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Rothschild’s Giraffe Conservation in Nakuru

Join a unique conservation project in the Rift Valley! Work alongside rangers to protect the Rothschild’s giraffe, help plant trees with local communities and discover one of Kenya’s most fascinating regions through safaris, craters and forests.

Where

Where

Nakuru, Kenya

When

When

Departures every week, year-round (except closure periods)

Duration

Duration

Minimum 2 weeks

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included

Language

Language

English (beginner level recommended)

Ideal for

Ideal for

Anyone who loves nature, wants to contribute to conservation and live an authentic experience among savannah, forests and local communities.

Travel destination

Project details

About section

A conservation project among savannah, forests and local communities

 

In the Rift Valley, where the landscape opens out into craters, highlands and vast stretches of savannah, Rothschild’s giraffes are at risk of disappearing. Once numerous, they are now a threatened species because of habitat loss and the human impact on the ecosystem.

It is here that Edwin and his local team decided to act, creating a project that brings together wildlife monitoring, reforestation and environmental education. Their goal is simple but ambitious: to protect nature by involving the people who live alongside it every day.

Because of the shortage of rangers, extra energy is needed to support daily activities in the conservancy. As a participant, you will make a concrete contribution: you will track giraffes to study their behaviour, help remove invasive plants and support local communities in caring for nurseries and planting native trees.

It is a hands-on, immersive and deeply educational experience, where each day brings you into contact with the land, the animals and the people. An opportunity to contribute to environmental conservation and discover the strength of the bond between community and nature.

Why participate

Help protect an endangered species

Take part in monitoring Rothschild’s giraffes and help protect one of Kenya’s most threatened species.

Help protect an endangered species

Experience nature from the inside

Experience nature from the inside

Also available as a group trip!

This project is included in Group Volunteer Trip to Kenya

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

From Monday to Friday, your days are divided between field activities in the conservancy, practical training and time shared with the local team.

Each week you will alternate between giraffe monitoring, removal of invasive species, nursery care and planting native trees.

There are also guided outings, visits to craters and protected areas, always supported by the local coordinators and enriched by exchange with the other participants.

In the afternoon you will also have time to prepare for the next day’s activities, compare notes with the team and enjoy the nature and calm of the Rift Valley.

07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Monitoring Rothschild’s giraffes and observing their habitat
11:00Break and time to exchange ideas with the local team
13:00Lunch and time to relax in the conservancy’s natural surroundings
14:30Reforestation activities, nursery care or removal of invasive species
18:30Head back, shower and shared dinner with the other participants

Weekend

Weekends are free from compulsory activities. You can explore the area, join small trips or relax with the other volunteers.

Safari at Lake Nakuru National Park

Safari at Lake Nakuru National Park

Discover pink flamingos, rhinos and giraffes in one of Kenya’s most spectacular parks.

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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Daily cost:
£0
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

FAQs

During your stay in Nakuru, you will live in the volunteer house, a simple yet welcoming place surrounded by greenery and just a few minutes from the southern entrance of Lake Nakuru National Park. The house is made up of four living units with shared rooms (2–8 people), en-suite bathrooms and common areas where you can socialise and relax.

For those looking for more privacy, private rooms with their own bathroom are also available. The accommodation does not have Wi-Fi or air conditioning, but it is designed to offer you an authentic experience connected to local life. If you want to stay connected for messages, calls and maps, we recommend using Airalo to buy an eSIM that can be activated even before departure. That way, you will be connected from the moment you arrive. You can do it easily by clicking this link.

The rooms have beds with linen provided, running water and hot showers. The spaces are cleaned at the weekend, but every volunteer is encouraged to keep the environment tidy and clean.

🛏️ Included amenities:

- Accommodation in shared or private rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water available
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Safe deposit box and lockable rooms
- A peaceful, safe setting surrounded by nature


The volunteer house is also a place to meet people: here you will live side by side with other participants from all over the world, sharing experiences, meals and everyday moments in an open, welcoming atmosphere.
The safety of our volunteers is our absolute priority. All of our programmes are carefully selected and monitored to ensure a safe environment, both in the schools where you will collaborate and in the house where you will stay during your time here.

🔹 Participant screening and protected environments

To guarantee a peaceful experience for everyone, we require each participant to provide a criminal record certificate before departure. This check allows us to verify each volunteer’s background and protect the minors and communities involved in the project. The whole process is completed online, and we will guide you through it!

🔹 High safety standards

We work only with schools and communities that offer welcoming, reliable environments structured to host international volunteers. The facilities are located in safe areas, with controlled access and the constant presence of the local team. Our partners welcome more than 2,000 travellers a year overall, with the youngest aged 14 and the most senior over 70, and they are used to and trained in managing this level of complexity.

🔹 24-hour support

From the moment you arrive until the end of your journey, you can rely on continuous support from our local staff, ready to help with anything you need, even in the evenings or at weekends. On top of that, our HQ team is just a WhatsApp message away if anything comes up!

🔹 Training and orientation

Before departure, you will receive a detailed guide with all the practical information on culture, behaviour and safety. On your first day on site, you will take part in an orientation briefing, where you will receive useful tips to help you make the most of the experience.

🔹 Good practices for a worry-free experience

Kenya is a warm and welcoming country, but as in any setting it is important to keep a few simple precautions in mind:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night, especially in isolated or poorly lit areas.
✔ Choose to move around with other volunteers whenever possible.
✔ Always follow the local team’s advice on where to go and how to get around.


💡 Our goal is to offer you a safe, supportive and welcoming setting where you can focus on what really matters: having a meaningful, life-changing experience.
🧭 Orientation day

Your journey in Kenya begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, understand the local context and start the experience with confidence and awareness.

On the first Monday of your experience, you will take part in a series of activities led by the local team:

- Welcome meeting, programme presentation and house rules
- Practical advice on health, safety and cultural behaviour
- Introduction to Kenyan culture, a few words of Swahili and local insights
- Area tour, with useful tips on supermarkets, transport and local SIM cards. If you would rather arrive with an active eSIM, without having to look for a local SIM on the ground, you can buy one before departure through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do it using this link
- Visit to Nakuru town to buy any essentials


Orientation is also a chance to start bonding with the other volunteers, share the reasons behind your trip and be guided by people who know the area deeply.

📌 After this introductory day, you will begin activities in the educational project on Tuesday. But from day one, you will already feel part of a community.
To start your experience in the best possible way, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, ideally on Saturday or Sunday morning, between 08:00 and 18:00. During this time window, our welcome and transfer service to Nakuru is available.

If you land on Saturday, please note that you will need to book one extra night at our accommodation (for an additional fee).

If you arrive after 18:00, pick-up is still possible, but there is a small extra charge for out-of-hours transport.

Arriving too early or too late? No problem: you can reach us independently or arrange a personalised transfer instead (always with a small surcharge). In any case, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can help you in the best way possible.

On arrival, you will find a member of our team waiting for you at a clearly marked meeting point outside the terminal, holding a sign with your name or the name of our local partner. All practical information will be sent to you by email once your participation is confirmed.

📱 A useful tip: if you want internet access as soon as you arrive, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link

The journey from the airport to the volunteer house takes about 3 hours by car, and you may share it with other participants arriving around the same time.

If for any reason you do not immediately spot our staff at the meeting point, stay there: we will definitely find each other! Emergency contact details will be provided after booking, together with all the detailed instructions.

🚖 Recommendations for departure and your return flight

At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. Return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme because there are usually many people leaving at different times and only a few coordinators.

In any case, our team will be happy to help you organise a taxi or private transfer service and share it with your fellow travellers!

We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the accommodation calmly in the morning and get to the airport without rushing (around 3 hours by car).

🗓️ If you plan to continue your journey elsewhere, let us know in advance so we can give you useful advice and help you organise your departure as smoothly as possible.

💡 After your participation is confirmed, we will email you a detailed document with all the latest practical information and the relevant emergency contacts.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
1

Send your application (free!)

Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.

2

Meet your coordinator

After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.

3

Confirm your spot

When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.

4

Set off on your adventure!

Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.

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