Kenya Conservation Safari

Wildlife Conservation & Birding Safari in Kenya

January 15 to February 4, 2012 (21 days)

Life Net seeks 8 birders, ecotourism, and/or wildlife conservation enthusiasts to join our volunteer expedition to Kenya from January 15 to February 4, 2012. Your job is very easy – safari around Kenya learning about wildlife for two weeks with local experts and help Maasai develop a walking safari. This exciting Life Net expedition supports a Kenyan-operated birding tour company, and the development of a birding and walking safari for marketing by a Maasai community in western Kenya.

Dr. Dusti Becker and Dr. Tony Povilitis, wildlife conservation biologists, invite you to join them and up to 8 other nature enthusiasts on a unique birding and conservation-oriented volunteering safari in Kenya. As a member of this Life Net safari you will work with local Maasai to design a birding and wildlife walking safari and support a small local birding company. We will spend 2 weeks birding and photographing wildlife, tenting near elephants, lions, warthogs, and wildebeests, while visiting many of Kenya's national parks and reserves. During the third week we'll work with Maasai in western Kenya and learn more about their contemporary culture and the economic, and ecological challenges they face. In order to create an economic incentive to conserve wildlife we will work with the Maasai to develop a walking safari and interpretive program that local youth may sell to visitors.

During the safari you will meet local Kenyans and conservation leaders learning more about the challenges of preserving nature and wildlife in Kenya. Our team supports a community conservation effort in Samburu, an area hit by current drought, and we will work directly with Maasai in western Kenya to develop a walking safari on their lands.

Team rendezvous: Nairobi, Kenya - January 15th - 8 am departure. Team departs from Wildebeest Camp where we strongly suggest you spend a night or two before the start of the safari to recover from jet lag and settle into Kenya.

What to bring: Binoculars, cameras, enthusiasm! - Once you join the team, we'll send a more detailed list of suggestions for what to bring.

Cost-share Donation: $4200. This donation to Life Net is partially tax-deductible and covers the in-country safari vans and drivers, camp fees, park fees, lodges, meals, local staffing, and provides a donation to Life Net. (Airfare is not included).

Life Net volunteers facilitate nature conservation around the world in biodiversity hotspots by helping local people protect and gain income from nature preservation.

To apply, contact Dr. Dusti Becker, dbecker@lifenetnature.org and visit www.lifenetnature.org for more information on Life Net.

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