HELPING HANDS: Opportunities

The Tsavo/Amboseli eco-system is one of Africa’s largest untouched tracts of wilderness, in the southern region of Kenya. In the heart of Tsavo West rears the distinctive Mount Kasigau,, the last of the Eastern Arc range of mountains. Here, Origins Safaris has developed the Taita Discovery Centre as a community & conservation resource. The goal is to preserve this unprotected area of Tsavo as a vital wildlife corridor linking the Tsavo/Amboseli eco-system, reducing human-wildlife conflict and providing hands-on solutions for the local communities here. Projects include building education & health facilities, micro-enterprise initiatives, anti-poaching efforts and promoting sustainable eco-tourism.

Participation opportunities
For visitors wishing to participate in activities that either involve or directly benefit the local community there are a range of education and participation opportunities. Accommodation choices vary according to budget & desired comfort level.

Taita Discovery Centre (TDC), can arrange a wide range of educational activities and involvement in ongoing community and conservation projects.

Elephant Dung paper-making
TDC makes and sells paper made from a combination of elephant dung and shredded recycled paper. At TDC visitors can learn how to produce sheets of different sizes and construct and adorn various paper products for use as stationery, bookmarks and greetings cards.

Nocturnal Wildlife Observation
Under the close supervision of our naturalists, you will construct small, animal-friendly sets to contain subjects for close observation later and learn how to release them back to the wild completely unharmed. TDC is a favourite stopping off point for local researchers and ongoing studies undertaken at TDC are logged and the information shared with research groups and the National Museums of Kenya amongst others.

Early morning Bird Walks
The Tsavo region is one of Africa’s richest ornithological destinations. During the short rains (November/December) the endemic species are joined by the Palearctic migrants heading South to escape the winter months in the Northern hemisphere. Accompanied by our naturalist guide, you will gain insight into the range of species and their habitats here in this semi-arid bush landscape.

Wildlife tracking and identification
With expert animal and bush trackers, you will learn to identify the signs of the bush – from the hairs trapped in tree bark, worn stone scratching posts, scat (faeces) and pugmarks (pawprints) you will be taught how to translate these signs and understand what has passed through the bush before you. Casting is a popular way of measuring and preserving a distinctive animal track.

Elephant Research
Tsavo and elephants are inseparable. We will teach you how to identify, sex and age individual elephants in the wild. Digital photographs will then be matched with known individuals in our database. We then record the group composition (males, females, young), grid location and time of sighting. This data will help landowners to make wise management decisions and address issues of human-wildlife conflicts in the area.

Waterhole Monitoring
Water is the single most important resource for wildlife in Tsavo. On a typical day, we sample three waterholes and for two hours each, we observe and record on our datasheets all the wildlife coming for a drink. We shall do this for three days at a time to understand wildlife-water use.

Vegetation Survey and Analysis
We have set up 12 permanent vegetation plots in the conservancy to monitor vegetation changes over time. You will record basic plant parameters such as % canopy cover, height, age index, dbh and herbaceous plants. You will then input this into our computer database.

Participate in Community Conservation Programme

TDC offers a fixed 14 or 28 day program starting the first and third Monday of every month. This is a combination of community and wildlife conservation activities around Kasigau and Tsavo region, southeast Kenya.

You will be involved in a variety of community service activities such as sharing computer skills, teaching English, preparing teaching aids, helping in classrooms construction etc.

You will also help in wildlife and waterhole monitoring in Community Conservation Area.

Accommodation Options

Rockside Camp, Tsavo
Previously known as Hunter’s Camp, this simple lodge offers comfortable accommodation in simple wooden Bandas (cottages) with en-suite bathroom facilities. There is a central mess area and welcome & refreshing swimming pool. The camp is only 20 minutes drive to Kasigau villages. Located along an elephant corridor adjacent to Tsavo National Park, it is a simple home in the bush where you get an opportunity to meet other guests.
Download pdf of Rockside Camp, Tsavo

Sagala Lodge, Tsavo
Located at the foothills of Sagala Hills, this lodge offers a classic history of the ‘Man-eater’ lions of Tsavo during the construction of Kenya-Uganda Railway in the late 1800s and it is only a few minutes drive to both Tsavo National Parks. It offers 24 cottages within the privately owned 5,000 acre Sagala Wildlife Sanctuary.
Download pdf of Sagala Lodge, Tsavo 

Kasigau self-catering Banda
Each so-called ‘banda’ (hut or rondavel cottage) is fairly basic but adequately furnished. Each banda sleeps up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms, each room has 2 bunk beds. Simple, shared bathroom facilities are in a separate building adjacent to the banda. The bathroom has a basic shower (cold water) and a pit-latrine style toilet. There is a solar panel on the thatched roof to power the radio, which maintains contact with TDC.
Download pdf of Kasigau self-catering Banda

For additional accommodation options or to add TDC to your safari itinerary click here to visit Origins Safaris travel website

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