Soysambu Conservancy Endangered Rothschild s Giraffe Conservation Project Kenya Soysambu Conservancy, a non- profit organisation, works to conserve the Soysambu Estate as a traditional wildlife area, which supports the integrity of the greater Rift Valley eco- system, while promoting sustainable coexistence of wildlife with livestock and at the same time being relevant to and part of modern- day Kenya. Located on Lake Elmenteita (within the "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley" World Heritage Site, a Ramsar Convention Wetlands Site and a Bird Life International - Important Bird and Biodiversity Area), Soysambu Conservancy is bordered by Lake Nakuru National Park on the west, volcanoes Ol Doinyo Eburru to the south and Menengai to the north. Consisting of 48,000 acres of diverse ecological significance, Soysambu Conservancy is home to more than 450 bird species (28% of the world's population of Lesser Flamingo) and 10,000 mammals of over 50 species including 90+ endangered Rothschild's giraffe. Field Conservation The Conservation Supporters will be involved in all aspects of the programme, which include: giraffe monitoring Bird monitoring data recording following animals with a vehicle identifying individual giraffe using photographic libraries (and helping to create new identification files) data entry into computer database other activities on Soysambu Conservancy Field Study Centre Assignments All Conservation Supporters will be expected to participate in Field Study Centre duties that will include but are not limited to: preparing food cleaning equipment and camp packing vehicles with equipment and personal effects other activities as required at the Field Study Centre
Required Skills Visas computer skills (basic) observational skills ability to cope with an adverse environment (essential) an open mind (essential) Holders of passports from the US, most of the European Union, Australia and Japan can obtain a Tourist Visa upon arrival at the airport in Nairobi, Kenya. On entry to Kenya the Conservation Supporter should request a tourist visa, which is US$50 single entry (depending on nationality) at the point of entry into the country. S/he should not state that s/he is in Kenya for any other purpose as it would involve a lot of additional paperwork and time. Citizens of other countries should check with their travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements. A useful website for visa requirements is: http://www.embassyworld.com Daily Schedule (example) Schedules can and do fluctuate depending on the conservation focus. Weather and work conditions can affect the daily schedule. Should this situation arise, your adaptation and understanding are appreciated. 6:00 8:00am Wake up, breakfast and get ready for the day 8:00 1:00pm Conservation research 1:00 2:00pm Lunch break and rest period (if day is hot a longer rest period) 2:00 5:00pm Research and/or data input (or until sunset) 6:00 8:00pm Prepare and eat evening meal Costs Soysambu Conservancy charges a daily conservation fee of US$24 for the first two weeks and US$12 per day for any additional days. This conservation fee does not cover any food or accommodation. Accommodation Field Study Centre There are a range of option for accommodation on Soysambu Conservancy and all bookings/arrangements have to be made directly with each host. Most volunteers stay at the Sugonoi House Compound, a privately managed residence that offers a dorm and several cottages. Sugonio House is the main building in the compound and the former residence of the Delamere family. The current rates for accommodation are Sugonoi House are US$20 per day for self- catering and US$44 for full board. Please contact Al and Missy Terry (alterry0029@gmail.com / mterry4943@gmail.com) directly for your booking and/or to inquire about special rates for longer stays. Other accommodation options on Soysambu Conservancy are Mbweha Camp, the Raptor Camp (very rustic and in the deep bush, similar standard as dorms), Sleeping Warrior Lodge, Eutut Camp, Serena Camp, Pundu Milia Camp, Subird Lodge or camping at Monkey Bridge Campsite or the Horse Riding Campsite. Arrangements for all accommodation have to be made by the volunteers themselves and before their stay. All volunteers have to make their own arrangement for transport to Soysambu Conservancy. 2
Internet is available at the Field Research Centre at own cost (current rate is approx. 2.00KSh/minute, but subject to change). Please Note: Disclaimer must be signed before entry. Code of Conduct and FSC Rules and Regulations must be adhered to at all times. We reserve the right to evict anyone who ignores these regulations. Litter: Please take your litter and garbage away with you. We are a Conservancy and human litter and garbage can kill or seriously injure both Wildlife and Livestock. These rates are inclusive of VAT. Payment terms: Bookings confirmed upon receipt of a 15% non- refundable deposit of the quoted reservation. Balance payable in full 20 days prior to arrival date. Please note, that all volunteers referred by GCF will receive a 10% discount during 2015! Cancellation: Between 60 & 45 days, 15% of the total cost is charged (the deposit) Between 45 & 30 days, 25% will be charged Between 29 & 22 days, 50% will be charged Between 21 and no show, 80% of the total cost is charged Soysambu Conservancy reserves the right to review these rates in the event of currency exchange rate fluctuation, tax increases, or other events beyond our control Physical Conditioning/Medical Advice While the project is not physically demanding, the environmental conditions under which the expedition is being conducted can be harsh. People with chronic conditions, which might require immediate medical assistance or care (i.e. heart disease) should not consider this as sometimes you can be far from medical treatment facilities. Conservation Supporters need to be in good physical and mental health. Certainly anyone with agoraphobia should not consider this expedition. There is a chance that hay fever sufferers should bring precautionary medicines. There is malaria in the research area and precaution is recommended ask your local doctor. Each Conservation Supporter should do her/his own assessment to evaluate whether s/he considers prophylactic medicine necessary. Weather Temperature Range: Altitude: Rainfall: 0 C/32 F 35 C/90 F approx. 1,800m/6,000ft 900mm/35inches per year *Note that, in direct sun, temperatures in the vehicles may be warmer than 25 C/77 F. 3
Medical Conditions of Special Concern The following medical conditions (or limitations) would make participation difficult or uncomfortable for Conservation Supporters. The list also includes health hazards, which may be encountered in the research area. Agoraphobia Hay fever allergies if wet season ends late Heart conditions Physical or mental conditions that require specialist treatment (e.g. kidney problems, diabetes, serious heart problems) or inhibit normal functioning Potential Hazards Conservation Supporters may be exposed to strong sun. Appropriate precautions must be taken against dehydration and sunburn. Remember to drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen, even when spending most of the day in the vehicle. There are inherent risks in working with large mammals, but Soysambu Conservancy has an excellent safety record. The risks are mitigated by following the protocols and instructions given by the staff. Conservation Supporters must adhere to these instructions at all times. Note on road conditions: Urban roads in Kenya are well maintained. Rural roads can be gravel/dirt and are affected by adverse weather conditions and sometimes by lack of maintenance. While in the conservation areas, vehicles will usually be off road. Driving in Kenya is done on the left side of the road. Wildlife can present a serious driving hazard especially at night. Field Communications Communication via mobile phone is excellent on Soysambu Conservancy. Cultural Considerations In Kenya, it is considered polite for women to dress appropriately when visiting rural communities, but this is not part of the focus of the conservation programme and is for additional travel information. Whilst in rural areas conservative dress code for women is always the best policy. Men are not subject to the same limitations but long pants are advisable if visiting rural communities, especially in formal situations. In urban environments, there is no strict dress code, but the society here is still fairly conservative. Clothing/Footwear for Fieldwork Long- sleeved shirt and pants/trousers Well worn in and comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots Wind proof jacket/coat as it can get cold in the mornings T- shirt/long sleeve shirt and shorts during the day Sandals Socks Hat with wide brim 4
Clothing/Footwear for Leisure Warm clothes (sweatshirt and 1 pair long pants/trousers) for the evening and night Field Supplies Small daypack/rucksack Drybag or plastic sealable baggies (good for protecting equipment such as camera from dust, humidity, and water) Water bottle(s) Binoculars Flashlight/torch or headlamp with extra batteries Pocket knife (remember to pack in checked luggage) Bedding and Bathing Towel Personal sleeping bag Personal Supplies Personal toiletries (we recommend bringing biodegradable soaps and shampoos) Toilet paper Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for washing hands while in the field) Personal first aid kit (anti- diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch- relief, pain reliever, bandages, moleskin, etc.) and personal medications. Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher and insect repellant Miscellaneous Camera and digital cards, extra camera battery Books, journal, etc. Favorite snack foods Sunglasses Spending money (ATM facilities are available in towns, credit cards are not widely accepted outside of the main population centres) Contacts Soysambu Conservancy info@soysambuconservancy.org / research@soysambuconservancy.org www.soysambuconservancy.org Soysambu Conservancy Ltd. PO Box Private Bag 20100, Nakuru, Kenya Giraffe Conservation Foundation info@giraffeconservation.org giraffeconservation.org PO Box 86099, Eros, Windhoek, Namibia 5