Summer Volunteering and Safari Adventure Program in Kenya!

Day 0: ARRIVAL

Day 1: You will meet with IFRE's local staff members, participate in a general question/answer session, discuss the program itinerary, get a general orientation on history, culture, tradition, and other important issues (health, safety), and explore nearby areas in your free time.

Day 2-23: In phase two, participants get to enjoy the warm and welcoming hospitality of the Kenyan people while living with a host family. They will experience the rich Kenyan culture and tradition and the day-to-day lifestyles of the local villagers. Participants have the opportunity to hike in the villages and explore Kenyan rural life. Participants will work in an orphanage -sharing their love and time with the needy children in the surrounding areas of Nairobi, Kenya, teaching them basic conversational English and encouraging them to face the challenging world where English is becoming more and more of a necessity. You can organize games, drawing lessons, singing, dancing, and other creative educational and extracurricular activities. We also offer meaningful volunteering opportunities in Teaching English, Healthcare, and HIV/AIDS programs, and would be delighted to arrange a placement that matches your interests.

In free time, participants can hike to nearby bazaars and/or hillsides; explore the beauty of Kenya – gaining first-hand knowledge of Kenyan lifestyle, culture, and values.

Day 23: End of volunteer project and preparation for the Safari.

KENYAN SAFARI (5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS): AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, LAKE NAKURU, MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE

With your heart full of satisfaction, knowing that you have been able to make a positive impact in the lives of the needy children, relax as you embark upon a Kenyan safari, where you will encounter a multitude of animals - including lions, hippos, giraffes, wildebeests, zebra, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs and a variety of antelopes and elephants in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. All these distinct animals have made the Maasai Mara so well known around the world. The most spectacular event of the natural world takes place with the migration of millions of wildebeests and zebras -coming to the Maasai Mara region from the Serengeti in search of water. Following these animals are the predators of the savanna -from lions to cheetahs, to wild dogs, to hyenas, and other vultures.

Day 24-25: Explore Amboseli National Park

The safari begins at Amboseli National Park within view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Considered a land of giants, Amboseli National Park's vast plains stretch into the horizon almost seamlessly. Amboseli is renowned for its massive herds of elephant, including some impressively tusked bulls drawn to the area's large, lush swamplands. Amboseli is also known for its fascinating view of Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest mountain in Africa) and is an amazing natural wonder and home to various birds, small mammals, cheetahs, and more.

Day 26: Lake Nakuru National Park

Travel to Thompson Falls, followed by a descent to the floor of the daunting Rift Valley and onto Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru is surrounded by a picturesque landscape of forests and grasslands, spotted with marshes and outcroppings of rock cliff faces and acacia trees. Lake Nakuru was first noted as a bird sanctuary, but was eventually reclassified as a national park in 1968. Some of this park's amazing and natural attractions include: flamingos, a massive registry of terrestrial birds, more than 56 species of mammals, and the natural splendor of Lion Hill, Baboon Cliffs, and waterfalls abound.

Day 27-28 : Maasai Mara Game Reserve

During the next two days, travel to the enchanting land of the renowned Maasai, a cattle-herding culture still unaffected by materialism. Often considered Africa's greatest wildlife reserve, the Mara is the natural habitat for a large registry of wildlife -zebra, giraffe, gazelle, elephant, buffalo, antelope, birds, monkeys, hippopotamus, crocodiles (to name a few). During migration season, the Mara is at the center of the world's most astonishing natural display: the Great Migration of millions of wildebeest from the Serengeti. The Mara is a great natural wonder and is home to some great felines such as lions and cheetahs. Additionally, the neighboring Maasai lands offer many options for both cultural exploration and hiking. On day five, participants awake for an early morning game drive, followed by breakfast. Here, participants say their goodbyes and express their gratitude to their guides before being escorted back to their respective project locations.