Basecamp Masai Mara - Kenya
Your eco-luxury lodge is located in a private conservancy adjoining the Masai Mara Reserve, along the Talek River, with monkeys and birds for neighbors. All in sustainable luxury
About this project
Main volunteering activities:
- Preparing the elephant’s vitamin balls
- Tracking their feeding patterns
- Assisting the vet on their daily checks
- Washing the elephant
- Cleaning their beds
- Maintaining the gardens
Key information:
- The typical number of days on this fulfilling project 2-3, but you can spend longer
- It involves 7-8 hours of helping each day, starting at 7:30am
- November to April is recommended, but you can help anytime
- This volunteering project blends well with activities in central Sri Lanka, including Kandy and the rest of the Cultural Triangle
Successes to date:
The foundation has cared for over 80 elephants. There are currently nine elephants being cared for at the sanctuary.
One of the resident elephants was the first in the country to be born in captivity.
The Foundation’s mahout training program is the only one to be recognized and accredited by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife.
This project is for you if:
- You are looking for a project that enables you to learn an enormous amount about elephants
- You would like an experience that has a variety of activities
- You are happy rolling up your sleeves and don’t mind getting dirty
Nearby activities:
- Exploring the fascinating Cultural Triangle
- The Tea Country hill stations
- Leopard spotting in Yala National Park
Suggested Itinerary for Sri Lanka
in Sri Lanka
Price: US$6,000 per adult, $3,800 per child under 12
This adventure enables you to bond as a family by conserving critically endangered sea turtles, plus you get to explore the wildlife highlights of Sri Lanka
Trip Highlights
- Rolling up your sleeves and caring for elephants
- Jeep safari to see elephants in the wild
- Awesome views and the engineering marvel that is Sigiriya Rock
- Bustling Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth
- Epic train ride
- The waterfalls and scenery of Horton Plains
- The beauty of the Tea stations
- A working tea factory
Price Includes
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Private transfers
- Domestic flights
- Expert local guides
- Meals as specified
- Volunteering costs
Note: Price excludes international flights
Sample Day by Day
Note: This is a sample itinerary only
- Day 1: Arrive Istanbul, you are met at the airport and transfered to your hotel, the Four Seasons Sultanhamet. Enjoy a Turkish bath experience (D)
- Day 2: Turkish dessert making lesson; private guided tour of Istanbul; Turkish dance show (B, L, D)
- Day 3: Street food tour of Istanbul. Private tour continues (B, L)
- Day 4: Fly to Cappadocia, begin private curated tour. Whirling dervish performance (B, L, D)
- Day 5: Hot air balloon ride. Resume private guided tour (B, L, D)
- Day 6-7: Fly to Antalya and transfer to Belek. Enjoy the resort. (B, D)
- Day 8: Turtle conservation volunteering: monitor and protect sea turtles (B, L, D)
- Day 9: Transfer to airport and fly home (B)
- Day 10: Transfer to airport and fly home (B)
- Day 11: Transfer to airport and fly home (B)
Note: This is a sample itinerary only, and we delight in crafting unique itineraries to meet your family’s exact requirements
Basecamp Masai Mara boasts 17 expansive river-view tents, including 2 family tents. Each tent features an en-suite bathroom with both indoor and open-air safari showers, as well as a private terrace overlooking the Talek river bed and the Masai Mara National Reserve. You can relish the Mara landscape and its wild inhabitants from the comfort of your tents. The family tents comprise two separate wings, each with a double bed and shared bathroom facilities, providing an ideal setting for a classic family safari adventure.
An African bush adventure fosters bonds and enriches family dynamics. Children, naturally drawn to nature and animals, exhibit profound curiosity and eagerness to learn in these surroundings. Understanding the unique needs of children, Basecamp ensures special arrangements are in place to cater to your kids’ requirements.
Children can participate in the Warriors Academy, which combines education with adventure, allowing kids to delve into the wilderness, wildlife, and authentic lifestyles of the Maasai tribes. Guided by warriors, families gain insights into these exceptional cultures, offering a unique perspective on the Kenyan wilderness.
Furthermore, Basecamp offers the Young Explorers Club: through a range of activities such as bush survival skills, archery, beading sessions with local Maasai artisans, tracking lessons with guides, and even kitchen involvement for budding chefs, children are engaged and entertained throughout their stay.
The Enjoolata Awareness Center serves as a cultural hub, showcasing tangible and intangible artifacts from the Maasai community. Managed and staffed by local community members, this center offers insights into Maasai culture, wildlife, and conservation efforts, providing enriching experiences for the whole family.
As proponents of responsible luxury, Basecamp prioritizes environmental sustainability and community empowerment. Through initiatives such as waste recycling, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and support for local businesses, the camp minimizes its ecological footprint while benefiting the local communities.
Basecamp Masai Mara’s commitment to sustainability has earned it the prestigious Gold eco-rating from Ecotourism Kenya.
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