Elephant conservation and beaches, Kenya

country:	Kenya
departures:	2008: 12 Oct, 30 Nov 2009: 8 Feb, 5 Apr, 14 Jun, 28 Jun, 23 Aug, 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 29 Nov
price:	From £849 (14 days) excluding flights plus £150 donation and local payment US $400. We can arrange flights from the UK

read 3 travellers reviews

Elephant holidays

Kenya holidays

A taste of volunteering

the amazing things you'll be doing

A truly unique experience to encounter wild African elephants.

Away from the hustle of Nairobi and crowded central safari routes, this experience of eastern Kenya is one of the most inviting combinations for any traveller to the region. The warm, shimmering sea, lush rainforest, a huge array of wildlife, and the most welcoming, friendly people make this a ‘must do’ tour.

All these attractions are combined with a rare opportunity to work amongst wild African elephants within a picturesque sanctuary that is also home to warthog, impala, monitor lizard and baboons. The rewards of this tour are immense - an unforgettable experience.

Highlights

Game drives in Tsavo East National Park

Volunteer at Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

Relax on the beach in Diani

Night safari at Satao Rock Camp

Bush walking in the Sable Valley

the project

Your Involvement: Volunteers work within the sanctuary alongside wildlife experts, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the local community on several aspects of the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary conservation programme. Duties may include elephant identification research, herd behaviour and welfare, making elephant dung paper, and many other tasks involving the restoration and maintenance of the sanctuary. Volunteers may even get the opportunity to participate in the translocation of elephants to Tsavo National Park. With the highest density of elephant per km² you are virtually guaranteed close encounters with these magnificent giants.

Volunteer Programme Hosts: The Elephant Sanctuary is a community-based initiative that was launched in 1992, largely to reduce the increasing human / elephant conflicts in the area and provide a safe haven for the elephants. More than 200 families have voluntarily contributed land to the reserve, agreeing not to farm this important elephant habitat. Today they live nearby and manage the sanctuary, earning more from tourism than from farming. Valuable revenue from ecotourism and gate entrance fees have also enabled the community to build school classrooms and enjoy a steady water supply, as well as better roads. The area off the Shimba Hills escarpment in Kwale District is connected to the elephant migratory route leading into Tsavo East National Reserve.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Mombasa. Arrive Mombasa and transfer to the pretty beach of Bamburi. Tonight we stay in a hotel near the beach surrounded by coconut palms and tropical flower trees.
Day 2:	Mombasa – Mukurumuji. Transfer to Mukurumuji camp situated within the Sable Valley. Enjoy a guided bush walk, learning how to identify wildlife tracks and the local fauna. If we are lucky we may even see elephant and buffalo roaming in the hills. (BLD)
Day 3:	Mukurumuji. A free day to relax in this tranquil camp and enjoy the magnificent views of the rainforest. We explore the local village and there is the opportunity to take part in a river walk. (BLD)
Day 4:	Mukurumuji - Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. Transfer to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary which boasts the highest density (per km2) of elephants in Africa. No other place can offer as much chance to see elephants this close up in the wild. We spend the next 5 nights camping in the sanctuary. (BLD)
Day 5-8:	Volunteer Programme. Four rewarding days volunteering in the sanctuary. We learn about elephant behaviour and the threats facing these amazing animals as we participate in our daily tasks, as well as enjoying game drives in the sanctuary. (BLD)
Day 9-10:	Diani Beach Coastal Camp. Enjoy the white sands and warm waters at Diani Beach alongside the resident colobus monkeys and baboons. There are plenty of options to choose from - you can visit the local Maasai village, take part in a mangrove tour or perhaps join a sea safari and search for the dolphins and whale sharks that frequent this part of the Indian Ocean. There are many watersport activities on offer, and miles of gorgeous beach for those who prefer to relax in the sun. (B)
Day 11:	Tsavo East National Park – Taita Ranch. We enjoy game drives in Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo East is one of the largest national parks in Kenya and is also home to some of the largest herds in Kenya. Game includes elephant, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk and zebra. Transfer late this afternoon to Taita Ranch for a night game drive. We stay in Satao Rock Camp situated in Taita Ranch, overlooking a small waterhole where there are opportunities to see elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard, impala, warthog, buffalo, lesser kudu, baboons and vervet monkeys. (BLD)
Day 12:	Tsavo East National Park - Taita Ranch. Further game drives in Tsavo East National Park returning to Taita Ranch/Satao Rock Camp for another night game drive offering the chance to spot more elusive nocturnal creatures. (BLD).
Day 13:	Satao Rock/Taita Ranch - Mombasa. Early morning game drive in Taita Ranch before transferring to Mombasa (B)
Day 14:	Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

travellers' tales

The two most memorable parts of my holiday were visiting the local school and meeting all the children and seeing the work being done there by volunteers, and watching five cheetahs playing together in Tsavo East. (more)

highly commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

By adding a volunteer programme at Mwaluganje as part of this tour we are able to provide much needed physical and financial assistance to this elephant sanctuary. We are teaming up on a project with 'Camp Kenya' which aims to develop the sanctuary up to a standard whereby more tourists can be attracted to come, thus bringing in more money for the upkeep of the sanctuary and the members of the community who kindly donated the land.

Our camp staff and tour leaders are locally employed, and we support local families by visiting their homes where our passengers can learn about local lifestyles and traditions.

Jeep sand safari

There are options on this tour to support a local trust that looks after the welfare of wild monkeys and baboons that reside in the area, as well as a visit to a local Maasai village where local products are for sale - the monies going directly back to the village. You even have the chance to build a desk for a local school or work in a Teak plantation, small jobs that can really assist the local community. 100% of the donation you pay goes directly to Camp Kenya and is used to support all these programmes.

Overall we have a strong responsible travel philosophy, supporting many grass projects throughout the world including orphanages, museums and schools. We are pleased to be able to offer hands on experiences to our passengers so you too can be involved.

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