1) Volunteering in Kenya is an amazing opportunity to experience the traditional Masai culture, and national parks with rich wildlife and support a good cause. Themba means ‘hope’ in the Xhosa language. You can become part of our mission to restore hope and dignity to people by sharing your skills and experience. We have selected the projects who we trust, and know that they greatly impact their surrounding communities.
2) You are going into what is likely to be a very foreign feeling environment. You will meet wonderful people, and create new connections across countries and cultures, but face some of the realities of life in Kenya. You need to have an open mind; you will also need resilience.
3) Your weekly fee covers charming, comfortable en-suite accommodation, daily transport to and from your chosen project and meals. Overall, you can expect to be comfortable and well looked after while on your Themba volunteering holiday.
An immersive and deeply experiential opportunity to discover the expansive sky and vast savannas of Kenya.
The Soysambu Conservancy is located adjacent to Lake Elmenteita in the centre of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, seasonal feeding grounds for some of the biggest flocks of flamingos in Africa. The conservancy has played a significant role in the rich history of Kenya, and is now operated as a modern forward-thinking Conservancy that integrates agricultural production with wildlife conservation and seeks to play a part in the economic and social development of modern Kenya.
The itinerary envisages a week of immersive experiences designed to involve visitors in what it takes to operate a Conservancy. As well as having lots of fun, visitors will leave with a deeper understanding of how the challenges faced by conservationists in Africa are gradually being overcome with innovation and enterprise.
We aim to educate you about conservation issues so that you continue to be a mindful global citizen after your program. Our mission is to build conscious travelers that love nature, our wildlife and the people as we share our passion for making a difference.
We are here to help and to contribute collectively to conservation.
Some of the major causes of environmental decline, is the loss of natural habitat, lack of protection of biodiversity, human-animal conflict and the ignorance of the effect humans have on ecosystems. Understanding these causes, will help us find solutions to protect and conserve and take better care for our enviroments.
No special skills are required. Training will be provided. All you need to have is a curiosity for wildlife, be teachable, and have a keen interest on how your stay with leave a positive impact.
A local English speaking guide will collect you from the airport and taken to your accommodation.
Soysambu is home to the largest and fastest-growing population of Rothschild’s giraffes in Kenya. You will join the monitoring teams to find and photograph giraffes, and thereafter enter the data into the Conservancy records to help gain an understanding of long-term trends PM: game drive and sundowners, followed by dinner in camp
Non-indigenous invasive plants are a major problem for many conservation areas around the world. Soysambu has a well-developed management plan for such species. You will join the teams responsible and work with them in the field to identify and remove invasive plants and learn how this assists to recover natural habitats that promote biodiversity PM: Colobus monkey monitoring – Soysambu reintroduced colobus monkeys from various parts of Kenya a few years ago. The population has done well but needs consistent monitoring to ensure its continued recovery. You will join the monitoring teams to locate, photograph and collect data.
The lake and its environs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for vast flocks of flamingos and the only breeding site in Kenya for Great White Pelicans. The birdlife around the lake and across Soysambu is astounding. You will join teams to conduct bird counts around the lake and to sight and record bird species within the surrounding areas PM: Diatomite caves – a visit to these ancient caves, previously mined for diatomite is an extraordinary experience that takes you into a place akin to the hyena cave from The Lion King. Bats exist in abundance, as do old skeletons collected over the years by predators taking cover in the caves.
Simon Thomsett of the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust will take you around his home which doubles as a raptor recovery centre for injured birds of prey and vultures rescued from across Kenya. This is a fascinating experience for anyone interested in conservation, and Simon is an engaging – if somewhat eccentric – host. PM: Hyena & Leopard Monitoring/ Night Game drive – accompanied by a sundowner the evening will be spent looking for spotted hyenas and – hopefully – leopards which abound on Soysambu.
Visit one of Kenya’s iconic parks, home to good numbers of wildlife including white and black rhinos, as well as fantastic birdlife.
From here you will be returned to the airport. Should you want to stay a few more days to experience Kenya’s amazing culture, we are happy to assist. From visiting the Maasai Mara or exploring the markets in Nairobi, lets plan the rest of your trip.
Soysambu is a 48,000 acre area of conservation in Kenya. Situated in Kenya’s Central Rift Valley 130kms northwest of Nairobi and 25 kms southeast of Nakuru. Lake Nakuru National Park is on the west, volcanoes Ol Doinyo Eburru to the south and Menengai to the north.
Let’s Plan Your Trip
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and find inspiration for your travels!
© 2024 Themba Travel | Registered in England & Wales 12320228
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and find inspiration for your travels!
