BIG CAT & WILD DOG MONITORING
By gathering and providing data as a volunteer, you will contribute to the Mara Predator Conservation Programme, a flagship initiative coordinated by Kenya Wildlife Trust. This program brings together communities, conservancy rangers, and tourism partners across the Greater Mara’s conservancies in an effort to help secure the future of lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs in these areas through tracking, monitoring, and understanding their behavior.
Your daily game drives in Pardamat and surrounding conservancies will focus on tracking, identifying, monitoring, and recording big cats and wild dogs, providing valuable data to the program.
GAME COUNTS
As a volunteer, you will conduct regular game counts along transects or within sample areas, with a focus on monitoring the distribution of wildlife across the Pardamat Conservation Area, including their movement patterns and trends over time. This critical monitoring helps conservation efforts by measuring improvements in wildlife density and movement in the conservancy.
Part of your monitoring efforts will be dedicated to collecting valuable data on elephant sightings, including the location, size, and composition of elephant groups. This data is particularly important as elephants require large dispersal areas and move between the Maasai Mara National Reserve, neighboring conservancies, and community land as part of their migration route.
The data you collect is reviewed regularly by the conservation area’s management team, and is also shared with researchers to ensure coordinated ecological monitoring efforts across the Greater Mara landscape. By contributing to this effort, you will help to ensure the preservation of elephant populations and other important wildlife species in the region.
CONSERVANCY WORK & RESTORATION
At Pardamat Conservation Area, environmental challenges such as soil erosion and invasive species pose significant threats to the ecosystem. As a volunteer, you'll play an active role in conserving the area by participating in physical initiatives that aim to maintain a healthy environment for the wildlife to thrive in.
These conservation efforts are carried out in collaboration with the management team of the conservation area and may include tasks such as removing invasive plant species, monitoring soil erosion, conducting grass checks, identifying game drive routes, repairing roads, collecting litter, and assisting with the construction of predator-proof bomas to keep livestock safe at night.
DAYS-OFF ACTIVITIES
Safari in the Masai Mara:
Experience the African wilderness like never before by going on a safari in the Masai Mara. Your stay in the middle of the East African conservancy offers endless opportunities to explore and marvel at the wonders of nature. Enjoy movie nights under the stars, campfire nights, and bush dinners during your stay. For a touch of luxury, visit the nearby Eagle View luxury safari camp for a drink, dinner, or even an overnight stay. You can sit back and watch the resident wildlife visit the watering hole from the terrace. The world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve is also within reach, and you could spend your free time going on safari through its wild landscapes in search of elephants, lions, rhinos, and other iconic African wildlife. You could also opt for a hot air balloon safari to witness the Mara from the sky, an unforgettable experience! Please note that these activities are optional and not included in the programme fee.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi:
Located in Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is an attraction worth exploring if you have some extra time before or after your program. Established by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, this rescue and rehabilitation center provides a safe haven for orphaned elephants and rhinos whose mothers have fallen prey to wildlife poachers. For one hour each day, visitors can witness the orphans being bottle-fed and taking mud baths. Additionally, you'll learn about the challenges that elephants face in Kenya and the ongoing efforts to safeguard their future.
Relax and unwind on one of Africa’s best beaches:
After your conservation experience in the Masai Mara, why not extend your stay in Kenya and explore the country's stunning coastal destinations? Kenya boasts some of the most breathtaking and exotic beaches on the continent, including Mombasa Beach, Watamu Beach, and Diani Beach. At Mombasa Beach, you can swim in the crystal-clear waters and indulge in fresh seafood from the beach shacks. Meanwhile, Watamu Beach offers incredible snorkeling and scuba diving expeditions, allowing you to explore the colorful underwater world.
