If you are enthusiastic about working wth children and have patience, commitment and a willingness to get stuck in, then this project would suit you. As the Maasai Mara school is situated in a remote location, you will have to be able to adjust to a much simpler way of life with basic facilities. This project is great for people wanting to immerse themselves into the local culture and who come with an open mind. 

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

At this location there is no mandatory orientation day offered.

Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Arriving by Plane    

There are four meeting times as follows:
Option A – Saturday 10:00am
Option B – Saturday 2:00pm
Option C – Sunday 10:00am
Option D – Sunday 2:00pm

Kenya Airways fly daily between Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu and Nairobi. Another popular airline is Air Kenya, which flies regularly between Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Meru, Nanyuki and Samburu.

Bus

Kenya has a large bus network between many of the country’s popular destinations but be advised that roads will be bumpy. For safety reasons, we highly advise to use the long-distance buses during daytime only, as crime increases after dark.

Minivan

Minivans, locally known as “matatus” are another way to get around for short and medium distance journeys. Taking a matatu is a fantastic way to experience the real Kenya and you will often find them decorated in bright and fascinating colours. You can flag down a matatu from the side of the road and nowadays routes and schedules are provided on Google Maps, making it much easier to get around.

Train

The train in Kenya is often named the “Lunatic Express”. It travels between Nairobi and Mombasa three times a week. It is without a doubt a unique experience to travel by train and see the local Kenyan way of life as you pass by. Do be aware that trains have a bad reputation for being extremely slow, often with delays. If you have time on your hands though, this can be a great way to experience the country.

Monday to Friday

You will volunteer for around 4-6 hours a day, assisting the staff at the school. Your daily tasks will depend on the needs at the time of volunteering. You will plan and prepare fun and engaging lessons each day and help the children with their English speaking and other subjects.

Due to the remote location, there are no shops, banks or ATM’s within walking distance of the project or your accommodation. These things can be done in Narok (more than an hour away) which is the closest large town, hosting a variety of amenities, supermarkets, banks, and a shopping centre.

Situated in Narok County, the Maasai Mara is a popular safari region in the south-western area of Kenya. The Maasai Mara National Park borders with Tanzania and is home to an abundance of amazing wildlife including the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, & Rhino). You can also spot Wildebeest, Hippos, Cheetahs, Crocodiles, and Zebras throughout the park.

The local landscape is full of acacia trees and tall savannah grass, where the animals hide from predators. During the early mornings and at night, the wildlife come out to roam, bathe, or search for food and this is a great time to spot many animals in one place.

Modest clothing – covering the knees and shoulders is required while on school grounds and throughout the Maasai community.

Additional Requirements

• Please be advised that this is an extremely remote location and there are very minimal amenities available once you arrive. Be sure to bring any supplies/ food you think you might need whilst here and come with an open mind. This is necessary to fully appreciate this truly amazing experience.

Additional Equipment

There are no further requirements for this program.

Optional

Here are some things you might like to bring along with you:

• Ball, skipping ropes, frisbees, etc.
• Interesting board games
• Books/Comics
• Musical instruments
• Worksheets
• Cultural items of interest from your home country
• Photos from home/family/friends (the kids will love these)

Kenya is a stunning country, featuring almost every terrain and climate from desert, beach, cities and forests.

There is something for every traveler here, particularly for wildlife lovers. It has over 40 National parks throughout the country and holds the some of the world’s most loved and endangered animals. Here you will find lions, leopards, elephants, hippos and so much more! Kenya is famous for its incredible safaris, which are the countries main source of tourism.

Also well known is the semi nomadic Maasai tribe- a hugely symbolic tribe known for its colourful adornments and traditional clothing. Kenya is a nature lovers paradise, with a visit to the Great Rift Valley being a must. For those who enjoy a gentler pace then Kenya also offers some beautiful beaches, its coast stretching almost 80,000 kilometres.

The beach is also sunny for most of the year! The capital, Nairobi is the fifth largest city in Africa, with unique vibes and a vibrant nightlife. This bustling and cosmopolitan city will throw you into Kenyan way of life and be an interesting eye opener.

Kenya is a huge country with its climate changing from tropical along the coast, to arid in the northern regions and then mild inland temperatures.

Kenya receives a large amount of sunshine year-round but generally, the hottest months are between February and March while the coldest months are July to mid-August. The “long rains” start from March to June, while the “short rains” are between October and December.

Due to Kenya being a major hub for migration over the years, it has now become one of the most culturally diverse countries with many different languages spoken.

There are over 40 different ethnic groups in Kenya, including Luo, Kamba, Maasai and more. Each have their own of mother tongue, although Swahili remains the most widely spoken language. You will also find ethnic groups from European, Arab, Indian and Pakistani, who migrated to the country in the 19th century.

Religions such as Christianity and Islam are widely spread, however many local people still believe in the ancestral world, where the dead have a bearing on the living. Today, the majority of Kenya’s culture, dress, music and food has taken strong influence from other parts of Africa, India, Europe and the United States.

In certain parts of the country however, many local communities hold onto their traditional lifestyle and customs. They still wear the clothes, animal skins and jewellery as they did centuries before. Many remote tribes remain completely isolated and indigenous.

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