Community, Environment, Conservation, Sports

Product Details

The placement at a glance

Accommodation in 6-8 with food and allowances provided. Four-day in-county orientation followed by 6 weeks in Uganda on the Nile and 6 weeks in Kenya on a ranch. Then one month extensive travel including the amazing AV group safari.

Country knowledge (Kenya)

Kenya has a multi-racial society of some 32 million. It straddles the Equator and its climate ranges from arid semi-dessert to temperate conditions. With its tropical coastline few areas of the world can boast such dramatic scenery and welcoming friendly peoples.

Country knowledge (Uganda)

Uganda has a multi-racial society of some 20 million, and straddles the Equator, its climate ranges from arid semi desert to pleasant temperate conditions, with the shores of Lake Victoria boasting tropical climate conditions.

The Scheme

The scheme is ideal for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and working with people. It has something for everyone, including a wide variety of environmental, community, white water and adventurous activities on the River Nile in Uganda and community/environmental projects on a 48,000-acre ranch between Lake Elementaita and Lake Nakuru in Kenya. The projects themselves are for 3 months altogether from October/November to February/March, February to May/June and May to September. They are followed by 3 weeks travelling in Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania, whether or not this is relaxing on the palm-fringed white sands of the Kenyan coast, exploring Zanzibar’s spice markets, or visiting the mountain gorillas in the Ruwenzori Mountains, it is your time to do what you choose - and there is a huge choice! Your scheme culminates with AV’s amazing 6-day safari into 2 of Kenya’s most scenic and famous national parks, which is included in the cost of the scheme.

"I was sadder saying goodbye to the villagers than I was my parents!"

Orientation and Training

You will start with a 4-day orientation course on the shores of Lake Naivasha, in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, during which you can begin to settle into the African life and get to know each other. Here you will be advised on such matters as conservation management, community development, health and safety precautions, local history, customs and cultures and language training.

The Projects

Uganda. Accommodation in a group 30 km north of Jinja, on the banks of the Nile, with food and allowances provided. Four-day orientation in Kenya followed by 6 weeks on your projects in Kenya or here, then swop over for a further 6 weeks. All this followed by a month’s independent travel and the amazing AV 6-day safari.

The Uganda Project. Our project gives you the opportunity to live in one of the most stunningly beautiful and scenic parts of Uganda and Africa, on the banks of the River Nile, close to the source of this great river. You will work alongside the Islands’ Wildwater Conservation group - and with the local villager communities - to help develop and preserve the Wildwater Reserve, a newly founded conservation area comprising several islands in the river as well as the adjoining banks. Ninety-one islands scattered along the Source of the Nile create a unique eco-system that will be contained in the Wildwater Reserve. The islands are being deforested and severely eroded very rapidly and, without the help of volunteer groups such as those from AV, the natural beauty of the Upper Nile will soon be lost forever. Supervised by AV, and with the help and cooperation of local Ugandan communities, you will be working as part of a team alongside Wildwater Conservation personnel on a variety of projects aimed at developing and preserving this immensely beautiful area.

Kenya. Accommodation in a house on a 48,000-acre ranch at Soysambu, on the shore of Lake Elementaita. Food and allowances are provided. Four-day orientation in Kenya followed by 6 weeks on your projects in Uganda or here, then swop over for a further 6 weeks. All this followed by a month’s independent travel and the amazing AV 6-day safari.

The Kenya Project. Soysambu has been a cattle ranch for 100 years, run by kenya’s founding aristocracy, the Delameres. Recently, it became a conservancy charity,providing employment and assistance to the local population and studying human/wildlife conflict. There is much to do and projects include: Renovation of schools and clinics, wildlife monitoring and data collection, removal of snares, building accommodation for rangers and involvement with all aspects of community life on the ranch.

Adventure, Travel and Safari

Following your project work you have a period of independent travel in East Africa for nearly 3 weeks until departure from Nairobi on our awesome 6- day safari. Our Safari takes in the vast amounts of game and flamingos living around the edge of Lake Nakuru as well as 3 nights in the famous Masai Mara or Sambur National Parks, where you can see all of the ‘Big Five’.

Culture shock and Security

Many AVs have walked this path before you, but this is not a scheme for the faint hearted. There will be periods of frustration and, initially, a considerable culture shock. The safety and security of our volunteers is our utmost concern. We provide a comprehensive medical and general travel policy arranged by Endsleigh Insurance, including 24 hour medical cover and air repatriation, in-country medical back up and air rescue with the Flying Doctors society of East Africa.

Apply below for free brochure. There is no application fee.