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Work with Rangers in the Lumo Wildlife Sanctuary

Internship and Volunteering Possible
 
At the Lumo Wildlife Sanctuary in Kenya, you can accompany and support the wildlife rangers in their daily work - with the registry of wildlife sightings, maintenance of the protected area, removal of traps, treatment of injured animals, reforestation, environmental education in neighboring schools and programs for the local population.
 

What is your placement organisation doing?

 
The project is in the private reserve "Lumo Sanctuary”. This borders, without any barriers with the Tsavo National Park and the wild animals roam freely between the National Park and Lumo Sanctuary. There is another private reserve - "Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary”, which also adjoins the National Park and Lumo Sanctuary. You cannot really differentiate where Lumo ends and where Taita Hills begins. Taita Hills encompasses 110 square kilometres (11,000 hectares) and Lumo, 500 square kilometres (50,000 hectares). It is a savannah landscape with rocky mountains. The wildlife sanctuaries are full of wild animals including elephants, giraffes, zebras, eland, kudu, lions, leopards, ostriches and others.
 
The private nature reserves are financed through safari tourism. Tourists visit the protected areas during days and nights, with ranger guided safari excursions (game drives), as well as walking safaris.
 
In the Lumo Sanctuary, there is tourist accommodation of high standard, the Lion Bluff Lodge. Also Taita Hills has two safari lodges of high standard. Tourists are typically doing their game drives at both private sanctuaries, but the two protected areas are managed completely separately and our projects are only with the Rangers who are responsible for Lumo.
 

Your activities with the rangers

 
The rangers start their day at 8:30 with a morning game drive through the reserve and register animal sightings. There are stone markers along the paths, each with a number. Volunteers accompany the rangers on their daily patrols and note the animals sighted, corresponding to the number. The two Safari hotels have information boards where they enter the animal sightings, so the Safari tourists can plan their tour through the protected areas accordingly.
 
On the patrols with the rangers, volunteers also carry out maintenance work in the reserve, such as clearing trees off the tracks, filling potholes in the slopes or renewing signs and markings.
 
Unfortunately, the protected area has several poacher traps. The rangers and volunteers find these traps and eliminate them. These patrols are often done on foot. If you spot injured wild animals, a veterinarian is called to perform treatment. Cattle are also often chased away from the reserve as part of the work.
 
Depending on your level of experience and prior experience, the rangers will also be happy if you can assist with daily management tasks or general administration in the office. They also organize charity walks and attend local community meetings and you are welcome to join and support these social activities. You also can involve yourself by supporting the rangers’ environmental education activities in the surrounding four villages. They discuss wildlife and wildlife conservation with local school kids and volunteers are welcome to do so on their own initiative - for example, by showing videos and discussing them afterwards. The rangers also offer Career Talks, in which future career opportunities are discussed with the students.
 
Another issue is Human Wildlife Conflict – the conflict between the needs of the population in the settlements and the needs of the wildlife. Especially elephants are a nuisance to the farmers of the surrounding villages, as they trample and destroy the crops and therefor often get killed by the farmers. For this reason, the rangers have introduced beekeeping: The bees keep away the elephants while the farmers can earn an extra income through the sale of honey.
 

Important Information

 
* Volunteers should carry solid sturdy boots and long pants as there are snakes, scorpions, etc.
* Volunteers should not walk around alone in the sanctuary.
* Volunteers should complete a membership of AMREF Flying Doctors.
* In the hotel, there are first-aid supplies. In Maktau Village, there is a small medical station with a pharmacy for emergencies; the nearest hospital is in Voi (40 km, 60 minutes)
 
Info Box
General
Location: Tsavo, Kenya
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 1 Week
Maximum Duration: 6 Months
Language Requirements: English
Further Languages Of Advantage: Swahili
Accommodation: Special volunteer rooms at the rangers' accommodation
Internship
Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Wildlife-Ranger, Teacher
Minimum Qualification Of Intern:
No formal qualification required
Further Contribution To Project: None
Volunteering
Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations: Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?
 
 

Accommodation in Lumo Wildlife Sanctuary

 
You will stay at special volunteer rooms, which are part of the compound where also the wildlife rangers live (the rangers live at separate houses). The compound is guarded and safe. There are 4 rooms rooms for volunteers, which share their own shower and toilet (Western water toilet). A chef of the sanctuary is catering food to volunteers, full board is included in the rate. The house also has electricity. Drinking water is provided in gallons in a drinking water dispenser.
 
At the village of Mwoshumo there are a few shops that only sell basic groceries. Please note that for a volunteer placement at a remote location your everyday life will be different due to the lack of entertainment options such as cinemas, cafes, shopping facilities, etc. which simply don’t exist in this rural area. This means that you will have to structure your day differently and be able to entertain yourself. Also power supply can be limited; we recommend you to bring a torch and a solar charger to charge your electrical devices.
 
The accommodation cost on full board are 280 EUR per week.
 
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I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.
  up to 31 Days
32-60 Days
61-90 Days
91-120 Days
5 Months or longer
wu servicepackage
1 Person
450 EUR 600 EUR 700 EUR 750 EUR 850 EUR
2-4 Persons
(Rate per Person)
400 EUR 500 EUR 600 EUR 650 EUR 700 EUR
 
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The World Unite! Service Package includes:

 
  • Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
  • Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
  • Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
  • Arrangements for your Residence Permit or similar permit and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
  • Pick-up and Transfers from/to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on arrival and departure
  • Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
  • Orientation and Introduction in Moshi
  • Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
  • 24 Hours emergency support by local support team
  • 50 USD Contribution to your project
  • To compensate for the CO2 emissions of your long haul flight: 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
  • Local SIM Card with 10,000 TSH air time
  • Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
  • 15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"
 

The Rates do NOT include:

 
  • Accommodation and Meals (see below)
  • Travel to/from Tanzania (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
  • Official fees for Visa and Residence Permit (see below)
  • Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Vaccinations
  • Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
  • Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.
 

II. Accommodation Costs

 
You can find accommodation costs in the tab "Accommodation".
 

Overview of other costs:

 
  • If meals are not included: around 110-200 USD/Month for self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
  • Visa and Permits (mainland Tanzania): In case of stay of up to 90 days: Visa 50 USD; In case of stay of 91-180 days: Visa total costs 200 USD
  • Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
  • Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

 

How do I pay?

 
Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.
 
The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.
 
 
 

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

 
 
These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.
 
 

Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports

 
budgetsafaribannerAs "Budget Safari Tanzania" we are arranging cost-effective yet high-quality safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, excursions, and watersports activities in Tanzania and Zanzibar. You will group with other World Unite! participants and further travellers.
 
As a World Unite! participant, you get a 15% discount on all offers of Budget Safari Tanzania. We will share a Discount Code with you that you can use with the online booking of your safari, Kilimanjaro climb, excursion or watersports activity.
 
 
 

Learning Swahili in Moshi!

 
Swahili TeacherIt is always helpful to know Swahili while doing your project here. Swahili is a relatively easy language for participants and some start to follow it within the first few lessons. You can choose the intensity of the lesson. We would, however, recommend a maximum of ten hours per week. The lessons are conducted individually; in some cases, 2-3 participants with similar levels of knowledge may be given combined lessons. The number of participants does not affect the cost of the lessons.
 
The cost for Swahili lessons: 1 Student: 10 EUR
 
Please check "Language Training Required" in the registration form and specify your desired duration (minimum 20 hours).
 
 

Travel Health Insurance

 
We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.
 
Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.
 
 
 
 
 
Moshi is located about 3 hours drive by bus; there is a direct bus. You may occasionally come to Moshi and meet other volunteers and interns there. Once you buy the tourist visa for Tanzania for 50 USD, you can travel any number of times within the validity of 90 days from/to Tanzania.
 
 

Check out our video on Moshi!

 
In this video, tourism intern Iris and our team member Adelina show us around Moshi Town and the surrounding areas. Adelina and Themi, two of our coordinators, introduce themselves. We also meet the volunteers Pia, who collaborates with the Social Reality Tour, and Laura in their host family. Coffee Farmer Dennis talks about coffee and we see a few shots from a Maasai Village.
 
 
 

Moshi at Kilimanjaro

 
Moshi is a town in the north of Tanzania, at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Here, you are in the middle of Africa and deal with people like the Chagga and Maasai. The city has about 150,000 inhabitants; however, it appears - like many African cities - much smaller, owing to the fact that many unplanned settlements are spread over long distances outside the city. Furthermore, the majority of the population do not have the purchasing power that would make transactions comparable to for instance a European city of this size. Nevertheless, Moshi is a relatively well-developed city and all necessities may be found here - from ATMs to specialty stores, restaurants to small supermarkets.
 
Moshi is the starting point of all Kilimanjaro climbs and many safaris to the Northern National Parks of Tanzania start from here. Kilimanjaro International Airport is about 40 km from Moshi. Tourism and trade of coffee and bananas have contributed to the flourishing of the city.
 
The city lies at an altitude of 813 m and has a year-round climate that people from moderate climates consider to be very comfortable (compared to the humid heat that often prevails on the coast or on the islands).
 
HIV and AIDS are the biggest problem - it is estimated that up to 16 % of the population are HIV-positive. The resulting problems are the countless orphans and street children, neglected people of retirement age and sick people, about whom no one cares because of lack of money. The other problems are poverty-related - lack of access to education, health care, infrastructure, and destruction of environmental resources such as deforestation.
 

Things to do in Moshi

 
Moshi is conveniently situated for safaris in all the Northern National Parks of Tanzania; you can travel over a weekend (Tarangire, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara) or a multi-day tour (incl. Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area, Lake Eyasi, Lake Victoria, Lake Natron). The Kilimanjaro rises directly in front of your door - for a climb you need physical fitness and 5-7 days’ time.
 
As a day trip, you can visit the Marangu Waterfall and the village of Marangu with coffee plantations, the even higher Materuni waterfall, the Arusha National Park, a Maasai village, Lake Chala, swim in volcanic hot springs and hike on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. In Moshi, there are several cafes, restaurants, internet cafes, bars, discos, swimming pool and even an open- air cinema with karaoke.
 
 
 
We recommend you to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania (JRO), from where we pick you up and bring to Moshi first. In Moshi, you will meet our coordinators and then continue to travel by bus to Tsavo. The bus trip to Tsavo takes about 3-4 hours. Once you buy the visa for Tanzania (50 USD for most nationalities/100 USD for US and Canadian citizens), you can travel any number of times within the validity of 90 days from/to Tanzania.
 

Getting To Moshi

 
tanzania map
 
You book your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). If the flights to Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) are much cheaper, you can also fly there and then book a separate connecting flight from DAR to JRO. From JRO airport, we pick you and take you to your accommodation in Moshi.
 
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 
Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?
No, you can arrive at any date and you can hence, plan your trip according to your availability and the prices of flights. We can pick you up from the airport even at night.
Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?
Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.
During my stay, can I travel around the country?
Of course you can travel around, almost all of our participants do so. In Moshi and Zanzibar, we ourselves often offer day trips, for which you can join other volunteers and interns when you travel there. We share these trips with you in our monthly subscriber list and you can book them. Participants often organize on-site travel together. In Moshi and Zanzibar, you can stay at the same low rates as our Zanzibar or Moshi participants in accommodations provided by us. If you plan to travel during your volunteering/internship period, you should seek permission in advance. We recommend that you plan your travel after your volunteering/internship. For this, you can also stay longer in your accommodation at affordable rates.
Is it safe to travel in Tanzania alone as a single female traveller?
Approximately 80% of our participants are female and many of them, only about 20 years old. Not a single instance of a serious security breach has occurred. Our coordinator will advise you on how you should conduct yourself in order to avoid problems - your dressing style, valuables, and in dealing with local men. Our preparation materials elaborate on this matter. If you follow these basic rules that apply equally to many other places, the risk in Moshi is not great.
Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Moshi?
The total number of participants that participate simultaneously with an organization depends on the size and activity of the organization and responsibilities of volunteers/interns. We try to avoid too many volunteers/interns in an organization at the same time. It may be that you are alone in your work site, but usually there are, throughout the year, other participants in Moshi, who you can meet in your spare time, if you desire so. Moshi is a small town, where you walk around quite a bit. In addition, there are well-known places such as the Coffee Shops, where you actually meet with other participants. We also have regular meetings with all participants and you will get a list of participants in the country at the same time, with their contact information. You need not be worried about being "alone" in Moshi, nor should you avoid contact with the locals because you spend all your time with other foreign participants.
What vaccinations do I need?
Our Info-PDF that you get as a participant gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations
Where will I live?
You can find details in the tab "Accommodation".
Can I choose my accommodation?
We give you choices (Most popular!, Comfort +, Adventurer) and you can tell us if you prefer a shared accommodation or homestay; we will then seek an accommodation for you. We organise accommodation, taking into consideration the distance from your work site. However, since Moshi is not a very big city, is relatively easy to reach locations in other parts of the city by public transport ("Daladala") or by bike.
How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?
With the host family, you can have your freedom, and do not need to join them during meal times or have any other obligations. If you will return late in the evening, you need to let them know in advance, so that they can unlock the doors for you (which are locked at night for security reasons). Bringing home casual acquaintances is taboo. They look to integrate our participants into their family life, but you can determine to what extent you want to be part of it.
Does my accommodation have internet facilities?
In Tanzania, Internet is accessed via the mobile phone networks. With smartphones, you can use the Internet. For laptops, there are USB modem sticks for about 10 EUR. There are no flat rates; you use data packets, depending on your needs. You might consume 2 GB of data in a week, which costs about 4.50 EUR. In the centers of cities (Moshi Town, Dar-es-Salaam, Mwanza, Zanzibar Town, Karatu, etc.), the connection is good, the speed is satisfactory and sufficient for Skype phone calls. In the suburbs and in the country, there is connection, but usually almost impossible or very slow and unreliable. We will provide you information on the use of mobile Internet in Tanzania. At Twiga Home, internet is available to our participants at a small additional fee.
How can I do my laundry?
In general, laundry is washed by hand in Tanzania. You can ask your landlord or host family if they have someone who can wash your clothes. Usually, someone offers that to you for a small fee. Please ask your local supervisor, what the appropriate thing to do is. You can use the washing machine at Twiga Home, even if you live elsewhere, for a small fee.
I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?
Tanzania is a meat-eating country and Tanzanians do not usually understand that someone who could afford meat and who is not sick, volunteered to give up meat; but the host families are familiar with participants, and understand that some are vegetarians, and prepare appropriate food. In Dar-es-Salaam, there are Indian vegetarian restaurants, with a wide choice of dishes. In the market, there are a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Special dietary needs (e.g. Vegan, allergies to certain foods) can be expressed to the host families, and many foods are available in the supermarket.
What language skills do I need?
You should be able to make yourself understood in English. The national language of Tanzania is Swahili, but knowledge of English is widespread, especially among people who have a better education or work in tourism. In everyday life, there is usually no problem to be able to communicate in English; if you should come across someone who can not speak English, you can almost immediately find someone who offers to translate in English. If you are in a social project for a longer duration, you will have to deal with people who have little or no education. For this, it is useful to acquire at least a basic knowledge of Swahili before your arrival through any book (or audio CD). You can also take basic Swahili lessons while on site. We also have vocabulary lists with useful words that can help you.
 
 
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