Tsavo National Parks & Chyulu Hills
UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers Programme

From July, 14th to July, 24th 2023

Wildlife, Environment management, Conservation

Taita-Taveta County

WHV Programme

THE SITE

Tsavo is made up of two separate parks: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. Located in Coast Province of Kenya in between Nairobi City and Mombasa, Tsavo Parks is nearly 22,000 square kilometres, being the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. The park was split into two due to the railway going from Mombasa to the interior of Kenya.

Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest parks in Kenya, located South East of Kenya near the Town of Voi in the Taita-Taveta District of Coast Province, inland from the Coast. It is 13,747 square kilometres. As for the Tsavo West National Park, it is also located in the Coast Province of Kenya covering an area of 9,065 square kilometres.

The park has the largest single population of African elephants now estimated at over 14,000. Kisula Cave Complex found in the Chyulu hills includes extensive lava flows that have created some spectacular craters and hills, and it includes what is currently considered to be the second largest lava cave in the world. In order to protect this rich biodiversity, Tsavo National Park was established in 1948.

Following Kenyan independence in 1963, hunting was banned in the park and management of Tsavo was turned over to the authority that eventually became the Kenya Wildlife Service. Tsavo currently attracts photo-tourists from all over the world interested in experiencing the vastness of the wilderness and incredible terrain.

OBJECTIVES

The project’s main objectives are to raise awareness of the preservation and promotion of the site; to encourage local and international volunteers to get involved and strengthen their skills on heritage and wildlife protection; to develop strong cooperation between different stakeholders.

ACTIVITIES

Under the guidance of the Tsavo National Park rangers, the volunteers will learn how to monitor the wildlife and the native ecosystem and help the recording and documentation of the number of flora and fauna during activities such as guided tours and game drives.

They will reach out to the local communities and share the knowledge they have gained on heritage and wildlife protection measures, and human-wildlife conflict. Some other hands-on activities will include the maintenance of the caves and infrastructure (e.g. fences and camera traps) in the Park.

PARTNERS

Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Youth Forum, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa

ACCOMMODATION

There is no in park accommodation, but the volunteers will stay near the park hosted by the host family during the whole duration of the project. Volunteers will prepare and share meals together.

Volunteers need to carry cameras, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, guidebook, warm clothes, a sleeping mat, sleeping bag and mosquito net.

lEISURE ACTIVITY

Major attraction for leisure time in the park is; the black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffaloes, Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elands and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded.

Other attractions include; the ivory burning site monument, safari walk, the orphanage and the walking trails.

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.