Contribution starting at $3,600
Exported from Streamline App (https://app.streamlineicons.com)
12 days (avg. $300 a day) Includes accommodations, food, and all related research costs
BOOK WITH A $500 DEPOSIT
Wildlife & Ecosystems

Restoring Habitats in Kenya's Greater Maasai Mara

Location
Enarau Wildlife Conservancy, Narok County, Kenya Map it
Activity Level
Moderate
Accommodations
Field Station/Camping
Food
Chef-prepared meals
Special diets accommodated
An impala (Aepyceros melampus) lies in the grasses of the gently rolling African savannah plains.
Three people preparing the soil for replanting in Kenya.
A man and a woman prepare a soil percolation test to help assess soil health.
Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) 
Male African swallowtail butterfly
Three people smiling into the camera holding prepared saplings before planting.
The Maasai Mara at Sunset
An impala (Aepyceros melampus) lies in the grasses of the gently rolling African savannah plains.
Three people preparing the soil for replanting in Kenya.
A man and a woman prepare a soil percolation test to help assess soil health.
Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) 
Male African swallowtail butterfly
Three people smiling into the camera holding prepared saplings before planting.
The Masai Mara at Sunset

Join scientists on an adventure to restore Kenya's Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem. Support research and conservation within Enarau Wildlife Conservancy and its surrounding landscape. Shed light on habitat degradation and help researchers shape the future of savanna restoration.


A man sitting on the grass testing soil for research purposes.Embark on a journey to the Enarau Wildlife Conservancy, a beacon of hope for Kenya's Maasai Mara. Over the last 40 years, the Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem has suffered ecological degradation, a reduction in large mammal populations, and disrupted wildlife migrations. This expedition provides the opportunity to support scientists conducting pioneering research to rejuvenate the iconic savannas and bolster wildlife conservation efforts in the Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem.

The Enarau Wildlife Conservancy is a living laboratory encompassing diverse habitats, such as grasslands, woodlands, and one of the most extensive wetlands in the Mara. This conservation area has the potential for future expansion and can attract more wildlife and promote natural plant regeneration. Enarau, which holds 336 acres of abandoned farmland, provides a unique opportunity to investigate various savanna restoration strategies that can be scaled across other degraded lands in East Africa.

Habitat connectivity is crucial for creating a landscape where wildlife can thrive. Earthwatch participants are essential for achieving this goal. By closely working with scientists and local communities, your hands-on contributions will directly impact the revival of this critical ecosystem. You will monitor biodiversity and land degradation, help reintroduce native species, conduct experiments on rehabilitated farmlands, and more.

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A Typical Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival, introductions, and travel to the field site.
  • Day 2: Orientation, training.
  • Days 3–6: Fieldwork-related activities. 
  • Day 7: Recreational day excursion, including game drive and cultural visit.
  • Days 8–10: Fieldwork-related activities. 
  • Day 11: Research wrap-up, farewell gathering.
  • Day 12: Departure. 

 

 

HOW YOU WILL HELP

Explore and help protect Kenya's Enarau Conservation Area as you:

 

Four men sitting on the grass looking into a transect.
Perform Restoration Activities

Remove invasive species, reintroduce native species, process and propagate seeds and water seedlings, and contribute directly to the project's environmental restoration goals.

A freshly dug hole with a sign and measuring tape.
Facilitate Experimental Research

Collect soil samples, conduct vegetation surveys, take hydrology measurements, and support manipulative experiments to enhance scientific understanding.

A superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) sitting on a branch in Kenya.
Collect Wildlife Data

Gather data about geography and biodiversity, including monitoring mammals, butterflies, and birds, to monitor biodiversity and habitat restoration over time.

 

Field conditions and research needs can change the itinerary and activities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

 

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