OLLI Corps, Kenya (Jun. 18 - 27, 2020)
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We're headed to Kenya!
In collaboration with our travel partner, Discover Corps, OLLI at ASU is now offering Osher-specific opportunities to connect your lifelong learning journey with the global classroom! OLLI at ASU members are invited to participate in this intergenerationally focused travel program, filling an educational, multi-dimensional travel niche that has yet to be offered to the OLLI at ASU community! Join us this June as we travel in parallel with an ASU Study Abroad student group to the East African Nation of Kenya! Discover the thrill of spotting the "Big 5" in their natural habitat and learn the innovative ways local conservationists are preserving these keystone creatures. When you reflect back on your "Top 5" travel experiences of your life, this trip will be at the top of your list!
Click here to watch a video made by our local guide, Zarek, about the experience.
Book Now - space is limited!
Our Journey: Itinerary and Overview
Click here to view the itinerary.
Days 1, 2: Arrive in Nairobi. Visit Kenyatta University & David Sheldrick’s Rescue
Days 3, 4: Venture to Ol Pejeta. Track lions with a research team. Visit a chimpanzee sanctuary.
Days 5, 6: Travel to Naivasha. Learn about Joy Adamson & explore Lake Oloiden and the flower farms.
Days 7-9: Explore the Maasai Mara. Learn about community-based conservation. Venture into a Maasai community to learn about nomadic pastoral life. Visit the MERC & the Maa Trust.
Day 10: Depart Nairobi for flight home
Days 10-13: Optional Post-trip extension to Zanzibar, Tanzania
Activity Highlights |
| Lion tracking with the Exploring Lions Project |
| Maa Trust visit |
| Community Engagement with the Maasai in the Mara |
| Maasai Education, Research, and Conservation Institute (MERC) visit |
| Kenyatta University visit |
| Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit |
| Endangered Species Boma visit |
| Joy Adamson Museum tour |
| Lake Oloiden and Flower Farm visit |
| Crescent Island visit |
| Game drives at two of Kenya’s top safari parks |
Details of Stay
Travel |
Lodging |
Expected Weather |
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You will fly into and out of Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Our staff have all of your flight details and will be meeting you as soon as you exit customs in the international arrivals area holding a Discover Corps sign. If you have flexibility, we recommend arriving a day early and staying in Nairobi, which will help with jetlag. Discover Corps can assist with this. **If there are any delays or cancellations during your travels, please call the Discover Corps 24 hour helpline at 1-888-230-1452** |
We will stay in a mix of 3-star locally-owned lodges and tented camps throughout our time in Kenya. Each lodge will represent the character of the region and be a comfortable home-away-from-home during your time in Africa. |
Kenya’s climate varies by location, but late June is a great time for safari as it is drier (animals congregate around watering holes and are easier to spot) and cooler in the evenings. Daytime highs can hover in the mid-to-upper 70’s and nighttime lows can get into the mid 50’s (we recommend you wear sunblock and drink plenty of water in the day!). In Zanzibar, June is the sunniest month of the year with average highs in the mid-to-upper 80’s. We highly recommend checking the weather prior to your trip to help with packing (click here for Nairobi Weather / click here for Zanzibar Weather) |
Health and Safety |
| There are recommended and routine vaccinations required for Kenya, ensure you are up-to-date on your regular vaccines, such as hepatitis, MMR and tetanus. Click here to view the recommended immunizations. |
| Yellow Fever - Although the risk for yellow fever is low in the areas we’ll visit in Kenya, the State Dept. advises that you should have proof of yellow fever immunizations or you may be denied entry (and it is required for Tanzania). We highly suggest that you receive the yellow fever vaccination and carry proof of this with you to Kenya. Please consult your physician or local travel clinic for professional advice. |
| Malaria Medication - The CDC ranks Kenya as moderate in malaria risk, so medication is highly recommended. We suggest you drink filtered water only (provided throughout the trip). Our leaders will help us navigate food and beverage safety, and all meals will be eaten at vetted locations with a mix of local and western food throughout the trip. |
Insurance
We provide you with secondary medical insurance during this trip. This covers any medical issues that arise which are not covered by your primary insurance. You will be sent more information on this prior to the trip, including how to access your insurance cards.
Travel insurance is optional and not included in the trip. Travel insurance covers a range of travel-related issues such as delays, cancellations, baggage issues. If you would like to purchase travel insurance, we recommend Travel Guard. For quotes, call Travel Guard at 800.826.1300 and provide them with our Discover Corps Agent Code - 266267. You can purchase this up to 24 hours prior to your departure.
Visas
Kenya: A visa is required. This can be applied for online (E-Visa) prior to the trip.
Tanzania: A visa is required (only necessary for those on the Zanzibar Extension). Visas can be obtained on arrival at the Zanzibar Airport. More information is provided in the pre-departure guide.
Currency
The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). The current exchange rate is $1 USD to 101 KES (current rate can be found here). For withdrawing local currency, ATMs are present throughout Nairobi at the beginning of the trip. We recommend informing your bank that you are traveling. All hotels accept credit cards. This trip is all-inclusive with the exception of tips for guide and driver, snacks, alcoholic drinks, and souvenirs.
We recommend bringing $100-$200 per person for spending plus an additional $6-8USD guide tip per adult per day & $3-5USD driver tip per adult per day collected at the end of the trip (can tip in USD or local currency).
Anticipated Physical Activity
This trip will have an active daily itinerary that involves walking (a standard of 1-2 miles throughout the day), especially on uneven surfaces along with three 4-hour drives (approx). Keep in mind that there will be differences in infrastructure. If at any point you feel tired or uncomfortable, just let your guide know - we are here to help!
- Walking a cumulative 1-2 miles throughout the course of each day. The terrain may sometimes be uneven and unpaved especially when in the bush.
- Extended periods of standing (and sitting).
- Several short hikes/nature walks along rugged dirt paths sometimes uphill.
Days 1-3: Your time in Nairobi will not involve any strenuous activity. Be prepared to sit for a period of 4 hours on the car ride to Ol Pejeta, and periods of 1-2 hours while on safari (with opportunities to stop as needed) as well as getting in and out of a smaller vehicle (the largest sized vehicle allowed in the conservancy, which you will experience, is still quite small).
Days 4-6: The drive to the Mara is quite bumpy and therefore feels much longer than the ride taken on Day 1. Expect to be a bit uncomfortable in the vehicle (the same 4x4 vehicle is used throughout the trip until we arrive in the Mara). However, there will be plenty of time for stops.
Days 7-10: You will get out of the vehicle in the Mara, however the terrain is very flat (but of course, not paved). This includes the walk to visit the nearby community, which is about a 30 minute walk. There will be plenty of staff there to assist.
Extension Days 11 - 14: This is your time to relax! There are no strenuous activities unless you opt for the snorkeling excursion, which can be a bumpy boat ride (1 hour there and back). If walking longer distances is a concern, talk with your guide during the Slave Market walk about taking breaks throughout (the walk is about 1 hour and it can get hot).
Recommended Reading and Viewing
Born Free, by Joy Adamson
Unbowed, and The Challenge for Africa, by Wangari Maathai
The Green Hills of Africa, by Ernest Hemingway
The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, by John Peterson
Born Free: A free, (low quality) video is available on Youtube
Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai Available for streaming by the Phoenix Public Library
The Ghost and the Darkness: (based on the book, the Man-Eaters of Tsavo)
Out of Africa: Available to rent or buy on Amazon
Hot Topics, Local News, and Global Impacts
Impact of Climate Change on the Mara River Basin
Expectations for Exporting Kenyan Crude Oil
Damming the Nile: Downriver Implications
Birds of Kenya: Local Birder Blog
Reptiles and Amphibians of Kenya: Mara Conservancy List
Maritime Boundaries: Impacts on Diplomacy between Kenya and Somalia
Technology Ventures: Kenyan Logistics Startup Receives $20M from Toyota
Industries of Kenya: Overview of Kenya's Exports
Kenya and Child Labor: Overview of Children's Labor Laws
Indigenous Rights: Issues Faced by Kenya's Indigenous Populations
Diversity of Cultural Expressions: UNESCO Report on Kenyan Culture and Heritage
Gender Roles in Kenya: The Gender Gap Narrows in Kenya
Water Projects Underway in Kenya: Global Waters Report
Food Prices and Developmental Impacts for Kenya
Family Structures and Cycles: UN Women of the World Progress Report 2019
Unique Animals of Water, Land and Air: Fact Sheet from African Wildlife Foundation
Ancient East African Herdsmen Enriched and Restructured African Grasslands