CONSERVATION IN THE MAASAI MARA, KENYA - INTERNSHIP
Program Overview
This program runs for eight weeks with one week of virtual programming before departure from home, then seven weeks in-country. The in-country portion of the internship starts at Brackenhurst, an eco-campus in Limuru, before spending the bulk of the placement in the Maasai Mara. The internship will introduce students to biodiversity conservation in Kenya. They will work alongside a local team on the analysis and maintenance of ecological monitoring baselines in a community conservation area. The interns will learn and become familiar with various data collection methodologies as they enhance existing baselines at the newly established Pardamat Conservation Area. They will analyse the data and plan for future baseline maintenance. Under the supervision and guidance of an EDU Africa facilitator, the academic mentor, and the conservation team at the Pardamat Conservation Area, interns will have the opportunity to learn and network with professionals working in the field of biodiversity conservation. In line with EDU Africa’s Transformative Learning philosophy, this internship program focuses on the goal of professional development and the acquisition of intercultural and professional competency, teamwork, tolerance for ambiguity, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Pre-requisites
A background in environmental science, conservation biology, agroecology, horticulture, development studies, wildlife studies, or related subjects is ideal (entering level 200 and above). Participants need to be culturally aware and open-minded to thrive in this program. All lectures and tutorials are conducted in English; hence a good command of the
English language is essential.
Location
Brackenhurst Learning Center is home to one of the largest collections of indigenous plant species in East Africa, with over 1 000 tree and shrub species, many of which are endangered or thought to be extinct within their original distribution zones. It’s also an ideal base from which students can explore the surrounding Kenyan wetlands.
The Maasai Mara has 15 conservancies spanning over 300 000 acres. The conservancies provide connected critical wildlife habitats that complement national parks and the reserve. They also secure major wildlife migratory corridors and were established to conserve the environment and its wildlife while protecting, empowering, and improving the livelihoods of the local Maasai communities.
The internship program will specifically take place within the Pardamat Conservation Area. Pardamat is 64 000 acres of conservation area registered by 850 landowners. It is a unique area that has adopted a dual-use model of conservation, an approach that advocates and provides for human-wildlife coexistence. Pardamat is a key conservation puzzle piece because it serves as a migration route and connects four other conservancies to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Interns will be accommodated at the newly-developed educational and research hub in Pardamat - The Wildlife Tourism College of the Maasai Mara.
Program Length
This internship consists of virtual and in-country components:
Virtual: 5 days
In-Country: 7 weeks
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of ecological monitoring baselines in the conservation of biodiversity

- Create a plan for developing ecological monitoring baselines in a conservancy
- Hone professional and subject-specific skills through the guidance of professionals in the field
- Demonstrate intercultural competency skills such as self-awareness, curiosity, and empathy through collaboration with local professionals and students
- Reflect on personal growth, challenges, and experiences
- Consider their responsibility in the global context as they recognise the interconnectedness of global
- environmental challenges and successes across borders
Key Ecological Focus Areas:
- Wildlife (and livestock) count transects
- Camera trapping
- Vegetation assessment
- Raptor monitoring
- Predator monitoring
Academic Credit
We do not currently offer independent credit for this program. However, students are encouraged to contact us so that we supply the required documentation if their participating professors can assist in applying for credit through their home institution. We provide a certificate of completion and a grade report on the successful completion of the program, but we do not provide an official credit-bearing transcript.
Eligibility Requirements
- Walking long distances (i.e., 5 kilometers) over rough and muddy terrain during fieldwork
- Exposure to sun and wind during fieldwork
- Living in a setting that does not have a consistent internet connection
- Managing dietary needs with limited available options in some locations
- An ability to work in teams
Cost
USD $6 545
*Includes Maasai Village Experience and three Game Drives at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Other weekend excursions are available at an additional cost.
CONTACT EDU AFRICA