Kenya Gap Year Volunteering & Tours

Kenya is located in east Africa and home to some of the most amazing national parks in the world. When in Kenya you can see or volunteer with some of the most exotic animals on the planet including lions, elephants and rhinos. Plan a dream gap year to Kenya today.

Best Volunteer Programs, Trips & Safaris in Kenya

Travel & Backpacking in Kenya

Find exciting gap year adventure trips, holidays and volunteer work from 2 weeks to a year in Kenya. If you want to travel, help or work we can help you plan an amazing trip to Kenya.

Here is some inspiration to make Kenya your next destination:

• Explore Nairobi, the capital and a great introduction to the country
• Go on a safari visiting places like the Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest migrations,
• Get a view of the awesome 5,895m high Mt. Kilimanjaro from the Amboseli National Park
• Experience the warmth and friendliness of the local people

Kenya Gap Year Ideas

These are some of the best things to do on a gap year in Kenya.

• Keen to volunteer on a gap year? Help people, communities and wildlife in Kenya. There are so many rewarding projects where you can play a role in making a difference.
• Take an overland adventure tour
• Book a safari and see exotic animals up close
• Apply to teach and help children with academic subjects, music and sports

Volunteer in Kenya

Teaching Program
Quality education for both boys and girls is crucial in reducing poverty and promoting gender equality. Right now schools in Kenya are struggling with overcrowded classes and a lack of skilled teachers. As a volunteer you will help to empower girls and boys by giving them the skills they need to overcome poverty and to make their voice heard.

Volunteers can assist with teaching at preschool, primary and secondary levels. At primary and secondary levels volunteer teachers can teach core subjects, such as English, mathematics, science, social sciences, and can initiate extra-curricular activities. Teachers will teach basic English skills and carry out basic childcare duties.

This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person. A teaching qualification is not required (except for Secondary teaching) but volunteers need to be confident in the above subjects and preferably have or are studying towards a university degree.

Children’s Program
You have the opportunity to help children in need. Children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, children who have been abused by their parents and children whose parents are not able to provide for them. These kids need love, attention, life skills and education so they can have successful futures free from poverty and filled with the same opportunities as others.

As a volunteer you will mentor by becoming a big brother or sister to kids in a Children’s Home. You will work along side local staff to help with classroom teaching and homework help, childcare, and daily operational running of the Home. Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate their own work by organizing art and crafts, music, dance, games, sports activities and day trips for the children.

This role is suitable for a caring, motivated and self-directed person who has a love for children and has childcare experience.

HIV/AIDS Program
Kenya has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic with approximately 1.25 million adults and over 100,000 children infected. The aim of the HIV/AIDS program is to decrease the spread of HIV through raising awareness and education, increasing access to homecare and providing emotional support to those affected by HIV/AIDS within the community.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a community HIV/AIDS organization to assist with homecare visits to HIV positive people, and educate and counsel community and school groups and individuals. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person. Medical training is not necessary for all aspects of the program, but a background in HIV/AIDS and basic health care is required.

Medical/Health Program
Malaria, typhoid, pneumonia and tetanus are treatable diseases yet many still die in Kenya as a result of not receiving proper medical care. Government-run hospitals and medical clinics are ill equipped to handle the volume of people in need of care.

As a volunteer you can help by sharing your medical skills and working alongside local staff to provide those in need with basic medical care. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the areas of general medical practice, maternal health, minor surgery and laboratory work. This role is suitable for self-directed, caring people who are medically qualified.

Helping Maasai Tribe
The Maasai have largely managed to remain outside of mainstream African culture and maintain their traditional ways, although this becomes more challenging each year. For this reason Maasai are increasingly seeking the opportunities African society has to offer. With little government support Maasai struggle to find teachers and medical professionals to work in their schools and medical clinics.

Location of Projects
Volunteers are usually placed in locations like the suburbs surrounding Nairobi, including Dagoretti, Kibera, Rongai, Kahawa, Lower Kabete, and Wangige. Other locations are Limuru (40km from Nairobi), Ngong (50km from Nairobi), Olkajiado (60km from Nairobi), Nyeri (115km from Nairobi).

Requirements
Volunteers can generally stay from a period of two weeks to six months. Your stay can be extended beyond six months on a case-by-case basis (depending upon our partner’s requirements). For more trips and opportunities in this region view our guide to taking a gap year in Africa.

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