Maasai Mara Game Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers Programme

From June, 07th to June, 17th 2023

Wildlife, Culture, Conservation, Education

Narok County

WHV Programme

THE SITE

The National Reserve is Kenya's most-visited protected area, world famous for its high density of herbivores and predators, and the annual migrations of Wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus.

The Maasai community living adjacent to the reserve has for many years lived in peace with the wildlife, their land use practice has until recently been strictly pastoralism that conquers with wildlife conservation. The annual wildebeest and plains zebra migration from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara National Reserve is the only migration of its kind in the world.

objectives

The project intends to consolidate the collaboration with the Maasai community, preserve and raise awareness of their cultures, and enhance their wildlife protection efforts at the Maasai Mara Game reserve adjacent to their dwelling places.

ACTIVITIES

The volunteers will partake in the construction of Manyattas (Maasai houses), during which they will learn the traditional building methods and discuss with the local communities on wildlife preservation and protection. Other immersive cultural experiences will include beading, Isukuti dance, and three rites of passage of the Maasai community.

In addition, the volunteers will join the educational nature walk and bio-diversity monitoring activity to discover animal paths, breeding points and wildlife behaviour. and facilitate awareness-raising programmes on heritage preservation and promotion at schools.

PARTNERS

Maasai Youth group, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Kenya Wildlife Service, Oloisukut Wildlife Conservancy Local authorities, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, local chiefs

ACCOMMODATION

Volunteers will be living in a secluded Maasai village with access to drinking water, minimal electricity and adequate food.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn/ enjoy local life and exchange with local people, making a while experience life through the eyes of the locals and exploring the great seven wonders of Maasai Mara National Game Reserve. They will enjoy the beautiful savannah. Numerous plains games including antelopes, wild beasts, zebras, Maasai giraffes can be seen as well as scavengers like hyena and vulture.

Volunteers will have the chance to take a guided safari on a weekend trip to go deeper into the Maasai Mara reserve to spot lions, gazelles and water buffalo.

pROJECT FEE

380€ (monthly) which include project work, housing, all meals, transport from the airport and to the project site, and 24 hours on side staff support.