, you’ll dive into another meaningful community project. As Oceans Alive works with fishermen to reduce overfishing, they also promote alternative sources of income and food. One such initiative is the innovative community farm, where fishermen are introduced to vertical gardening—a brilliant technique for growing fruits and vegetables in compact spaces. Using recycled cement sacks, the community has created tiered gardens, resembling wedding cakes. This method not only conserves water but also allows a variety of crops to flourish without taking up much land.
During your visit, you’ll roll up your sleeves and help maintain these vertical gardens, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Water Appreciation + Beach Club
This morning, you'll return to the coral regeneration project to complete your final marine task, before you head back into the community to support the water appreciation project. This initiative involves gathering water from the well and delivering it to the homes of elderly and sick villagers—a huge effort that is deeply valued by the entire community.
The afternoon will be a relaxing break at the beach club, where you can unwind, play volleyball, and hang out. You'll then head back to base to pack up in preparation for your safari tomorrow and have a magical final celebratory supper with entertainment from local musicians and acrobats who will showcase their talents.
Safari in Tsavo National Park
No trip to Kenya would becomplete without a safari, and we’ve planned an unforgettable experience at the stunning Ngutuni Conservancy, renowned for its thriving elephant population and the iconic Saltlick Lodge in Tsavo East National Park.
Leading the way is Chris Angel, your expert guide and safari coordinator—one of the best in Kenya, who has an uncanny ability to track wildlife and bring the landscape to life. To make the journey even more unique, he’ll bring along a fleet of bicycles for a scenic cycling adventure en route to the park gates.
Ngutuni Lodge
Your adventure begins with a 7 a.m. departure to reach Bachuma, where you'll stop for refreshments and explore the sprawling craft center before embarking on a gentle cycling challenge. The route is a peaceful, smooth, and mostly flat 6 to 11 km ride along a pipeline, which should take around an hour.
You'll spend your first night at the beautiful Ngutuni Lodge, which boasts a brand-new swimming pool and, more importantly, a spectacular waterhole where you can watch wildlife gather right in front of the lodge. In the afternoon, you’ll set off on a game drive where you're likely to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelope, and a wide variety of birds—with the possibility of spotting lions, cheetahs, and more.
Saltlick Lodge
You'll start the day with an early morning game drive before returning for breakfast. Afterward, you’ll drive through the park, heading towards Saltlick Lodge, stopping at Taita Hills for lunch and a refreshing swim. By 3p.m you’ll continue your journey to Saltlick, arriving in time for an evening game drive.
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Saltlick to Mombasa Airport
Your safari ends with an early morning game drive—an excellent opportunity to catch the lions as they prowl through the park in the cool dawn hours. After this you'll return to the lodge for breakfast before departing for Voi, where you’ll board the train to Mombasa.
As the landscape rolls by, you'll have time to reflect on the incredible experiences, from the breathtaking wildlife to the vibrant community projects. Your journey will end in Mombasa, where you'll catch your flight home, leaving Kenya with unforgettable memories of adventure, connection, and the extraordinary beauty of nature.
Arrive Home
After 10 unforgettable days, you’ll return home in the early morning, full of stories, new friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose—ready to take on whatever comes next.
