This 14-day volunteer trek blends community engagement, elephant monitoring, and immersive learning in southeastern Kenya. The program begins and ends in Nairobi, with the majority of time spent in Kasigau working alongside Elephant Guardians and local community leaders. A mid-program overnight excursion to Tsavo East National Park offers the opportunity to observe elephants and other wildlife in a protected ecosystem context.

Sample Flow

Day 1 (June 14) – Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome dinner, orientation, program overview.

Days 2–6 – Kasigau: Community & Coexistence

• Introduction to the Elephant Guardian model

• Farm visits & sunflower coexistence strategy

• Training in elephant photo identification methods

• Landscape walks & water catchment visits

• Community discussions & reflection sessions

Day 7 (June 20) – Transfer to Tsavo East National Park

• Full-day game drive

• Overnight inside/near the park

• Wildlife ecology discussions

Days 8–13 – Kasigau: Monitoring & Engagement

• Elephant observation & identification practice

• Basic data collection and logging

• Farm and landscape profiling

• Evening patrol observation with Guardians

• Community learning sessions

• Final reflection circle & closing celebration

Day 14 (June 27) – Return to Nairobi
Closing dinner and program wrap-up.

Day 15 (June 28) – Departure

Note: Activities are flexible and adapt to elephant movement patterns and community needs.

Nairobi
Kenya’s capital city. Program orientation and closing night.

Kasigau Region (Southeastern Kenya)
A rural landscape where farms, wildlife corridors, and elephant habitats overlap. This is where participants live and volunteer alongside Elephant Guardians.

Tsavo East National Park
One of Kenya’s largest national parks and home to large elephant populations. A one-night excursion provides ecological context for the coexistence work happening in Kasigau.

All housing and meals are included in the program fee.

Kasigau:
Participants stay in shared accommodations at RIDE’s community field site. Rooms are simple, comfortable, and designed for group living. Expect a rural setting with limited WiFi and strong connection to nature.

Nairobi:
Group stay in a secure guesthouse or hotel.

Tsavo East (Overnight Safari):
Shared lodge or tented camp accommodations.

Meals:
All meals are provided in-country. Expect a mix of Kenyan and familiar dishes. Vegetarian options are always available. Meals are shared and communal, often prepared locally.

Participant wellbeing is a top priority.

• 24/7 in-country program leadership

• Trained local staff and Elephant Guardians

• Structured safety protocols for patrol observation

• Pre-departure guidance packet

• Emergency response plan in place

• Secure accommodations

• All activities are non-invasive and wildlife-safe

Participants are required to obtain travel insurance covering medical evacuation.

Recommended vaccinations and health guidance will be shared after acceptance.

Program Fee

• Early Bird: $1,495
  (Apply and submit deposit by March 15, 2026)

• Standard: $1,595
  (Apply and submit deposit by April 15, 2026)

• Last Chance: $1,695
  (Applications close May 20, 2026 or when full)

What’s Included

• All in-country housing (14 nights)

• All meals in Kenya

• Ground transportation

• Airport pickup & drop-off

• Tsavo East National Park excursion

• Project participation & training

• Local leadership & instruction

Not Included

• International airfare

• Travel insurance (required)

• Personal expenses

• Visa fees

A non-refundable deposit secures your spot. Payment plans are available upon request.

1. Submit Online Application
   Short form including background, interests, and motivation.

2. Interview Call (15–20 minutes)
   Informal conversation to ensure alignment and answer questions.

3. Acceptance Notification
   Rolling admissions until full.

4. Deposit Submission
   Required to secure your space.

5. Pre-Departure Preparation
   Participants receive a detailed preparation packet, reading list, packing guide, and virtual orientation session.

Spots are intentionally limited to maintain a meaningful group size.