We have specifically designed programs and placements for volunteers to choose from. Our board of directors have visited each placement and have made the decision to help where we feel the help is most needed. We work very closely with local communities to determine which placement would be suited for each individual and volunteer. We accept individuals, groups of friends, work based learning or field trips, corporate and church groups/missions. If you feel you are ready to start your volunteer experience, please fill in the volunteer form and get started.
Requirements/Mandatory:
- Flight
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Visa for entry into Kenya ~ we will supply a letter for this
- Enhanced Criminal Background Check ~ we will supply a letter for this
- Vaccines, below are just a few
- ~ Yellow Fever, MMR, Typhoid and Malaria Tablets
Packing list:
- Towel • Skirts
- Dresses •. Jeans
- T shirts • Shorts
- Flip flops and running shoes
- Shampoo • Conditioner
- Jacket for rainy days • Sunscreen
- Mosquito Repellent
The culture in Kenya
Culture shock is very real and can happen upon your arrival in Kenya. They way of life here is very laid back, people are never in a hurry to get anywhere and they take their time when doing things or going places. You can expect locals to be late, they have a saying here that when you are in Kenya you are on Kenyan time. It is just part of the way of life here ad can sometimes be hard to adjust to, but once you do adjust things are great. Depending on how far you are travelling from you could likely sleep for one or two days after your arrival in Kenya. Don’t be alarmed this is completely normal, and after you are rested you will be feeling great and ready to get busy.
Things to do on your free time! We can help you plan your adventures!
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, a hiking adventure or a chance to relax on white-sand beaches, this fantastic country has it all – at a good price too! Here’s just a few options for you!
- Diani Beach in Mombasa really is Indian Ocean paradise, with white sand continually lapped by azures tides and palm trees.
- Hike Mount Kenya! Not only is it Africa’s 2ndhighest mountain, situated almost right on the equator, but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- See the most beautiful animals in their own habitat in Masai Mara, it’s one of the absolute must-do things to do in Kenya.
Travel and Documentation
The volunteer is solely responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from Kenya, as well as any local transport costs. It is also the responsibility of the volunteer to obtain and carry all necessary documentation such as visas and passports, when traveling abroad. While BACM may provide advice and guidance to the volunteer in regards to the required travel documentation, BACM is not responsible for the accuracy of its advice or providing or obtaining any supporting documents necessary for the participant’s travel needs, such as visas, medical certificates, or travel permits, BACM will provide a letter for the volunteer to help them get their Enhanced Criminal Background Check completed.
Age Limit Minimum 18 years of age if you are under 18 years of you must be accompanied by an adult. We do accept students and groups registered with a school and with adult supervision. Length of stay 01 – 52 weeks
What it includes:
- Comprehensive program guide
- Help with deals on flights and travel insurance
- Volunteer Letter for Criminal Record Check
- BACM T-shirt
- BACM Statue for you to keep
- 24/7 Pre planning support
- Certificate in International Volunteering
- Program Fee CAD$280+$100x(number of weeks-1)
What it covers:
- 24/7 in-country support from local staff
- Airport pick-up and transfers to your placement
- Volunteer placement
- Your Accommodation either in a homestay or a volunteer house
- Your food which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner while at your placement
- Transportation to the airport for your departure from Kenya
- The City Excursions around Nairobi, spend the day seeing some of the most memorable places in Kenya including the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Manor, you even can kiss a Giraffe!
Registration Fee what is NOT included:
- Water (about $5 per week)
- Flight
- Visa Fee ($52.00 US)
- Sim Card ($10-25 per month)
- Weekend outings
- Matatu Fare ($0.40 per ride) This is the bus system
- Uber rides if you choose to use an uber
- Tuk Tuk Rides ($1.00 -$3.00 depending on where you are going
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Vaccinations
- Enhanced criminal background check (mandatory for all our programs)
- Souvenirs
- Spending money, depending on your likeness to shop you can usually spend $50 per week
Calculate my estimated cost
How to find items in Kenya
There are some really big malls in Kenya where you can find almost everything you can in your home country. If you have a special sweet treat that you just cannot live without we recommend that you bring that with you or let us know what it is and we can let you know if it is available here..
Accommodation
You will either be staying in a volunteer house or a homestay with a local family. You will be treated as part of the family and be cared for was if you are one of their own family members. You daily routine will consist of breakfast of tea and toast, sometimes with fruit or eggs, then you will head to your placement for the day. You will have lunch with the children you are volunteering with, your lunch will be cooked fro you by your homestay mom. After you finish for the day you will then return home, or go out and about if you choose to do so. Dinner will be made for you by your host family and you will eat with them or on your own, but you will depart of the family so you can expect to eat your meals with them. You could be sharing a room, depending on if there is other volunteers there or you could have your own room. You will have hot showers available to you unless you are in a remote location, then it could be bucket showers with cold water. You will not have wifi at either of your accommodations, we recommend getting a Kenyan Sim Card for your phone with date, this can cost $10/per month with 5GB of data.
Banks in Kenya
Kenya has many banks that have access to bank machines for you to use. Below is a list of only some of them, these ones all work with International Bank Cards and International Credit Cards. – Absa (Formerly Barclays) – Equity Bank – NCBA Bank – Prime Bank – Stanbic Bank – Standard Chartered
Leaving Kenya
Before you depart Kenya you will be given your Volunteer Certificate, your BACM Statue and our BACM review form for you to complete for us. We will take you from your placement to the airport for you flight. If you choose to leave your placement a day early you are free to do so we will adjust your schedule to reflect this.
Culture Shock/Jet Lag
Culture shock is very real and can happen upon your arrival in Kenya. They way of life here is very laid back, people are never in a hurry to get anywhere and they take their time when doing things or going places. You can expect locals to be late, they have a saying here that when you are in Kenya you are on Kenyan time. It is just part of the way of life here and can sometimes be hard to adjust to, but once you do adjust things are great. Depending on how far you are travelling from you could likely sleep for one or two days after your arrival in Kenya. Don’t be alarmed this is completely normal, and after you are rested you will be feeling great and ready to get busy.
Keeping you safe
While there is danger of travelling in any country around the world, Kenya is a 3rd world country so things may happen that you aren’t used to. You cannot walk down the street reading and texting on your phone as you would at home, this will put you at risk for it being stolen from you. Camera’s and anything expensive should always be kept in a bag that you can see or backpack that you can put a lock on. Sling bags work wonderful as it they are still in your eye line so you wouldn’t need to put a lock on it. Bank cards and credit cards are also somethings that should always be kept out of sight, in order for them to be kept safe. Your passport should always be locked in one of your suitcases at your homestay or volunteer house, only take it with you when its mandatory, like to get a Sim Card. Don’t walk around with lots of cash on you, only take what is necessary with you. Credit cards are also widely accepted in Kenya so if you feel better about only carrying a credit card with you then that is a possibility for you. Although there may be times when you are out on your own this is very rare unless you are specifically wanting to go somewhere alone, someone form the BACM team are always going take you places. Once you are accustomed to Kenya and comfortable on your own and we feel that you know how to keep yourself safe then we will feel great about you going out on your own.
Weather
The weather in Kenya isn’t always hot, I know that may come as a surprise for many but it is true. It can be cold and rainy at anytime day or night, it just happens out of the blue. On average though the weather is fantastic and warm, sometimes very hot. We recommend that you bring a sweater or light jacket as well as a rain jacket for the rainy days.
Seasons
December– February This is the hot dry season. Excellent for birds and animal viewing, though long grass may make some smaller species hard to see. Jan-Feb is the calving season for wildebeest, zebra, and some hoofed species. Average daily high temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
March
Intermittent rains start at this time. Game viewing is excellent over short new grass of the plains. Spring-like conditions are moderated by cool nights. Average daily high temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
These months are the heavier rainy season, and road conditions can become difficult. There’s great biological activity in the reserves, beautiful green landscapes and panoramas. Average daily high temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
June – October
This is the cooler dry season. Peak tourist season is July-August. Excellent viewing conditions, though many roads are dusty. Wildebeest are normally encountered in the Maasai Mara in large numbers in late July through October. Good time of year for climbing Mt. Kenya. Average daily high temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here begin the short rains. There’s nice greening of plants, and birds begin arriving from Eurasia. Expect intermittent showers and some flash flooding. Wildebeest are migrating south out of the Maasai Mara at this time. Average daily high temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit.