Kakamega Rainforest Enviromentalprogramme
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About the project
Kakamega Rainforest Enviromentalprogramme
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
KVSO is a non-profit and a community based organization established in 2015 in Kenya to promote peace, global citizenship and community development and cultural exchange through international volunteering programs by empowering young people to advance community development and strengthen multicultural understanding increase cooperation between Kenyan communities and people living in developed world through a range of development programs. We have partnerships with various organizations within Kenya and abroad to enhance our work and encourage cultural exchange and corporation.
💼 What the programme involves
The World Heritage Kakamega Rainforest Environmental Programme is a community-based international volunteer work camp focused on environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and environmental education. The programme is hosted in Kakamega County, home to Kenya’s only remaining tropical rainforest and a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
The programme combines hands-on conservation work, environmental education, and cultural exchange with the local Luhya community. Volunteers actively participate in forest restoration activities, biodiversity protection, cultural construction projects, and community engagement initiatives, while learning about sustainable forest management, indigenous knowledge systems, and heritage conservation.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will stay with local hosts. Accommodations are very simple, there is running water, and meals will be prepared by volunteers and sometimes the hosts will cook. Beds and Mattresses will be provided. Volunteer to carry; mosquito nets, sleeping bag, a pillow and water purifying tablets.
🍲 Food
Meals are prepared collaboratively using fresh produce from the daycare’s model farm. Volunteers are encouraged to bring mosquito nets, sleeping bags, water purifying tablets, and personal items to ensure comfort. give special info about meals
📍 About the location
Kakamega Forest is located in Western Kenya, spanning parts of Kakamega and Kisumu Counties. It is Kenya’s only tropical rainforest and the last remaining fragment of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that once covered much of Central and East Africa.
The forest covers approximately 238 km², with elevations ranging between 1,500–1,600 meters above sea level. It experiences a warm and humid tropical climate with average temperatures between 20°C and 30°C and annual rainfall ranging from 1,200–1,700 mm.
The surrounding community is predominantly Luhya, known for rich cultural traditions, music, dance (including Isikuti), and strong communal values.
🎒 Leisure activities
The Southern part of Kakamega forest, Isecheno Forest station run by the Kenya Forest Service is the most accessible in Tourism. There is the well-known Mama Mtere tree, a historic tree and the most photographed tree in Kakamega forest, there are also strangler fig trees.
There are hiking trails in the forest that allow for forest walking, camping, hiking, primate watching, bird and butterfly watching, game watching and village walks. The Kakamega Rainforest Tour Guides (KRFTG) can arrange tours to visit the weeping stone (Crying stone) at Ilesi, located along the Kakamega- Kisumu road, or Kisere Forest to see the De-brazes monkey in the north of Kakamega. Also bird watching, morning 6:30 am – 8:30 am is fantastic walk or evening 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm.
⚠️ Requirements
✔ Working shoes adapted to work on site
✔ Mobile phone
✔ Sleeping bag
✔ Mosquito net (can be bought in Kenya for around 3-5€)
✔ Flash light/torch
✔ Warm clothing and light clothing
✔ Camera
✔ Pocket money for any personal expenses
✔ Tablets for water purification
✔ Personal effects (i.e. Soap, Toiletries)
✔ First Aid basic kit & any personal medicine
🤝 Meeting point
Pick up will be organized from the airport by KVSO staff. You will find us easily after luggage pick up and visa control. Kindly keep the emergency number in your contact in case you need anything.
ℹ️ Additional information
An official orientation programme will take place on 30 June 2026 at KVSO offices in Nairobi. Volunteers will be picked up from their accommodation precincts and transported to the orientation venue by KVSO staff.
The orientation includes:
Introduction to Kenya and the Luhya community
Cultural briefing and basic language training (Kiswahili & Kiluhya)
Safety guidelines and project expectations
Introduction to the project site and volunteer roles
Opportunity to meet fellow volunteers
Extra Information About the Project
The programme places strong emphasis on heritage conservation, youth and community participation, and sustainable environmental practices. Kakamega Forest hosts over 380 plant species, 489 butterfly species, and numerous endemic bird and primate species, making it a site of exceptional global value.
Volunteer activities include:
Establishing and maintaining tree nurseries
Butterfly habitat conservation and butterfly farming
Traditional house construction (“Simba”) using indigenous methods
Environmental maintenance and forest regeneration
Educational visits to local schools
Cultural exchange through music, dance, and sports
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
📅 Available sessions
Kakamega Rainforest Environmental programme
01/04/2026 at 08:00 → 01/04/2027 at 17:00
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
380.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
6th floor, International Building, 00100 Mama Ngina St, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES / KSh)
Exchange rate
1 KES = 0.006892 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
East Africa Time
Local time: 21:18 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken