With plenty of planned tours on offer, you’re never short of activities to make the most of your free time when volunteering in Kenya. We’ve listed below some of the popular sites and tours that past IVHQ volunteers have experienced while on the IVHQ Kenya program.
The IVHQ Kenya program is located in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi (namely suburban Nairobi and Kibera Slum), Nakuru, Mombasa and in rural Kenyan communities and villages.
In and Around Nairobi
Nairobi City Tour
Take an organised city tour around Nairobi, stopping off at the Giraffe centre, Elephant Orphanage, Crocodile Farm, Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk, followed by a visit to the Monkey Park, a spot of souvenir shopping and dinner at a popular restaurant in town. This day tour can be arranged with the local staff during your stay in Kenya.
Maasai Markets
When souvenir shopping in Nairobi, look no further than the Maasai Markets. Once a week, families and communities from surrounding areas travel to Nairobi to sell their wares to locals and tourists alike. From drums, to jewelry, and everything in between, you’re sure to find plenty of goods to take home with you. Haggling is expected here, so be prepared to practice your skills and bargain with traders to lock in the best price!
Kibera Slum Tour and Feeding Program
Take part in assisting impoverished communities within Kibera Slum, the second largest urban slum in Africa, and visit members of the community who have established income-generating projects, such as woodwork, sewing and jewelry making. The program focuses on providing much-needed food and nutrition to impoverished families living in the slum. The Kibera Tour takes place twice a week and is arranged with the local staff during your stay in Kenya.
Further Afield
While volunteering in Kenya, many volunteers choose to travel further afield together to gain a deeper insight into the Kenyan people, landscape and wildlife. We’ve highlighted a couple of popular weekend activities for volunteers that our local staff are more than happy to help arrange with you.
Mombasa
After a week of volunteering, many volunteers like to take weekend trips to the coastal city of Mombasa. With a pristine white coastline and many affordable accommodation options, Mombasa makes for a popular tourist spot and is just an overnight bus or train away from Nairobi!
Outreach Weekend
Come on a weekend that pushes everything to the limit! Experience the thrill of mountain biking through Hell’s Gate National Park, followed by helping communities in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and slums, including Gioto Garbage Slum; all of which were established by past IVHQ volunteers. Outreach weekends take place every second weekend and are booked directly with the local staff during orientation.
Safari
Join your fellow volunteers for a three to four day safari through the spectacular Maasai Mara, Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru National Park, and see if you can spot all of the Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhinoceros)! You’ll see lots of wildlife in a high-quality, fun-packed and affordable weekend adventure! Safaris take place over the weekend, starting on Saturday and finishing on Monday or Tuesday, and they are booked directly with the local staff at orientation.
To apply for the program or explore the volunteering opportunities available in Kenya, visit our Volunteer in Kenya page.
